Abstract
The growing popularity of horse keeping is accompanied by an increase of phosphorus (P) and faecal micro-organisms from outdoor paddocks. We used an indoor rainfall simulation to monitor concentrations of dissolved reactive P (DRP) and faecal coliforms in runoff and percolation water from different paddock footings. Drainage water was also monitored from two paddocks constructed of woodchips. Sand retained more DRP (p<0.0001) and coliforms from percolation water than woodchips. Some of the footings were amended with P-sorbing materials, such as [Ca(OH)2], [Fe2(SO4)3], or Fe-gypsum, to retain DRP. High DRP concentrations (17–18 mg l-1) were observed in runoff from a woodchip footing amended earlier with Ca(OH)2 and in sand footing amended with CaCO3. However, application of Fe-gypsum to woodchips decreased the DRP load in percolation water by 83% compared to the footing without Fe-gypsum. Fe compounds were better than Ca compounds. The decrease in coliforms was usually small due to the modest pH changes in the water.
Highlights
Despite the growth of the horse industry, with new stables being established even near population centres, few studies have focused on the effects of horse paddocks on water quality (Airaksinen et al 2007, Sullivan 2010).Among the total 75500 horses in Finland, roughly 13000 are kept around the cities of Helsinki (Uusimaa) and Turku (Southwest Finland) (Suomen Hippos Oy et al 2012)
Field monitoring of the mitigation of P in drainage water was performed by adding P-sorbing compounds containing Fe or Ca to the woodchips used as a footing material in horse paddocks
The observed dissolved reactive P (DRP) and TP values were often lower for woodchips amended with Fe2(SO4)3 than those amended with Ca(OH)2
Summary
Despite the growth of the horse industry, with new stables being established even near population centres, few studies have focused on the effects of horse paddocks on water quality (Airaksinen et al 2007, Sullivan 2010).Among the total 75500 horses in Finland, roughly 13000 are kept around the cities of Helsinki (Uusimaa) and Turku (Southwest Finland) (Suomen Hippos Oy et al 2012). Despite the growth of the horse industry, with new stables being established even near population centres, few studies have focused on the effects of horse paddocks on water quality (Airaksinen et al 2007, Sullivan 2010). In Finland and Sweden, horses are usually kept in small, fenced-off areas near the stables (Pikkarainen 2005, Parvage et al 2011). According to Pikkarainen (2005), two horses are kept together for an average of 7 hours daily in a paddock with an average size of 1100 m2 (year around horse density of 5.3 ha-1). Finland is estimated to have up to 35000 paddocks with a total area of 3800 ha. One horse produces 10 kg of phosphorus (P) and 61 kg of nitrogen (N) annually in dung and urine (Jouni Nousiainen, personal communication, MTT Jokioinen, 19 April 2011)
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