Decreasing Metal Runoff from Poultry Litter with Aluminum Sulfate

Abstract

Aluminum sulfate [Al2(SO4)3·14H2O] applications to poultry litter can greatly reduce P concentrations in runoff from fields fertilized with poultry litter, as well as decrease NH3 volatilization. The objective of this study was to evaluate metal runoff from plots fertilized with varying rates of alum‐treated and untreated (normal) poultry litter. Alum‐treated (10% alum by weight) and untreated litter was broadcast applied to small plots in tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.). Litter application rates were 0, 2.24, 4.49, 6.73, and 8.98 Mg ha−1 (0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 tons acre−1). Rainfall simulators were used to produce two runoff events, immediately after litter application and 7 d later. Both concentrations and loads of water‐soluble metals increased linearly with litter application rates, regardless of litter type. Alum treatment reduced concentrations of As, Cu, Fe, and Zn, relative to untreated litter, whereas it increased Ca and Mg. Copper concentrations in runoff water from untreated litter were extremely high (up to 1 mg Cu L−1), indicating a potential water quality problem. Soluble Al, K, and Na concentrations were not significantly affected by the type of litter. Reductions in trace metal runoff due to alum appeared to be related to the concentration of soluble organic C (SOC), as well as the affinity of SOC for trace metals. Metal runoff from alum‐treated litter is less likely to cause environmental problems than untreated litter, since threats to the aquatic environment by Ca and Mg are far less than those posed by As, Cu, and Zn.

Correlation of Quantitative PCR for a Poultry-Specific Brevibacterium Marker Gene with Bacterial and Chemical Indicators of Water Pollution in a Watershed Impacted by Land Application of Poultry Litter

“…When the marker was detected, the average total Cu, P, and Zn concentrations in field runoff samples were within the ranges reported in the literature (0.13 to 0.93 mg Cu liter Ϫ1 , 2 to 89 mg P liter Ϫ1 , and 0.13 to 0.44 mg Zn liter Ϫ1 ) for runoff from poultry litteramended fields (31,36,38,42,44). In contrast, the inorganic analytes in samples in which LA35 was not detected were, on average, an order of magnitude lower than the ranges reported in the literature.…”

“…However, too much litter (e.g., in excess of nutrient management plan requirements) or improper application (e.g., just prior to rainfall events) can cause runoff of litter constituents and lead to eutrophication of receiving waters (32,41). Poultry litter also contains heavy metals, such as As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn (12,19,26,30,31), obligate and opportunistic pathogens, such as Yersinia enterocolitica, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enterica, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, enteropathogenic Escherichia coli strains such as O157:H7, Campylobacter jejuni, and Clostridium perfringens, and fecal indicator bacteria (FIB), such as E. coli and enterococci (21,28). Studies have shown these metals and bacteria can be transported from agricultural fields on which litter has been applied to receiving waters (3,29,31,44), and quantities can exceed 56% of applied NH 3 -N and 10% of applied total phosphorus (11,12,15,20).…”

A Review of Remediation and Control Systems for the Treatment of Agricultural Waste Water in Ireland to Satisfy the Requirements of the Water Framework Directive

“…Similar results were reported by Moore et al (1998), who applied alum to poultry litter at a rate of 0.091kg per bird (corresponding to 10% alum by weight of the broiler litter). In this study reduced litter pH and decreased NH 3 volatilisation from the litter resulted in atmospheric NH 3 reductions of 97% after four weeks in alum-amended houses.…”

Microbial and Physicochemical Qualities of River Owena Sediments

“…The contamination of sediments with heavy metals leads to serious environmental problem (Loizidou et al, 1992). Today there is trace contamination not only of surface water but also river sediments, which are susceptible to leaching from waste dumps, mine tailings and industrial production sites (Moore et al, 1998). Organic manure, municipal waste and some fungicides often contain fairly high concentration of heavy metals.…”

“…Organic manure, municipal waste and some fungicides often contain fairly high concentration of heavy metals. Soils receiving repeated applications of organic manures, fungicides and pesticides have exhibited high concentration of extractable heavy metals, thereby increase their concentration in runoff (Moore et al, 1998), The composition of sediments is dependent on natural factors (geological, topographical, meteorological, hydrological and biological) in the drainage basin and varies with seasonal difference in runoff volumes, weather conditions and water levels. Importantly, sediments can also be contaminated by naturally occurring sources (Muller, 2001).Heavy metals may adsorb onto sediments or be accumulated by the benthic organisms; their bioavailability and toxicity depend upon the various forms and amount bound to the sediment matrices (Chukwujindu et al, 2007).…”