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 commonly used type of waste management among livestock business owners is the Manure lagoon, or the anaerobic lagoon. This works as a man-made pit, or a series of pond-like structures constructed for the storage and treatment of animal wastes for a period of time. The wastes that are washed out from animal pens are piped in to the lagoon. Once in the lagoon, two layers are formed over a period of 20 to 50 days. The liquid layer which consists of grease and some floating materials, forms on top and can be used as a soil fertilizer. The solid layer, which is also called the sludge later, settles at the bottom. Under this condition wherein the top layer seals out the oxygen, anaerobic respiration which is a process of producing energy without the use of oxygen occurs. Both layers must be drained periodically for maintenance.
Though a lagoon system is a widely used waste management system, adverse effects are still evident, especially when no proper maintenance is observed. The process of decomposition by anaerobic bacteria produces toxic gases such as ammonia and hydrogen sulfide, which are seriously harmful to human and animal health. Ammonia can be lethal at an elevated concentration, causing irritation to the eyes and lungs. Hydrogen sulfide, on the other hand can cause more complications, from irritation of the respiratory tract to sudden loss of consciousness, or at worst cases, coma or even death. E.coli, a bacteria causing mild to severe diseases on the digestive tract, is also of alarming count in a lagoon system.
The deep pit system, also known as a cesspool, is another waste management method. This is a cylindrical pit dug down several feet in the ground. Stones are used to shore up the soil, and as an inner wall. It must be observed that deep pits must not be built near any source of drinking water, or where there is ground water from 5 feet underground. Solid layer or sludge settles and decays at the bottom of the pit while the liquid from the wastewater just leak through the soil.
Deep pit systems is not anymore being recommended as a method of waste management, as it may cause severe contamination to nearby water source; thus also causing serious illness to human settlers of the affected area. Bugs and insects can also get into the pit, and has a great potential to spread life-threatening diseases.
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 commonly used type of waste management among livestock business owners is the Manure lagoon, or the anaerobic lagoon. This works as a man-made pit, or a series of pond-like structures constructed for the storage and treatment of animal wastes for a period of time. The wastes that are washed out from animal pens are piped in to the lagoon. Once in the lagoon, two layers are formed over a period of 20 to 50 days. The liquid layer which consists of grease and some floating materials, forms on top and can be used as a soil fertilizer. The solid layer, which is also called the sludge later, settles at the bottom. Under this condition wherein the top layer seals out the oxygen, anaerobic respiration which is a process of producing energy without the use of oxygen occurs. Both layers must be drained periodically for maintenance.
Though a lagoon system is a widely used waste management system, adverse effects are still evident, especially when no proper maintenance is observed. The process of decomposition by anaerobic bacteria produces toxic gases such as ammonia and hydrogen sulfide, which are seriously harmful to human and animal health. Ammonia can be lethal at an elevated concentration, causing irritation to the eyes and lungs. Hydrogen sulfide, on the other hand can cause more complications, from irritation of the respiratory tract to sudden loss of consciousness, or at worst cases, coma or even death. E.coli, a bacteria causing mild to severe diseases on the digestive tract, is also of alarming count in a lagoon system.
The deep pit system, also known as a cesspool, is another waste management method. This is a cylindrical pit dug down several feet in the ground. Stones are used to shore up the soil, and as an inner wall. It must be observed that deep pits must not be built near any source of drinking water, or where there is ground water from 5 feet underground. Solid layer or sludge settles and decays at the bottom of the pit while the liquid from the wastewater just leak through the soil.
Deep pit systems is not anymore being recommended as a method of waste management, as it may cause severe contamination to nearby water source; thus also causing serious illness to human settlers of the affected area. Bugs and insects can also get into the pit, and has a great potential to spread life-threatening diseases.
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 issues. For additional details about agricultural waste treatment solutions, or to find out more about deep pit foaming systems, please visit the BioverseAG.com website now.
No comments :
Post a Comment