Effectiveness of Floating Covers in Mitigating Ammonia and Hydrogen Sulfide Emissions from Lab-Scale Swine Slurry Pits

This study investigated the effectiveness of floating covers (FCs) in mitigating ammonia (NH3) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) emissions from lab-scale swine slurry pits. Lab experiments were conducted over 125 days, comparing a treatment setup with FCs covering approximately 51.6% of the slurry surface to a control setup without covers. The results showed a significant reduction in NH3 emissions by 54.4% with FCs (p < 0.05), which was attributed to their ability to limit NH3 volatilization and promote crust formation. Although H2S emissions were also reduced by 22.7%, this decrease was not statistically significant, likely due to the complex factors influencing H2S production. These findings highlight the role of floating covers (FCs) in improving air quality within swine barns and reducing environmental pollution. By minimizing nitrogen loss as ammonia (NH3), FCs enhance nitrogen recycling into agricultural land, supporting sustainable nutrient management. This aligns with broader sustainability goals by addressing air quality concerns, reducing odors, and improving resource efficiency in livestock systems. This study offers an effective method to mitigate air pollution, providing a foundation for practical and sustainable agricultural practices.