Comprehensive Effects of Aeration Rates on Ammonia Emissions, Nitrogen Transformation, and Compost Quality During Aerobic Composting of Chicken Manure
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: To mitigate severe nitrogen loss and elucidate the mechanisms of ammonia (NH3) reduction during aerobic composting of chicken manure, this study evaluated three aeration rates: A1 (0.2), A2 (0.6), and A3 (1.0 L min−1 kg−1). The results indicated that all treatments achieved standard harmlessness, with the thermophilic phase lasting 8–14 days and germination indexes exceeding 80%. Distinct performance trade-offs were observed across treatments. The A2 treatment achieved the highest maturity (GI: 100.81%) and the most stable process (indicated by the minimum redundancy analysis ellipse area), but concurrently yielded the maximum cumulative NH3 emissions (1074.88 g m−2). Conversely, the A3 treatment significantly suppressed cumulative NH3 emissions to 531.12 g m−2 (a 50.6% reduction compared to A2), driven primarily by moisture content (ρ = 0.99, p < 0.01), though this reduction occurred at the expense of system stability and microbial activity. Consequently, the selection of aeration rates requires a strategic trade-off tailored to specific goals: A2 is recommended for prioritizing premium-grade compost, whereas A3 is preferable for emission-driven scenarios. This study clarifies the aeration-mediated trade-off between NH3 mitigation and compost quality, providing a multi-objective decision-making framework for process optimization.
Source: Agronomy
Authors: Boyu Zhang, Bin Li, Lanbin Wei, Jiaqi Li, Meiying Liu, Wenwen Zhao
Language: English
Subfield: Soil Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,137
OpenAlex ID: W7204479939