Evaluation of zeolite for control of odorants emissions from simulated poultry manure storage

Poultry operations are associated with emissions of aerial ammonia (NH3), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and odor, and the magnitude of emissions is influenced by manure management practices. As a manure treatment additive, zeolites have been shown to have the potential to control NH3. Because of their properties it is also expected that zeolites could effectively adsorb VOCs and odor. The effectiveness of zeolite in controlling odor and VOCs was qualitatively evaluated in this controlled laboratory study involving simulated poultry manure storage. In the first two trials, zeolite was topically applied on nearly fresh laying hen manure at the rates of 0, 2.5, 5, and 10% (by weight). In the third trial, zeolite was topically applied at 5% with each addition of fresh manure into the storage vessel. Headspace samples from the emission vessels were collected with solid phase microextraction (SPME) and analyzed on a multidimensional-gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry-olfactometry (MDGC-MS-O) system for identification and prioritization of poultry manure odorants. Acetic acid, butanoic acid, isovaleric acid, indole, and skatole were consistently controlled in the headspace, with the reduction rate being proportional to the zeolite application rate. Dimethyl trisulfide and phenol were consistently generated, and with a few exceptions, the rate of generation was proportional to the application rate. Average reduction of the odor caused by all odorants evaluated with SPME-GC-O was 67% (+/-12%) and 51% (+/-26%) for the two topical applications, respectively, while no significant reduction of VOCs and odor was detected for the layered application.