Industrial livestock operations produce enormous quantities of animal wastes. For that reason there must be a systematic management of animal wastes, which will specify how, when and where animal waste will be handled. Proper waste management must basically include a system of storage, treatment and transport of manure, the main waste product in a livestock industry. The goal of a waste management system is to eliminate, or at least reduce the negative effects of massive waste production to the environment and to the health of people that can be directly or indirectly affected.
A lagoon system, or a manure lagoon, is one example of a waste management system. It is a man-made earthen pit where the wastes, coming from animal pens are being piped into. Once transported in to the lagoon, in a period of 20 to 50 days, a two layer is formed: the sludge or the solid layer, and the liquid layer. The sludge layer is a more solid layer formed by the settling of sediments from the manure to the bottom, while the liquid level is composed of grease, scum and other particulates. Oxygen is sealed out by the top layer which allows an anaerobic condition for the bacteria to treat the waste. The liquid layer can be used to fertilize soil and the sludge layer must be drained periodically for maintenance.
Some negative effects are however still associated with this type of waste management system especially when proper maintenance is not carefully observed. The decomposition of the manure by anaerobic bacteria caused some toxic gases to produce, such as ammonia and hydrogen sulfide. Even though ammonia is a beneficial gas that evolves from animal and human wastes, an increased concentration can be dangerous as it can cause irritation in the mucous membranes of the eyes and lungs and as well as complications on the respiratory system of animals. Hydrogen sulfide is another toxic gas emitted upon the decomposition of manure. This gas has more adverse effects, such as irritation of the respiratory tract and can complicate further to comas, seizures or even death. Pathogens or bacteria that cause disease are also inevitable in lagoon systems. These pathogens include E.coli and also a parasite belonging to the Cryptosporidium species, which can cause serious complications in the digestive tract.
Let us now discuss about the deep pit system or cesspools, another waste management plan. It is simply a deep pit in the soil, with stones or masonry as its inner wall. The inner wall is made strong enough to keep the soil from corroding. It is said to be an earlier form of a septic tank. The pit must not be built in porous soil and near water sources. It must be at least 500 feet away from any well or any source of drinking water. Liquid from wastewater can leak though the soil and the solids or sludge decay at the pit's bottom.
A septic tank is mandated to eliminate the use of cesspools or deep pit systems. Cesspools have higher risks of contaminating nearby source of drinking water even though it has been built on a reasonable distance. Insects can enter into the pit and can be a vector for bacteria to spread severe diseases that could extremely threaten human health.
Both the lagoon and deep pit system needs proper maintenance to prevent it from causing adverse effects to the environment and human health. A waste system treatment, the Agra Sphere has been developed to efficiently fulfill the very purpose of maintenance. It is basically a sphere made of natural plastic, a type of plastic that is fully durable and biodegradable. It works to reduce the formation of sludge in a lagoon. The process starts by treating a heavily crusted lagoon with a product named Activator Plus, which a microbial formulation that contains selected microbial isolates. The isolated microbes enhance the breakdown of suspended organic solids found in nutrient rich retention waste and sludge. Activator Plus reverses the adverse effects of excessive toxic gas production and odor. Agra Sphere is then tossed onto the lagoon unit after the treatment with Activator plus. The sphere is allowed to sink down to liquefy the sludge, causing much nitrogen to be captured in bacteria cells and the nitrogen produced is slowly released by the bacteria. This process will then feed the soil well when bacteria start to degrade. On the other hand, if the waste is not treated, high levels of ammonia and the improper form of nitrogen released would cause burning on the crops on the soil. The use of Agra Sphere is indeed a natural and a cost effective way for the maintenance of both the lagoon and deep pit system.
A lagoon system, or a manure lagoon, is one example of a waste management system. It is a man-made earthen pit where the wastes, coming from animal pens are being piped into. Once transported in to the lagoon, in a period of 20 to 50 days, a two layer is formed: the sludge or the solid layer, and the liquid layer. The sludge layer is a more solid layer formed by the settling of sediments from the manure to the bottom, while the liquid level is composed of grease, scum and other particulates. Oxygen is sealed out by the top layer which allows an anaerobic condition for the bacteria to treat the waste. The liquid layer can be used to fertilize soil and the sludge layer must be drained periodically for maintenance.
Some negative effects are however still associated with this type of waste management system especially when proper maintenance is not carefully observed. The decomposition of the manure by anaerobic bacteria caused some toxic gases to produce, such as ammonia and hydrogen sulfide. Even though ammonia is a beneficial gas that evolves from animal and human wastes, an increased concentration can be dangerous as it can cause irritation in the mucous membranes of the eyes and lungs and as well as complications on the respiratory system of animals. Hydrogen sulfide is another toxic gas emitted upon the decomposition of manure. This gas has more adverse effects, such as irritation of the respiratory tract and can complicate further to comas, seizures or even death. Pathogens or bacteria that cause disease are also inevitable in lagoon systems. These pathogens include E.coli and also a parasite belonging to the Cryptosporidium species, which can cause serious complications in the digestive tract.
Let us now discuss about the deep pit system or cesspools, another waste management plan. It is simply a deep pit in the soil, with stones or masonry as its inner wall. The inner wall is made strong enough to keep the soil from corroding. It is said to be an earlier form of a septic tank. The pit must not be built in porous soil and near water sources. It must be at least 500 feet away from any well or any source of drinking water. Liquid from wastewater can leak though the soil and the solids or sludge decay at the pit's bottom.
A septic tank is mandated to eliminate the use of cesspools or deep pit systems. Cesspools have higher risks of contaminating nearby source of drinking water even though it has been built on a reasonable distance. Insects can enter into the pit and can be a vector for bacteria to spread severe diseases that could extremely threaten human health.
Both the lagoon and deep pit system needs proper maintenance to prevent it from causing adverse effects to the environment and human health. A waste system treatment, the Agra Sphere has been developed to efficiently fulfill the very purpose of maintenance. It is basically a sphere made of natural plastic, a type of plastic that is fully durable and biodegradable. It works to reduce the formation of sludge in a lagoon. The process starts by treating a heavily crusted lagoon with a product named Activator Plus, which a microbial formulation that contains selected microbial isolates. The isolated microbes enhance the breakdown of suspended organic solids found in nutrient rich retention waste and sludge. Activator Plus reverses the adverse effects of excessive toxic gas production and odor. Agra Sphere is then tossed onto the lagoon unit after the treatment with Activator plus. The sphere is allowed to sink down to liquefy the sludge, causing much nitrogen to be captured in bacteria cells and the nitrogen produced is slowly released by the bacteria. This process will then feed the soil well when bacteria start to degrade. On the other hand, if the waste is not treated, high levels of ammonia and the improper form of nitrogen released would cause burning on the crops on the soil. The use of Agra Sphere is indeed a natural and a cost effective way for the maintenance of both the lagoon and deep pit system.
About the Author:
Lianne Derocco likes writing about agricultural issues. For further information about agricultural waste treatment solutions, or to find out more about deep pit foaming systems, please visit the BioverseAG.com website today.
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