Land application of biosolids. Soil response to different stabilization degree of the treated organic matter

The effect of land application of biosolids on an agricultural soil was studied in a 2-month incubation experiment. The soil microbial biomass and the availability of heavy metals in the soil was monitored after the application of four different composting mixtures of sewage sludge and cotton waste, at different stages of composting. Land application caused an increase of both size and activity of soil microbial biomass that was related to the stabilization degree of the composting mixture. Sewage sludge stabilization through composting reduced the perturbance of the soil microbial biomass. At the end of the experiment, the size and the activity of the soil microbial biomass following the addition of untreated sewage sludge were twice those developed with mature compost. For the mature compost, the soil microbial biomass recovered its original equilibrium status (defined as the specific respiration activity, qCO2) after 18 days of incubation, whereas the soil amended with less stabilized materials did not recover equilibrium even after the two-month incubation period. The stabilization degree of the added materials did not affect the availability of Zn, Ni, Pb, Cu, Cr and Cd in the soil in the low heavy metal content of the sewage sludge studied. Stabilization of organic wastes before soil application is advisable for the lower perturbation of soil equilibria status and the more efficient C mineralization.     

Evaluation of a chemical stabilization process

Environmental Resources Management (ERM) performed an evaluation of a biosolids chemical stabilization process known as BIO*FIX®, marketed by Bio Gro Systems, Inc., of Annapolis, Maryland. The purpose of the evaluation was (1) to assess major characteristics of the process and its final product, (2) to determine the quantity and final disposition of all components in the incoming biosolids, and (3) to determine if the process conforms to new regulations promulgated and administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) titled “Standards for the Use or Disposal of Sewage Sludges” (40 CFR Part 503). The BIO*FIX® chemical stabilization process involves the addition of calcium oxide (CaO) to dewatered biosolids at rates that achieve the pathogen reduction and vector attraction reduction requirements of the 503 program while creating a marketable end product used as an agricultural amendment. ERM's project involved the testing of four process streams in order to create a mass balance on the process. Laboratory analyses were performed on samples of the dewatered biosolids, the chemically-stabilized end product, and the scrubber water effluent. The primary components of concern tested in the above process streams were ammonia, metals, odorous compounds, particulate matter, and organic matter. Through the tests described in the article, ERM drew the following conclusions: (1) The major gaseous pollutant resulting from the BIO*FIX® process is gaseous ammonia. The total gaseous ammonia released from the product depends on the ammonia nitrogen content of the biosolids, and pH and temperature levels reached in the process. Additional ammonia is emitted when the end product is loaded in trucks and stored. Any gaseous ammonia remaining in the end product after processing will slowly dissipate over time. (2) Other potential odor pollutants such as hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and mercaptans were found to be below detectable levels in the uncontrolled exhaust gas. (3) Metals were not found in the exhaust gas in any detectable quantities. They would not be expected to volatilize during the process. Particulate matter emissions were found to be very low. (4) The pathogen reduction and vector attraction reduction requirements of the 40 CFR 503 regulations were met or exceeded. (5) Finally, through observations and tests, ERM found that the BIO*FIX® chemical stabilization process provides for a simple, viable, and effective conversion of biosolids into a beneficial use product in compliance with all pertinent regulations.     

Comprehensive quality assessment of municipal organic waste composts produced by different preparation methods

In the first part of this work, the effect of municipal organic waste (MOW) composts on plant growth was evaluated in a greenhouse trial. The treatments included soil amended with 14 different composts (prepared by shredding, adding wood shavings, cocomposting with biosolids or vermicomposting), an inorganically fertilized soil, and a control soil. All of the treatments significantly increased plant growth compared to the control, and yields of three of the amended treatments were as high as that of the inorganic fertilizer treatment. When comparing differently prepared composts to the conventional compost, it was found that cocomposting MOW with biosolids was the method which most positively influenced yields (26-41% yield increases). In the second part of this work, we evaluated the effects of the different preparation methods on compost quality, using a multivariate approach. Three main quality aspects were considered collectively in a principal component analysis: organic matter and nutrient concentrations, degradability and capacity to mineralize these nutrients, and plant growth. The model was restricted to the first and second components (PC1 and PC1) which accounted for 94% of data variance. On the resulting factorial plane, four groups were distinguished. Each of the groups was compared to the reference compost to determine quality increases or decreases. Based on this analysis, it was found that cocomposting MOW with biosolids produced the highest quality products (higher total nutrient and OM concentration, nutrient mineralization potential, and plant growth). Addition of wood shavings increased OM concentration, but reduced quality in terms of the other aspects studied. Shredding was only effective to increase product quality when it was not combined with other methods, whereas vermicomposting only increased quality when MOW was not mixed with biosolids.     

Challenges of soil mixing using catalyzed hydrogen peroxide with rotating dual axis blending technology

Although known to be one of the most effective oxidants for treatment of organic contaminants, catalyzed hydrogen peroxide (CHP) is typically not used for soil mixing applications because of health and safety concerns related to vapor generation and very rapid rates of reaction in open excavations. In likely the first large‐scale in situ CHP soil mixing application, an enhanced CHP, modified Fenton's reagent (MFR), was applied during soil mixing at the Kearsarge Metallurgical Superfund Site in New Hampshire. An innovative rotating dual‐axis blender (DAB) technology was used to safely mix the MFR into low‐plasticity silt and clay soils to remediate residual 1,1,1‐trichloroethane (111TCA); 1,1‐dichloroethene (11DCE); and 1,4‐dioxane (14D). It was expected that the aggressive treatment approach using relatively “greener” hydrogen peroxide (HP) chemistry would effectively treat Site contaminants without significant byproduct impacts to groundwater or the adjacent pond. The remediation program was designed to treat approximately 3,000 cubic yards of residual source area soil in situ by aggressively mixing MFR into the soils. The subsurface interval treated was from 7 to 15 feet below ground surface. To accurately track the soil mixing process and MFR addition, the Site was divided into 109 10‐foot square treatment cells that were precisely located, dosed, and mixed using the DAB equipped with an on‐board GPS system. The use of stabilizing agents along with careful calculation of the peroxide dose helped to ensure vapor‐free conditions in the vicinity of the soil mixing operation. Real‐time sampling and monitoring were critical in identifying any posttreatment exceedences of the cleanup goals. This allowed retreatment and supplemental testing to occur without impacting the soil mixing/in situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) schedule. Posttreatment 24‐hr soil samples were collected from 56 random locations after ensuring that the HP had been completely consumed. The posttreatment test results showed that 111TCA and 11DCE concentrations were reduced to nondetect (ND) or below the cleanup goals of 150 μg/kg for 111TCA and 60 μg/kg for 11DCE. Supplemental posttreatment soil samples, collected six months after treatment, showed 100 percent compliance with the soil treatment goals. Groundwater samples collected one year after the MFR soil mixing treatment program showed either ND or low concentrations for 111TCA, 11DCE, and 14D. Successful stabilization and site restoration was performed after overcoming considerable challenges associated with loss of soil structure, high liquid content, and reduced bearing capacity of the blended soils.     

重庆某铅污染场地稳定化修复技术研究

以重庆市某铅污染场地为研究对象,选用多种稳定化药剂对土壤开展稳定化修复技术研究,着重探讨了不同单一药剂与复配药剂对土壤铅浸出浓度的影响。实验结果表明:磷酸二氢钠(MSP)、磷酸氢二钠、磷酸钠和石灰4种无机药剂中MSP的稳定化修复效果最佳,且磷酸盐类的稳定化修复效果整体上优于石灰;MSP与少量有机药剂腐殖酸复配施用的稳定化修复效果优于单独施加MSP;在MSP投加比(与土壤的质量比)为5%、腐殖酸投加比为2%、养护时间为7 d的最优工艺条件下,土壤中铅的浸出浓度由41.70 mg/L降至0.16 mg/L,低于《生活垃圾填埋场污染控制标准》(GB 16889—2008)中规定的0.25 mg/L浓度限值。     

Impacts of industrial waste resources on maize (Zea mays L.) growth,yield, nutrients uptake and soil properties

Discharging untreated highly acidic (pH < 4.0), organic and nutrients rich monosodium glutamate wastewater (MW), and highly alkaline (pH > 10.0) paper-mill wastewater (PW) causes environmental pollution. When acidity of MW neutralized (pH 6.5 ± 0.1) with PW and lime (treatments represented as MW + PW and MW + Lime), then MW may be utilized as a potential source of nutrients and organic carbon for sustainable food production. Objectives of this study were to compare the effects of PW and lime neutralized MW and chemical fertilizers on maize (Zea mays L. cv. Snow Jean) plant growth, yield, nutrients uptake, soil organic matter and humic substances. The field experiment was carried out on maize using MW at 6000 L ha^?1. Impacts of the MW application on maize crop and soil properties were evaluated at different stages. At harvest, plant height, and plant N and K uptake were higher in MW treatment. Leaf area index at 60 days after sowing, plant dry matter accumulation at harvest, and kernels ear^?1 and 100-kernel weight were higher in MW + Lime treatment. Kernel N, P, K, Mn, Fe and Zn, and plant Zn uptake were highest in MW + Lime. Plant Fe uptake, and soil organic matter and humic substances were highest in MW + PW. The MW + PW and MW + Lime treatments exhibited comparable results with chemically fertilized treatment. The MW acidity neutralized with lime showed positive impacts on growth, yield and nutrients uptake; nevertheless, when MW pH neutralized with PW has an additional benefit on increase in soil organic matter and humic substances.     

Assessing the impact of land-applied biosolids from a thermomechanical (TMP) pulp mill to a suite of terrestrial and aquatic bioassay organisms under laboratory conditions

The potential impact on a variety of bioassay organisms when pulp-mill biosolids from a thermomechanical pulp mill (western Canada) were applied to a reference soil has been investigated in a laboratory setup. The current research assessed acute, chronic, and reproductive impacts using a battery of terrestrial and aquatic organisms. Terrestrial organisms were exposed to soil amended with different concentrations of biosolids, while aquatic organisms were used to assess the impact of biosolids' runoff into receiving waters. The former bioassays showed that an application rate of 20 tonneshectare(-1) (tha(-1)) "bone-dry" biosolids applied to reference soil produced no observable adverse impact on the terrestrial organisms. In the latter assays, undiluted (100%) and 50% diluted biosolids' runoff into receiving water had a detrimental impact on the aquatic organisms. However, concentrations not exceeding 25% (environmentally relevant concentrations) had neither an acute nor chronic impact compared to reference populations. The organisms' abilities to reproduce were also unaltered. While this study only examined the biosolids from one mill, there is the potential that land-application of characteristically well-defined pulp mill biosolids may constitute an acceptable way of disposing of pulp and paper mill biosolid residues. However, the biosolids coming from different mills, with differing processes, must be dealt with on a case-by-case situation. Each series of biosolids must be rigorously tested for toxicological impact in the laboratory under tightly controlled conditions. Subsequently, field experimentation must be conducted before definitive conclusions can be made.     

Factors controlling pathogen destruction during anaerobic digestion of biowastes

Anaerobic digestion is the principal method of stabilising biosolids from urban wastewater treatment in the UK, and it also has application for the treatment of other types of biowaste. Increasing awareness of the potential risks to human and animal health from environmental sources of pathogens has focused attention on the efficacy of waste treatment processes at destroying pathogenic microorganisms in biowastes recycled to agricultural land. The degree of disinfection achieved by a particular anaerobic digester is influenced by a variety of interacting operational variables and conditions, which can often deviate from the ideal. Experimental investigations demonstrate that Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. are not damaged by mesophilic temperatures, whereas rapid inactivation occurs by thermophilic digestion. A hydraulic, biokinetic and thermodynamic model of pathogen inactivation during anaerobic digestion showed that a 2 log10 reduction in E. coli (the minimum removal required for agricultural use of conventionally treated biosolids) is likely to challenge most conventional mesophilic digesters, unless strict maintenance and management practices are adopted to minimise dead zones and by-pass flow. Efficient mixing and organic matter stabilisation are the main factors controlling the rate of inactivation under mesophilic conditions and not a direct effect of temperature per se on pathogenic organisms.     

Waste paper and clinoptilolite as a bulking material with dewatered anaerobically stabilized primary sewage sludge (DASPSS) for compost production

Environmental problems associated with sewage sludge disposal have prompted strict legislative actions over the past few years. At the same time, the upgrading and expansion of wastewater treatment plants have greatly increased the volume of sludge generated. The major limitation of land application of sewage sludge compost is the potential for high heavy metal content in relation to the metal content of the original sludge. Composting of sewage sludge with natural zeolite (clinoptilolite) can enhance its quality and suitability for agricultural use. However, the dewatered anaerobically stabilized primary sewage sludge (DASPSS) contained a low concentration of humic substances (almost 2%), and the addition of the waste paper was necessary in order to produce a good soil conditioner with high concentrations of humics. The final results showed that the compost produced from DASPSS and 40-50% w/w of waste paper was a good soil fertilizer. Finally, in order to estimate the metal leachability of the final compost product, the generalized acid neutralization Capacity (GANC) procedure was used, and it was found that by increasing the leachate pH, the heavy metal concentration decreased. The application of the sequential chemical extraction indicated that metals were bound to the residual fraction characterized as a stabilize fractions.     

Effect of temperature and organic nutrients on the biodegradation of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) during the composting of anaerobically digested sludge from a wastewater treatment plant

Limits on the application of biosolids (anaerobically processed sludges from wastewater treatment plants) as fertilizers for the amendment of soil are becoming greater because of the accumulation of recalcitrant substances, making necessary the use of techniques that bring the concentration of xenobiotics to lower concentrations than those permitted. In general, the biosolids composting process is sufficient to reduce the usual concentration of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS) to low levels. In this work, an assessment is made on the effect of temperature in the capacity of enriched bacterial populations to biodegrade LAS, together with the influence that the available nutrients may have in the biodegradation of these compounds. The results show that the microbial metabolism of LAS was not observed in the thermophilic range. The optimum temperature for the biodegradation of LAS appears to be around 40 degrees C, this is, the lowest assayed here, and at this temperature the differences in the biodegradation of LAS among the nutritionally supplemented cultures are small.     

Optimum Dose Of Lime And Fly Ash For Treatment Of Hexavalent Chromium–Contaminated Soil

The presence of hexavalent chromium, Cr(VI), in soil is an environmental concern due to its effect on human health. The concern arises from the leaching and the seepage of Cr(VI) from soil to groundwater. In this paper, a stabilization technology to prevent this problem was simulated on an artificial soil contaminated with hexavalent chromium. The process is a physico-chemical treatment in which the toxic pollutant is physically entrapped within a solid matrix formed by the pozzolanic reactions of lime and fly ash to reduce its leachability and, therefore, its toxicity. This paper presents the optimum ratio of fly ash and lime in order to stabilize artificial soils contaminated with 0.4 wt.% of Cr (VI) in a brief term process. The degree of chromium released from the soil was evaluated using a modified Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) by US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Overall, experimental results showed reduced leachability of total and hexavalent chromium from soils treated with both fly ash and quicklime, and that leachability reduction was more effective with increasing amount of fly ash and quicklime. Stabilization percentages between 97.3% and 99.7% of the initial chromium content were achieved, with Cr(VI) concentration in the TCLP leachates below the US EPA limit for chromium of 5 mg/l. Adequate treatment was obtained after 1 day of curing with just 25% fly ash and 10% quicklime.     

Evaluation of a Slag and Portland Cement Mix to Simulate Treatment of Acidic Waste via Solidification/Stabilization in a Deep Soil Mix Application

Site investigations at an oil and gas facility identified a highly acidic waste referred to as residual acid tar that resulted in the transport of dissolved nickel toward the point of compliance at concentrations that exceeded site environmental screening levels. Solidification/stabilization (S/S) via deep soil mixing was selected as the remedial approach and a mixture of ground granulated blast furnace slag cement and Portland cement was subjected to treatability testing to evaluate the reagent mix's ability to achieve treatment objectives. Results from the treatability test showed a cement mix dose of 21 percent was sufficient to raise the pH above the target of 6.0 and reduce dissolved nickel concentrations to below site screening levels in leachate from treated samples of residual acid tar and material impacted by residual acid tar. Cement mix doses of 21 percent or greater were sufficient to achieve target strengths in the unimpacted shallow overburden. However, none of the doses tested were able to achieve target strengths in the residual acid tar or peaty material impacted by the residual acid tar. Results showed soil strengths increased significantly when the pH in leachate from the treated samples approached 12, suggesting the presence of organic acids related to the peaty soils may interfere with the cement set. Recommendations from the study include additional treatability testing to evaluate pre‐treatment with hydrated lime to satisfy acid neutralization requirements prior to dosing with the cement mix. ©2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

A comparison of mesophilic composting and unamended land treatment for the bioremediation of aged tar residues in soil

A field study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of land treatment and mesophilic composting in removing aged polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) from soil. The soil composting treatment, which had 20 percent (w/w) fresh organic matter incorporated into the soil, reached mesophilic temperatures of 45 to 50°C at week 3–4 and was effective in reducing PAH from 2240 mg/kg to 120 mg/kg after 224 days of treatment. Conventional land treatment with and without added cow manure (5 percent w/w) was less effective in removing the PAH from the soil than was the mesophilic soil composting treatment. In a parallel laboratory trial, PAH concentrations were reduced below 500 mg/kg (the target cleanup concentration for the site) when the contaminated soil was amended with 20 to 30 percent (w/w) fresh organic matter after 186 days of treatment. PAH degradation was lower in the laboratory trial compared with the field trial and no self-heating of soil was demonstrated in the laboratory. Based on the relatively high total heterotrophic and naphthalene-degrading microbial populations in the nonsterile treatments, it was apparent that the absence of microorganisms was unlikely to have limited the biodegradation of PAH in the current study. Fresh organic matter amendments of green tree waste and cow manure, regular mixing of the compost, and maintenance of moisture by regular watering were critical factors in achieving the target PAH concentrations.     

Potential benefits and risks of land application of sewage sludge

Sewage sludge, also referred as biosolids, is a byproduct of sewage treatment processes. Land application of sewage sludge is one of the important disposal alternatives. Characteristics of sewage sludge depend upon the quality of sewage and type of treatment processes followed. Being rich in organic and inorganic plant nutrients, sewage sludge may substitute for fertilizer, but availability of potential toxic metals often restricts its uses. Sludge amendment to the soil modifies its physico-chemical and biological properties. Crop yield in adequately sludge-amended soil is generally more than that of well-fertilized controls. Bioavailability of metals increases in sludge amended soil at excessive rates of application for many years. Plants differ in their abilities to absorb sludge-derived metals from the soil. The purpose of this paper is to review the available information on various aspects of sewage sludge application on soil fertility and consequent effects on plant production to explore the possibility of exploiting this byproduct for agronomy and horticulture.     

硫酸盐还原菌原位修复六价铬污染土壤

以FeSO₄化学还原法为对照,开展硫酸盐还原菌原位修复铬污染土壤的田间试验研究。试验结果表明:微生物法处理后,土壤中Cr(Ⅵ)含量从6.48 mg/kg降至0.95 mg/kg,下降率为85.33%,修复后的土地质量符合国家一类建设用地的标准;土壤浸出液中Cr(Ⅵ)质量浓度从0.162 mg/L降至0.004 mg/L,下降率为97.53%;土壤中硫酸根浓度略有降低,硫酸盐还原菌的丰度显著增加。微生物原位修复铬污染土壤的效果好于化学还原法。     

Release of nitrogen and trace metal species from field stacked biosolids

Concerns over elevated nitrate (NO3-) levels found in groundwater near former biosolid stockpiling locations resulted in the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MDEP) imposing stricter regulations governing the stockpiling of biosolids in October 2002. The goals of this study were to measure the amount and speciation of nitrogen (N) and trace metals leaving stockpiled biosolids and travelling through the soil column. The biosolids were placed on plastic-lined cells to collect all leachate. Ammonium (NH4+), ranging from 2000 to 4900 mg L(-1), was the dominant N species (90% of total N) in the leachate from the Class B lime-stabilized biosolids in the lined cell experiment. Nitrate (NO3-) and nitrite (NO2-) concentrations were negligible, remaining below 0.25 and 0.1 mg L(-1), respectively. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations as high as 8900 mg L(-1) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) as high as 37 000 mg L(-1) were measured in the leachate leaving the lined cell. Fifteen zero-tension pan lysimeters (ZTP-lysimeter) were installed in a 90 m2 plot at depth intervals of 30, 60, and 100 cm. Leachate passing through the soil column underlying the biosolids stockpile was collected in the ZTP-lysimeters. The average ZTP-lysimeter NH4+ concentrations ranged from 1400 mg L(-1) at 60 cm depth to 145 mg L(-1) at 90 cm depth. The average ZTP-lysimeter DOC concentrations ranged from 2000 mg L(-1) at 60 cm to 525 mg L(-1) at 90 cm. Trace metal determinations of the leachate collected from the lined cell and ZTP-lysimeters showed arsenic loading rates exceeded the state limits of 0.5 kg ha(-1) year(-1) by an order of magnitude. Arsenic concentrations were in excess of several thousand milligrams per litre in the lined-cell leachate and several hundred milligrams per litre in the ZTP-lysimeters as deep as 90 cm under the biosolid stockpile. Phosphorus, iron and manganese in excess of several thousand milligrams per litre were observed in both the lined-cell leachate and ZTP-lysimeters. Significant concentrations of other trace metals were found at depth in the zero-tension ZTP-lysimeter plot. Trace metals were largely mobilized by the DOC from the biosolids and due to the presence of anaerobic environment, especially in the underlying soil.     

Hardening performance of reclaimed gypsums for stabilizing agent to improve soft clayey ground

For a prospective solution of effective recycling of gypsum board wastes, the present study was conducted to evaluate applicability of reclaimed gypsum as stabilizing agent for improvement of soft clayey ground. A series of unconfined compression tests and needle penetration tests were conducted to understand the fundamental properties of reclaimed gypsum and gypsum treated soils and the durability in water. An important finding was strength decrease in relation to mixing time of gypsum and soil. This may attribute to excessive mixing that caused breakage of the promptly hardened gypsum treated clay. In addition, from sounding and laboratory tests on the stabilized ground by shallow mixing method with different execution conditions, it was found that the strength of stabilized ground appeared in an early stage and that the hardening effect of cement that was used in combination with gypsum continued in a longer period. Regarding an environmental aspect, a specific amount of cement could have restrained leaching fluorine satisfactorily under the standard level in the field by adopting suitable mixing proportions based on the laboratory mixing test results. For practical application, the mixing procedure was a major factor of strength growth when hemihydrate gypsum was used to stabilize soft clayey ground.     

Chemical,physical and microbial properties and microbial diversity in manufactured soils produced from co-composting green waste and biosolids

The effects of adding biosolids to a green waste feedstock (100% green waste, 25% v/v biosolids or 50% biosolids) on the properties of composted products were investigated. Following initial composting, 20% soil or 20% fly ash/river sand mix was added to the composts as would be carried out commercially to produce manufactured soil. Temperatures during composting reached 50 °C, or above, for 23 days when biosolids were included as a composting feedstock but temperatures barely reached 40 °C when green waste alone was composted. Addition of biosolids to the feedstock increased total N, EC, extractable NH₄, NO₃ and P but lowered pH, macroporosity, water holding capacity, microbial biomass C and basal respiration in composts. Additions of soil or ash/sand to the composts greatly increased the available water holding capacity of the materials. Principal component analysis (PCA) of PCR-DGGE 16S rDNA amplicons separated bacterial communities according to addition of soil to the compost. For fungal ITS-RNA amplicons, PCA separated communities based on the addition of biosolids. Bacterial species richness and Shannon’s diversity index were greatest for composts where soil had been added but for fungal communities these parameters were greatest in the treatments where 50% biosolids had been included. These results were interpreted in relation to soil having an inoculation effect and biosolids having an acidifying effect thereby favouring a fungal community.     

湿法烟气脱硫系统的吸收塔设备

介绍了石灰／石灰石-石膏湿法烟气脱硫系统中的关键设备吸收塔，其主要作用是以低成本和高可靠性提供吸收SO2的液体表面积，石灰／石灰石吸收剂在此与SO2反应达到脱硫的目的。     

Laboratory evaluation of the pollution potential of land applied dairy manure

Laboratory experiments were performed using 24,900 mm deep soil columns to determine the amounts of nitrogen lost through the processes of leaching and ammonia volatilization from land receiving high applications of dairy cattle manure. The soil columns were conditioned over a period of one year before the start of the experiment and a conscious effort was made to make the physical properties of the columns soil sufficiently reproduced to resemble the undisturbed soil. The effects of three manure and three water application rates on nitrogen losses were monitored over a period of 10 weeks. The concentrations of nitrogen compounds in the leachates obtained from the soil columns were very low. The observed losses of nitrogen caused by leaching and ammonia volatilization were influenced by manure and water application rates. The high concentration of nitrate nitrogen at the beginning of the experiment has the potential of causing groundwater pollution. Also, ammonia volatilization is considered high enough to cause serious odor problems.