Agricultural Wastes and Water, Air, and Animal Resources

United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service

  • Title: Agricultural Waste Management Field Handbook

  • Chapter: 3 - Agricultural Wastes and Water, Air, and Animal Resources

  • Reference: (210–VI–AWMFH, Amend. 52, February 2012)

Introduction

  • Focus on the effects of agricultural wastes on water, air, and animal resources.

  • Highlights reactions of contaminants in aquatic environments.

  • Pollutant delivery process explained (movement from source to water bodies).

Acknowledgments

  • Original Preparation: James N. Krider (retired) and James D. Rickman (retired)

  • Contributors:

    • Michael F. Walter, Cornell University

    • Victor W.E. Payne, NRCS

    • Timothy Powers, NRCS

  • Current version prepared by: Noller Herbert

  • Revisions: Bill Reck, Greg Zwicke

  • Editorial Support: Lynn Owens, Wendy Pierce, Suzi Self

Contents of Chapter 3

  • 651.0300 Introduction

  • 651.0301 Pollution versus contamination

  • 651.0302 Effects of animal waste on water resources

    • (a) Constituents affecting surface water quality

    • (b) Constituents affecting groundwater quality

  • 651.0303 Factors affecting water pollution process

  • 651.0304 Controlling water pollution process

  • 651.0305 Effects of animal waste on air resources

  • 651.0306 Effects of animal waste on animal resources

  • 651.0307 Conservation practice physical effects

  • 651.0308 Summary

  • 651.0309 References

Definitions and Key Concepts

Pollution versus Contamination

  • Pollution: Resource contaminated beyond legal limits (established by State agencies).

  • Contamination: Presence of foreign substances, not necessarily leading to pollution.

Effects of Animal Waste

Water Resources

  • Surface Water Quality: Affected by organic matter, nutrients, and fecal bacteria.

  • Groundwater Quality: Primary affects from nitrates and bacteria.

  • Organisms' contamination through runoff from animal waste.

Nutrient Dynamics

  • Nitrogen (N): 78% of air; nitrogen present in various forms.

  • Phosphorus (P): Major nutrient; impacts aquatic environments; promotes algae growth.

    • Influenced by soil contact, pH, soil texture, and application rates of organic waste.

Contaminant Pathways

Factors Affecting Water Pollution

  • Pathways: Influence from physical and chemical properties of the contaminant and land characteristics.

  • Transformations: Manure and contaminants undergo changes due to environmental factors.

  • Filtering: Soil acts as a filter for contaminants, affecting their movement to groundwater.

Control Measures for Water Pollution

Strategies

  • Limit availability: Reducing animal numbers, utilizing cover crops, and improved manure management.

  • Prevent detachment: Use of vegetative cover and minimal tillage practices.

  • Interrupt transport: Utilization of diversions and sediment basins to control runoff.

Air Resource Effects from Animal Waste

Concerns Raised

  • Odors: Emissions from decomposition of manure and biological activity.

  • Particulate Matter (PM): Health and environmental risks from animal operations.

  • Greenhouse Gases: Major emissions include CO2, CH4, N2O from livestock operations.

Animal Resource Effects

  • Impacts of waste on animal health: Potential diseases linked to high fertilization rates.

  • Proper disposal of animal carcasses to prevent disease spread.

Summary

  • Animal wastes adversely affect natural resources: Leads to water quality decline, eutrophication issues, and pollution risks to air.

  • Key areas of concern include nutrient dynamics, pathogen spread, and sediment transporting pollutants.

References

  1. American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE).

  2. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

  3. USDA National Engineering Handbook on Air Quality.