Nitrous oxide emissions from wastewater treatment systems
1991
Russell, J.M. | Cooper, R.N. | Lindsey, S.B. (Meat Industry Research Institute, Hamilton (New Zealand))
In New Zealand nitrous oxide is the third most important greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide and methane. Waste treatment technologies that promote cyclic aerobic and anaerobic environments have the potential to produce significant quantities of nitrous oxide. Land application of wastes and artificial wetlands are two treatment methods that can produce nitrous oxide and these schemes are being actively promoted in New Zealand. The nitrogen content of the wastes from New Zealand's primary industries (dairy sheds, dairy factories and meat plants) and from sewage collectively amounts to 19,000 tonnes annually. Total emissions of nitrous oxide (as nitrogen) from combustion and agricultural sources are estimated as 29,000 tonnes annually. Data in this report show that waste treatment schemes (meat processing and dairy factory wastes) can significantly contribute to New Zealand's nitrous oxide emissions, current research is showing that amounts of nitrous oxide emitted to the atmosphere can be minimized by managing soil pH and reducing the amount of carbon in the irrigated effluent by suitable pre-treatment
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