Copper Accumulation in Brittany Soils through Eniched Pig Slurry; Phytotoxic Risks.

Posted in: Environment by admin on January 1, 1981 | No Comments

In Brittany where pig production is particularly intensive, copper (Cu) supplementation was as high as 125 ppm Cu in the fattening pigs diets. Since 5 years, the Cu supplementation tend to be lowered to 35 ppm as other growth factors have been introduced. Investigations were made to verify the Cu enrichment of soils in Brittany and 190 fields have been tested. Also pot and microplot experiments were done by incorporating CuSO4 to soil. A survey made over 6 years on those soils showed that during the survey period Cu enrichment and also zinc (Zn) enrichment could be observed, with an average increase of 1,23 ppm and 2,96 ppm respectively. On farms with the highest pig density the CU enrichment measured was 2,82 ppm and for Zn, 9,06 ppm. The pot and plot experiments showed that it would be dangerous to incorporate 500 kg/ha of Cu or Zn ( concentration higher to 120 ppm in the soil) into Finisterian soils for crops such as Italian rye-grass, maize, winter-wheat and barley. Considering a manure application rate of 50 ton manure/ha per year, manure coming from 70 pigs (represents a density of 70 pigs/ha) that would have received a diet supplemented with 125 ppm of Cu and 150 ppm of Zn, it would take 2 centuries before the concentration of these 2 elements would reach 500 kg/ha in the arable layer. As the phytotoxicity of Cu and Zn is complementary, it is believed that the dangers would appear after one century.

Cu and Zn accumulation can cause toxicity and attention has to be given particularly to the supplementation in the diet in order to provide those elements to the animal requirement level and not higher. For higher pig density of higher manure application rates, the phytotoxicity would appear sooner. The laboratory testing allowed them to verify their theoretical predictions.

Effects of the Disposal of Copper-Rich Slurry on the Health of Grazing Animals.

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Sheep are more likely to react adversely to high copper manure concentration applied to grass compared to cattle as sheep are more susceptible to chronic copper poisoning. Plants can be contaminated by copper when high concentration copper manure is applied on surface and manure residues stay on the plants and the ground. The copper coming from this source seems to be relatively available to sheep as the studies on absorption and hepatic accumulation showed. The study has been verifying the sheep’s health while grazing on severely contaminated pasture for 3 years and no important increases in liver copper and no cases of copper toxicosis were observed. If some attention is put on the rate of applied manure and also the timing of the application, there should not be any immediate hazard to let sheep graze on pasture where manure was applied.

The copper concentration in soil can increase the copper in the plants as they grow. However toxicity to the sheep directly from plants having assimilated copper from the soil is unlikely to happen as phytotoxicity would probably occur before. However, manure spread directly on the plants increases the risk for toxicity for the grazing sheep. Proper timing (longer time between spreading and grazing) and manure application rates would lower considerable the risk. The level of toxicity for sheep is difficult to determine as it depends on different factors.

Origin of objectionable odourous components in piggery wastes and the possibility of applying indicator components for studying odour development.

Posted in: Environment by admin on January 1, 1980 | No Comments

Limitations of guidelines governing rates of application of pig manure to land

Posted in: Environment by admin on January 1, 1978 | No Comments

Measurement of odour intensity in farming situations

Posted in: Environment by admin on January 1, 1977 | No Comments

Odour Characterization and Control

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This is a compilation of the papers presented at an International Seminar in the EEC Programme of Co-ordination of Research on Effluents from Livestock, held at the Rijksstation voor Landbouwtechnie, Merelbeke/Gent, Belgium, May 10-13, 1976.

Part 1: Characterization of Odours from Animal Production
Part 2: Odour Control Techniques
Part 3: Legislation Related to Odours from Animal Production
Part 4: Miscellaneous

Potential health hazards to agricultural workers in swine confinement buildings.

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Waste Treatment in Agriculture.

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The principles of treatment for agricultural waste are presented from the basics. The microbial life in the waste is presented with the microbial metabolisms and the degradation done on organic matter and other compounds, with the potential for pollution and also the potential for waste treatment given specific conditions. The properties of the farm wastes are also discussed related to animal housing, waste production and disposal. Different processes for the prevention of the microbial growth (steam sterilization, incineration, wet-air oxidation, pyrolysis and hydrogenation) are presented along with systems designed for product recovery (such as manure drying, chemical extraction methods, composting). Aerobic and anaerobic methods are also discussed with the specific treatment and control of the degradation conditions.

This book contains all the basic and simplified information to well understand the processes occurring in agricultural waste treatment, processes that are basic biological reactions between the bacteria and the manure components. Most publication presenting the specific aspects of treatment equipment or procedures don’t present those processes.

Impact of intensive animal production on human ecology

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Animal populations provide reservoirs of many diseases transmissible to man. Moreover, animals may contribute to the inorganic pollution of the ecosystem, including natural resources and nutritional environment. The interactions between man through urbanization, management of domestic animals and wildlife on the one hand, and the dynamics of animals populations, their products and wastes on the other, form a most important complex of benefits and hazards in human ecology.

In planning comprehensive ecological approaches in (a) human health and wildlife; (b) human health and animals in rural areas; and (c) human health and animals in urban areas, major categories of animals have to be considered, namely, (a) animal industries; (b) animals used for work and transportation; (c) wildlife; and (d) pet animals.

Depending on the prevailing ecological conditions, these categories of animals play a different role in primary and secondary contamination (as sources of infection, injury, poisoning and chemical pollution) of our environment, including food. Hazards and benefits must therefore be seen for the whole cycle comprising animal feed, the live animal, foodstuff, dead animal carcasses, offal and manures.

Non-pesticidal Air Pollution From Agricultural Processes

Posted in: Environment by admin on January 1, 1976 | No Comments

Modern animal production involves concentrating large populations in relatively limited areas to economize feeding and handling. The corresponding increase in animals wastes has intensified the air pollution problem from that of earlier, less efficient production methods.