Abstract

DOMINGO, Magalí N; PICONE, Liliana I; VIDELA, Cecilia C  and  MACEIRA, Néstor. Volatilización de amoníaco y emisiones de dióxido de carbono a partir de un sistema intensivo de producción de carne. Cienc. suelo [online]. 2013, vol.31, n.1, pp.107-118. ISSN 1850-2067.

Cattle feedlot production systems are being widely adopted in Argentina. High stocking rates in these systems cause a large return of manure to the soil, generating excessive nutrient concentrations that can result in soil, surface water and groundwater contamination. In addition, the atmosphere may be polluted due to the release of ammonia (NH3), carbon dioxide (CO2) and other gases to the atmosphere. Ammonia and CO2 losses, soil pH and mineral nitrogen (N) content were analyzed in the feedlot (CE), the runoff area (AE) and the pasture without animals (PA). Accumulated NH3-N losses in October 2009, May and June 2010 were greater in CE than in PA and AE areas (p< 0.05) which did not differ, while in July 2010 CE only differed significantly from PA (p< 0.05). The highest accumulated volatilization was recorded in CE (6.5 g N m-2) in October 2009, while values were below 0.5 g N m-2 in AE and PA. In August, September and October 2009, CE also showed higher total production of CO2 -C (between 14.8 and 16.7 g C m-2) than EA and PA (p0.05). However, CO2-C tended to be higher in CE because of the greater content of soluble carbon supplied by manure. The CE area had a higher pH and inorganic N content, particularly ammonium (NH4 +-N), than AE and PA, explaining the increased losses of NH3-N. Emissions of NH3-N and CO2-C also responded to rain events and changes in temperature. The results highlight that manure management is an important issue that has to be considered in order to minimize its accumulation in soils as well as the impact on the environment.

Keywords : Ammonia; Contamination; Carbon dioxide; Feedlot.

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