Cattle Waste Research Articles

Environmental surface degradation of galvanised and mild steels in cattle and poultry wastes and urea solution

An investigation of the corrosive properties of cattle and poultry dung/urine slurries and urea solution and by extension, the corrosion resistance of galvanised and mild steels in these respective test media was performed by the weight loss method. The results showed corrosive surface degradation of galvanised steel and extensive corrosion of the mild steel test specimens by the corrosive constituents of the various test media. The corrosive constituents in the slurries are believed to be urea, uric acid, ammonia and ammonium salts, naturally excreted chloride (common salt), carbon-dioxide and sulphate reducing and sulphur oxidizing bacteria. The galvanised steel is found to be more corrosion resistant than the mild steel. The cattle dung/urine slurry was found to be the most aggressive of the test media and the poultry dung/urine slurry, the least corrosive medium.

Detection of Known and Novel Adenoviruses in Cattle Wastes via Broad-Spectrum Primers

The critical assessment of bovine adenoviruses (BAdV) as indicators of environmental fecal contamination requires improved knowledge of their prevalence, shedding dynamics, and genetic diversity. We examined DNA extracted from bovine and other animal waste samples collected in Wisconsin for atadenoviruses and mastadenoviruses using novel, broad-spectrum PCR primer sets. BAdV were detected in 13% of cattle fecal samples, 90% of cattle urine samples, and 100% of cattle manure samples; 44 percent of BAdV-positive samples contained both Atadenovirus and Mastadenovirus DNA. Additionally, BAdV were detected in soil, runoff water from a cattle feedlot, and residential well water. Overall, we detected 8 of 11 prototype BAdV, plus bovine, rabbit, and porcine mastadenoviruses that diverged significantly from previously reported genotypes. The prevalence of BAdV shedding by cattle supports targeting AdV broadly as indicators of the presence of fecal contamination in aqueous environments. Conversely, several factors complicate the use of AdV for fecal source attribution. Animal AdV infecting a given livestock host were not monophyletic, recombination among livestock mastadenoviruses was detected, and the genetic diversity of animal AdV is still underreported. These caveats highlight the need for continuing genetic surveillance for animal AdV and for supporting data when BAdV detection is invoked for fecal source attribution in environmental samples. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report natural BAdV excretion in urine, BAdV detection in groundwater, and recombination in AdV of livestock origin.

Cattle waste reduces plant diversity in vernal pool mesocosms

In California, much of the remaining vernal pool habitat is used for cattle grazing. Some studies suggest that grazing helps promote native plant diversity on grasslands, but the impact of grazing on plants that reside in pool basins is largely unknown. We investigated how one aspect of cattle grazing, the deposition of waste, affects these plant species by adding dung and urine to mesocosms lined with vernal pool soil. As a result of dung input, orthophosphate, conductivity, and turbidity increased in our mesocosms while dissolved oxygen decreased. Such changes in water quality are consistent with a shift toward a eutrophic state. Algal biomass and percent-cover also increased in dung-treated mesocosms. When the mesocosms dried, vascular plant species richness and percent-cover in dung-treated mesocosms were reduced by up to 54% and 87%, respectively. We attribute this to light attenuation by algal mats that flourished in the nutrient-enriched water. We also found that dung input caused significant, but weak, shifts in the composition of the vascular plant community. We conclude that cattle grazing may be detrimental to plant communities in vernal pools via increased nutrient loading, which promotes algal growth. Any beneficial effects of grazing may thus be limited to the surrounding grassland. Studies that examine the regional-scale impacts of grazing on vernal pool grasslands should separately consider the impacts to local-scale (i.e., within-pool) plant diversity, as most of the threatened and endangered plant species of California vernal pools reside primarily in pool basins.

Reducing the environmental impact of methane emissions from dairy farms by anaerobic digestion of cattle waste

Four dairy cattle farms considered representative of Northern Spain milk production were studied. Cattle waste was characterised and energy consumption in the farms was inventoried. Methane emissions due to slurry/manure management and fuel consumption on the farms were calculated. The possibility of applying anaerobic digestion to the slurry to minimise emissions and of using the biogas produced to replace fossil fuels on the farm was considered. Methane emissions due to slurry management (storage and use as fertiliser) ranged from 34 to 66 kg CH 4 cow −1 year −1 for dairy cows and from 13 to 25 kg CH 4 cow −1 year −1 for suckler calves. Cattle on these farms are housed for most of the year, and the contribution from emissions from manure dropped in pastures is insignificant due to the very low methane conversion factors. If anaerobic digestion were implemented on the farms, the potential GHG emissions savings per livestock unit would range from 978 to 1776 kg CO 2 eq year −1, with the main savings due to avoided methane emissions during slurry management. The methane produced would be sufficient to supply digester heating needs (35–55% of the total methane produced) and on-farm fuel energy requirements.

Improving the energy efficiency of anaerobic fermentation of cattle wastes

Improving the energy efficiency of anaerobic fermentation of cattle wastes

Nitrogen Transformations in Paddy Fields Treated with High Loads of Liquid Cattle Waste

Three varieties of forage rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. Hamasari, Kusahonami, and Leafstar) were transplanted in plots established in a paddy field. Each of these varieties of rice was then subjected either to basal treatment alone (control plots), or to basal treatment plus subsequent treatment with liquid cattle waste (treatment plots). The nitrogen transformations differed significantly between the control plots and the treatment plots. The nitrogen uptake of the plants in the treatment plots was significantly higher than that in the control plants, even though no significant increase was observed in biomass production. A mass-transfer model calculation revealed that ammonia volatilization also increased following slurry application because of the high ammonium concentration and pH of the flood water. However, the total percentages of nitrogen loss through nitrous oxide, ammonia emission, and leaching loss in the treatment plots were only approximately 7–8%, which was significantly lower than the portion assimilated by the rice plant. Moreover, denitrification was considered to be a major pathway for nitrogen removal in the treatment plots; this probably accounted for most of the “Unknown” portion in the nitrogen balance.

Cattle wastes as substrates for bioelectricity production via microbial fuel cells

A new 2l scale microbial fuel cell (MFC) configuration was developed to generate bioelectricity from particulate substrates. Voltage and power densities generated in this MFC fed with sucrose, particulate cattle manure, and manure wash-water as the substrates were evaluated in batch mode, with and without external mediators. Voltages averaged 0.5V in open circuit, and 0.4V under a resistive load of 470Ω. Power densities (67 to 215mW/m(2)) were comparable to previous work that had used liquid wastes as substrates. Based on the energy yield per unit mass of feedstock (~10kJ/kg wet manure), cattle manure has limited potential to serve as a feedstock for electricity production via MFCs.

Diversity of spore-forming bacteria in cattle manure, slaughterhouse waste and samples from biogas plants

As biowaste intended for biogas production can contain pathogenic micro-organisms, the recommended treatment is pasteurization at 70°C for 60min. This reduces pathogens such as Salmonella spp., whereas spore-forming bacteria (Bacillus spp. and Clostridium spp.) survive. Most spore-forming bacteria are harmless, but some can cause diseases such as blackleg, botulism and anthrax. In this study, the effect of the biogas process on Bacillus spp. and Clostridium spp. was investigated. We analysed 97 faecal samples, 20 slaughterhouse waste samples and 60 samples collected at different stages in the biogas process. Bacillus spp. and Clostridium spp. were quantified and subcultured. The isolates were identified by biochemical methods and by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Phylogenetic trees were constructed from the sequences obtained from isolates from the samples. Clostridium botulinum/Clostridium spp. and Clostridium sordellii were found both before and after pasteurization, but not after digestion (AD). Some of the isolated strains probably represented new members of the genera Clostridium and Bacillus. After digestion, the numbers of clostridia decreased, but none of the pathogenic bacteria did, whereas Bacillus spp. remained constant during the process. Biogas is gaining in importance as an energy source and because the residues are used as fertilizers, we needed to study the prevalence of pathogenic bacteria in such material.

A promising niche: waste to energy project in the Indian dairy sector

The dairy sector is known to have significant local and global environmental impacts; but it also has proven renewable-energy generation potential. This paper analyzes a specific niche experiment in the Indian dairy industry, wherein cattle waste management is carried out by a multitude of stakeholders. These include the waste collectors, local technology adopters, research institutions, multilateral donor agencies, the Indian government, technology suppliers and operation and maintenance teams who have managed an uninterrupted 1 MWe energy production over the past 4 years. This analysis uses the sociotechnical regime framework to study the interaction of social, technological, economic and policy-related aspects relevant to the niche experiment. The analysis shows a potential to contribute to the development of two complementing regimes—one related to cooperative waste management and the other related to grid-connected renewable-energy-based electricity generation. Key factors for a successful development are not only a long-term financing protection through government subsidies to cover higher capital cost and a preferential tariff related to energy throughput, but also the adaptation of technology, the embedding in the local cooperative structure and the removal of regulatory barriers.

Reduction of cadmium uptake in spinach ( Spinacia oleracea L.) by soil amendment with animal waste compost

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of animal waste compost (AWC) in reducing Cd uptake by spinach ( Spinacia oleracea L.). Spinach was grown in a field that had been treated by having cattle, swine, or poultry waste compost incorporated into the soil before each crop throughout 4 years of rotational vegetable production. Cadmium concentration was 34–38% lower in spinach harvested from the AWC-treated soils than in the chemical fertilizer-treated soil. Although the repeated application of swine and poultry compost caused significant P accumulation in the cropped soils, that of cattle compost did not. These results indicate that cattle compost with high affinity for Cd and low P content should be the preferred soil amendment when used to reduce Cd uptake by spinach.

The establishing methods of windscreens and cattle waste filtering forests

The establishing methods of windscreens and cattle waste filtering forests

A fertigation soil culture for tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.) applying concentrated methane fermented liquid cattle waste

A fertigation soil culture for tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.) applying concentrated methane fermented liquid cattle waste

合成廃水を用いたメタン発酵プロセスにおけるプロピオン酸酸化の安定化要因の探索

Factors affecting propionate oxidation in a methanogenic microbial community derived from an anaerobic-digester sludge of cattle waste were investigated. The sludge was inoculated into a propionate-containing artificial wastewater medium, and cultures were incubated at mesophilic (30°C) and thermophilic (55°C) temperatures by a subculture technique. During subculture, however, the rate of propionate oxidation rapidly declined. To stabilize propionate oxidation, the use of some additives was examined. The addition of sulfate, pyruvate, fumarate, hemin, or yeast extract did not prevent the decrease in the rate of propionate oxidation. The addition sludge extract (supernatant fluid fraction of sludge autoclaved at 121°C) efficiently stabilized propionate oxidation. Although, the addition of dry powder of the sludge extract prepared at 110°C stabilized methane fermentation, that of sludge extract ash did not stabilize the process. Moreover, the addition of a low-molecular-weight fraction (below ca. 14,000) obtained by the dialysis of the sludge extract also stabilized the process. The present results indicate that effective components for stabilizing propionate oxidation in the sludge extract are low-molecular-weight organic compounds.

Monitoring bacterial indicators and pathogens in cattle feedlot waste by real-time PCR

Quantitative microbial health risk assessment requires accurate enumeration of pathogens in hazard-containing matrices as part of the risk characterization process. As part of a risk management-oriented study of cattle feedlot waste contaminants, we investigated the utility of quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) for surveying the microbial constituents of different faecal wastes. The abundance of Escherichia coli and enterococci were first estimated in five cattle feedlot waste types from five localities. Bacteria were quantified using two culture methods and compared to the number of genome copies detected by qPCR targeted at E. coli and Enterococcus faecalis. Bacterial numbers detected in the different wastes (fresh faeces, pen manure, aged manure, composted manure, carcass manure compost) ranged from 10− 7 to 10 2 g −1 (dry weight). Both indicator groups were detected by qPCR with a comparable sensitivity to culture methods across this range. qPCR measurements of E. coli and E. faecalis correlated well with MPN and spread plate data. As a second comparison, we inoculated green fluorescent protein (GFP) labeled reference bacteria into manure samples. GFP labeled E. coli and Listeria monocytogenes were detected by qPCR in concentrations corresponding to between 18% and 71% of the initial bacterial numbers, compared to only 2.5–16% by plating. Our results supported our selection of qPCR as a fast, accurate and reliable system for surveying the presence and abundance of pathogens in cattle waste.

Comparison of biogas productivity of cassava peels mixed in selected ratios with major livestock waste types

Biogas productivity of cassava peels, mixed with poultry, piggery and cattle waste types in ratios 1:1, 2:1, 3:1 and 4:1 by mass, was investigated using 12 Nos. 220l batch type anaerobic digesters in a 3 x 4 factorial experiment using a retention period of 30 days and within the mesophilic temperature range. Biogas yield was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) influenced by the different mixing ratios of livestock waste with cassava peels. The cumulative average biogas yield from digested cassava peels was 0.6 l/kg-TS. The average cumulative biogas yield increased to 13.7, 12.3, 10.4 and 9.0 l/kg-TS respectively for 1:1, 2:1, 3:1 and 4:1 mixing ratios when cassava peel was mixed with poultry waste. On mixing with piggery waste, the average cumulative biogas yield increased to 35.0, 26.5, 17.1 and 9.3 l/kg-TS respectively for 1:1, 2:1, 3:1 and 4:1 mixing ratios. In the case of mixing with cattle waste, the average cumulative biogas yield increased to 21.3, 19.5, 15.8 and 11.2 l/kg-TS respectively for 1:1, 2:1, 3:1 and 4:1 mixing ratios. Results show that for all livestock waste types, mixing with peels in the ratio 1:1 by mass produced the highest biogas volumes, and highest in piggery waste. Key words: Anaerobic digestion, biogas, cassava peels, cattle waste, poultry waste, piggery waste.

Bacteroides graminisolvens sp. nov., a xylanolytic anaerobe isolated from a methanogenic reactor treating cattle waste

A strictly anaerobic bacterial strain, designated XDT-1T, was isolated from plant residue from a methanogenic reactor treating waste from cattle farms. Cells of the strain were Gram-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming rods. Haemin was required for growth. The strain utilized xylan as well as various sugars including arabinose, xylose, glucose, mannose, cellobiose, raffinose, starch and pectin. The strain produced acetate, propionate and succinate from saccharides in the presence of haemin. The optimum pH for growth was approximately 7.2 and the optimum growth temperature was 30-35 degrees C. The strain was sensitive to bile. The major cellular fatty acids of the strain were anteiso-C15:0 and iso-C17:0 3-OH, MK-10(H0) was the major respiratory quinone and the genomic DNA G+C content was 38.0 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences placed the strain in the phylum Bacteroidetes. The closest phylogenetic neighbour of strain XDT-1T was Bacteroides ovatus NCTC 11153T, with a 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 94.2%. On the basis of data from the phylogenetic, physiological and chemotaxonomic analyses, strain XDT-1T represents a novel species of the genus Bacteroides, for which the name Bacteroides graminisolvens sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is XDT-1T (=JCM 15093T=DSM 19988T).

Effect of nine years of animal waste deposition on profile distribution of heavy metals in Abeokuta, south-western Nigeria and its implication for environmental quality

Uncontrolled deposition of waste from animal farms is a common practice in south-western Nigeria, and the presence of heavy metals in soil constitutes environmental and health hazards by polluting the soil, ground water, adjoining streams and rivers. The study investigated the profile distribution of Mn, Pb, Cd, Zn, Fe, Cu, Ni and Cr in some tropical Alfisols in south-western Nigeria after nine years disposal of animal wastes. The amount of these metals in the soil horizons was high enough to cause health and phytotoxic risks. All the metals except Zn and Cr increased down the profile, while Mn, Pb, Cd, Fe, Cu and Ni accumulated at 80-120 cm depth. The increment of these metals at this depth over the top soil were 26%, 143%, 72%, 47%, 328% for Mn, Pb, Cd, Cu and Ni, respectively. It thus, shows their mobility and the possibility of polluting ground water. The Mn content at the poultry and cattle waste sites increased by 127% and 25%, respectively over the control, while that of cattle and swine dump site for Cd content were 9.82 and 15.63 mg kg(-1), respectively. Lead content also increased by 8.52 and 5.25 mg kg(-1), respectively. There was the accumulation of Zn and Cu at the swine dump site while the cattle dump site had the highest amounts of nickel and chromium. The least amount of Fe was recorded at the swine waste dump site. The reduction in organic matter with depths together with the reduced pH might have favored the mobility of the metals. The ranking of pollution among the sites was poultry>swine>cattle>sheep and could be due to the type of ration fed, the vaccination programmes, sanitation programmes and other management practices.

Clostridium sufflavum sp. nov., isolated from a methanogenic reactor treating cattle waste

A strictly anaerobic, mesophilic, cellulolytic bacterial strain, designated CDT-1(T), was isolated from rice-straw residue from a methanogenic reactor treating waste from cattle farms. The isolation was performed using enrichment culture with filter paper as a substrate. Cells stained Gram-negative, but reacted Gram-positively in the KOH test. Cells were slightly curved rods and were motile by means of peritrichous flagella. The strain produced yellow pigment when grown on filter-paper fragments. Although spore formation was not confirmed microscopically, thermotolerant cells were produced when the strain was grown on filter paper. The optimum temperature for growth was 33 degrees C and the optimum pH was 7.4. Oxidase, catalase and nitrate-reducing activities were absent. The strain utilized xylose, fructose, glucose, cellobiose, xylooligosaccharide, cellulose (filter-paper fragments and ball-milled filter paper) and xylan. The major fermentation products were acetate, ethanol, H(2) and CO(2). The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C(15 : 0), iso-C(14 : 0) and C(16 : 0) DMA. The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid. The genomic DNA G+C content was 40.7 mol%. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, strain CDT-1(T) could be placed in cluster III of the genus Clostridium, being closely related to type strains of Clostridium hungatei (96.6 % sequence similarity), Clostridium termitidis (96.2 %) and Clostridium papyrosolvens (96.1 %). On the basis of the cellular, physiological and phylogenetic differences between CDT-1(T) and its close relatives, this strain represents a novel species of the genus Clostridium, for which the name Clostridium sufflavum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CDT-1(T) (=JCM 14807(T)=DSM 19573(T)).

The endocrine activity of beef cattle wastes: Do growth-promoting steroids make a difference?

The primary objective of this study was to compare the endocrine activity of wastes from trenbolone acetate:estradiol (TBA:E)-implanted steers to that of wastes from unimplanted steers. To accomplish this, fathead minnows ( Pimephales promelas) were exposed to urine or fecal slurry from TBA:E-implanted or unimplanted steers for 7 days. Following exposures, hepatic vitellogenin (vtg) mRNA expression and secondary sexual characteristics were assessed. Among both males and females, there were no differences in vtg mRNA expression between fish exposed to urine from implanted or unimplanted steers at any of the concentrations tested. Furthermore, concentrations of steroid hormones in the urine of implanted and unimplanted steers were similar. These findings indicate a lack of differences in the endocrine activity of urine from TBA:E-implanted and unimplanted steers. With regard to the fecal slurry exposures, there were no significant differences in vtg mRNA expression among females from any of the groups; however, significant differences in male vtg mRNA expression were detected. Specifically, males exposed to 1600 mg dry feces/L from implanted cattle experienced an 840-fold increase in vtg mRNA expression relative to both unexposed males and males exposed to the corresponding fecal concentration from unimplanted steers. These males also appeared to experience a reduction in male secondary sexual characteristics. These findings suggest that steroids associated with the wastes from TBA:E-implanted steers have both feminizing and demasculinizing effects on male fish. Furthermore, these effects are most likely due to the presence of estrogenic compounds, which were detected in the liquid portion of the fecal slurry from TBA:E-implanted steers, but not in that of unimplanted steers. The findings of this study indicate the presence of endocrine-disrupting compounds in the urine and feces of cattle and suggest that the implant history of cattle alters the endocrine activity of feces, but does not alter the endocrine activity of urine.

Evaluation of the Effects of Okigwe Cattle Market Wastes on the Surrounding Agricultural Soil Parameters

Soil enzyme activities and bioloads of various organisms as influenced by Cattle Market activities were evaluated in Okigwe, Imo State. All the bacterial groups estimated have their highest values in the soil in which the slaughter house wastes were disposed while the control was the least. Lipolytic bacterial counts ranged from 1.7 x 10 3 – 2.1 x 10 4 cfu/g; proteolytic bacteria 2.1 x 10 3 – 1.7 x 10 5 cfu/g and total coliforms were 2.3 x 10 4 – 2.7 x 10 5 cfu/g. The total heterotrophic bacterial count ranged from 3.7 x 10 6 to 3.7 x 10 8 and nitrifying bacteria 2.1 – 10 4 – 3.7 x 10 5 cfu/g. The soil pH changed towards slight alkalinity (6,4-7.6) while the change in temperature was not significant (28.2 – 30.4oC). The total organic carbon, nitrate and phosphate were in the order of control -1 ). The order for dehydrogenase and phosphatase activities were Market soil> slaughter house waste soil > Control while lipase and urease had slaughter house waste soil > Cattle Market soil > Control. Cellulase activity was also higher in cattle market soil than slaughter house waste and control. The activities caused increase in both bacterial loads and enzyme activities. Keywords : Physiochemical parameters, Soil enzymes, Cattle waste, Bacteria Bio-Research Vol. 6 (2) 2008: pp. 367-370