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.
A lagoon system, or a manure lagoon, is one example of a waste management system. It is a man-made earthen pit where the wastes, coming from animal pens are being piped into. Once transported in to the lagoon, in a period of 20 to 50 days, a two layer is formed: the sludge or the solid layer, and the liquid layer. The sludge layer is a more solid layer formed by the settling of sediments from the manure to the bottom, while the liquid level is composed of grease, scum and other particulates. Oxygen is sealed out by the top layer which allows an anaerobic condition for the bacteria to treat the waste. The liquid layer can be used to fertilize soil and the sludge layer must be drained periodically for maintenance.
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.
The deep pit system is now being eliminated as a type of waste management. Contamination , can occur to the soil wherein the pit has been built into; and as a result, nearby water supply of the house or farm can be also be contaminated especially when water is derived from a local well. Insects got a high chance of getting into the pit and then potentially spread disease. Also, when a pit is not consistently drained, sewage can build up in the pipes and cause them to clog, which could result in a flooded basement.
With the goal of implementing the proper maintenance of these waste management systems, Agra Sphere has been created to fulfill such objective. It is basically a sphere made of all natural and biodegradable plastic which works to liquefy the sludge; thus preventing toxic gases to be produced. A microbial formulation, Activator Plus, is used to treat the lagoon or pit prior to using the Agra Sphere. The Agra Sphere is thrown into the lagoon after the treatment of activator plus. This process would allow the slow releasing nitrogen to be captured into bacteria cells. The bacteria cells then decompose on the soil with the right kind of nitrogen; thus fertilizing it well, since it is the fast released nitrogen that damages the soil and its crops. Agra Sphere provides the way to the prevention of hazardous effects of animal wastes to the environment and human health.
A lagoon system, or a manure lagoon, is one example of a waste management system. It is a man-made earthen pit where the wastes, coming from animal pens are being piped into. Once transported in to the lagoon, in a period of 20 to 50 days, a two layer is formed: the sludge or the solid layer, and the liquid layer. The sludge layer is a more solid layer formed by the settling of sediments from the manure to the bottom, while the liquid level is composed of grease, scum and other particulates. Oxygen is sealed out by the top layer which allows an anaerobic condition for the bacteria to treat the waste. The liquid layer can be used to fertilize soil and the sludge layer must be drained periodically for maintenance.
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.
The deep pit system is now being eliminated as a type of waste management. Contamination , can occur to the soil wherein the pit has been built into; and as a result, nearby water supply of the house or farm can be also be contaminated especially when water is derived from a local well. Insects got a high chance of getting into the pit and then potentially spread disease. Also, when a pit is not consistently drained, sewage can build up in the pipes and cause them to clog, which could result in a flooded basement.
With the goal of implementing the proper maintenance of these waste management systems, Agra Sphere has been created to fulfill such objective. It is basically a sphere made of all natural and biodegradable plastic which works to liquefy the sludge; thus preventing toxic gases to be produced. A microbial formulation, Activator Plus, is used to treat the lagoon or pit prior to using the Agra Sphere. The Agra Sphere is thrown into the lagoon after the treatment of activator plus. This process would allow the slow releasing nitrogen to be captured into bacteria cells. The bacteria cells then decompose on the soil with the right kind of nitrogen; thus fertilizing it well, since it is the fast released nitrogen that damages the soil and its crops. Agra Sphere provides the way to the prevention of hazardous effects of animal wastes to the environment and human health.
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 check out the BioverseAG.com site today.
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