Emission inventory for the Agricultural sector in Austria - manure management
Abstract
The improved emission inventory for the Agricultural sector in Austria was compiled by ARC Seibersdorf research GmbH (Enteric fermentation, agricultural soils and indirect N2O emissions from agricultural activities) and from the Institute of Agricultural, Environmental and Energy Engineering (manure management). It covers the years 1980 - 2001. Emission estimates followed IPCC guidelines (CH4 and N2O emissions) and CORINAIR guidelines (NH3 emissions). Uncertainties were quantified according to chapter 6 of the IPCC working book on "Good Practice Guidance and Uncertainty Management in National Greenhouse Gas Inventories". The inventory quantifies emissions and shows key driving factors. Scenarios can be calculated, e.g. the switch from intensive agriculture to more extensive practices such as organic farming. A move towards organic farming may have impacts on emissions from manure management. In many cases, organic farms use straw as bedding material which changes manure composition. Extensive feeding practices lead to less N excretion and thus may lower the potential for N2O and NH3 emissions. Where ever possible, emissions were estimated with Austrian specific emission factors and activity data. If no Austrian specific data were available, default values were used. Biogas production is given special attention as it is a promising option to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. The final report describes in detail possibilities for future improvements of the inventory. Feed intake of cattle and pigs must be known to estimate emissions. Typical organic rations for dairy cattle are not known. Thus, the inventory could not differentiate between conventional and organic milk production. A survey on organic diets is necessary. Knowledge on typical Austrian rations for fattening pigs and sows must be improved. Methane emissions from manure management are estimated with the help of the maximum methane producing capacity (B0) and methane conversion factors (MCF). B0 values are one of the weakest points in the inventory. The preferred method to obtain the maximum methane producing capacity of manure is to use data from country-specific sources. As up to now no B0 values have been determined in Austria, the inventory had to be compiled with IPCC default values. B0 values were derived from limited and highly variable data. They are thus connected with high uncertainties. MCF values have a great impact on the estimation of methane emissions from manure management. They are highly uncertain. Efforts must be undertaken to improve accuracy of MCF values. Currently, MCF values are derived from a limited number of laboratory studies and theoretical considerations. It is highly necessary to measure MCF values under field conditions. The same applies for N2O emission factors. Emission factors for ammonia emissions from housing are only grouped in slurry and farmyard manure systems. This does not properly reflect actual emissions. Especially in pig husbandry there are considerable differences in ammonia emissions from different straw based systems. It is possible to design straw based systems in such a way that NH3 emissions are lower than from slurry based systems. On the other hand, there are straw based systems that lead to higher NH3 emissions. The design of straw based must be considered when assigning NH3 emission factors to housing systems. The inventory could be improved by more accurate activity data. This can be done by surveys. It is a rapid and cheap way of improving inventory quality. Better knowledge of AWMS distribution offers a second, very important advantage. Better knowledge on how farmers manage their manure enables to prove effects of mitigation measures. There are number of mitigation possibilities. They will only show up in the inventory, if knowledge on manure management systems is improved.
keywords NH3, N2O, CH4 climate protection Kyoto protocol CORINAIR animal waste management systems
Publikationen
Endbericht "Emission Inventory for the Agricultural Sector in Austria - Manure Management"
Autoren: Amon, B.; Hopfner-Sixt, K. und Amon T. Jahr: 2002
Forschungsbericht (extern. Auftraggeber)
Anforderungen an eine verbesserte Emissionsinventur für Österreich
Autoren: Amon, B., Amon, T., Boxberger, J. Jahr: 2002
Conference & Workshop proceedings, paper, abstract
Monitoring of energy crop digestion in Austria.
Autoren: Hopfner-Sixt, K., Amon, T., Milovanovic, D., Amon, B. Jahr: 2006
Conference & Workshop proceedings, paper, abstract
European Biogas Initiative to improve the yield of agricultural biogas plants (EU-Agro Biogas).
Autoren: Amon, T., Amon, B., Machmüller, A., Hopfner-Sixt K., Kryvoruchko V., Bodiroza, V. Jahr: 2006
Conference & Workshop proceedings, paper, abstract
Assessment of manure management systems in Austria and improvement of the emission inventory
Autoren: Amon, B., Fröhlich, M., Amon, T. Jahr: 2007
Chapter in collected volumes
Project staff
Barbara Amon
Priv.-Doz. Dr. Barbara Amon
barbara.amon@boku.ac.at
Project Leader
01.10.2001 - 30.04.2002
BOKU partners
External partners
Federal Environment Agency
none
coordinator
Austrian systems research GmbH, Environmental Planning Department
Dr. Rudolf Orthofer
partner