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Ammonia Volatilization and Greenhouse Gases Emissions during Vermicomposting with Animal Manures and Biochar to Enhance Sustainability

Author

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  • Syed Turab Raza

    (Key Laboratory of Mountain Surface Processes and Ecological Regulation, Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 9, Section 4, Renmin Road-South, Chengdu 610041, China
    International College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China)

  • Jia Liang Tang

    (Key Laboratory of Mountain Surface Processes and Ecological Regulation, Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 9, Section 4, Renmin Road-South, Chengdu 610041, China)

  • Zulfiqar Ali

    (Laboratory of Environmental Health & Wildlife, Department of Zoology, University of the Punjab, Lahore 54590, Pakistan)

  • Zhiyuan Yao

    (Key Laboratory of Mountain Surface Processes and Ecological Regulation, Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 9, Section 4, Renmin Road-South, Chengdu 610041, China)

  • Hamidou Bah

    (Key Laboratory of Mountain Surface Processes and Ecological Regulation, Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 9, Section 4, Renmin Road-South, Chengdu 610041, China)

  • Hassan Iqbal

    (Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 100864, China)

  • Xiao Ren

    (Key Laboratory of Mountain Surface Processes and Ecological Regulation, Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 9, Section 4, Renmin Road-South, Chengdu 610041, China)

Abstract

There is a huge potential for nutrient recovery from organic waste materials for soil fertility restoration as well as negative environmental emission mitigation. Previous research has found vermicomposting the optimal choice for converting organic waste into beneficial organic fertilizer while reducing reactive N loss. However, a great deal of the processes of greenhouse gases (GHG) and ammonia volatilization during vermicomposting are not well-documented. A field vermicomposting experiment was conducted by deploying earthworms ( Eisenia fetida ) with three types of agricultural by-products—namely, cow manure (VCM), pig manure (VPM), and biochar (VBC)—and crop (maize) residues compared with traditional composting (COM) without earthworms in the Sichuan Basin, China. Results showed that vermicomposting caused a decrease in electrical conductivity (EC) and total organic carbon (TOC) while increasing total nitrogen (TN). The greatest TN increase was found with VCM. The cumulative NH 3 volatilization in COM, VCM, VPM, and VBC during experimental duration was 9.00, 8.02, 15.16, and 8.91 kg N ha −1 , respectively. The cumulative CO 2 emissions in COM, VCM, VPM, and VBC were 2369, 2814, 3435, and 2984 (g·C·m −2 ), while for CH 4 , they were 0.36, 0.28, 4.07, and 0.19 (g·C·m −2 ) and, for N 2 O, they were 0.12, 0.06, 0.76, and 0.04 (g·N m −2 ), respectively. Lower emissions of N 2 O, CH 4 , and NH 3 were observed in VBC. We concluded that earthworms, as ecological engineers, enhanced reactive nutrients and reduced ammonia volatilization during vermicomposting in our test system. Overall, vermicomposting is proposed as an eco-friendly, sustainable technique that helps to reduce environmental impacts and associated health risks.

Suggested Citation

  • Syed Turab Raza & Jia Liang Tang & Zulfiqar Ali & Zhiyuan Yao & Hamidou Bah & Hassan Iqbal & Xiao Ren, 2020. "Ammonia Volatilization and Greenhouse Gases Emissions during Vermicomposting with Animal Manures and Biochar to Enhance Sustainability," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-18, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2020:i:1:p:178-:d:469855
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Zinat Mahal & Helmut Yabar & Md Faisal Abedin Khan, 2025. "Optimization of Composting Locations for Livestock Manure in Bangladesh: Spatial Analysis-Based Potential Environmental Benefits Assessment," Clean Technol., MDPI, vol. 7(3), pages 1-25, August.

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