The effect of biogas ebullition on ammonia emissions from animal manure-processing lagoons.

Various models have been developed to determine ammonia (NH ) emissions from animal manure-processing lagoons to enable relatively simple estimations of emissions. These models allow estimation of actual emissions without intensive field measurements or "one-size-fits-all" emission factors. Two mechanisms for lagoon NH emissions exist: (a) diffusive gas exchange from the water surface and (b) mass-flow (bubble transport) from NH contained within the ebullition gas bubble (as it rises to the surface) produced from anaerobic decomposition of organic matter.

Classification of Nitrate Polluting Activities through Clustering of Isotope Mixing Model Outputs.

Apportionment of nitrate (NO) sources in surface water and classification of monitoring locations according to NO polluting activities may help implementation of water quality control measures. In this study, we (i) evaluated a Bayesian isotopic mixing model (stable isotope analysis in R [SIAR]) for NO source apportionment using 2 yr of δN-NO and δO-NO data from 29 locations within river basins in Flanders (Belgium) and five expert-defined NO polluting activities, (ii) used the NO source contributions as input to an unsupervised learning algorithm (k-means clustering) to reclassify sampling locations into NO polluting activities, and (iii) assessed if a decision tree model of physicochemical data could retrieve the isotope-based and expert-defined classifications. Based on the SIAR and δB results, manure/sewage was identified as a major NO source, whereas soil N, fertilizer NO, and NH in fertilizer and rain were intermediate sources and NO in precipitation was a minor source.

Use of a Bayesian isotope mixing model to estimate proportional contributions of multiple nitrate sources in surface water.

To identify different NO(3)(-) sources in surface water and to estimate their proportional contribution to the nitrate mixture in surface water, a dual isotope and a Bayesian isotope mixing model have been applied for six different surface waters affected by agriculture, greenhouses in an agricultural area, and households. Annual mean δ(15)N-NO(3)(-) were between 8.0 and 19.

Error assessment of nitrogen and oxygen isotope ratios of nitrate as determined via the bacterial denitrification method.

Currently, bacterial denitrification is becoming the accepted method for delta(15)N- and delta(18)O-NO(3)(-) determination. However, proper correction methods with international references (USGS32, USGS34 and USGS35) are needed. As a consequence, it is important to realize that the corrected isotope values are derived from a combination of several other measurements with associated uncertainties.

Comparison of the silver nitrate and bacterial denitrification methods for the determination of nitrogen and oxygen isotope ratios of nitrate in surface water.

Nitrogen (N) and oxygen (O) isotope ratios of NO(3) (-) are often used to trace dominant NO(3) (-) pollution sources in water. Both the silver nitrate (AgNO(3)) method and the bacterial denitrification method are frequently used analytical techniques to determine delta(15)N- and delta(18)O-NO(3) (-) in aqueous samples. The AgNO(3) method is applicable for freshwater and requires a concentration of 100-200 micromol of NO(3) (-) for isotope determination.

Accumulation and fractionation of trace metals in a Tunisian calcareous soil amended with farmyard manure and municipal solid waste compost.

A field plots experiment was carried out to assess the effects of repeated application of municipal solid waste compost in comparison to farmyard manure on the accumulation and distribution of trace metals, as well as organic carbon and nitrogen in Tunisian calcareous soil. Compared with untreated soil, the application of the two organic amendments significantly increased the organic carbon and nitrogen contents of the soil. Particle-size fractionations showed that carbon and nitrogen were mainly found to occur in the macro-organic matter fraction (80%).

Present limitations and future prospects of stable isotope methods for nitrate source identification in surface- and groundwater.

Nitrate (NO3(-)) contamination of surface- and groundwater is an environmental problem in many regions of the world with intensive agriculture and high population densities. Knowledge of the sources of NO3(-) contamination in water is important for better management of water quality. Stable nitrogen (delta15N) and oxygen (delta18O) isotope data of NO3(-) have been frequently used to identify NO3(-) sources in water.

On-line technique to determine the isotopic composition of total dissolved nitrogen.

A new on-line analytical setup for 15N measurements of total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) has been developed through the coupling of a high-temperature catalytic (Ce(IV)O2) oxidation furnace, a Cu reduction furnace, and an isotope ratio mass spectrometer. The detection limit for accurate delta15N measurements is 20 mg of N L-1. For N-containing compounds dissolved in water, a standard deviation on N concentration measurements of 0.

Modelling of stable isotope fractionation by methane oxidation and diffusion in landfill cover soils.

A technique to measure biological methane oxidation in landfill cover soils that is gaining increased interest is the measurement of stable isotope fractionation in the methane. Usually to quantify methane oxidation, only fractionation by oxidation is taken into account. Recently it was shown that neglecting the isotope fractionation by diffusion results in underestimation of the methane oxidation.

Assessment of temporal and spatial variation of nitrate removal in riparian zones.

The aim of this study was to monitor long-term temporal and spatial groundwater NO(3) (-) removal efficiencies in different riparian zones via a limited number of sampling wells. Groundwater NO(3) (-) concentrations were measured fortnightly or monthly over a period of two years using transects of ground water sampling wells. Depending on the level of the NO(3) (-) load (up to 120mgNL(-1) at the input side of the riparian zone a distance of 10 to 30m was needed to remove NO(3) (-) from the groundwater below 11.

Induction of enhanced methane oxidation in compost: temperature and moisture response.

Landfilling is one of the most common ways of municipal solid waste disposal. Degradation of organic waste produces CH(4) and other landfill gases that significantly contribute to global warming. However, before entering the atmosphere, part of the produced CH(4) can be oxidised while passing through the landfill cover.

Carbon and hydrogen isotope fractionation by microbial methane oxidation: improved determination.

Isotope fractionation is a promising tool for quantifying methane oxidation in landfill cover soils. For good quantification an accurate determination of the isotope fractionation factor (alpha) of methane oxidation based on independent batch experiments with soil samples from the landfill cover is required. Most studies so far used data analysis methods based on approximations of the Rayleigh model to determine alpha.

Soil delta15N patterns in old-growth forests of southern Chile as integrator for N-cycling.

Old-growth forests of southern Chile represent an important reserve of temperate (rain) forests in the world. Wetter and colder forest ecosystems appear to be more efficient in conserving and recycling N such that mostly non-plant available N species are lost, which could be indicated by more depleted delta15N values of the soil and plants. Hydrological N loss from the old-growth forests in southern Chile occurs mainly via dissolved organic nitrogen and not via dissolved inorganic N.

Nitrogen cycling through swine production systems: ammonia, dinitrogen, and nitrous oxide emissions.

Ammonia (NH(3)) emissions from animal systems have become a primary concern for all of livestock production. The purpose of this research was to establish the relationship of nitrogen (N) emissions to specific components of swine production systems and to determine accurate NH(3) emission factors appropriate for the regional climate, geography, and production systems. Micrometeorological instrumentation and gas sensors were placed over two lagoons in North Carolina during 1997-1999 to obtain information for determining ammonia emissions over extended periods and without interfering with the surrounding climate.

Microbial biomass in a soil amended with different types of organic wastes.

Application of different types of organic wastes may have a marked effect on soil microbial biomass and its activity. The objective of this study was to quantify the amount of microbial biomass in a loamy-clayey soil, amended with different types of organic waste residues (composts of municipal solid waste of different ages, sewage sludge and farmyard manure) and incubated for 8 weeks at 25 degrees C and two-thirds of field capacity, using the fumigation-extraction method. Both microbial biomass-C and -N (BC and BN, respectively) appeared to be dependent on the type of organic waste residues, on their degree of stability, and on their chemical characteristics.

Stable carbon isotope analysis of different tissues of beef animals in relation to their diet.

As part of a larger experiment, 31 young bulls, divided into three groups, were given different diets containing either C(3) plants or a combination of C(3) and C(4) plant-based feeds in three feeding periods before slaughter. Variation in the proportion of C(4) plant material in the diets was made by including or not maize or maize-derived ingredients, whereas the other dietary constituents were from C(3) plants. Analysis of stable carbon isotope ratios (delta(13)C value) was performed on different tissues taken at slaughter: blood, plasma, liver, kidney fat, hair, muscle and ruminal contents.

Modeling and simulation of oxygen-limited partial nitritation in a membrane-assisted bioreactor (MBR).

Combination of a partial nitritation process and an anaerobic ammonium oxidation process for the treatment of sludge reject water has some general cost-efficient advantages compared to nitrification-denitrification. The integrated process features two-stage autotrophic conversion of ammonium via nitrite to dinitrogen gas with lower demand for oxygen and no external carbon requirement. A nitrifying membrane-assisted bioreactor (MBR) for the treatment of sludge reject water was operated under continuous aeration at low dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations with the purpose of generating nitrite accumulation.

Quantifying nitrate retention processes in a riparian buffer zone using the natural abundance of 15N in NO3-.

Quantifying the relative importance of denitrification and plant uptake to groundwater nitrate retention in riparian zones may lead to methods optimising the construction of riparian zones for water pollution control. The natural abundance of 15N in NO3- has been shown to be an interesting tool for providing insights into the NO3- retention processes occurring in riparian zones. In this study, 15N isotope fractionation (variation in delta15N of the residual NO3-) due to denitrification and due to plant uptake was measured in anaerobic soil slurries at different temperatures (5, 10 and 15 degrees C) and in hydroponic systems with different plant species (Lolium perenne L.

Relationship between soil organic C degradability and the evolution of the delta13C signature in profiles under permanent grassland.

The main objective of this research was to investigate to what extent the potential C dynamics of soil organic matter (SOM) are related to the degree of 13C enrichment with increasing depth in soil profiles under permanent grassland. The evolution of the C content and the 13C natural abundance (delta13C value) of SOM were investigated in three soil profiles (0-40 cm depth) under permanent grassland of varying texture (a loamy sand, a loam and a clay loam soil). The delta13C value of the SOM showed a gradual increase with increasing depth and decreasing C content in the profiles, ranging from 1.

Simulation model for gas diffusion and methane oxidation in landfill cover soils.

Landfill cover soils oxidize a considerable fraction of the methane produced by landfilled waste. Despite many efforts this oxidation is still poorly quantified. In order to reduce the uncertainties associated with methane oxidation in landfill cover soils, a simulation model was developed that incorporates Stefan-Maxwell diffusion, methane oxidation, and methanotrophic growth.

Effect of organic and mineral fertilizers on N-use by wheat under different irrigation frequencies.

A field trial was established in Errachidia, southern Morocco, to investigate the interaction between wheat residue management and mineral 15N-labelled ammonium sulphate, under different irrigation treatments, applied to wheat (Triticum durum var. Karim). In treatments I1, I2, I3 and I4, plots were irrigated every 10, 15, 21 and 30 days.

Identification and quantification of nitrogen removal in a rotating biological contactor by 15N tracer techniques.

High autotrophic nitrogen removal rates of 858mg NL(-1) day(-1) or 1.55g Nm(-2) day(-1) were obtained in a lab-scale rotating biological contactor treating an ammonium rich influent. It was postulated that ammonium was removed as dinitrogen gas by a sequence of aerobic ammonium oxidation to nitrite taking place in the outer biofilm layer and anaerobic ammonium oxidation with nitrite as electron acceptor occuring in the deeper biofilm layer.

Evolution of the delta13C signature related to total carbon contents and carbon decomposition rate constants in a soil profile under grassland.

Evolution of the total carbon (C) content and the (13)C enrichment (delta(13)C signature) of soil organic matter (SOM) with increasing depth in a soil profile under permanent grassland (C(3) vegetation) were investigated. The relationship between the total C content and the delta(13)C signature at different depths in the upper 30 cm of the soil profile could be well fitted by the Rayleigh equation (y = -29.8 - 2.

Characterization of soil organic matter fractions from grassland and cultivated soils via C content and delta13C signature.

Variations in (13)C natural abundance and distribution of total C among five size and density fractions of soil organic matter, water soluble organic C (WSOC) and microbial biomass C (MBC) were investigated in the upper layer (0-20 cm) of a continuous grassland soil (CG, C(3) vegetation), a C(3)-humus soil converted to continuous maize cultivation (CM, C(4) vegetation) and a C(3)-humus soil converted to a rotation of maize cultivation and grassland (R). The amounts of WSOC and MBC were both significantly larger in the CG than in the CM and the R. In the three soils, WSOC was depleted while MBC was enriched in (13)C as compared with whole soil C.