The role of manure applications on soil nutrient dynamics in years after manure applications cease has not been extensively studied. An investigation of two long-term manure trials in the Battersea Drain watershed in southern Alberta was undertaken in 2004 to determine changes in soil nutrient status three years after the initial study was completed. The investigation of the nutrient status of an intensive livestock operation was another component of the study. There was a significant decrease in levels of soil nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the plots that received manure application rates over 60 Mg ha-1. The nutrient status of the farm showed a net export of nitrogen and an accumulation of phosphorus and potassium in the soil. Recommendations for alternate methods for handling manure were presented. / x, 120 leaves : ill (some col.), col. maps ; 29 cm

More intensive production of hogs and cattle in Quebec during the past decade has benefited local economies, but led to over-fertilization of agricultural soils and eutrophication of waterways. Provincial ministries responded to this issue by developing regulations to control manure applications. The objective of this thesis was to determine the environmental risk associated with applying farm manure in the late fall. Spreading manure in fall after harvesting corn was a common practice for many agricultural producers in Quebec, but this period is now viewed as very risky, having more negative environmental consequences than other manure application periods. This two-year study used common diagnostic tools to compare the fertilization efficiency of solid dairy farm manure (DFM) spread in early fall, late fall and spring on a heavy clay soil used for corn production. In the first year, when DFM was the only nutrient source, there was no difference in corn yield that could be attributed to the manure application period. In the second year, each DFM plot was split and six levels of inorganic fertilizer (from 55 to 240 kg N ha-1) were applied ("Strip Split Plot") after planting. Corn tissue analysis (chlorophyll content, leaf N content at silking, cornstalk NO3 concentration) indicated that more residual N was supplied from late fall manure application than other manure application periods. Monitoring of soil NO3-N concentrations indicated that most of the NO3-N migration through the soil profile occurred after the early fall manure application. Late fall manure application appears to be the most efficient at supplying N for corn production, without deleterious environmental impacts, when DFM is applied to a heavy clay soil.

The research objective was to calibrate a model to simulate odour dispersion downwind from natural windbreaks and then, use this model to observe the effect of windbreak characteristics and climatic conditions on the size of the odour dispersion plume. Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) models were used for the simulations because of their capability in reproducing turbulent wind conditions. The model was initially calibrated to ensure the proper velocity recovery ratio (VRR), and then to reproduce odour plumes measured in the field by three groups of four panellists. / The visual and statistical analysis of the field panellist observations indicated that a windbreak with an optical porosity of 0.35 could reduce by 21% the length of the odour dispersion plume, as compared to a site without a windbreak. Also, these analyses indicated that the site with a windbreak offering an optical porosity of 0.55 had no significant impact on the length of the odour plume, as compared to the site without a windbreak. / The models selected for the simulations were the Fluent 6.2 standard k-epsilon and SST k-o models. Their odour dispersion calibration indicated that both models can accurately reproduce the field measured odour hedonic tone and odour concentration by transforming the odour mass fraction computed by the models into the hedonic tone with a power function, and then into the odour concentration with an exponential function. The correlations between the simulated and measured absolute HT and between the simulated and measured odour concentrations were statistically significant (P < 0.01). However, the SST k-o was preferred over the standard k-epsilon because it could physically better reproduce the high turbulence conditions created by the windbreak. / The SST k-o model simulations indicated that odour plume length was mostly affected by windbreak porosity and height, as well as distance from the source. In terms of climatic conditions, odour plume size was mostly affected for atmospheric stability conditions which generally established ambient wind speed and rate of change of temperature. Wind direction has an impact on the length of the odour plume and the formation of a fin intensifying odour concentration near the windbreak, where an angle of 45º produces the shortest odour plume and the largest fin. / Key words: Simulation; odour; dispersion; natural Windbreak; CFD.

A study was conducted in 2004 and 2005 to determine the effect of liquid hog manure fertilization on greenhouse gas emissions from the surface of a grassland pasture in south-eastern Manitoba. The objectives of this research were to determine the effects of manure application, itstiming and soil moisture on greenhouse gas emissions from pasture soil, cattle dung and urine patches. Nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions were determined from grassland soil surface, and from cattle dung and artificial urine patches. Liquid hog manure treatments were no manure (Control); 153 kg ha-1 of available-nitrogen (N) (two year average) in spring (Spring); and 149 kg ha-1 as half-rate applications in fall and spring (Split). Four field experiments were conducted on grassland plots. The static-vented chamber technique was used to estimate gas emission rates. Two of the experiments focused on the effects of manure application timing and soil moisture on greenhouse gas emissions from the grassland soil surface. The other two experiments focused on the effects of manure application and soil moisture on greenhouse gas emissions from cattle dung and artificial urine patches. Fresh cattle dung was collected from steers grazing adjacent pastures receiving the same three manure treatments. Artificial cattle urine treatments were generated by converting blood urea concentrations of the steers into urine-N concentrations. Manure application increased (P≤0.01) cumulative N2O emissions from the grassland soil surface with Control, Split and Spring treatments averaging 7, 43 and 120 mg N2O-N m-2, respectively. Of the two manure treatments, the Spring treatment emitted higher (P≤0.10) N2O emissions than the Split treatment. Soil moisture was a major factor influencing the quantity and type of greenhouse gas emissions, with saturated areas emitting CH4 during warm periods, whereas drier areas emitted N2O. Nitrous oxide emissions from these dry areas were higher in manure-treated plots. Spring application increased root density by 45% in the top 5 cm of soil compared to the Control. An increase in soil organic carbon with root density may offset any increase in greenhouse gas emissions caused by manure treatment. Cattle dung from Split and Spring treatments had higher cumulative N2O emissions (30 and 82 mg N2O-N m-2, respectively) compared to dung from Control pastures (6 mg N2O-N m-2) over two study years. Dung from the Spring treatment emitted more N2O (P≤0.01) than the other two treatments. All cattle dung patches emitted CH4 after deposition though unaffected by manure treatment. Artificial urine having highest N concentration had greater (P≤0.05) cumulative N2O emissions (690 mg N2O-N m-2) than urine with the lowest N concentration (170 mg N2O-N m-2). Drier soil locations emitted more N2O from cattle dung and artificial urine patches than wetter areas. This study demonstrated that Split application of liquid hog manure to grassland emitted less N2O than a complete application in spring. Moisture greatly affected the location of N2O and CH4 emissions. Drier areas emitted more N2O than wetter ones. Particularly, the findings indicate a need to assess grassland on periodically saturated soils as sources rather than sinks for CH4. Application of manure increased greenhouse gas emissions from cattle dung and urine patches with urine potentially having the greatest impact because of their higher emissions of N2O. An increase in root growth seems to offset greenhouse gas emissions from manure application.

This thesis examines how the non-Newtonian characteristics of liquid hog manure affect the flow conditions within a steady-flow anaerobic digester. There are three main parts to this thesis. In the first part of this thesis, the physical properties of liquid hog manure and their variation with temperature and solids concentration are experimentally determined. Naturally¬¬-settled manure sampled from an outdoor storage lagoon is studied, and density, viscosity, and particle size distribution are measured. Hog manure with total solids concentrations of less than 3.6% exhibits Newtonian behaviour; manure between 3.6% and 6.5% total solids is pseudoplastic, and fits the power law; manure with more than 6.5% total solids exhibits non-Newtonian and time-dependent characteristics. The second part of this thesis investigates the flow of Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids—represented by tap water and xanthan gum solution, respectively—within four lab-scale reactor geometries, using residence time distribution (RTD) experiments. The effect of reactor geometry, flow rate, and fluid viscosity are evaluated. In the third part of this thesis, flow conditions within lab-scale and pilot-scale anaerobic digester reactors are simulated using three-dimensional modeling techniques. The RTDs of lab-scale reactors as predicted by the 3D numerical models compare well to the experimental results. The 3D models are also validated using data from particle image velocimetry (PIV) experiments. Finally, the viscous properties of liquid hog manure at 3% and 8% total solids are incorporated into the models, and the results are evaluated.

In Manitoba, potato fields have been found to be infested with Verticillium dahliae, which can produce Vertcillium wilt disease severity of up to 90% and reduce yield. Potato producers have then an increased interest on use of green manures and organic amendments to control Verticillium wilt. The objectives of this research were to evaluate selected green manure and organic amendments for their ability to reduce propagule density of V. dahliae in soil, incidence and severity of Verticillium wilt, and to enhance potato yield in Manitoba. In addition, a second study was conducted for the purpose of studying the potential of mustard green manure and seed meal to inhibit the germination of microsclerotia. Findings suggest that composted-cattle-manure and oriental mustard seed-meal amendments have promise as an alternative strategy for the control of V. dahliae. However, only composted beef cattle manure reduced disease, increased potato yield and improved nutrient availability (P) in soil

Two laboratory incubation studies and a growth room bioassay of forage barley were conducted to investigate nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) mineralization, and nitrous oxide emission from two contrasting agricultural soils amended with anaerobically digested cattle manure (ADM). The ADM is a nutrient-rich co-product from manure-based biogas plants which is applied to cropland at rates used for raw manure since scientific information on nutrient release from ADM is lacking. Application of the separated solids fraction of ADM (SS) reduced nitrous oxide emission but resulted in lower N mineralization compared to raw manure in both soils. Raw manure- and SS- treatments had similar biomass yields and P supply capacities while the application of pelletized SS (PSS) caused net N immobilization, lower P release than manure and SS, and depressed barley yields relative to non-amended (control) soils.

Magistro darbe tiriama trąšų įtaka vidutinio ankstyvumo bulvių ‘Laura’ kokybei ir derliui. Darbo objektas – bulvės, užaugintos chemizuotame ir ekologiniame fonuose, Šiaulių apskrityje, Radviliškio rajone, Raudondvario gyvenvietėje.. Darbo tikslas – palyginti mėšlo, komposto, biohumuso, ekologiškų trąšų „Activit“ ir mineralinių sintetinių trąšų „YARA MILA“ įtaką vidutinio ankstyvumo bulvėms ‘Laura’. Darbo metodai – LŽŪU Aplinkotyros laboratorijoje nustatyti elektrocheminiai (rūgštingumas – šarmingumas (pH), absoliutusis redokso potencialas (rH) ir savitasis elektrinis laidis(γ)) bei cheminiai (C vitamino kiekis) rodikliai. Skaičiuojami bulvių gumbai, stiebų aukštis ir skaičius, bulvių derlius. Visos įterptos trąšos prilygintos prie vienodo azoto kiekio (30 kg/ha). Tyrimų duomenys apdoroti matematiniais – statistiniais metodais. Duomenų grupavimui ir statistinei jų analizei atlikti buvo naudota kompiuterinė Microsoft Excel programa. Darbo rezultatai. Atlikus tyrimus įvertinta trąšų įtaka vidutinio ankstyvumo bulvėms ‘Laura’ ir gauti tokie rezultatai: bulvių derlius, gumbų skaičius, stiebų aukštis, stiebų skaičius didžiausias buvo tręšiant bulves sintetinėmis mineralinėmis trąšomis „YARA MILA“. Lyginant tik ekologiškas trąšas, didžiausias derlius, gumbų skaičius, stiebų skaičius buvo tręšiant ekologiškomis trąšomis „Activit“, mažiausias derlius gautas tręšiant mėšlo kompostu. Žemiausi stiebai gauti tręšiant biohumusu, stiebų skaičius patikimai mažesnis buvo kompostu tręštų... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Master's thesis investigated the influence of fertilizer medium early potatoes 'Laura' quality and yields. The object of work - potatoes grown in chemical and organic fertilization, in Radviliškis district, Raudondvaris village. The objective of work - the manure, compost, biohumus, organic fertilizer "Activity " and synthetic mineral fertilizers “YARA MILA" on medium early potatoes 'Laura'. Method of work - in LŽŪU Environmental Laboratory was observed electrochemical (acidity -alkalinity (pH), the absolute redox potential (rH) and electrical conductivity (γ)) and chemical (C vitamin content) characteristics. Calculating the potato tuber, stem heigh and number, and potato yield. All fertilizers equate at equal quantity of nitrogen (30 kg / ha). Research data processing mathematics - statistical methods. Data grouping and the statistical analysis was used in Microsoft Excel computer program. Results of work – investigations to assess the influence of fertilizer medium early potato ‘Laura’ and the following results: potato yield, tuber number, stalk height, stalk number was the largest potatoes fertilized with the mineral synthetic fertilizers “YARA MILA”. Compared the organic fertilizer only, the maximum yield, tuber number, stem density was fertilized with organic fertilizer “Activit”, the lowest yield was obtained due to the application of manure compost. The lowest stem was fertilized with biohumus, stem density significantly lower in compost fertilized potato... [to full text]

Steroidal estrogens and antibiotics used in veterinary and human medicine are detected in livestock manure or sewage sludge and biosolids. Biodegradation is an important process by which estrogenic compounds are removed from organic amendments, but antibiotics have been shown to impede microbial communities. Although both compounds are often present in these media, the fate of estrogens in association with antibiotics has not been previously studied. In this study, both rates of tetracycline (40 and 200 mg kg-1) in liquid swine manure induced a lag phase of 40 to 50 days prior to the onset of a log phase of estrone and 17 β-estradiol mineralization, and tetracycline at 200 mg kg-1 significantly reduced maximum mineralization of estrone and 17 β-estradiol in manure. In soils amended with a high rate of manure, penicillin at 200 mg kg1 also significantly decreased maximum mineralization of estrone and 17 β-estradiol relative to soils free of antibiotics. Estrogen mineralization almost always significantly decreased in the order of: manure > soil amended with a low rate of manure = soil > soil amended with a high rate of manure. In order to examine the relationship between physical and chemical parameters of media and estrogen mineralization, sewage sludge and biosolid samples with vastly different characteristics were selected for a study of 17 β-estradiol and 17 α-ethinylestradiol mineralization in the presence of ciprofloxacin, an antibiotic commonly used to treat urinary and intestinal infections in humans. Ciprofloxacin was persistent in all media, as less than 0.05% mineralization was observed over 133 d. Despite this persistence, no significant effect of ciprofloxacin addition on 17 β-estradiol or 17 α-ethinylestradiol mineralization was observed at 133 days. Consistent with its chemical structure, maximum mineralization of 17 α-ethinylestradiol was always less than that of 17 β-estradiol, indicating resistance to microbial degradation. PCA analysis indicated that total nitrogen, ammonium-nitrogen and total carbon demonstrated a positive association with respiration and maximum mineralization of 17 β-estradiol, but a negative association with 17 α-ethinylestradiol maximum mineralization. Sorption of 17 α-ethinylestradiol was greater than 17 β-estradiol in all media, limiting maximum mineralization of 17 α-ethinylestradiol.

A study was conducted in 2004 and 2005 to determine the effect of liquid hog manure fertilization on greenhouse gas emissions from the surface of a grassland pasture in south-eastern Manitoba. The objectives of this research were to determine the effects of manure application, itstiming and soil moisture on greenhouse gas emissions from pasture soil, cattle dung and urine patches. Nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions were determined from grassland soil surface, and from cattle dung and artificial urine patches. Liquid hog manure treatments were no manure (Control); 153 kg ha-1 of available-nitrogen (N) (two year average) in spring (Spring); and 149 kg ha-1 as half-rate applications in fall and spring (Split). Four field experiments were conducted on grassland plots. The static-vented chamber technique was used to estimate gas emission rates. Two of the experiments focused on the effects of manure application timing and soil moisture on greenhouse gas emissions from the grassland soil surface. The other two experiments focused on the effects of manure application and soil moisture on greenhouse gas emissions from cattle dung and artificial urine patches. Fresh cattle dung was collected from steers grazing adjacent pastures receiving the same three manure treatments. Artificial cattle urine treatments were generated by converting blood urea concentrations of the steers into urine-N concentrations. Manure application increased (P≤0.01) cumulative N2O emissions from the grassland soil surface with Control, Split and Spring treatments averaging 7, 43 and 120 mg N2O-N m-2, respectively. Of the two manure treatments, the Spring treatment emitted higher (P≤0.10) N2O emissions than the Split treatment. Soil moisture was a major factor influencing the quantity and type of greenhouse gas emissions, with saturated areas emitting CH4 during warm periods, whereas drier areas emitted N2O. Nitrous oxide emissions from these dry areas were higher in manure-treated plots. Spring application increased root density by 45% in the top 5 cm of soil compared to the Control. An increase in soil organic carbon with root density may offset any increase in greenhouse gas emissions caused by manure treatment. Cattle dung from Split and Spring treatments had higher cumulative N2O emissions (30 and 82 mg N2O-N m-2, respectively) compared to dung from Control pastures (6 mg N2O-N m-2) over two study years. Dung from the Spring treatment emitted more N2O (P≤0.01) than the other two treatments. All cattle dung patches emitted CH4 after deposition though unaffected by manure treatment. Artificial urine having highest N concentration had greater (P≤0.05) cumulative N2O emissions (690 mg N2O-N m-2) than urine with the lowest N concentration (170 mg N2O-N m-2). Drier soil locations emitted more N2O from cattle dung and artificial urine patches than wetter areas. This study demonstrated that Split application of liquid hog manure to grassland emitted less N2O than a complete application in spring. Moisture greatly affected the location of N2O and CH4 emissions. Drier areas emitted more N2O than wetter ones. Particularly, the findings indicate a need to assess grassland on periodically saturated soils as sources rather than sinks for CH4. Application of manure increased greenhouse gas emissions from cattle dung and urine patches with urine potentially having the greatest impact because of their higher emissions of N2O. An increase in root growth seems to offset greenhouse gas emissions from manure application.