| Specified Risk Material (SRM) are tissues that, in infected cattle, contain the Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy agent that may transmit the disease and are required to be removed from all cattle. Composting could be a feasible option for disposing of SRM. Co-composting of SRM with cattle manure was evaluated in this study in order to quantify the effect of SRM on CH4, CO2 and NH3 emissions. It involved using a temperature controlled bench-scale composting system designed under passively aerated conditions. The addition of SRM did not significantly affect CO2 and NH3 emissions. However, CH4 emissions were significantly higher, when SRM was added at a rate greater than 20% by weight. The use of Phosphogypsum at a rate of 16% may reduce CH4 emissions without affecting the final product, but CO2 and NH 3 emissions were unaffected. Composting decomposed all SRM under aerobic conditions, thus it may be a viable disposal option. |
