Earthen Manure Storage Research Articles

Manure methane emissions over three years at a swine farm in western Canada.

Swine manure is kept in outdoor storage facilities until it is applied to cropland. Anaerobic conditions facilitate microbial methane (CH4 ) production at a rate that depends on temperature. Manure CH4 emissions can be the largest contributor to the carbon footprint of pork production. Despite the importance of CH4 , its actual emissions in cold temperate climates are highly uncertain. This study measured emissions from a single-cell earthen manure storage facility at a commercial swine farm near Brandon, Manitoba, Canada, for 3 yr. Complimentary laboratory measurements were done to assess CH4 potential (B0 ). The manure storage regularly received manure from the barn and was only emptied in October. In the summer, manure temperature was usually lower than the air temperature, with the manure temperature (averaged across depths) warming to between 15 and 18.5°C for only 9wk. Emissions of CH4 were low, with the CH4 conversion factor being between 3.0 and 11.0%, depending on the year (using the IPCC 2019 default B0 ). Scaled by the number of swine reaching market weight (125kg) each year, CH4 emissions were between 250 and 902g CH4 animal-1 . Laboratory measurements of CH4 production potential scaled by VS were 335ml CH4 g-1 VS at 37°C, perhaps lower than the IPCC 2019 default value due to barley (Hordeum vulgareL.) in the ration and degradation in the under-barn pit prior to transfer outdoors. Taken together, the low manure temperatures, short warm season, and barley in the ration suggest that emissions from swine manure in cold climates like western Canada are considerably lower than previously estimated based on default factors.

Swine Manure: A Geochemical Perspective

Highlights Geochemistry of swine manure has not been previously characterized as a point source for groundwater contamination. Earthen manure storages contain a solution composed of mainly ammonium and bicarbonate. Earthen manure storages have a low redox potential resulting in ammonium as the main form of nitrogen. Abstract. This study characterized the solution chemistry of seven swine manure storages in Saskatchewan, Canada. Manure storages are considered a point source for potential contaminant transport studies and modeling. A variety of earthen manure storages at hog production facilities in Saskatchewan were sampled, including two earthen manure storages servicing farrow to finish operations, two servicing farrows to wean operations, and three servicing finishing operations. In terms of manure seepage, the species of most common concern is nitrogen. Ammonium nitrogen is one of the most abundant ions studied in the earthen manure storage effluent. Potassium and sodium may be cations of concern as they will likely compete with ammonium for soil exchange sites, which will affect ammonium’s attenuation. Bicarbonate and chloride are the most abundant anions (bicarbonate >> chloride). High bicarbonate concentrations will likely affect the precipitation of carbonaceous minerals and may affect solution pH within seepage plumes. Earthen manure storages contain a solution composed of, as a percentage of total molal concentration, 36% ammonium, 36% bicarbonate, 8% potassium, 6% chloride, 5% sodium plus sulfate, calcium, magnesium, and other nutrients. The solution also contains approximately 6,000 mg/L organic carbon and 9,000 mg/L inorganic carbon and has a near neutral pH. As a result, the solution has low redox (Eh), resulting in nitrogen remaining in the ammonium-N form. Keywords: Geochemistry, Nutrient content, Swine manure.

Groundwater Quality After Closing an Earthen Manure Storage

CSA NewsVolume 66, Issue 3 p. 26-26 SOCIETY SCIENCE Groundwater Quality After Closing an Earthen Manure Storage First published: 17 February 2021 https://doi.org/10.1002/csan.20409Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume66, Issue3March 2021Pages 26-26 RelatedInformation

Groundwater nitrogen and chloride following closure of an earthen manure storage in southern Alberta.

Earthen manure storage (EMS) facilities no longer in operation present a risk to the environment, and there is limited guidance to support the planning and implementation of EMS closures. A combined dairy and feedlot in southern Alberta, Canada, had an EMS in operation for about 55yr. The dairy portion ceased operation in 2015, and the EMS was emptied; however, no specific steps for permanent closure to minimize possible contamination were followed. The objective of this study was to document changes in shallow groundwater quality following an EMS closure. This EMS was already instrumented to assess its effect on the groundwater quality as part of a long-term study prior to closure. Eight groundwater monitoring wells were installed 2-38m from the EMS in up- and downgradient positions in 2010 and 2011. Groundwater samples were collected about three times annually prior to and for 4 yr after the EMS closure and were analyzed for NO3 -N, NH3 -N, and Cl- . Wells screened at more than 8m deep were not affected by the EMS prior to or after closure. However, in shallower wells, groundwater NO3 -N concentration increased to a maximum 3 yr after closure (in 2018) and then decreased afterward. In a shallow well 40m downgradient from the EMS, the NO3 -N concentrations decreased from 31mg L-1 in 2015 to 5mg L-1 in 2019, and the Cl- concentration decreased from 64 to 53mg L-1 , suggesting the contamination plume had dispersed. However, the EMS was still a source of contamination because high concentrations of NO3 -N (0.05-40mg L-1 ) and Cl- (43-862mg L-1 ) were present in wells adjacent to the EMS 4 yr after closure.

Production of Levan by Bacillus licheniformis for Use as a Soil Sealant in Earthen Manure Storage Structures

Manure application is not permitted on frozen land in Canada and therefore, manure management and storage are the primary issues facing the agri-food industry. Low-cost, effective and environmentally safe earthen manure storage (EMS) facilities will lower costs and help make the livestock industry more competitive and efficient. The goal of this study was to develop a biological sealing technology for earthen manure storages. The results showed that it is feasible to use a growing culture of Bacillus licheniformis to produce a non viscous water insoluble levan. Levan can only be produced by Bacillus licheniformis during the growth mode. No levan was produced during the death phase. About 0.36 g of levan was produced per gram of sucrose which is 91.1% of theoretical yield. The polymer can be used as a plugging agent to plug the pores of high permeability soils. From the biological and biochemical characteristics of the Bacillus licheniformis, it appears that the organism is capable of producing levan from sucrose under most field and soil conditions. As a soil organism, Bacillus licheniformis should be able to compete with most common soil species such as Arthrobacter and Bacillus. The bacteria could be grown either in the non-polysaccharide producing mode or in the polysaccharide producing mode. The first would permit distribution of the bacteria to the lower soil layers but would delay the production of the polysaccharide due to the lag period required to produce the enzyme (levansucrase). Upon production of levan, pore spaces would close and hence, the hydraulic conductivity would be substantially reduced.

Cation exchange due to the diffusion of ammonium from livestock effluent through glacial clay soils

The objective of this study was to experimentally simulate interactions between liquid manure and soil in diffusion-dominant areas beneath earthen manure storage (EMS). A previous radial diffusion cell method was modified to include an anaerobic chamber that employed a plastic glove bag supplied with inert Ar gas. Anaerobic conditions were maintained during the entire run time of the experiment. Little oxidation of NH 4 + occurred; consequently, NO 3 - and NO 2 - concentrations were lower than the detection limit. Chloride played a key role in redistribution of major cations and anions resulting from the NH 4 + diffusion. Linear NH 4 + and K + adsorption isotherms were obtained. The resulting distribution coefficients, K d, for NH 4 + ranged from 0.3 to 0.4 L/kg. Significant NH 4 + exchange reactions led to an average increase in hardness of 137% in the reservoirs, due to extraction of exchangeable Ca and Mg. Geochemical mixing modeling using PHREEQC adequately simulated the linear NH 4 + adsorption at low dissolved NH 4 + concentrations (<30 mM). The predicted manure volumes to cause NH 4 + saturation were 1.0–1.4 mL/g for the glacial clay soil samples.

MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF EARTHEN MANURE STRUCTURES: IMPLICATIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR WATER QUALITY PROTECTION

Concern about potential water quality impacts of earthen manure storage structures and lagoons has resulted in increased technical design oversight, but relatively little attention has been paid to management and maintenance requirements. A detailed on–site survey was used to obtain information about management and maintenance practices at 33 earthen structures containing liquid and slurry manures in Iowa. Fifty–five percent experienced minor spills during manure unloading, 27% showed erosion of compacted clay liners caused by agitation or manure inflow, 24% showed evidence of animal burrows in berms, 12% experienced plugging or freezing of gravity flow inlet pipes, 6% had tree growth in berms, and 6% had inadequate freeboard at the time of the interview. These factors, singly or in combination, were reported or observed at 76% of facilities surveyed, while 9% experienced major spills since construction. Nineteen technical and educational publications were also examined and gaps in coverage of related management and maintenance topics were identified. Several technical, educational, and policy opportunities are discussed that may reduce risks to water quality associated with the operation of earthen manure structures.

MEASUREMENT OF LEAKAGE FROM EARTHEN MANURE STRUCTURES IN IOWA

Leakage from a representative sample of 28 earthen manure storage structures and lagoons (selected from 459 built in Iowa between 1 January 1987 and 31 December 1994) was determined using a water-balance approach. Forty-three percent (43%) of tested structures had leakage rates significantly (p < 0.05) lower than the regulatory limit of 1.6 mm/d (1/16 in/d) specified by the State of Iowa at the time the basins were constructed. Leakage from 53% of the structures was too close to the regulatory limit to be categorized as being significantly above or below it. One structure (4%) exhibited leakage significantly greater than the regulatory limit. Regression analysis indicates a slight, but statistically significant, decline in leakage rate with increasing structure age. Structures constructed in glacial till showed significantly lower leakage rates than those constructed in sand and gravel, colluvium, or loess. Comparison of slurry pits and lagoons showed no significant difference in leakage rate.

Geotextiles as sealing liners for earthen manure reservoirs: Part 1, geotextile porosity

The development of an inexpensive but durable sealing liner is required for earthen manure storage facilities built of coarse sand or gravel. Fine porosity geotextiles can be used for this purpose, as manures seal media of small pore sizes. Non-woven geotextiles of 20, 30 and 40 μ m in equivalent porosity were subjected to pressure heads of 0·9, 1·8 and 2·7m of swine slurry for 1800h. Infiltration rates decreased from 5×10 −5 m/s to less than 1×10 −7 and 2×10 −8 m/s within 150 and 1000h, respectively. Although some of the experimental combinations gave significantly higher infiltration rates, all geotextiles demonstrated minimum seepage rates ranging from 1·3 to 1·8×10 −8 m/s after 100 to 1400h. In all cases, seepages were highly contaminated. Highest COD levels were observed for the 2·7m heads as well as the 20 μ m fabric. This 20 μ m fabric produced significantly higher infiltration rates, probably because of its lower permeability which encourages a less compact manure seal at its surface.

Geotextiles as sealing liners for earthen manure reservoirs: Part 1, geotextile porosity

The development of an inexpensive but durable sealing liner is required for earthen manure storage facilities built of coarse sand or gravel. Fine porosity geotextiles can be used for this purpose, as manures seal media of small pore sizes. Non-woven geotextiles of 20, 30 and 40 μ m in equivalent porosity were subjected to pressure heads of 0·9, 1·8 and 2·7m of swine slurry for 1800h. Infiltration rates decreased from 5×10 −5 m/s to less than 1×10 −7 and 2×10 −8 m/s within 150 and 1000h, respectively. Although some of the experimental combinations gave significantly higher infiltration rates, all geotextiles demonstrated minimum seepage rates ranging from 1·3 to 1·8×10 −8 m/s after 100 to 1400h. In all cases, seepages were highly contaminated. Highest COD levels were observed for the 2·7m heads as well as the 20 μ m fabric. This 20 μ m fabric produced significantly higher infiltration rates, probably because of its lower permeability which encourages a less compact manure seal at its surface.

The sealing of geotextiles by manures

A better understanding of soil sealing mechanisms by manures suggests that geotextiles of fine porosity can be used as impermeable liners for earthen manure storage facilities of sands and gravels. In the laboratory, non-woven geotextiles of 53 and 75 μm equivalent porosity were exposed to various heads of low total solid swine slurries and their infiltration rate was observed for a period of 1500 h. Geotextile sealing never achieved an infiltration rate under 1 × 10 −8 m/s and seepage values tended to increase after 1000 h. However, the 53 μm geotextile demonstrated infiltration rates significantly lower than that of the 75 μm fabric, for slurry heads of 0·9 and 1·8 m. Exfiltrated liquids were slightly less contaminated than the swine slurry, this indicating the mere filtering capability of the geotextiles. This experimental work demonstrated that fine porosity non-woven geotextiles have some sealing potential, but further research is required to test for lower infiltration rates using geotextiles of porosity finer than 53 μm.