Mitigation of gaseous nitrogen losses during composting of beef cattle bedded manure using rice husk biochar

Jinho Shin; Dongyeo Kim; Riuh Wardhani; Abera Jabessa Fufa; Yongwoo Song; Tegu Lee; Suhyun Kim; Jongok Lee; Heekwon Ahn

doi:10.11109/JAES.2025.27.2.057

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2025 Vol.27, Issue 2 Next Page

Research article

Mitigation of gaseous nitrogen losses during composting of beef cattle bedded manure using rice husk biochar 왕겨 바이오차 첨가가 한우 깔짚분뇨 퇴비화 중 발생되는 암모니아 및 아산화질소에 미치는 영향

31 August 2025. pp. 57-68

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Abstract

This study evaluated the efficacy of rice husk biochar (RHB) for mitigating gaseous nitrogen losses and enhancing nitrogen retention during the composting of Hanwoo (Korean native cattle) bedded manure. A 58-day pilot-scale trial was conducted using six 800 L intermittently turned compost piles: three control piles without biochar and three amended with 10% RHB (w/w, dry basis). Ammonia (NH₃) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions were quantified using 2.2 m³ flux chambers, alongside monitoring of internal pile conditions. RHB amendment significantly enhanced organic matter decomposition, with volatile solids reduction reaching 27.5% in RHB compared to 19.3% in control (p<0.05). Compared to the control, the RHB treatment reduced cumulative NH₃ and N₂O emissions by 33.4% and 25.2%, respectively, over the composting period (p<0.05). Consequently, total nitrogen retention was improved by 29% in the RHB treatment (p<0.05). The enhanced nitrogen conservation is attributed primarily to RHB's porous structure, which provided adsorption sites for ammoniacal nitrogen, thereby reducing volatilization losses and potentially influencing nitrification- denitrification pathways. The findings demonstrate that incorporating 10% RHB into intermittently turned composting systems offers a practical strategy to improve nitrogen use efficiency and environmental sustainability in Hanwoo bedded manure management.

Keywords

Rice husk biochar

Composting

Ammonia

Nitrous oxide

Cattle manure

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Information

Publisher :The Korean Society of Animal Environmental Science & Technology
Publisher(Ko) :(사)한국축산환경학회
Journal Title :Journal of Animal Environmental Science
Journal Title(Ko) :축산시설환경학회지
Volume : 27
No :2
Pages :57-68
Received Date : 2025-04-22
Revised Date : 2025-08-26
Accepted Date : 2025-08-26
DOI :https://doi.org/10.11109/JAES.2025.27.2.057

Journal of Animal Environmental Science ISSN:1226-0274(Print) 축산시설환경학회지

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