Mitigating Greenhouse Gas and Ammonia Emissions from Swine Manure Management: A System Analysis

Gaseous
emissions from animal manure are considerable contributor
to global ammonia (NH3) and agriculture greenhouse gas
(GHG) emissions. Given the demand to promote mitigation of GHGs while
fostering sustainable development of the Paris Agreement, an improvement
of management systems is urgently needed to help mitigate climate
change and to improve atmospheric air quality. This study presents
a meta-analysis and an integrated assessment of gaseous emissions
and mitigation potentials for NH3, methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) (direct and indirect) losses
from four typical swine manure management systems (MMSs). The resultant
emission factors and mitigation efficiencies allow GHG and NH3 emissions to be estimated, as well as mitigation potentials
for different stages of swine operation. In particular, changing swine
manure management from liquid systems to solid–liquid separation
systems, coupled with mitigation measures, could simultaneously reduce
GHG emissions by 65% and NH3 emissions by 78%. The resultant
potential reduction in GHG emissions from China’s pig production
alone is greater than the entire GHG emissions from agricultural sector
of France, Australia, or Germany, while the reduction in NH3 emissions is equivalent to 40% of the total NH3 emissions
from the European Union. Thus, improved swine manure management could
have a significant impact on global environment issues.