Premium
Accumulation of Nutrients in Soil Beneath Hog Manure Lagoons
Author(s) -
Miller M. H.,
Robinson J. B.,
Gallagher D. W.
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq1976.00472425000500030012x
Subject(s) - manure , soil water , environmental science , nutrient , nitrate , soil nutrients , soil test , zoology , agronomy , environmental chemistry , soil science , ecology , chemistry , biology
The soil beneath four hog manure lagoons was sampled and analyzed for NO 3 ‐N, NH 4 ‐N and soluble P. Nitrate levels were essentially zero in all samples taken shortly after the lagoons were emptied. Soluble P levels were high immediately below the lagoon but decreased to background levels within 20–30 cm. Ammonium levels were very high immediately below the lagoon. The levels decreased to background levels within 20–30 cm on two lagoons on fine‐textured soils that had been in use for 2 years. In a medium‐textured soil and a coarse‐textured soil beneath older lagoons, very high levels existed to the maximum depth sampled. It is suggested that this accumulation of NH 4 ‐N presents a serious hazard should the lagoon be abandoned and the soil become aerobic. Earthen manure lagoons should not be recommended on medium or coarse‐textured soils.