ABSTRACT
Hydrogen sulphide gas (H2S) produced by sulphate reducing bacteria (SRB) in stored animal slurry is highly toxic and, if emitted into poorly ventilated confined spaces, can build up to concentrations capable of causing asphyxiation. Therefore it is important to understand factors influencing H2S emission from slurry. Powdered gypsum (hydrated calcium sulphate) may be used as animal bedding and, if it enters slurry systems, could be metabolised by SRB and further increase H2S generation. Cattle slurry and cattle bedding collected from farms was used in laboratory-scale experiments sealed in 20litre vessels fitted with mechanical stirrers. H2S was monitored in head space above the slurry using real-time gas detectors before and after stirring, and before and after adding 1% of two sources of gypsum powder. In one set of experiments, gypsum was already present in the slurry having been used in bedding on the farm. H2S monitoring continued daily for up to 25days. Before stirring, H2S levels in head spaces were minimal. After stirring, even without gypsum, maximum head space H2S levels with slurry or bedding ranged from 330 to 1190ppm. By comparison, the UK short-term (15min) Workplace Exposure Limit is 10ppm. Statistically significant increases in H2S levels were associated with gypsum addition, as high as 1772ppm with slurry and 3940ppm with bedding. Emissions peaked at around day 15 with slurry and bedding to which gypsum was freshly added, but within 5days when added to slurry already containing farm-added gypsum. Levels of H2S produced from stirred slurry would constitute a hazard to anyone exposed to it, and adding gypsum further increased emission levels. Therefore, if gypsum residues enter slurry it could increase the risk of H2S accumulation in confined spaces associated with slurry systems. It is important therefore to take this into account in managing risk.
