Changes in nitrogen isotopic compositions during composting of cattle feedlot manure: effects of bedding material type.
Temporal changes in delta(15)N of cattle feedlot manure during its composting with either rice hull (RHM) or sawdust (SDM) as bedding materials were investigated. Regardless of the bedding material used, the delta(15)N of total N in the manure increased sharply from +7.6 per thousand to +9.9 per thousand and from +11.4 per thousand to +14.3 per thousand, respectively, in RHM or SDM, within 10 days from the commencement of composting. Such increases could be attributed primarily to N loss via NH(3) volatilization and denitrification based on the very high delta(15)N values (greater than +20 per thousand) of NH(4)(+) and NO(3)(-) in the co-composted manure. The delta(15)N of total N in RHM was substantially lower (by more than 3 per thousand) than that in SDM, suggesting that the delta(15)N of the composted manure was affected not only by N loss but also by the type of bedding material used. Specifically, the higher N concentration in the rice hull than in the saw dust could lead to a greater (15)N isotope dilution.
Kim
Young-Joo
YJ
Department of Agricultural Engineering, Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 660-701, Republic of Korea.
Choi
Woo-Jung
WJ
Lim
Sang-Sun
SS
Kwak
Jin-Hyeob
JH
Chang
Scott X
SX
Kim
Han-Yong
HY
Yoon
Kwang-Sik
KS
Ro
Hee-Myong
HM
D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D001512:Bedding and Linens / Q000662:veterinary*; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology*; D006799:Housing, Animal; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007723:Korea; D008372:Manure / Q000032:analysis*; D009566:Nitrates / Q000032:analysis; D009573:Nitrites / Q000032:analysis; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis*; D012275:Oryza / Q000737:chemistry; D012987:Soil / Q000032:analysis*; D013696:Temperature
D008372:Manure; D009566:Nitrates; D009573:Nitrites; D012987:Soil; D009584:Nitrogen