Animal Manure Impact on the Quality of Percolated Water in a Semi-Arid Region-Jordan

Abstract

The aim of this research was to evaluate the impact of different types of animal manure applied to calcareous soil on percolated water quality. Thirty-six soil columns were used to collect the leached water. Three rates (2%, 5%, and 10%) from four sources of animal manure (cow, chicken, sheep, and camel) were applied to determine the effect of types, and rates of applied manure on groundwater quality in terms of major ionic composition (HCO3, Br-, F-, Cl-, NO3- NH4+, SO4-2, Ca+2, Mg+2, Na+, K+, and PO4+4) and heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Ni, and Zn) in addition to total organic carbon (TOC) through the different intervals of irrigation. The results showed significant variation in ionic compositions and heavy metals of the percolated water with the different types and amount of animal manure applied. For ammonium, nitrate, and P the highest concentrations were found when chicken manure was applied and the minimum when camel manure was applied. This finding can be attributed to the rate of degradation of different types of manure. Organic content of the drained water was independent of the type of manure but it was proportional to the amount of manure applied. Only a small portion of organic matter was drained from the different manures indicating that a high portion of organic matter was held in the soil.