Abstract:
Methane(CH
4) emissions from animal breeding has become a concern. The concentration and emissions per animal species are affected by animal characteristics, housing type and manure collection management as well as the climate. To investigate CH
4 emissions from finishing pigs appropriate for China management method and climate situation, the CH
4 concentration and related information were measured in Beijing during 2004~2005, six data collection periods, 72~80 hours each were scheduled through one year and four measurement seasons. The emission per pig was estimated based on ventilation rates which was calculated by application of carbon dioxide mass balance method. The CH
4 concentration and emissions varied diurnally and seasonally. Mean CH
4 concentration values were (22.68±10.52)mg/m
3 in January, (2.68±0.68)mg/m
3 in July. Mean methane concentration was lower between 9:00 am~17:00 pm, which was greatly related to temperature and ventilation rate. CH
4 emission from pig house varied between 68.10~207.01 mg/h per animal or 436~1185 mg/h (500 kg) live weight.