Abstract:
【Objective】 This study aimed to investigate the effects of microbial agents on physicochemical indicators and greenhouse gas emissions during aerobic composting of sheep manure, providing theoretical support for technologies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from aerobic composting of sheep manure. 【Method】 Four treatment groups were set up in the experiment: CK, a control group without microbial agent inoculation; Group A, inoculated with Jinshan microbial agent; Group B, inoculated with Ouke microbial agent; Group C, inoculated with a self-developed liquid microbial agent. The inoculation amount for each treatment group was 10 mL/kg. The composting period lasted for 42 d, with turning for every 7 d. Samples were collected on the 0
th, 7
th, 14
th, 28
th, and 42
nd d, to analyze their physicochemical properties. Meanwhile, gases were collected at intervals of 1 d using the static chamber method for monitoring gas emission characteristics. 【Result】 Compared with CK, Group A and Group C extended the high-temperature period by 8 d. At the end of composting on the 42
nd d, the water content and conductivity of Group C were significantly lower than those of CK (
P<0.05, the same below), and the seed germination index of compost product was the highest, reaching 127.0%. The ammoniacal nitrogen contents in Group A and Group B were significantly or extremely significantly (
P<0.01, the same below) reduced by 9.35% and 14.58%, respectively, compared to CK. The nitrate nitrogen contents in Group A and Group C were significantly increased by 43.14% and 47.83% respectively. Total nitrogen contents in Group A and Group C increased by 5.05% and 6.26% respectively,compared to CK, while total organic carbon content in Group B and Group C increased by 12.61% and 9.59% respectively,compared to CK. Compared with CK, at the end of composting on the 42
nd d, the cumulative N
2O emissions in Group A and Group C decreased by 46.37% and 13.20%, respectively, and cumulative CH
4 emissions decreased by 51.04% and 29.51%, respectively. The cumulative CO
2 emissions in Group A,Group B, and Group C increased by 21.06%, 0.87%, and 38.58% respectively. 【Conclusion】 Inoculation with the Jinshan microbial agent and the self-developed microbial agent during aerobic composting of sheep manure can promote temperature rise in the compost, extend the high-temperature period, effectively reduce electrical conductivity, minimize nitrogen loss, and decrease N
2O and CH
4 emissions, thereby mitigating the environmental pollution risk of greenhouse gases. Inoculation with the Ouke microbial agent can effectively retain carbon in the compost but increase N
2O and CH
4 emissions. Overall, the self-developed microbial agent demonstrates superior performance in the aerobic composting of sheep manure.