2.2 ROLES AND DESIGN

SOLID PHASE

Consists of minerals (gravel,

sand and silt) and organics

(humus, plant and crop

residues)

LIQUID PHASE

It is called as soil solution. It

consists of water with dissolved

minerals and nutrients.

Oxygen and carbon dioxide can

also dissolved in the soil

solution.

GASEOUS PHASE

It occupies the pore space that

is not filled with water.

Nitrogen, oxygen, water

vapor, and carbon dioxide are

the primary gases from the air

and living organisms.

Filtration

It is the capture and subsequent

degradation of manure solids in the soil

matrix.

Biological degradation

The physical properties of the soil such as

temperature, moisture oxygen supply,

pH, and nutrients affects the microbial

growth and metabolism.

ION EXCHANGE
ADSOPRTION

PRECIPITATION

COMPLEXATION

Chemical reactions

Ion exchange

includes cations and anions

wherein the positivelty/negatively

charged particles of waste is exchanged

with soil particles and organic materials.

Adsorption

occurs when the ions are

attached to soil surface

precipitation

occurs when soluble

compounds is deposited in soil voids.

Complexation

is the interaction of

metals with soil organic matter and

some oxides and carbonates, resulting

in the formation of large, stable

molecules.

Mineralization

occurs through physical, chemical

and biological conversion of waste into inorganic

forms making them available to plants.

Organic waste mineralization

a process where

microbes digest organic waste to convert into

inorganic or more stable organic materials.

Cation Exchange

Capacity (CEC)

The ability of the soil to hold nutrients and release

them through chemical reactions for plant uptake.

pH

A measure of the level of acidity or alkalinity in the

soil. It is essential for plant nutrition, growth and soil’s

biological and chemical activity.

Bulk Density

Amount of solid particle weight per volume of such

mass of soil. It reflects the level of porosity (void

space in the soil that can be filled by air or water) and

compaction of the soil. Compacted soils (higher bulk

density) have less porosity, lower air content, lower

water infiltration, and poor plant growth.

Soil Aggregate

Stability

Amount of solid particle weight per volume of such

mass of soil. It reflects the level of porosity (void

space in the soil that can be filled by air or water) and

compaction of the soil. Compacted soils (higher bulk

density) have less porosity, lower air content, lower

water infiltration, and poor plant growth.

Earthworms

Population

Earthworms help accelerate biomass decomposition,

nutrient cycling and building a better pores system for

water infiltration and retention.

MICROBIAL BIOMASS Carbon and

Microbial

Respiration

Laboratory measurement used as an indicator of the

microbial abundance in the soil. Both are directly

related to the general biological activity, which

influences the nutrients availability for crops and the

generation of the substances that act as a “glue” to

help build more stable soil aggregates.

Macronutrients

are the building blocks

for plant growth which is required in

large quantities. It includes nitrogen,

phosphorus, magnesium, and

potassium. Nitrogen, phosphorus,

magnesium, and potassium are non-

mineral class of macronutrients.

phosphorus

magnesium

potassium

Nitrogen

MACRONUTRIENTS

Micronutrients

elements required

for balance growth of plants which

constitute in less than 1% of its dry

weight. Essential micronutrients

includes boron (B), zinc (Zn),

manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper

(Cu), molybdenum (Mo), chlorine (Cl).

boron
ZINC

MANGANESE

IRON

COPPER

MOLYBDENUM

CHLORINE

MICRONUTRIENTS

Groundwater

recharged naturally by rain

through infiltration and deep percolation.

NITRATE

Excessive ____ consumption can cause

methemoglobinemia (“blue baby syndrome”),

PHOSPHORUS

Excessive

_____ consumption can cause problems with bones.

PATHOGENS

contaminates groundwater such as various

bacteria, viruses, and protozoa causes different outbreaks.

HEAVY METALS

agricultural wastes such as arsenic,

fluoride, mercury, and lead, also contaminates groundwater.