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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Florence, South Carolina » Coastal Plain Soil, Water and Plant Conservation Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #148290
Title: RETENTION OF NITROGEN AND PHOSPHOROUS FROM LIQUID SWINE AND POULTRY MANURES USING HIGHLY CHARCTERIZED PEATS

Author
item RIZZUTI, ANTHONY - UNIV OF SC
item COHEN, ARTHUR - UNIV OF SC
item Hunt, Patrick
item Ellison, Aprel

Submitted to: Journal of Environmental Science and Health
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/1/2001
Publication Date: 3/1/2002
Citation: RIZZUTI, A.M., COHEN, A.D., HUNT, P.G., ELLISON, A.Q. RETENTION OF NITROGEN AND PHOSPHOROUS FROM LIQUID SWINE AND POULTRY MANURES USING HIGHLY CHARCTERIZED PEATS. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND HEALTH. 2002. V. 37. P. 587-611.

Interpretive Summary: Modern livestock production presents many environmental challenges. Addressing these challenges requires the use of different techniques and materials. One of these materials is peat. However, peats vary greatly and their properties for livestock waste treatment need to be more clearly defined. This research tested the hypothesis that differences in peat composition will cause differences in amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus retained during contact with liquid swine manure (LSM) and liquid poultry manure (LPM). Peat types representing a wide range of properties were tested in order to establish which chemical and physical properties might be most indicative of their capacities to retain nitrogen and phosphorus from swine and poultry waste slurries. Most peats worked reasonably well; however, some peats were more effective than others. Their performance was related to properties such as bulk density, acids content, and cellulose contents. Results indicate that peats have a role in management of livestock waste.

Technical Abstract: This paper reports on research designed to test the hypothesis that differences in peat composition will cause differences in amounts of N and P retained during contact with liquid swine manure (LSM) and liquid poultry manure (LPM). Peat types representing a wide range of properties were tested in order to establish which chemical and physical properties might be most indicative of their capacities to retain N and P from LSM and LPM. Eight-percent slurries (peat/LSM and peat/LPM) were measured for total nitrogen (TKN) and total phosphorus (TP) after 6, 24 and 96 hours. Tests were done to determine the TKN and TP contents of these peats, the LSM, and the LPM, both before and after they were mixed together. The N and P retention results revealed that most peats worked reasonably well at retaining N and P from either LSM or LPM. However, some peats were more effective than others. These peats also decreased the N and P levels in the liquid portion of the LSM. Peats with higher N retention capacities tended to have lower ash contents, but higher macroporosities and total cellulose contents. Peats with higher P retention capacities tended to have lower bulk densities, ash contents, total guaiacyl lignins contents, fulvic acids contents, but higher microporosities, macroporosities, H contents, and total cellulose contents. Peats with higher N and P retention capacities also had humic acid contents between 5-7%. The results of this study suggest that if these peats are used to reduce odors and N and P contamination, possible byproducts could be the production of odorless fertilizers.