Nutrient run-off following application of livestock wastes to grassland

Three types of farm waste (cattle slurry, dirty water and farm yard manure (FYM)) were applied to hydrologically isolated grassland plots on a sloping poorly draining soil. Two applications were made, the first in October and the second in February. Application rates were 50 m(3) ha(-1) of slurry and dirty water and 50 t ha(-1) of FYM. Volumes of run-off following rainfall events and concentrations of N, P and K in run-off were measured. Losses of nutrients were higher following applications made with the soil at field capacity and rainfall soon after application. In terms of percentage loss of applied nutrients, losses were generally low. Concentration of N in run-off from the dirty water and FYM treated plots following the first application and the slurry treated plots following the second application exceeded 11.3 mg dm(-3) (a recommended limit for drinking water) although the maximum concentration recorded was 15 mg dm(-3) following FYM application. Concentration of P in run-off only exceeded 1 mg dm(-3) following the second application of cattle slurry. Concentration of K exceeded 10 mg dm(-3) following the first application of FYM and the second application of cattle slurry.     

Surface water phosphorus dynamics in rice fields receiving fertiliser and manure phosphorus

A long-term randomised block field experiment was established in 1997 to study the dynamics of total P and dissolved P in the surface waters of rice fields receiving two application rates of fertiliser P and one rate of combined fertiliser and manure P. Preliminary results from the first two crops show that concentrations of both total P and dissolved P in the surface waters increased significantly following P application, especially during the first 2 weeks after application. P concentrations subsequently declined sharply within about 10 days, then declined steadily and remained almost constant from about 1 month after application. The initial increase in P concentration of surface waters was higher with increasing rate of fertiliser P, and the P concentration at the highest fertiliser rate peaked within about 1 week of application. The elevated P concentrations following fertiliser P application declined more rapidly than those following the combined application of fertiliser and manure P. When fertiliser and manure P were applied together, about 7 days later the surface water P concentrations were significantly higher than when the same rate of P (or double) was applied as fertiliser only. Disturbance of the surface soil by hand harrowing further increased the P concentrations in surface waters, with a subsequent decline to a steady value after about 1 week. Application of P fertiliser to the high P status soil in this experiment gave no crop yield response and may have increased the risk of pollution of adjacent surface waters through drainage from heavy rainfall events during the rice growing season. Therefore, fertiliser P should not be applied to such soils. If, however, fertiliser or manure P is applied, the application should be made during the dry winter to reduce P losses. Manure should be applied with particular care because of the higher risk of P losses to surface water arising from the relatively long period of high P concentrations in surface waters and the potential for greater release of P to field surface waters from the soil. Hand harrowing should also be avoided during wet weather to protect water quality.     

Soil phosphorus fractions in solution: influence of fertiliser and manure, filtration and method of determination.

This study investigated the forms of soil P released to solution, accuracy of their determination, and influence of colloids on P sorption/desorption dynamics. A Hagerstown silt loam, amended with dairy and poultry manure or superphosphate at five rates (0, 25, 50, 100, and 200 kg P ha(-1)), was extracted at two soil:solution ratios (1:5 and 1:100) and filtered at three pore sizes (0.8, 0.45, and 0.22 microm). Results showed that relative to the proportion of dissolved organic P (DOP, determined as the difference between total dissolved P [TDP] and P detected by ion chromatography), DRP increased with amendment rate. Relative to Mehlich-3 extractable P, DRP exhibited a power relationship with a much greater potential for soil P release at concentrations in excess of ca. 50 mg Mehlich-3 P kg(-1). Concentrations of DRP, determined by the acid molybdate method, were on average 12.5% greater than P detected by ion chromatography indicating P was solubilised during colorimetric determination. A linear relationship was found between total Al and DRP, which could indicate acid mediated hydrolysis of A1-humic-P substances, although acid mediated desorption of P from colloids cannot be discounted. No difference in solubilised P was found between solutions filtered at 0.22 and 0.45 microm, but was found between 0.8 microm and smaller filter sizes. Organic P extracted from manured soils was more recalcitrant than that extracted from soils amended with superphosphate, the later attributed to its accumulation in more labile pools. The sorption/desorption of P by colloids in solution were greatly affected by the rate of amendment and the soil:solution extraction ratio. More P was sorbed by superphosphate solutions compared to dairy manure amended soil solutions and was attributed to the saturation of colloidal P sorption sites by organic matter. In order to minimise the effects of colloids on P dynamics and the potential for hydrolysis in solution, filtration to at least 0.45 microm is required. However, soils with a lesser aggregate stability may require additional filtration.     

Winter runoff losses of phosphorus from paddy soils in the Taihu Lake Region of South China

A winter wheat field plot experiment was conducted on two types of paddy soils, from November, 2000 to June, 2001 to assess P losses to its surrounding watercourses by runoff in the Taihu Lake Region. Commercial NPK compound fertilizer and single superphosphate fertilizer were applied to furnish 0, 20, 80, and 160 kg P ha(-1). The experiments consisted of six replicates of each treatment in Changshu site and four replicates in Anzhen site, with a plot size of 5x6 m2 in a randomized block design. Results revealed that the average concentration of dissolved P (DP), particulate P (PP), and total P (TP) in runoff water during the winter season was 0.13, 0.90 and 1.04 mg P l(-1) respectively, from P20 plots in Anzhen site. While it was 0.67, 1.08 and 1.75 mg P l(-1) respectively, from P20 plots in Changshu site. The seasonal TP load (mass loss) from P20 plot ranged from a low of 290.88 g P ha(-1)season(-1) to a high of 483.54 g P ha(-1)season(-1), with a mean of 382.29 g P ha(-1)season(-1) in Anzhen, but from 444.92 to 752.21 g P ha(-1)season(-1), with a mean of 539.13 g P ha(-1)season(-1) in Changshu. Both in Anzhen and Changshu PP represented a major portion of the TP lost in runoff, the average PP/TP was about more than 80% in P0 and P20 plot, but it was decreased with the increase of P rate. The average seasonal P loads (DP, PP, and TP) in Changshu were greater than in Anzhen although runoff volume in Anzhen (45 mm season(-1)) was more than in Changshu (36 mm season(-1)). This was probably associated with the differences of soil physical and chemical properties between the two sites. Phosphate fertilizer rate significantly affected P concentrations and P loads by runoff. Both the mean concentrations and the average seasonal P loads from the P80 plots were lower than from the P160 plots, but obviously higher than from the P20 and P0 plots. There was no significant difference found between the P20 plots and the P0 plots both in Anzhen and Changshu sites. It indicated that P loads by runoff would be greatly increased in 5-10 years due to the accumulation of soil P if 20 kg P ha(-1) applied each wheat season in this area.     

Transport of oxytetracycline,chlortetracycline, and ivermectin in surface runoff from irrigated pasture

The transport of oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline, and ivermectin from manure was assessed via surface runoff on irrigated pasture. Surface runoff plots in the Sierra Foothills of Northern California were used to evaluate the effects of irrigation water application rates, pharmaceutical application conditions, vegetative cover, and vegetative filter strip length on the pharmaceutical discharge in surface runoff. Experiments were designed to permit the maximum potential transport of pharmaceuticals to surface runoff water, which included pre-irrigation to saturate soil, trimming grass where manure was applied, and laying a continuous manure strip perpendicular to the flow of water. However, due to high sorption of the pharmaceuticals to manure and soil, less than 0.1% of applied pharmaceuticals were detected in runoff water. Results demonstrated an increase of pharmaceutical transport in surface runoff with increased pharmaceutical concentration in manure, the concentration of pharmaceuticals in runoff water remained constant with increased irrigation flow rate, and no appreciable decrease in pharmaceutical runoff was produced with the vegetative filter strip length increased from 30.5 to 91.5 cm. Most of the applied pharmaceuticals were retained in the manure or within the upper 5 cm of soil directly beneath the manure application sites. As this study evaluated conditions for high transport potential, the data suggest that the risk for significant chlortetracycline, oxytetracycline, and ivermectin transport to surface water from cattle manure on irrigated pasture is low.     

Accumulation and mobility of zinc in soil amended with different levels of pig-manure compost

Applying manure compost not only results in zinc accumulation in the soil but also causes an increase in zinc mobility and enhances zinc leaching. In this study, the physical and chemical characteristics of zinc, zinc profiles, and zinc balance were investigated to characterise the fate of zinc in fields where the quality and amount of pig manure compost applied have been known for 13 years. Moreover, we determined zinc fractionation in both 0.1 mol L^?1HCl-soluble (mobile) and -insoluble (immobile) fractions. Adsorption of zinc in the soil was enhanced with increasing total carbon content following the application of pig manure compost. The 159.6 mg ha^?1 year^?1manure applied plot (triplicate) exceeded the Japanese regulatory level after only 6 years of applying pig manure compost, whereas the 53.2 mg ha^?1 year^?1 manure applied plot (standard) reached the regulatory level after 13 years. The zinc loads in the plots were 17.0 and 5.6 kg ha^?1 year^?1, respectively. However, 5.9 % and 17.2 % of the zinc loaded in the standard and the triplicate pig manure compost applied plots, respectively, were estimated to be lost from the plough layer. Based on the vertical distribution of mobile and immobile zinc content, a higher rate of applied manure compost caused an increase in the mobile zinc fraction to a depth of 40 cm. Although the adsorption capacity of zinc was enhanced following the application of pig manure compost, a greater amount of mobile zinc could move downward through the manure amended soil than through non manure-amended soil.     

Chicken manure increased concentration of organic sulfur compounds in field-grown onions

A field study was conducted at Kentucky State University (KSU) Research Farm. The soil in five plots was mixed with sewage sludge, five plots were mixed with yard waste compost, five plots were mixed with laying hen manure each at 15 t acre^?1, and five unamended plots that never received soil amendments were used for comparison purposes. Plots were planted with onion, Allium cepa L. var. Super Star-F1. The objectives of this investigation were to: 1) determine the concentrations of two organosulfur compounds (dipropyl disulfide and dipropyl trisulfide) in onion bulbs and 2) investigate the effect of mixing soil with three amendments (sewage sludge, yard waste, and chicken manure) on the concentration of dipropyl disulfide and dipropyl trisulfide in onion bulbs. Gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric (GC/MS) analyses of onion oil in chloroform extracts revealed the presence of two major fragment ions that correspond to dipropyl disulfide and – trisulfide. Concentration of these two organic sulfur compounds was greatest (1.5 and 0.8 mg 100 g^?1 fresh weight, respectively) in onion bulbs of plants grown in chicken manure and lowest (0.4 and 0.07 mg 100 g^?1 fresh weight, respectively) in onion bulbs of plants grown in yard waste compost treatments. We concluded that chicken manure could be exploited in growing onions with health-promoting properties.     

2-Undecanone and 2-tridecanone in field-grown onion

A field study was conducted to investigate the impact of soil amendments on concentrations of two volatile organic compounds, 2-undecanone and 2-tridecanone, in onion bulbs. The soil in five plots was mixed with sewage sludge, five plots were mixed with yard waste compost, five plots were mixed with laying hen manure each at 15 t acre^?1, and five unamended plots that never received soil amendments were used for comparison purposes. Plots (n = 20) were planted with onion, Allium cepa L. var. Super Star-F1 bulbs. Gas chromatographic/mass spetrometric (GC/MS) analyses of mature onion bulbs crude extracts revealed the presence of two major fragment ions that correspond to 2-undecanone and 2-tridecanone. Soil amended with yard waste compost enhanced 2-undecanone and 2-tridecanone production by 31 and 59%, respectively. Soil amended with chicken manure enhanced 2-undecanone and 2-tridecanone production by 28 and 43%, respectively. Concentrations of 2-undecanone and 2-tridecanone were lowest in onion bulbs of plants grown in sewage sludge and unamended soil, respectively. The increased concentrations of 2-undecanone and 2-tridecanone in onion bulbs may provide a protective character against insect and spider mite attack in field grown onions.     

Downward movement of cadmium and phosphorus from phosphatic fertilisers in a pasture soil in New Zealand

Total cadmium (Cd) and phosphorus (P) concentrations in a pastoral soil, amended annually for 10 years with four forms of P fertilisers, decreased with soil depth. Single superphosphate (SSP) and North Carolina phosphate rock (NCPR) which had higher Cd contents (32 and 41 mg kg(-1), respectively) produced higher total soil Cd than diammonium phosphate (DAP-10 mg kg(-1)), Jordan phosphate rock (JPR-5 mg kg(-1)) and control treatments to a depth of 120 mm. Total soil P in SSP treated plots to a depth of 120 mm and NCPR treated plots to a depth of 75 mm was also higher than the control plots. No significant fertiliser P and Cd moved below 120 mm depth. Approximately 90% of the applied Cd was recovered in the soil of which 93% remained within the top 120 mm. Plant recovery of applied Cd was 1.5-4.5%. Plant available P (Olsen P) also decreased with depth. Plant available Cd (0.01 M CaCl2 extractable Cd) was higher in the 30-75 and 75-120 mm soil depths compared to 0-30 mm soil depth. This may be due to strong adsorption of Cd by the surface soils which have a higher organic matter content and higher pH; factors which are known to increase Cd adsorption in soils     

Assessment of insecticide contamination in runoff and stream water of small agricultural streams in the main soybean area of Argentina

The first- and second-order streams, Brown and Horqueta, respectively, which are located in the main area of soybean production in Argentina were examined for insecticide contamination caused by runoff from nearby soybean fields. The insecticides most widely used in Argentina (chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin and endosulfan) were detected in sediments, suspended particles and water. Highest concentrations in suspended particles were 318 microg/kg for endosulfan in the stream Horqueta, while 226 microg/kg chlorpyrifos and 13.2 microg/kg cypermethrin were measured in the stream Brown. In the Horqueta stream 150 and 53 microg/kg chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin were detected in runoff sediments, respectively. Whereas cypermethrin concentrations in the suspended particles were relatively low, levels in the floodwater of Brown reached 0.7 microg/l. The highest chlorpyrifos concentration in floodwater was 0.45 microg/l in Brown. However, endosulfan was not detected in the water phase. In runoff water the highest concentrations measured were 0.3 microg/l for chlorpyrifos in Horqueta and 0.49 microg/l for cypermethrin in the Brown stream. On five sampling dates during the pesticide application period in Brown stream (2002/2003) the concentration of chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin in runoff and/or floodwater exceeded the water quality criteria for freshwater mentioned in this study. In three cases this insecticide concentration was measured in stream water, indicating an acute risk to aquatic life. The acute toxicity-exposure-ratio (TER) for chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin also shows an acute risk for aquatic invertebrates in the Brown stream. In the Horqueta chlorpyrifos concentrations in the runoff exceeded the safety levels three times during the application period (2001/2002), potentially endangering the aquatic fauna. Effects on aquatic macroinvertebrates after insecticide contamination were reported in earlier studies in Horqueta stream.     

Preliminary study of phosphorus runoff and drainage from a paddy field in the Taihu Basin

An investigation into phosphorus runoff and drainage from a paddy field was carried out at Changshu Agricultural Ecological Station of CAS during the year 2000. According to the preliminary study, some results indicated: (1) Total phosphorus (TP) content of regular irrigation water was 19 times higher than TP content of P0 (zero rate of P fertilization) stand water. This indicates that paddy fields are a potential source of phosphorus pollution by runoff and drainage into the Taihu Lake Basin (TLB); (2) During the first 10 days after phosphate fertilizer application, the TP concentration of stand water in the paddy field was very high, therefore this was the high risk period for Taihu Lake phosphorus contamination; (3) Four mathematical models of P losses from a paddy field in the TLB are developed. These are based on data for the year 2000, but they will be improved as more data is acquired in future years.     

Shallow groundwater quality on dairy farms with irrigated forage crops

California's dairies are the largest confined animal industry in the state. A major portion of these dairies, which have an average herd size of nearly 1000 animal units, are located in low-relief valleys and basins. Large amounts of liquid manure are generated and stored in these dairies. In the semi-arid climate, liquid manure is frequently applied via flood or furrow irrigation to forage crops that are grown almost year-round. Little is known about the impact of manure management practices on water quality of the extensive alluvial aquifers underlying these basins. The objective of this work is to assess nitrate and salt leaching to shallow groundwater in a relatively vulnerable hydrogeologic region and to quantify the impact from individual sources on dairies. The complex array of potential point and nonpoint sources was divided into three major source areas representing farm management units: (1) manure water lagoons (ponds); (2) feedlot or exercise yard, dry manure, and feed storage areas (corrals); and (3) manure irrigated forage fields (fields). An extensive shallow groundwater-monitoring network (44 wells) was installed in five representative dairy operations in the northeastern San Joaquin Valley, CA. Water quality (electrical conductivity, nitrate-nitrogen, total Kjehldahl nitrogen) was observed over a 4-year period. Nitrate-N, reduced nitrogen and electrical conductivity (EC, salinity) were subject to large spatial and temporal variability. The range of observed nitrate-N and salinity levels was similar on all five dairies. Average shallow groundwater nitrate-N concentrations within the dairies were 64 mg/l compared to 24 mg/l in shallow wells immediately upgradient of these dairies. Average EC levels were 1.9 mS/cm within the dairies and 0.8 mS/cm immediately upgradient. Within the dairies, nitrate-N levels did not significantly vary across dairy management units. However, EC levels were significantly higher in corral and pond areas (2.3 mS/cm) than in field areas (1.6 mS/cm) indicating leaching from those management units. Pond leaching was further inferred from the presence of reduced nitrogen in three of four wells located immediately downgradient of pond berms. The estimated minimum average annual groundwater nitrate-N and salt loading from manure-treated forage fields were 280 and 4300 kg/ha, respectively. Leaching rates for ponds are estimated to be on the order of 0.8 m/year, at least locally. Since manure-treated fields represent by far the largest land area of the dairy, proper nutrient management will be a key to protecting groundwater quality in dairy regions overlying alluvial aquifers.     

清淤底泥脱水干化研究Ⅰ：相变式真空预压技术

针对底泥如何快速脱水干化问题,提出了一种相变式真空预压技术,实现了原位、高效和纯物理特点的快速脱水干化。通过室内模拟实验、现场实验和工程示范,先后开展了真空负压下纯水、水砂混合物和疏浚底泥的激烈相变点模拟研究,确定了温度和真空负压之间的变化规律,以及不同介质激烈相变点的确定方法,并探究了温度对底泥脱水干化效果的影响及温压耦合加载模式。结果表明：水的激烈相变点在相同介质下,随着真空负压增加而降低,不同介质中水的激烈相变点有所差异,纯水最低,水砂混合物次之,淤泥最高;通过累计出水量、出水速率和孔隙水压力的变化规律与温度之间关系确定了底泥的激烈相变点温度为68.7 ℃,脱水干化后的含水率为16.1 %,较常规真空预压降低了34.2 %,较电渗式真空预压降低了26.5 %,体积压缩率达到60.5 %,固结度97.2 %;确定了温压耦合加载模式,工程应用中初始真空负压为20~30 kPa,持续时间为3 d,其次为50~60 kPa,持续时间为5 d,然后真空满载 (80 kPa以上) ,真空满载后开始持续加载温度至底泥激烈相变点附近,并采用温控电箱进行间歇式加载,保证底泥温度一直处于激烈相变点附近,脱水速率最大化,节约能耗。该研究成果为底泥快速脱水干化提供一种新技术,并为此类工程的实施提供技术指导。     

Effect of manure on glyphosate and trifluralin mineralization in soil

Manure additions to soil may alter soil chemical, physical, and biological characteristics, and thereby change pesticide fate processes in soil. This is the first study to examine the impact of liquid hog manure amendments on glyphosate and trifluralin mineralization in soil. Experiments were conducted in soil microcosms in the laboratory for a total of 332 (glyphosate) and 430 (trifluralin) days. The rate and amount of mineralization of both glyphosate and trifluralin were significantly influenced by the additions of fresh manure to soil in the laboratory and by the history of manure applications in the field. However, the maximum difference in herbicide mineralization between soils that were free of manure application and those amended with manure in the field or in the laboratory was only 6.1% and 7.3% of that initially applied, for trifluralin and glyphosate, respectively. Therefore, we conclude that liquid hog manure application to soil will have no significant effect on the mineralization of glyphosate and trifluralin under field conditions.     

Effect of Manure on Glyphosate and Trifluralin Mineralization in Soil

Manure additions to soil may alter soil chemical, physical, and biological characteristics, and thereby change pesticide fate processes in soil. This is the first study to examine the impact of liquid hog manure amendments on glyphosate and trifluralin mineralization in soil. Experiments were conducted in soil microcosms in the laboratory for a total of 332 (glyphosate) and 430 (trifluralin) days. The rate and amount of mineralization of both glyphosate and trifluralin were significantly influenced by the additions of fresh manure to soil in the laboratory and by the history of manure applications in the field. However, the maximum difference in herbicide mineralization between soils that were free of manure application and those amended with manure in the field or in the laboratory was only 6.1% and 7.3% of that initially applied, for trifluralin and glyphosate, respectively. Therefore, we conclude that liquid hog manure application to soil will have no significant effect on the mineralization of glyphosate and trifluralin under field conditions.     

猪粪和羊粪与麦秆不同配比中温厌氧发酵研究

研究了猪粪和羊粪分别与麦秆不同配比中温(35℃)厌氧发酵对产气量、消化时间和最优C/N值的影响。结果表明,猪粪与麦秆在中温厌氧发酵时,所需的最优C/N值为21,且经141 d就可充分发酵,最大干物质累积产气量可达369.53 mL/g。羊粪与麦秆中温厌氧发酵时,所需的最优C/N值为24,且经96 d就可充分发酵,最大干物质累积产气量可达209 mL/g。猪粪秸秆中温厌氧发酵时易发生酸化,发酵前应通过预处理来减少酸化可能;而羊粪麦秆不易发生酸化。     

Optimization of low-temperature drying of laying-hen manure using response surface methodology

ABSTRACT

Manure-drying system using exhausted air from laying hen houses or ambient air has been extensively used in China to dewater the manure for easy transportation and to reduce pathogen levels prior to land application. Due to the climate influence or inappropriate setting of technological parameters, there are some issues in this manure-drying system, such as low dehydration rate, high energy consumption, and high ammonia emission. A purpose-designed experimental drying apparatus was set up to simulate the commercial manure drying system. Drying experiments were carried out to assess the impacts of hot air temperature (15–35°C), air velocity (0.6–1.8 m/s) and manure layer thickness (60–140 mm) on fan’s energy consumption, dehydration rate, and nitrogen loss rate. The response surface analysis method and sub-stepping method was used to analyze the relationships between the response variables and the influence factors. The drying curves were drawn, and the quadratic regression mathematical models that described the relations between the experimental indices and the influence factors were established. The optimal combination of technological parameters for drying laying-hen manure was obtained through conducting a multi-objective function optimization by function-expected optimization. The optimal parameters are as follows: hot air temperature of 35°C, air velocity of 1.60 m/s, and manure layer thickness of 85 mm. The results also indicate that raising the hot air temperature increased the value of synthesis objective function when the hot air temperature was in 26–35°C. The results can provide a theoretical basis for low-temperature drying of laying-hen manure in actual production.

Implications: A large amount of poultry manure is produced yearly in China, which has become a tremendous pressure on the environment when it cannot be utilized as resources. A more sustainable solution using the residual heat from the poultry house ventilation or ambient hot air has been widely used in China. This drying method can significantly reduce energy consumption compared to the traditional way. However, due to the influence of climate or inappropriate setting of technological parameters, issues such as high energy consumption and high ammonia emission still exist in this method. It is necessary to optimize the low-temperature drying process of laying-hen manure, to reduce energy consumption and nitrogen loss rate.     

Heavy metal mobility in runoff water and absorption by eggplant fruits from sludge treated soil

Sewage sludge addition to agricultural lands requires judicious management to avoid environmental risks arising from heavy metal and nitrate contamination of surface water and accumulation in edible plants. A field study was conducted on a silty-loam soil of 10% slope at Kentucky State University Research Farm. Eighteen plots of 22 x 3.7 m each were separated using metal borders and the soil in six plots was mixed with sewage sludge and yard waste compost mix (SS-YW) at 15 t acre(-1), six plots were mixed with sewage sludge (SS) at 15 t acre(-1), and six unamended plots that never received sludge were used for comparison purposes. Plots were planted with eggplant, Solanum melongena L. as the test plant. The objectives of this investigation were to: 1) assess the effect of soil amendments on the transport of NO3, NH4, and heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn, Cu, and Mo) into surface water; 2) investigate the effect of soil amendments on heavy metal bioavailability in eggplant fruits at harvest; and 3) assess chemical and physical properties of soil following addition of soil amendments and their impact on the yield and quality of eggplant fruit. SS-YW treatments reduced runoff water by 63% while plots incorporated with sewage sludge alone reduced runoff water by 37% compared to control treatment. The SS-YW treatments transported more mineral nitrogen (NO3-N and NH4-N) in runoff water than SS treatments. Total marketable yield (lbs acre(-1)) and number of eggplant fruits were greatest in SS-YW treatments. This response may be due to improved soil porosity, water, and nutrient retention of the soil amended with SS-YW mixture. Concentrations of heavy metals in soil amended with sludge were below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) limits. Chromium, Ni, Zn, and Cu were taken up by eggplant fruits but their concentrations were below the Codex Commission allowable levels.     

Phosphorus leaching in soils amended with piggery effluent or lime residues from effluent treatment

Phosphorus (P) in wastes from piggeries may contribute to the eutrophication of waterways if not disposed of appropriately. Phosphorus leaching, from three soils with different P sorption characteristics (two with low P retention and one with moderate P retention) when treated with piggery effluent (with or without struvite), was investigated using batch and leaching experiments. The leaching of P retained in soil from the application of struvite effluent was determined. In addition, P leaching from lime residues (resulting from the treatment of piggery effluent with lime to remove P) was determined in comparison to superphosphate when applied to the same three soils. Most P was leached from sandy soils with low P retention when effluent with or without struvite was applied. More than 100% of the filterable P applied in struvite effluent was leached in sandy soils with low P retention. Solid, inorganic forms of P (struvite) became soluble and potentially leachable at pH<7 or were sorbed after dissolution if there were sufficient sorption sites. In sandy soils with low P retention, more than 39% of the total filterable P applied in recycled effluent (without struvite) was leached. Soil P increased mainly in surface layers after treatment with effluent. Sandy soils pre-treated with struvite effluent leached 40% of the P retained in the previous application. Phosphorus decreased in surface layers and increased at depth in the soil with moderate P retention after leaching the struvite effluent pre-treated soil with water. The soils capacity to adsorb P and the soil pH were the major soil properties that affected the rate and amount of P leaching, whereas the important characteristics of the effluent were pH, P concentration and the forms of P in the effluent. Phosphorus losses from soils amended with hydrated lime and lime kiln dust residues were much lower than losses from soils amended with superphosphate. Up to 92% of the P applied as superphosphate was leached from sandy soils with low P retention, whereas only up to 60% of the P applied in lime residues was leached. The P source contributing least to P leaching was the lime kiln dust residue. The amount of P leached depended on the water-soluble P content, neutralising value and application rate of the P source, and the pH and P sorption capacity of the soil.     

The effect of limited aeration on swine manure phosphorus removal.

Two low level aeration schemes (intermittent vs. continuous) were investigated on a laboratory scale, in conjunction with swine manure pH adjustment using sodium hydroxide (1.0 M), for manure phosphorus (P) removal. According to the data, an 80% reduction in soluble P was observed when the manure pH was increased to 8. Both intermittent and continuous aeration treatments could raise manure pH above 8 with an airflow rate of 1 L/minute in a period of 15 days. A drastic increase in pH (about 1 unit) was observed for both aeration schemes within the first day of test, resulting in a 76% reduction in soluble P concentration in the liquid. It appeared that there is no difference in terms of P removal between the two aeration programs, suggesting that the intermittent aeration be preferred to save energy while still achieving the same level of P removal.