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Environmental Consequences of Segregating Pig Urine and Feces – A Life Cycle Perspective

Published by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, Michigan www.asabe.org

Citation:  2012 IX International Livestock Environment Symposium (ILES IX)  ILES12-0921.(doi:10.13031/2013.41538)
Authors:   Jerke W De Vries, André J.A Aarnink, Peter W.G Groot Koerkamp, Imke J.M De Boer
Keywords:   slurry management, ammonia emission, odor emission, livestock production, LCA

The aim of this study was to assess the environmental consequences of segregating pig urine and feces under the animal house compared to conventional manure management. The environmental impact was assessed by using life cycle assessment. System boundaries encompassed the stages: in-house management, outside storage, transport and field application. Five impacts were evaluated: climate change (CC), terrestrial acidification (TA), marine eutrophication (ME), particulate matter formation (PMF), and fossil fuel depletion (FFD). Results showed a decrease for CC (up to 82%), TA, and PMF (up to 49%) when urine and feces were segregated, whereas ME increased (up to 11%). It was concluded that segregation of pig urine and feces reduces the environmental impact compared to a conventional manure management system and that the liquid state of the feces is essential for further improvement of the environmental performance of manure management with segregation.

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