Industrial livestock operations produce enormous quantities of animal wastes. For that reason there must be a systematic management of animal wastes, which will specify how, when and where animal waste will be handled. Proper waste management must basically include a system of storage, treatment and transport of manure, the main waste product in a livestock industry. The goal of a waste management system is to eliminate, or at least reduce the negative effects of massive waste production to the environment and to the health of people that can be directly or indirectly affected.
A lagoon system, or a manure lagoon, is one example of a waste management system. It is a man-made earthen pit where the wastes, coming from animal pens are being piped into. Once transported in to the lagoon, in a period of 20 to 50 days, a two layer is formed: the sludge or the solid layer, and the liquid layer. The sludge layer is a more solid layer formed by the settling of sediments from the manure to the bottom, while the liquid level is composed of grease, scum and other particulates. Oxygen is sealed out by the top layer which allows an anaerobic condition for the bacteria to treat the waste. The liquid layer can be used to fertilize soil and the sludge layer must be drained periodically for maintenance.
Some negative effects are however still associated with this type of waste management system especially when proper maintenance is not carefully observed. The decomposition of the manure by anaerobic bacteria caused some toxic gases to produce, such as ammonia and hydrogen sulfide. Even though ammonia is a beneficial gas that evolves from animal and human wastes, an increased concentration can be dangerous as it can cause irritation in the mucous membranes of the eyes and lungs and as well as complications on the respiratory system of animals. Hydrogen sulfide is another toxic gas emitted upon the decomposition of manure. This gas has more adverse effects, such as irritation of the respiratory tract and can complicate further to comas, seizures or even death. Pathogens or bacteria that cause disease are also inevitable in lagoon systems. These pathogens include E.coli and also a parasite belonging to the Cryptosporidium species, which can cause serious complications in the digestive tract.
Another system for livestock waste management is the Deep Pit system. The system is simply a cylindrical hole in deep soil, several feet in depth and diameter. The inner wall could either be masonry or a wall of stone. Either is acceptable as long as it is strong enough to shore up the soil. It must be carefully observed that cesspools must not be used in porous soil or where groundwater may come within five feet from the bottom. They should also be downhill and at least 500 feet away from wells or springs used for drinking water. With deep pit system, liquid from raw wastewater leak through the soil while solids decayed and collected as composted matter in the base of the pit.
A septic tank is mandated to eliminate the use of cesspools or deep pit systems. Cesspools have higher risks of contaminating nearby source of drinking water even though it has been built on a reasonable distance. Insects can enter into the pit and can be a vector for bacteria to spread severe diseases that could extremely threaten human health.
Proper maintenance must be carefully observed to prevent or at least reduce the harmful effects of both the lagoon and deep pit systems. For a more efficient and natural management of wastes, equipment made of natural and biodegradable plastic, Agra Sphere, has been created. This works together with Activator Plus, a natural microbial formula, to reduce sludge on lagoon and pits. Begin by treating the lagoon or pit with Activator Plus, a microbial formulation that improve the breakdown of suspended organic solids on sludge. Activator Plus prevents the toxic gases to be excessively emitted. After the treatment with Activator Plus, Agra Sphere is then tossed on the lagoon to allow sludge to be liquefied; this causes the right nitrogen to be absorbed by bacteria cells. These bacteria decompose on the soil and feed the soil well by slowly releasing the right kind of nitrogen. It is the fast released nitrogen that causes burning to the crops on the soil. Agra Sphere aids in reaching the aim of efficiently maintaining different waste management system.
A lagoon system, or a manure lagoon, is one example of a waste management system. It is a man-made earthen pit where the wastes, coming from animal pens are being piped into. Once transported in to the lagoon, in a period of 20 to 50 days, a two layer is formed: the sludge or the solid layer, and the liquid layer. The sludge layer is a more solid layer formed by the settling of sediments from the manure to the bottom, while the liquid level is composed of grease, scum and other particulates. Oxygen is sealed out by the top layer which allows an anaerobic condition for the bacteria to treat the waste. The liquid layer can be used to fertilize soil and the sludge layer must be drained periodically for maintenance.
Some negative effects are however still associated with this type of waste management system especially when proper maintenance is not carefully observed. The decomposition of the manure by anaerobic bacteria caused some toxic gases to produce, such as ammonia and hydrogen sulfide. Even though ammonia is a beneficial gas that evolves from animal and human wastes, an increased concentration can be dangerous as it can cause irritation in the mucous membranes of the eyes and lungs and as well as complications on the respiratory system of animals. Hydrogen sulfide is another toxic gas emitted upon the decomposition of manure. This gas has more adverse effects, such as irritation of the respiratory tract and can complicate further to comas, seizures or even death. Pathogens or bacteria that cause disease are also inevitable in lagoon systems. These pathogens include E.coli and also a parasite belonging to the Cryptosporidium species, which can cause serious complications in the digestive tract.
Another system for livestock waste management is the Deep Pit system. The system is simply a cylindrical hole in deep soil, several feet in depth and diameter. The inner wall could either be masonry or a wall of stone. Either is acceptable as long as it is strong enough to shore up the soil. It must be carefully observed that cesspools must not be used in porous soil or where groundwater may come within five feet from the bottom. They should also be downhill and at least 500 feet away from wells or springs used for drinking water. With deep pit system, liquid from raw wastewater leak through the soil while solids decayed and collected as composted matter in the base of the pit.
A septic tank is mandated to eliminate the use of cesspools or deep pit systems. Cesspools have higher risks of contaminating nearby source of drinking water even though it has been built on a reasonable distance. Insects can enter into the pit and can be a vector for bacteria to spread severe diseases that could extremely threaten human health.
Proper maintenance must be carefully observed to prevent or at least reduce the harmful effects of both the lagoon and deep pit systems. For a more efficient and natural management of wastes, equipment made of natural and biodegradable plastic, Agra Sphere, has been created. This works together with Activator Plus, a natural microbial formula, to reduce sludge on lagoon and pits. Begin by treating the lagoon or pit with Activator Plus, a microbial formulation that improve the breakdown of suspended organic solids on sludge. Activator Plus prevents the toxic gases to be excessively emitted. After the treatment with Activator Plus, Agra Sphere is then tossed on the lagoon to allow sludge to be liquefied; this causes the right nitrogen to be absorbed by bacteria cells. These bacteria decompose on the soil and feed the soil well by slowly releasing the right kind of nitrogen. It is the fast released nitrogen that causes burning to the crops on the soil. Agra Sphere aids in reaching the aim of efficiently maintaining different waste management system.
About the Author:
Lianne Derocco likes writing about agricultural issues. For further details about agricultural waste treatment solutions, or to find out more about deep pit foaming systems, please visit the BioverseAG.com site now.
No comments:
Post a Comment