Tremendous amount of animal wastes are produced in the operation of an industrial livestock business. There must certainly be a need for a systematic management of these animal wastes. A proper waste management system must basically specify an efficient way of storing and treating large amount of manure. If not properly maintained, an animal waste system can produce adverse effects to the environment and as well as to human health.
One type of system used in proper waste containment on livestock industries is through the Manure Lagoon, or also known as Anaerobic Lagoon. Lagoon systems are a series of one or two pond-like structures designed to treat livestock wastewater for a specified period of time. The manure are washed out from underneath the animal pens are then piped into the lagoon. Over a 20 to 50 day period wastewater separates into layers, with oils and floating materials on top and heavy sludge on the bottom. The top layer seals oxygen out of the lagoon system, providing the anaerobic conditions for bacteria to treat the wastewater. The bottom sludge layer accumulates over time and needs to be cleaned out periodically. The liquid layer is also periodically drained and then used for fertilizer. In some instances the lagoon is covered to trap methane, which can be used for energy, such as in a biogas system which uses the emitted methane to produce heat or fire for various purposes.
The lagoon system indeed is a systematic waste management plan; however it does have various negative environmental and health impacts. Anaerobic bacteria cause the decomposition of the manure which results to the production of toxic fumes such as ammonia and hydrogen sulfide. Ammonia is one of the most beneficial gases liberated from animal feces but an elevated amount can be lethal to human and animal health. It can cause unpleasant odor and a burning sensation to mucous membranes such as eyes and lungs. Increased concentration of produced ammonia can also cause respiratory problems in calves housed in poorly ventilated areas. Another toxic gas is hydrogen sulfide which in the same way can be a respiratory irritant and can be lethal at increased concentration. More complications are caused by hydrogen sulfide, which can vary from a simple eye, nose and throat irritation to heart palpitations, sudden loss of consciousness, comas, seizures and death. Some disease-causing bacteria like the E.coli and the Cryptosporidium species parasite which causes diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps and fever, can also be isolated from lagoons.
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.
One type of system used in proper waste containment on livestock industries is through the Manure Lagoon, or also known as Anaerobic Lagoon. Lagoon systems are a series of one or two pond-like structures designed to treat livestock wastewater for a specified period of time. The manure are washed out from underneath the animal pens are then piped into the lagoon. Over a 20 to 50 day period wastewater separates into layers, with oils and floating materials on top and heavy sludge on the bottom. The top layer seals oxygen out of the lagoon system, providing the anaerobic conditions for bacteria to treat the wastewater. The bottom sludge layer accumulates over time and needs to be cleaned out periodically. The liquid layer is also periodically drained and then used for fertilizer. In some instances the lagoon is covered to trap methane, which can be used for energy, such as in a biogas system which uses the emitted methane to produce heat or fire for various purposes.
The lagoon system indeed is a systematic waste management plan; however it does have various negative environmental and health impacts. Anaerobic bacteria cause the decomposition of the manure which results to the production of toxic fumes such as ammonia and hydrogen sulfide. Ammonia is one of the most beneficial gases liberated from animal feces but an elevated amount can be lethal to human and animal health. It can cause unpleasant odor and a burning sensation to mucous membranes such as eyes and lungs. Increased concentration of produced ammonia can also cause respiratory problems in calves housed in poorly ventilated areas. Another toxic gas is hydrogen sulfide which in the same way can be a respiratory irritant and can be lethal at increased concentration. More complications are caused by hydrogen sulfide, which can vary from a simple eye, nose and throat irritation to heart palpitations, sudden loss of consciousness, comas, seizures and death. Some disease-causing bacteria like the E.coli and the Cryptosporidium species parasite which causes diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps and fever, can also be isolated from lagoons.
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 loves writing about agricultural matters. For further information about agricultural waste treatment solutions, or to find out more about deep pit foaming systems, please visit the BioverseAG.com website now.
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