Improving the Sustainability of Dairy Slurry by a Commercial Additive Treatment

Study by the University of Milan on fresh cattle slurry under controlled conditions (26 days) showing emission reductions of up to −100% ammonia (NH₃) and −100% nitrous oxide (N₂O), up to −21.5% methane (CH₄) and −22.9% carbon dioxide (CO₂) compared with the control, along with improved LCA indicators, using SOP LAGOON.

In summary: an experimental trial on fresh cattle slurry comparing treated vs. control samples under controlled conditions for 26 days. During the observation period, the study reports emission reductions in the treated samples of up to −100% NH₃, −100% N₂O, −21.5% CH₄, and −22.9% CO₂, with favorable outcomes also in the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) analysis.

Ammonia (NH₃) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from livestock farms contribute to significant environmental impacts, including acidification and climate change. Within this context, the study coordinated by Prof. Guarino’s team (University of Milan) evaluated the effectiveness of treatment with the commercial additive SOP LAGOON applied to fresh cattle slurry, monitoring emissions and indicators useful for environmental assessment.

The trial was conducted under controlled conditions using containers filled with cattle slurry, comparing samples treated with SOP LAGOON to control samples over a 26-day period under static conditions. The study reports reductions in emissions in the treated samples compared with the control of −100% for nitrous oxide (N₂O) and −100% for ammonia (NH₃), together with reductions of −21.5% for methane (CH₄) and −22.9% for carbon dioxide (CO₂).

In addition to the emission results, the study includes a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) evaluation, which supports a more favorable overall sustainability profile for the additive scenario in specific impact categories, as reported by the authors.

Overall, this peer-reviewed evidence strengthens the positioning of SOP LAGOON as an operational tool applicable to livestock manure management, with measurable emission reductions under controlled experimental conditions and indications of benefits from an LCA perspective.