Journal article
C and N dynamics of a range of biogas slurries as a function of application rate and soil texture: a laboratory experiment
Publication Details
Authors: | Ludwig, B.; Sänger, A.; Geisseler, D. |
Publisher: | TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD |
Publication year: | 2014 |
Journal: | Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science |
Pages range : | 1779-1794 |
Volume number: | 60 |
Issue number: | 12 |
Start page: | 1779 |
End page: | 1794 |
Number of pages: | 16 |
ISSN: | 0365-0340 |
DOI-Link der Erstveröffentlichung: |
Abstract
Digestates vary in composition and studies regarding their impact on C and N dynamics in soils are scarce. The objective was to analyse the C and N dynamics of digestates originating from various substrates applied to a sandy Cambisol and a silty Anthrosol. In three laboratory experiments (4-6 weeks), the effects of digestate properties, N rate and water content were tested. Averaged over both soils, 21% of the C supplied was emitted as CO2. Potential NH3 emissions during the first week ranged between 6% and 12% of NH4+ present in the digestates. The emission factors in the sandy Cambisol were on average 1.2 and 2 times higher for CO2 and potential NH3, respectively, compared to the silty Anthrosol. Similarly, net nitrogen mineralization in the sandy Cambisol was approximately twice the N mineralized in the silty Anthrosol. Net nitrification was not influenced by soil texture or different digestates, but increased with increasing application rates and had highest values at 75% of water holding capacity. Our results indicate that the type of substrate input for anaerobic digestion influences the properties of the digestate and therefore the dynamics of C and N. However, soil texture can affect these dynamics markedly.
Digestates vary in composition and studies regarding their impact on C and N dynamics in soils are scarce. The objective was to analyse the C and N dynamics of digestates originating from various substrates applied to a sandy Cambisol and a silty Anthrosol. In three laboratory experiments (4-6 weeks), the effects of digestate properties, N rate and water content were tested. Averaged over both soils, 21% of the C supplied was emitted as CO2. Potential NH3 emissions during the first week ranged between 6% and 12% of NH4+ present in the digestates. The emission factors in the sandy Cambisol were on average 1.2 and 2 times higher for CO2 and potential NH3, respectively, compared to the silty Anthrosol. Similarly, net nitrogen mineralization in the sandy Cambisol was approximately twice the N mineralized in the silty Anthrosol. Net nitrification was not influenced by soil texture or different digestates, but increased with increasing application rates and had highest values at 75% of water holding capacity. Our results indicate that the type of substrate input for anaerobic digestion influences the properties of the digestate and therefore the dynamics of C and N. However, soil texture can affect these dynamics markedly.
Keywords
CO2, NH3 volatilization, nitrification, N mineralization, soil texture
