Fur bearing livestock manure nitrous oxide emissions

[/business/agriculture/livestock/manure/n2o/furbearing]

Domestic livestock methodology, manure management and storage. Calculates nitrous oxide emissions (N2O and CO2e) based on livestock population. Scenarios include foxes, mink, polecats, rabbits and racoons. Globally applicable.

Summary

This methodology represents nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions associated with the management and storage of fur-bearing livestock - specifically foxes, mink, polecats, rabbits and racoons. The data and calculation methodology is sourced from the IPCC, as published in Volume 4, Chapter 10 - Emissions from Livestock and Manure Management and Volume 4, Chapter 11 - N2O Emissions from Managed Soils, and CO2 Emissions from Lime and Urea Application of their 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories.


The methodology

Emissions model

Nitrogen (N) found within the excretions of livestock manure contributes to N2O emissions both directly and indirectly. Direct emissions arise from the processes of nitrification and denitrification. Nitrification is the transformation of N-containing compounds (ammonia (NH3) => nitrite (NO2-) => nitrate (NO3-)) which occurs under aerobic conditions (i.e. in the presence of oxygen). Denitrification is the subsequent transformation to N2O which occurs only under anaerobic conditions. As such, direct N2O emissions require both aerobic and anaerobic conditions in succession. Indirect emissions result from the vaporization of N-containing compounds (primarily NH3 and mono-nitrogen oxides, NOx) as well as through runoff and leaching into soils. Indirect emissions depend primarily on time.

This emissions methodology is based upon factors which describe both the direct and indirect pathways of manure-N (i.e. manure-associated nitrogen). Direct emissions are based upon the typical daily rates at which manure-N is produced by livestock, and the rates at which this N is converted directly into N2O-N (i.e. nitrous oxide-associated nitrogen). Indirect emissions are based upon the typical fractions of excreted N which are volatilised and the rates at which this volatilised N is converted into N2O-N.

Quantities of N2O-N are then converted into N2O emission quantities on the basis of their relative molecular masses.

Annual emission rates (e.g. kg / year) for a population or sub-population of livestock are calculated by multiplying the per animal emissions rates by the total size of the livestock population which is under consideration.

This methodology represents the IPCC Tier 1 approach.

Model data

The rate at which N2O is emitted ultimately depends on the nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) content of manure, and the duration of storage and type of treatment. As such, emissions factors for a broad range of scenarios are provided within this methodology. A total of 68 specific scenarios are represented, differentiated by livestock type (e.g., fox, rabbit), manure management type (e.g. composting, aerobic treatment) and subtype (e.g. static pile, natural aeration).

Each scenario is represented by several data values, including daily N excretion rates, direct and indirect N to N2O-N conversion factors, and the fraction of manure-N typically volatilised. In addition, this methodology uses two general constants for deriving emissions quantities from N2O-N:

  • molecular mass ratio of N2O and N: the factor for converting a N2O-N quantity into N2O (44/28)
  • global warming potential of N2O: the factor for converting a N2O emissions quantity into CO2e - the quantity of CO2 which would exert the same atmospheric warming effect.

Activity data required

N2O emissions are directly proportionate to the total livestock population kept, which therefore needs to be specified in order to make an emissions calculation.

Calculation and results

This emissions calculated by this methodology represent those attributable to the specified population of livestock over a period of 1 year.

The methodology calculates two emissions quantities: (1) the absolute quantity of N2O associated with the livestock population; and (2) N2O emissions expressed in terms of CO2e.


Additional information

Nomenclature

Following IPCC advice, the term manure is used collectively to include both dung and urine (i.e., the solids and the liquids) produced by livestock.

Incomplete data

Data on the fraction of manure N lost through volatilisation is not provided for all combinations of livestock type and manure management practices in the IPCC source documentation. Where possible, CarbonKit returns the sum of both direct and indirect N2O emissions. Otherwise, the returned values represent direct emissions only.


Related methodologies

Analogous methodologies are also available focussing on poultry, cattle and swine and other livestock N2O emissions associated with manure management.

 UIDLabel
8FFD95EG3C58 fox, aerobic treatment, forced aeration
Y69O2MN2GWTB fox, aerobic treatment, natural aeration
XJJJ0GD805F9 fox, anaerobic digester
ML53TXFHRF40 fox, composting, in vessel
MJ4QCBHGYOV3 fox, composting, intensive windrow
54DQAW3ZWSWK fox, composting, passive windrow
1783S2O94EE2 fox, composting, static pile
LANP30GQGQ5O fox, daily spread
ZYBT2DIQ4DZ6 fox, deep bedding, active mixing
EG2U1WEU3RQT fox, deep bedding, no mixing
DU13OCHX55QP fox, dry lot
A22QXLM8GHHP fox, liquid/slurry, with natural crust cover
SU0BI96LOCHX fox, liquid/slurry, without natural crust cover
5U7YXLI22YOL fox, pasture/range/paddock
UE5WM0BD3WKB fox, pit storage below animal confinements
EE7XK3HUWA5D fox, solid storage
LQ17ON02FORL fox, uncovered anaerobic lagoon
6M4NQ0OBOU1F mink/polecat, aerobic treatment, forced aeration
A6NL6YYSU2M7 mink/polecat, aerobic treatment, natural aeration
H4KZ34JWOFIE mink/polecat, anaerobic digester
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Name: Fur_bearing_livestock_manure_nitrous_oxide_emissions
Full path: /business/agriculture/livestock/manure/n2o/furbearing
Provenance: IPCC