Ammonia and methane mitigation from dairy manure using sulfur‐based manure storage additives
- 1Department of Animal Science Cornell University Ithaca New York USA
- 2Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering Cornell University Ithaca New York USA
- 3PRO‐DAIRY, Dairy Environmental Systems, Department of Animal Science Cornell University Ithaca New York USA
Abstract
Dairy manure storage is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants, including methane (CH4) and ammonia (NH3). Easily deployable mitigation strategies, such as manure storage additives, can help reduce the environmental impact of dairy production. Sulfur‐based manure storage additives, specifically gypsum (CaSO4), have been proposed as low‐cost manure amendments that may influence CH4 emissions; however, their potential to mitigate NH3 emissions and their effectiveness across sulfur dosages remain unclear. This study evaluated two gypsum additives at low and high levels (G1L: 4.23 mg L−1; G1H: 21.15 mg L−1; G2L: 5000 mg L−1; G2H: 25,000 mg L−1) to quantify their effects on NH3 and CH4 emissions from dairy manure over a 12‐week period. Cumulative NH3 and CH4 emissions were measured using the closed‐chamber manure emission system, which consisted of a closed chamber integrated with a multi‐gas Fourier Transform Infrared analyzer, used to measure emissions from bucket‐sized manure storages. Ammonia losses decreased by 27% and 33% in treatments G2L and G2H, respectively, while treatments G1L and G1H showed no significant effect. The effect on CH4 emissions mitigation followed the same pattern, with reductions of 82% and 90% in treatments G2L and G2H, respectively. These results demonstrated a dose–response relationship, in which higher gypsum dosages yielded substantial reductions in NH3 and CH4 emissions. Overall, manure additive treatment using gypsum at sufficient rates offers a practical strategy to mitigate gaseous nitrogen and carbon losses from dairy manure, supporting more sustainable manure management and contributing to climate and air‑quality goals.
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BibTeX
@article{tinoco2026ammonia,
title = {{Ammonia and methane mitigation from dairy manure using sulfur‐based manure storage additives}},
author = {Joel S. Tinoco and Emilia Perez and Karrigan Ellison and Kayli Tolk and Quirine M. Ketterings and Jason P. Oliver},
journal = {Journal of Environmental Quality},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1002/jeq2.70309},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1002/jeq2.70309},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Ammonia and methane mitigation from dairy manure using sulfur‐based manure storage additives
AU - Joel S. Tinoco
AU - Emilia Perez
AU - Karrigan Ellison
AU - Kayli Tolk
AU - Quirine M. Ketterings
AU - Jason P. Oliver
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/27
JO - Journal of Environmental Quality
DO - 10.1002/jeq2.70309
UR - https://doi.org/10.1002/jeq2.70309
AB - Dairy manure storage is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants, including methane (CH4) and ammonia (NH3). Easily deployable mitigation strategies, such as manure storage additives, can help reduce the environmental impact of dairy production. Sulfur‐based manure storage additives, specifically gypsum (CaSO4), have been proposed as low‐cost manure amendments that may influence CH4 emissions; however, their potential to mitigate NH3 emissions and their effectiveness across sulfur dosages remain unclear. This study evaluated two gypsum additives at low and high levels (G1L: 4.23 mg L−1; G1H: 21.15 mg L−1; G2L: 5000 mg L−1; G2H: 25,000 mg L−1) to quantify their effects on NH3 and CH4 emissions from dairy manure over a 12‐week period. Cumulative NH3 and CH4 emissions were measured using the closed‐chamber manure emission system, which consisted of a closed chamber integrated with a multi‐gas Fourier Transform Infrared analyzer, used to measure emissions from bucket‐sized manure storages. Ammonia losses decreased by 27% and 33% in treatments G2L and G2H, respectively, while treatments G1L and G1H showed no significant effect. The effect on CH4 emissions mitigation followed the same pattern, with reductions of 82% and 90% in treatments G2L and G2H, respectively. These results demonstrated a dose–response relationship, in which higher gypsum dosages yielded substantial reductions in NH3 and CH4 emissions. Overall, manure additive treatment using gypsum at sufficient rates offers a practical strategy to mitigate gaseous nitrogen and carbon losses from dairy manure, supporting more sustainable manure management and contributing to climate and air‑quality goals.
SN - 0047-2425
SN - 1537-2537
ER -