Phosphorus solubility in traditional versus gypsum treated poultry litter and its environmental implications

Authors: CHAKRABORTY, D - Auburn University; PRASAD, RISHI - Auburn University; POWELL, A - Auburn University; Watts, Dexter; Torbert, Henry - Allen

Submitted to: Alabama Water Resources Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/7/2022
Publication Date: 9/8/2022
Citation: Chakraborty, D., Prasad, R., Powell, A., Watts, D.B., Torbert Iii, H.A. 2022. Phosphorus solubility in traditional versus gypsum treated poultry litter and its environmental implications [ABSTRACT]. Alabama Water Resources Conference Sept. 7-9, 2022, Orange Beach, AL.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: With the surge in world population there is an increased demand of poultry products which also causes the generation of enormous amounts of poultry litter (PL). Land disposal of PL is the primary waste management strategy, however excess PL application in localized areas of poultry operations has lead to water quality concerns due to water soluble phosphorus (P) in PL losses during runoff events. A study was conducted to examine P availability in flue gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum treated PL versus traditional PL for environmental risk assessment. There was a 37% reduction in P solubility in P solubility between FGD gypsum treated PL compared to industry standard practice PL. Fractionation study confirms that the amount of P present in the water fraction is significantly less in gypsum treated PL compared to the traditional litter treatments. Results indicate that treating PL with gypsum could play an instrumental role in reducing DRP during runoff events when used a a fertilizer.