Temperature Effects On Odor

Biological action in the lagoon will be slower in the winter months as compared to the warmer summer months. At temperatures below 40° F the biological activity in anaerobic lagoons and manure storages stops for all practical purposes and manure decomposition ceases. Very little odor is produced during the winter. In the spring of the year the temperature of the waste will begin to warm. Once the temperature reaches 40 F the acid forming bacteria become active and produce the compounds that feed the methane forming bacteria. Unfortunately, the methane forming bacteria do not become active until the waste temperature reaches 60 F. The delay in activity of the methane forming bacteria combined with the fact that manure is continously fed to the lagoon or storage during the winter results in an increase in odor during the spring.

Where surface water temperatures fall below 38 F both spring and fall turnover can occur. At this temperature the density of water is at a maximum and water from the surface sinks and water from the bottom rises. The mixing action created during the turnover period can cause odorous material from the bottom to temporarily rise to the surface and increase odor. Fortunately, anaerobic lagoons and manure storages are relatively shallow and the turnover period lasts only a few days. One way of decreasing the duration of the turnover period, and the associated odor, is to mechanically agitate the lagoon or storage basin. This will increase the intensity of the odor for a short period of time, but the duration of the odor will be greatly reduced.

Return to Management of Odor and Sources Return to Odor Control Return to The Land Application of Animal Manure.