Name: lab-scale model to evaluate odor and gas concentrations emitted by deep bedded pack manure
Uploaded: 2018-07-19T14:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Lab-Scale Model to Evaluate Odor and Gas Concentrations Emitted by Deep Bedded Pack Manure at JoVE.com

The author wishes to acknowledge Alan Kruger, Todd Boman, Shannon Ostdiek, Elaine Berry, and Ferouz Ayadi who assisted with data collection using the simulated bedded packs. The author also recognizes Tami Brown-Brandl and Dale Janssen for their assistance maintaining the environmental chambers.

The study is designed to be conducted over 42 days with weekly data collection. All animal procedures were reviewed and approved by the US Meat Animal Research Center Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.
1. Constructing Simulated Bedded Packs
<ol>
	<li>Begin with plastic cylinder containers that are 0.42 m high with a 0.38 m diameter. 
	NOTE: In this study, one particular 10-gallon commercial trash container was used (see Table of Materials), but other similar-s...

<ol>
	<li>Doran, B., Euken, R., Spiehs, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Hoops+and+mono-slopes:+What+we+have+learned+about+management+and+performance.">Hoops and mono-slopes: What we have learned about management and performance.</a> Feedlot Forum 2010. , 8-16 (2010).</li><li>Andersson, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Performance+of+bedding+materials+in+affecting+ammonia+emissions+from+pig+manure.">Performance of bedding materials in affecting ammonia emissions from pig manure.</a> J. Agric. Engng. Res. 65, 213-222 (1996).</li><li>Jeppsson, K. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Volatilization+of+ammonia+in+deep-litter+systems+with+different+bedding+materials+for+young+cattle.">Volatilization of ammonia in deep-litter systems with different bedding materials for young cattle.</a> J. Agric. Engng. Res. 73, 49-57 (1999).</li><li>Powell, J. M., Misselbrook, T. H., Casler, M. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Season+and+bedding+impacts+on+ammonia+emissions+from+tie-stall+dairy+barns.">Season and bedding impacts on ammonia emissions from tie-stall dairy barns.</a> J. Environ. Qual. 37, 7-15 (2008).</li><li>Gilhespy, S. L., Webb, J., Chadwick, D. R., Misselbrook, T. H., Kay, R., Camp, V., Retter, A. L., Bason, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Will+additional+straw+bedding+in+buildings+housing+cattle+and+pigs+reduce+ammonia+emissions.">Will additional straw bedding in buildings housing cattle and pigs reduce ammonia emissions.</a> Biosystems Engng. , 180-189 (2009).</li><li>Spiehs, M. J., Woodbury, B. L., Doran, B. E., Eigenberg, R. A., Kohl, K. D., Varel, V. H., Berry, E. D., Wells, J. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Environmental+conditions+in+beef+deep-bedded+mono-slope+facilities:+A+descriptive+study.">Environmental conditions in beef deep-bedded mono-slope facilities: A descriptive study.</a> Trans ASABE. 54, 663-673 (2011).</li><li>Cortus, E. L., Spiehs, M. J., Doran, B. E., Al Mamun, M. R. H., Ayadi, F. Y., Cortus, S. D., Kohl, K. D., Pohl, S., Stowell, R., Nicolai, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Ammonia and hydrogen sulfide concentration and emission patterns for mono-slope beef cattle facilities in the Northern Great Plains. , (2014).</li><li>Spiehs, M. J., Cortus, E. L., Holt, G. A., Kohl, K. D., Doran, B. E., Ayadi, F. Y., Cortus, S. D., Al Mamun, M. R., Pohl, S., Nicolai, R., Stowell, R., Parker, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Particulate+matter+concentration+for+mono-slope+beef+cattle+facilities+in+the+Northern+Great+Plains.">Particulate matter concentration for mono-slope beef cattle facilities in the Northern Great Plains.</a> Trans. ASABE. 57, 1831-1837 (2014).</li><li>Ayadi, F. Y., Cortus, E. L., Spiehs, M. J., Miller, D. N., Djira, G. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ammonia+and+greenhouse+gas+concentrations+at+surfaces+of+simulated+beef+cattle+bedded+manure+packs.">Ammonia and greenhouse gas concentrations at surfaces of simulated beef cattle bedded manure packs.</a> Trans. ASABE. 58, 783-795 (2015).</li><li>Ayadi, F. Y., Spiehs, M. J., Cortus, E. L., Miller, D. N., Djira, G. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Physical,+chemical,+and+biological+properties+of+simulated+beef+cattle+bedded+manure+packs.">Physical, chemical, and biological properties of simulated beef cattle bedded manure packs.</a> Trans. ASABE. 58, 797-811 (2015).</li><li>Spiehs, M. J., Brown-Brandl, T. M., Parker, D. B., Miller, D. N., Berry, E. D., Wells, J. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Effect+of+bedding+materials+on+concentration+of+odorous+compounds+and+Escherichia+coli+in+beef+cattle+bedded+manure+packs.">Effect of bedding materials on concentration of odorous compounds and Escherichia coli in beef cattle bedded manure packs.</a> J. Environ. Qual. 42, 65-75 (2013).</li><li>Spiehs, M. J., Brown-Brandl, T. M., Parker, D. B., Miller, D. N., Jaderborg, J. P., Diconstanzo, A., Berry, E. D., Wells, J. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Use+of+wood-based+materials+in+beef+bedded+manure+packs:+1.+Effect+on+ammonia,+total+reduced+sulfide,+and+greenhouse+gas+concentrations.">Use of wood-based materials in beef bedded manure packs: 1. Effect on ammonia, total reduced sulfide, and greenhouse gas concentrations.</a> J. Environ. Qual. 43, 1187-1194 (2014).</li><li>Spiehs, M. J., Brown-Brandl, T. M., Berry, E. D., Wells, J. E., Parker, D. B., Miller, D. N., Jaderborg, J. P., Diconstanzo, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Use+of+wood-based+materials+in+beef+bedded+manure+packs:+2.+Effect+on+odorous+volatile+organic+compounds,+odor+activity+value,+Escherichia+coli,+and+nutrient+concentration.">Use of wood-based materials in beef bedded manure packs: 2. Effect on odorous volatile organic compounds, odor activity value, Escherichia coli, and nutrient concentration.</a> J. Environ. Qual. 43, 1195-1206 (2014).</li><li>Spiehs, M. J., Brown-Brandl, T. M., Parker, D. B., Miller, D. N., Berry, E. D., Wells, J. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ammonia,+total+reduced+sulfides,+and+greenhouse+gases+of+pine+chip+and+corn+stover+bedding+packs.">Ammonia, total reduced sulfides, and greenhouse gases of pine chip and corn stover bedding packs.</a> J. Environ. Qual. 45, 630-637 (2016).</li><li>Spiehs, M. J., Berry, E. D., Wells, J. E., Parker, D. B., Brown-Brandl, T. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Odorous+volatile+organic+compounds,+Escherichia+coli,+and+nutrient+concentrations+when+kiln-dried+pine+chips+and+corn+stover+bedding+are+used+in+beef+bedded+manure+packs.">Odorous volatile organic compounds, Escherichia coli, and nutrient concentrations when kiln-dried pine chips and corn stover bedding are used in beef bedded manure packs.</a> J. Environ. Qual. 46, 722-732 (2017).</li><li>Herbert, S., Hashemi, M., Chickering-Sears, C., Weis, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Bedding options for livestock and equine. , (2008).</li><li>Effects of bedding on pig performance. Iowa State Research Farm Progress Reports Available from: <a target="_blank" href="https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/farms_reports/134/">https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/farms_reports/134/</a> (2012)</li><li>Brown-Brandl, T. M., Nienaber, J. A., Eigenberg, R. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Temperature+and+humidity+control+in+indirect+calorimeter+chambers.">Temperature and humidity control in indirect calorimeter chambers.</a> Trans. ASABE. 54, 685-692 (2011).</li><li>Abney, C. S., Vasconcelos, J. T., McMeniman, J. P., Keyser, S. A., Wilson, K. R., Vogel, G. J., Galyean, M. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Effects+of+ractophamine+hydrochlodride+on+performance,+rate+and+variation+in+feed+intake,+and+acid-base+balance+in+feedlot+cattle.">Effects of ractophamine hydrochlodride on performance, rate and variation in feed intake, and acid-base balance in feedlot cattle.</a> J. Anim. Sci. 85, 3090-3098 (2007).</li><li>Miller, D. N., Woodbury, B. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+solid-phase+microextraction+chamber+method+for+analysis+of+manure+volatiles.">A solid-phase microextraction chamber method for analysis of manure volatiles.</a> J. Environ. Qual. 35, 2383-2394 (2006).</li><li>Woodbury, B. L., Miller, D. N., Eigenberg, R. A., Nienaber, J. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=An+inexpensive+laboratory+and+field+chamber+for+manure+volatile+gas+flux+analysis.">An inexpensive laboratory and field chamber for manure volatile gas flux analysis.</a> Trans. ASABE. 49, 767-772 (2006).</li><li>Koziel, J. A., Spinhirne, J. P., Lloyd, J. D., Parker, D. B., Wright, D. W., Kuhrt, F. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Evaluation+of+sample+recovery+of+malodorous+livestock+gases+from+air+sampling+bags,+solid-phase+microextraction+fibers,+Tenax+TA+sorbent+tubes,+and+sampling+canisters.">Evaluation of sample recovery of malodorous livestock gases from air sampling bags, solid-phase microextraction fibers, Tenax TA sorbent tubes, and sampling canisters.</a> J. Air Waste Manag. Assn. 55, 1147-1157 (2005).</li><li>Parker, D. B., Gilley, J., Woodbury, B., Kim, K., Galvin, G., Bartelt-Hunt, S. L., Li, X., Snow, D. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Odorous+VOC+emission+following+land+application+of+swine+manure+slurry.">Odorous VOC emission following land application of swine manure slurry.</a> Atmos. Environ. 66, 91-100 (2013).</li><li>Parker, D. B., Koziel, J. A., Cai, L., Jacobson, L. D., Akdeniz, N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Odor+and+odorous+chemical+emissions+from+animal+buildings:+Part+6.+Odor+activity+value.">Odor and odorous chemical emissions from animal buildings: Part 6. Odor activity value.</a> Trans. ASABE. 55, 2357-2368 (2012).</li><li>Watson, M., Wolf, A., Wolf, N., Peters, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Total+nitrogen.">Total nitrogen.</a> Recommended methods of manure analysis. , 18-24 (2003).</li><li>Wolf, A., Watson, M., Wolf, N., Peters, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Digestion+and+dissolution+methods+for+P,+K,+Ca,+Mg,+and+trace+elements.">Digestion and dissolution methods for P, K, Ca, Mg, and trace elements.</a> Recommended methods of manure analysis. , 30-38 (2003).</li><li>Euken, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+survey+of+manure+characteristics+from+bedded+confinement+buildings+for+feedlot+beef+productions:+Progress+report.">A survey of manure characteristics from bedded confinement buildings for feedlot beef productions: Progress report.</a> Animal Industry Report. , (2009).</li><li>Li, L., Li, Q. -. F., Wang, K., Bogan, B. W., Ni, J. -. Q., Cortus, E. L., Heber, A. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+National+Air+Emission+Monitoring+Study's+southeast+layer+site:+Part+I.+Site+characteristics+and+monitoring+methodology.">The National Air Emission Monitoring Study's southeast layer site: Part I. Site characteristics and monitoring methodology.</a> Trans. ASABE. 56, 1157-1171 (2013).</li></ol>

The frequent addition of urine and feces to the bedded packs is a critical step. We experimented with adding urine and feces just once weekly, but found that the bedded pack developed a crust, which trapped gases inside the pack and was not representative of commercial facilities. The use of fresh feces at the beginning of the study ensures that the bedded packs is inoculated with common bacterial populations found in cattle facilities. It is also important, when adding the urine, to remember to adjust the pH to physiolo...

Beef cattle confinement facilities are a popular housing option in the Midwest and Upper Great Plains. Confinement facilities are more common in this region than the Southern Plains because the region receives more annual precipitation, which creates more feedlot runoff that must be contained. Many producers chose to build mono-slope barns for beef cattle. The primary reasons cited by producers for selecting a mono-slope facility was the ability to schedule labor and manure removal, and improved performance compared to open lot feedlots1. A majority of cattle producers (72.2%) using mono-slope barns maintain a bedded pack for one turn of cattle or longer, using a deep-bedding management system for bedding and waste1. The most common bedding material used is corn stover, although producers report using soybean stubble, wheat straw, corn cobs, and sawdust1. Because of the regional demand for corn stover bedding, many producers were interested in alternative bedding materials that could be used in mono-slope facilities. In addition to economics and animal comfort, producers questioned how the bedding material would impact the environment of the facility, including the production of odorous gases, nutrient composition of the resulting manure/bedding, and presence of pathogens.
Few studies have been conducted to measure air quality resulting from different bedding materials used in livestock housing, with most focusing only on ammonia. Most of the previous evaluations of air quality include on-farm data collection with one or two experimental units per treatments being analyzed at once2,3,4,5. Having limited numbers of experimental units requires the study to be repeated multiple times, thus adding additional variables such as weather conditions, age or stage of production of animals, and perhaps bedding materials produced in different growing seasons.
With no known lab-scaled model to study factors affecting air quality and nutrient composition of the manure/bedding mixture resulting from beef deep-bedded mono-slope facilities, researchers first attempted to utilize commercial cattle facilities using a deep-bedded system6,7,8. Static flux chambers were used to measure NH3 concentrations on the surface of mono-slope deep bedded cattle facilities over an 18 month period6. Two pens in each of two barns were measured. Chopped corn stalks were the preferred bedding material, but wheat straw and soybean stalks were also used for bedding during brief periods of this project. Bedding use ranged from 1.95 - 3.37 kg per animal per day and pen density ranged from 3.22 - 6.13 m2 per animal. Subsequent studies measured ammonia and hydrogen sulfide emissions from the barn7, and particulate matter concentrations outside the barn8. These studies were conducted over a 2 year period using two to four barn locations. The challenge with on-farm data collection is the lack of control that the research has over the system. Producers change cattle diets, move animals from pen to pen, use bedding materials from different sources, and clean and re-bed pens as their production and labor force allows, thus confounding many variables. On-farm research also involves travel expenses and large quantities of experimental treatments (such as bedding material). The objective of this project was to develop a lab-scale model that could be used to study factors affecting air quality and nutrient management in cattle deep-bedded mono-slope facilities.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>10 gallon plastic cylinder containers</td>
			<td>Rubbermaid</td>
			<td>Model 2610</td>
			<td>Other similar-sized plastic containers are suitable</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mass balance</td>
			<td>Any</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Capable of measuring 0.1 gram</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Electric drill with 1 cm bit</td>
			<td>Any</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Methane analyzer</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>Model 55i Methane/Non-methane Analyzer</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hydrogen sulfide analyzer</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>Model 450i</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ammonia analyzer</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>Model 17i</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Carbon dioxide analyzer</td>
			<td>California Analytical</td>
			<td>Model 1412</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Nitrous oxide analyzer</td>
			<td>California Analytical</td>
			<td>Model 1412</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Programmable Logic Relay</td>
			<td>TECO</td>
			<td>Model SG2-020VR-D</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Stainless steel flux chambers</td>
			<td>Any</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Constructed using the parts list and directions cited at Woodbury et al., 2006</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rubber skits</td>
			<td>Any</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Constructed from flexible rubber material. Cut into squares (61 cm x 61 cm) with 22.9 cm diameter hole in center.&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>pH meter</td>
			<td>Spectrum Technologies</td>
			<td>IQ150</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>thermometer</td>
			<td>Spectrum Technologies</td>
			<td>IQ150</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ruler or tape measure</td>
			<td>Any</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Capable of measuring in cm</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sorbent tubes</td>
			<td>Markes International</td>
			<td>Tenax TA</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pocket pumps</td>
			<td>SKC Inc.</td>
			<td>Series 210</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Inert sampling line</td>
			<td>Teflon</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>0.64 cm diameter</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pump</td>
			<td>Thomas</td>
			<td>107 series</td>
			<td>Used to flush air through sample lines</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

lab-scale model to evaluate odor and gas concentrations emitted by deep bedded pack manure

A lab-scaled simulated bedded pack model was developed to study air quality and nutrient composition of deep-bedded packs used in cattle mono-slope facilities. This protocol has been used to effectively evaluate many different bedding materials, environmental variables (temperature, humidity), and potential mitigation treatments that can improve air quality in commercial deep-bedded mono-slope facilities. The model is dynamic and allows researchers to easily collect many chemical and physical measurements from the bedded pack. Weekly measurements, collected over the course of six to seven weeks, allows sufficient time to see changes in air quality measurements over time as the bedded pack matures. The data collected from the simulated bedded packs is within the range of concentrations previously measured in commercial deep-bedded mono-slope facilities. Past studies have demonstrated that 8 - 10 experimental units per treatment are sufficient to detect statistical differences among the simulated bedded packs. The bedded packs are easy to maintain, requiring less than 10 minutes of labor per bedded packs per week to add urine, feces, and bedding. Sample collection using the gas sampling system requires 20 - 30 minutes per bedded pack, depending on the measurements that are being collected. The use of lab-scaled bedded packs allows the researcher to control variables such as temperature, humidity, and bedding source that are difficult or impossible to control in a research or commercial facility. While not a perfect simulation of &#34;real-world&#34; conditions, the simulated bedded packs serve as a good model for researchers to use to examine treatment differences among bedded packs. Several lab-scale studies can be conducted to eliminate possible treatments before trying them in a research or commercial-sized facility.

To date, seven research studies have been published9,10,11,12,13,14,15 using this procedure, with modifications and adjustments made to improve the model and reflect objectives of the specific experiments. This procedure has been used to evaluate the effect o...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Lab-Scale Model to Evaluate Odor and Gas Concentrations Emitted by Deep Bedded Pack Manure at JoVE.com

Lab-Scale Model to Evaluate Odor and Gas Concentrations Emitted by Deep Bedded Pack Manure

A protocol has been developed to measure gases, odors, and nutrient composition in lab-scaled bedded manure packs, which can be used to study ways to improve air quality in commercial cattle facilities using deep-bedded manure packs.

A lab-scaled simulated bedded pack model was developed to study air quality and nutrient composition of deep-bedded packs used in cattle mono-slope ...

This method can help answer key questions related to air quality in livestock facilities including the effect of bedding, humidity, temperature, or amendments that are used in bedded livestock facilities. The main advantage of this technique is that it allows factors to be evaluated in a controlled environment and eliminates less effective treatments before conducting research at commercial-sized facilities. Demonstrating the procedure will be Alan Kruger, a technician from my laboratory.For simulator chambers, use plastic cylindrical containers that are 0.42 meters tall and 0.38 meters in diameter which match some 10 gallon trash containers. Start with drilling out six one-centimeter holes around the circumference of the container approximately five centimeters from the top. Space the holes out equally.Then clean out the container and load it with 320 grams of bedding material, followed by 320 grams of fresh cattle feces, and 320 grams of fresh cattle urine. Then stir the mixture together using a five centimeter circumference rod for about 30 seconds. After stirring, wipe the rod clean using an antiseptic disposal wipe or warm soapy water to prevent cross-contamination of microbes.Then record the final mass of the container's contents. Next, place the plastic container in the environmental chamber set to an ambient temperature of 18 to 20 degrees Celsius with a dew point of 12 degrees Celsius. Three times a week, perform maintenance on the bedding packs.For this task, first adjust the pH of thawed urine to 7.4 using sodium hydroxide and keep the urine container capped as often as possible. Next, weigh and record the mass of the bedded pack. Then weigh out 320 grams of thawed cattle feces and 320 grams of thawed urine and add both to the bedded pack.Once per week, also add 320 grams of fresh bedding. Always stir up the mixture for 30 seconds like when it was initially setup before returning the bedded pack simulator to the environmental chamber. Collect samples from the simulated bedded packs weekly prior to maintenance.First, measure the distance from the top of the simulated bedded pack to the top of the plastic container holding the simulated bedded pack. Next, push a metal stake about five centimeters into the middle of the bedded pack. Then thread 0.64 centimeter outer diameter tubing through one of the holes at the top of the simulated bedded pack container.Then inside the simulator, attach a 12.5 centimeter metal stake to the tubing so that the tubing is 1.3 centimeters above the bedded pack surface. Next, place rubber skirts with 22.9 centimeter diameter holes onto the static flux chambers. The skirt functions as a seal.Place the static flux chambers with skirt onto the bedded pack simulators. Now connect the 0.64 centimeter inert tubing to the flux chambers using inert compression fittings. The flux chamber performs the gas sampling and is controlled by a programmable logic relay that controls the solenoid valves, thus the gas flow.To finish preparing the setup, use the pump to flush ambient air through the tubing at a rate of five liters per minute for 30 minutes. To take gas measurements, first open the stopcock on the sample line to draw ambient air from the room into the inert sample lines connected to gas sampling manifold. Now program the relay to pull in ambient air and record measurements for 20 minutes.After 20 minutes, close the stopcock to end the sampling period. Next, program the relay to sample air from the lines connected to the simulators for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, measure the volatile organics in the simulator head space.First, remove the brass storage cap on a preconditioned, stainless steel sorbent tube. Then attach the sorbent tube onto the inlet port on the flux chamber using flexible rubber tubing and attach the other end of the sorbent tube to a vacuum pump. Then pull air into the sorbent tube from the simulator for five minutes for a total sample volume of 0.375 liters.Later, turn off the pump and put away the sorbent tube. Immediately before analyzing the sorbent tube on the gas analysis system, replace the brass storage caps with PTFE analytical caps. Then proceed with the analysis of volatile organics according to the text protocol.This procedure has been used to evaluate the effect of numerous bedding materials in ambient temperature on odor and gas production as well as amendments that can be added to control ammonia emissions. Chemical and physical properties of the bedded packs have been measured in commercial barns as well as in the simulated bedded packs. The procedure produces comparable results to commercial facilities and also has good repeatability amongst the simulated bedded pack studies.To determine if the protocol was a suitable model to supplement expensive on-farm research trials, air quality data was collected from commercial facilities and simulated bedded packs using the described method and older, labor-intensive methods such as the acid trap method. Overall, the measurements were very similar, supporting the use of the described labor-saving method. After watching this video, you should have a good understanding of how to use this lab-scaled model to study factors affecting air quality and nutrient management in livestock facilities using bedding.Following this procedure, you can create lab-scaled models to evaluate many different materials, environmental variables, and mitigation treatments that can improve air quality in commercial livestock facilities. The model is dynamic and allows researchers to easily collect useful measurements.

lab-scale-model-to-evaluate-odor-gas-concentrations-emitted-deep

Research

JoVE Journal

Environment

Optimize Flue Gas Settings to Promote Microalgae Growth in Photobioreactors via Computer Simulations

Flue gas from power plants can promote algal cultivation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions1. Microalgae not only capture solar energy more efficiently than plants3, but also synthesize advanced biofuels2-4. Generally, atmospheric CO2 is not a sufficient source for supporting maximal algal growth5. On the other hand, the high concentrations of CO2 in industrial exhaust gases have adverse effects on algal physiology. Consequently, both cultivation conditions (such as nutrients and light) and the control of the flue gas flow into the photo-bioreactors are important to develop an efficient &ldquo;flue gas to algae&rdquo; system. Researchers have proposed different photobioreactor configurations4,6 and cultivation strategies7,8 with flue gas. Here, we present a protocol that demonstrates how to use models to predict the microalgal growth in response to flue gas settings. We perform both experimental illustration and model simulations to determine the favorable conditions for algal growth with flue gas. We develop a Monod-based model coupled with mass transfer and light intensity equations to simulate the microalgal growth in a homogenous photo-bioreactor. The model simulation compares algal growth and flue gas consumptions under different flue-gas settings. The model illustrates: 1) how algal growth is influenced by different volumetric mass transfer coefficients of CO2; 2) how we can find optimal CO2 concentration for algal growth via the dynamic optimization approach (DOA); 3) how we can design a rectangular on-off flue gas pulse to promote algal biomass growth and to reduce the usage of flue gas. On the experimental side, we present a protocol for growing Chlorella under the flue gas (generated by natural gas combustion). The experimental results qualitatively validate the model predictions that the high frequency flue gas pulses can significantly improve algal cultivation.

Flue gas from power plants is a cheap CO2 source for algal growth. We have built prototype &#34;flue gas to algal cultivation&#34; systems and described how to scale up the algal cultivation process. We have demonstrated the use of a mass-transfer bio-reaction model to simulate and to design the optimal operation of flue gas for the growth of Chlorella sp. in algal photo-bioreactors.

Flue gas from power plants can promote algal cultivation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions1. Microalgae not only capture solar energy more efficiently ...

Measurement of Greenhouse Gas Flux from Agricultural Soils Using Static Chambers

Measurement of greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes between the soil and the atmosphere, in both managed and unmanaged ecosystems, is critical to understanding the biogeochemical drivers of climate change and to the development and evaluation of GHG mitigation strategies based on modulation of landscape management practices. The static chamber-based method described here is based on trapping gases emitted from the soil surface within a chamber and collecting samples from the chamber headspace at regular intervals for analysis by gas chromatography. Change in gas concentration over time is used to calculate flux. This method can be utilized to measure landscape-based flux of carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane, and to estimate differences between treatments or explore system dynamics over seasons or years. Infrastructure requirements are modest, but a comprehensive experimental design is essential. This method is easily deployed in the field, conforms to established guidelines, and produces data suitable to large-scale GHG emissions studies.

This article showcases the static chamber-based method for measurement of greenhouse gas flux from soil systems. With relatively modest infrastructure investments, measurements may be obtained from multiple treatments/locations and over timeframes ranging from hours to years.

Measurement of greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes between the soil and the atmosphere, in both managed and unmanaged ecosystems, is critical to understanding the ...

Measurement of H2S in Crude Oil and Crude Oil Headspace Using Multidimensional Gas Chromatography, Deans Switching and Sulfur-selective Detection

A method for the analysis of dissolved hydrogen sulfide in crude oil samples is demonstrated using gas chromatography. In order to effectively eliminate interferences, a two dimensional column configuration is used, with a Deans switch employed to transfer hydrogen sulfide from the first to the second column (heart-cutting). Liquid crude samples are first separated on a dimethylpolysiloxane column, and light gases are heart-cut and further separated on a bonded porous layer open tubular (PLOT) column that is able to separate hydrogen sulfide from other light sulfur species. Hydrogen sulfide is then detected with a sulfur chemiluminescence detector, adding an additional layer of selectivity. Following separation and detection of hydrogen sulfide, the system is backflushed to remove the high-boiling hydrocarbons present in the crude samples and to preserve chromatographic integrity. Dissolved hydrogen sulfide has been quantified in liquid samples from 1.1 to 500 ppm, demonstrating wide applicability to a range of samples. The method has also been successfully applied for the analysis of gas samples from crude oil headspace and process gas bags, with measurement from 0.7 to 9,700 ppm hydrogen sulfide.

Measurement of H2S in Crude Oil and Crude Oil Headspace Using Multidimensional Gas Chromatography, Deans Switching and Sulfur-selective Detection

A multidimensional gas chromatography method for the analysis of dissolved hydrogen sulfide in liquid crude oil samples is presented. A Deans switch is used to heart-cut light sulfur gases for separation on a secondary column and detection on a sulfur chemiluminescence detector.

A method for the analysis of dissolved hydrogen sulfide in crude oil samples is demonstrated using gas chromatography. In order to effectively eliminate ...

A Push-pull Protocol to Reduce Colonization of Bird Nest Boxes by Honey Bees

Introduction of the invasive Africanized honey bee (AHB) into the Neotropics is a serious problem for many cavity nesting birds, specifically parrots. These bees select cavities that are suitable nest sites for birds, resulting in competition. The difficulty of removing bees and their defensive behavior makes a prevention protocol necessary. Here, we describe a push-pull integrated pest management protocol to deter bees from inhabiting bird boxes by applying a bird safe insecticide, permethrin, to repel bees from nest boxes, while simultaneously attracting them to pheromone-baited swarm traps. Shown here is an example experiment using Barn Owl nest boxes. This protocol successfully reduced colonization of Barn Owl nest boxes by Africanized honey bees. This protocol is flexible, allowing adjustments to accommodate a wide range of bird species and habitats. This protocol could benefit conservation efforts where AHB are located.

Preventing colonization of bird nest boxes by invasive Africanized honey bees is important for conservation efforts of nest-site limited birds. We provide an integrated pest management approach to &#34;push&#34; bees away from nest boxes with a repellant insecticide, permethrin, and &#34;pull&#34; them toward pheromone baited swarm traps.

Introduction of the invasive Africanized honey bee (AHB) into the Neotropics is a serious problem for many cavity nesting birds, specifically parrots. ...

Protocol for Measuring the Thermal Properties of a Supercooled Synthetic Sand-water-gas-methane Hydrate Sample

Methane hydrates (MHs) are present in large amounts in the ocean floor and permafrost regions. Methane and hydrogen hydrates are being studied as future energy resources and energy storage media. To develop a method for gas production from natural MH-bearing sediments and hydrate-based technologies, it is imperative to understand the thermal properties of gas hydrates.
The thermal properties' measurements of samples comprising sand, water, methane, and MH are difficult because the melting heat of MH may affect the measurements. To solve this problem, we performed thermal properties' measurements at supercooled conditions during MH formation. The measurement protocol, calculation method of the saturation change, and tips for thermal constants' analysis of the sample using transient plane source techniques are described here.
The effect of the formation heat of MH on measurement is very small because the gas hydrate formation rate is very slow. This measurement method can be applied to the thermal properties of the gas hydrate-water-guest gas system, which contains hydrogen, CO2, and ozone hydrates, because the characteristic low formation rate of gas hydrate is not unique to MH. The key point of this method is the low rate of phase transition of the target material. Hence, this method may be applied to other materials having low phase-transition rates.

We present a protocol for measuring the thermal properties of synthetic hydrate-bearing sediment samples comprising sand, water, methane, and methane hydrate.

Methane hydrates (MHs) are present in large amounts in the ocean floor and permafrost regions. Methane and hydrogen hydrates are being studied as future ...

Methods of Soil Resampling to Monitor Changes in the Chemical Concentrations of Forest Soils

Recent soils research has shown that important chemical soil characteristics can change in less than a decade, often the result of broad environmental changes. Repeated sampling to monitor these changes in forest soils is a relatively new practice that is not well documented in the literature and has only recently been broadly embraced by the scientific community. The objective of this protocol is therefore to synthesize the latest information on methods of soil resampling in a format that can be used to design and implement a soil monitoring program. Successful monitoring of forest soils requires that a study unit be defined within an area of forested land that can be characterized with replicate sampling locations. A resampling interval of 5 years is recommended, but if monitoring is done to evaluate a specific environmental driver, the rate of change expected in that driver should be taken into consideration. Here, we show that the sampling of the profile can be done by horizon where boundaries can be clearly identified and horizons are sufficiently thick to remove soil without contamination from horizons above or below. Otherwise, sampling can be done by depth interval. Archiving of sample for future reanalysis is a key step in avoiding analytical bias and providing the opportunity for additional analyses as new questions arise.

Repeated soil sampling has recently been shown to be an effective way to monitor forest soil change over years and decades. To support its use, a protocol is presented that synthesizes the latest information on soil resampling methods to aid in the design and implementation of successful soil monitoring programs.

Recent soils research has shown that important chemical soil characteristics can change in less than a decade, often the result of broad environmental ...

Ecotoxicological Method with Marine Bacteria Vibrio anguillarum to Evaluate the Acute Toxicity of Environmental Contaminants

Bacteria are an important component of the ecosystem, and microbial community alterations can have a significant effect on biogeochemical cycling and food webs. Toxicity testing based on microorganisms are widely used because they are relatively quick, reproducible, cheap, and are not associated with ethical issues. Here, we describe an ecotoxicological method to evaluate the biological response of the marine bacterium Vibrio anguillarum. This method assesses the acute toxicity of chemical compounds, including new contaminants such as nanoparticles, as well as environmental samples. The endpoint is the reduction of bacterial culturability (i.e., the capability to replicate and form colonies) due to exposure to a toxicant. This reduction can be generally referred to as mortality. The test allows for the determination of the LC50, the concentration that causes a 50% decrease of bacteria actively replicating and forming colonies, after a 6 h exposure. The culturable bacteria are counted in terms of colony forming units (CFU), and the &#34;mortality&#34; is evaluated and compared to the control. In this work, the toxicity of copper sulphate (CuSO4) was evaluated. A clear dose-response relationship was observed, with a mean LC50 of 1.13 mg/L, after three independent tests. This protocol, compared to existing methods with microorganisms, is applicable in a wider range of salinity and has no limitations for colored/turbid samples. It uses saline solution as the exposure medium, avoiding any possible interferences of growth medium with the investigated contaminants. The LC50 calculation facilitates comparisons with other bioassays commonly applied to ecotoxicological assessments of the marine environment.

Ecotoxicological Method with Marine Bacteria Vibrio anguillarum to Evaluate the Acute Toxicity of Environmental Contaminants

This work describes a new protocol to assess the ecotoxicity of pollutants, including emerging contaminants such as nanomaterials, using the marine bacterium Vibrio anguillarum. This method allows for the determination of the LC50, or mortality, the concentration that causes a 50% decrease in bacteria culturability, after a 6 h exposure.

Bacteria are an important component of the ecosystem, and microbial community alterations can have a significant effect on biogeochemical cycling and food ...

Measuring and Mapping Patterns of Soil Erosion and Deposition Related to Soil Carbonate Concentrations Under Agricultural Management

Spatial patterns of soil erosion and deposition can be inferred from differences in ground elevation mapped at appropriate time increments. Such changes in elevation are related to changes in near-surface soil carbonate (CaCO3) profiles. The objective is to describe a simple conceptual model and detailed protocol for repeatable field and laboratory measurements of these quantities. Here, accurate elevation is measured using a ground-based differential global positioning system (GPS); other data acquisition methods could be applied to the same basic method. Soil samples are collected from prescribed depth intervals and analyzed in the lab using an efficient and precise modified pressure-calcimeter method for quantitative analysis of inorganic carbon concentration. Standard statistical methods are applied to point data, and representative results show significant correlations between changes in soil surface layer CaCO3 and changes in elevation consistent with the conceptual model; CaCO3 generally decreased in depositional areas and increased in erosional areas. Maps are derived from point measurements of elevation and soil CaCO3 to aid analyses. A map of erosional and depositional patterns at the study site, a rain-fed winter wheat field cropped in alternating wheat-fallow strips, shows the interacting effects of water and wind erosion affected by management and topography. Alternative sampling methods and depth intervals are discussed and recommended for future work relating soil erosion and deposition to soil CaCO3.

Spatial patterns of soil erosion and deposition can be inferred from differences in ground elevation mapped at appropriate time increments. Such changes in elevation are related to changes in near-surface soil carbonates. Repeatable methods for field and laboratory measurements of these quantities and data analysis methods are described here.

Spatial patterns of soil erosion and deposition can be inferred from differences in ground elevation mapped at appropriate time increments. Such changes ...

Operation of a 25 KWth Calcium Looping Pilot-plant with High Oxygen Concentrations in the Calciner

Calcium looping (CaL) is a post-combustion CO2 capture technology that is suitable for retrofitting existing power plants. The CaL process uses limestone as a cheap and readily available CO2 sorbent. While the technology has been widely studied, there are a few available options that could be applied to make it more economically viable. One of these is to increase the oxygen concentration in the calciner to reduce or eliminate the amount of recycled gas (CO2, H2O and impurities); therefore, decreasing or removing the energy necessary to heat the recycled gas stream. Moreover, there is a resulting increase in the energy input due to the change in the combustion intensity; this energy is used to enable the endothermic calcination reaction to occur in the absence of recycled flue gases. This paper presents the operation and first results of a CaL pilot plant with 100% oxygen combustion of natural gas in the calciner. The gas coming into the carbonator was a simulated flue gas from a coal-fired power plant or cement industry. Several limestone particle size distributions are also tested to further explore the effect of this parameter on the overall performance of this operating mode. The configuration of the reactor system, the operating procedures, and the results are described in detail in this paper. The reactor showed good hydrodynamic stability and stable CO2 capture, with capture efficiencies of up to 70% with a gas mixture simulating the flue gas of a coal-fired power plant.

Operation of a 25 KWth Calcium Looping Pilot-plant with High Oxygen Concentrations in the Calciner

This manuscript describes a procedure for operating a calcium looping pilot-plant for post-combustion carbon capture with high oxygen concentrations in the calciner in order to reduce or eliminate the flue gas recycle.

Calcium looping (CaL) is a post-combustion CO2 capture technology that is suitable for retrofitting existing power plants. The CaL process uses limestone ...

Procedures of Laboratory Fumigation for Pest Control with Nitric Oxide Gas

Nitric oxide (NO) is a newly discovered fumigant for postharvest pest control. This paper provides detailed protocols for conducting NO fumigation on fresh products and procedures for residue analysis and product quality evaluation. An airtight fumigation chamber containing fresh fruit and vegetables is first flushed with nitrogen (N2) to establish an ultralow oxygen (ULO) environment followed by injection of NO. The fumigation chamber is then kept at a low temperature of 2 - 5 &#176;C for a specified time period necessary to kill a target pest to complete a fumigation treatment. At the end of a fumigation treatment, the fumigation chamber is flushed with N2 to dilute NO prior to opening the chamber to ambient air to prevent the reaction between NO and O2, which produces NO2 and may damage delicate fresh products. At different times after NO fumigation, NO2 in headspace and nitrate and nitrite in liquid samples were measured as residues. Product quality was evaluated after 2 weeks of post-treatment cold storage to determine effects of NO fumigation on product quality. Keeping&#160;O2 from reacting with NO is critical to NO fumigation and is an important part of the protocols. Measuring NO levels is challenging and a practical solution is provided. Possible protocol modifications are also suggested for measuring NO levels in the fumigation chambers as well as residues. NO fumigation has the potential to be a practical alternative to methyl bromide fumigation for postharvest pest control on fresh and stored products. This publication is intended to assist other researchers in conducting NO fumigation research for postharvest pest control and accelerating the development of NO fumigation for practical applications.

This paper describes nitric oxide (NO) fumigation protocols for postharvest pest control. Fumigation chambers are flushed with nitrogen (N2) to establish ultralow oxygen conditions before NO is injected. At the end, chambers are flushed with N2 to dilute NO before exposing products to ambient air to prevent exposure to NO2.

Nitric oxide (NO) is a newly discovered fumigant for postharvest pest control. This paper provides detailed protocols for conducting NO fumigation on ...