In the absence of oxygen, all high-strength organic wastes, such as livestock manure, will be digested by anaerobic bacteria. Volume is reduced due to conversion of solids to methane gas and carbon dioxide. Anaerobic lagoons for livestock manures also have several limitations. Lagoons create odors. Ammonia nitrogen is lost.
Large size is necessary.
One group of bacteria converts organic wastes to organic acids. The second group converts the organic acids to methane gas and carbon dioxide. The second group of bacteria, the methane formers, is very sensitive to upset. The management requirements of an anaerobic lagoon are primarily concerned with creating the right environment for the methane-forming bacteria. Anaerobic lagoons work best in warm weather.