Reducing phosphorus in swine effluent with aluminum chloride treatment during lagoon cleanout

Phosphorus (P) runoff from agricultural lands fertilized with swine manure can be a significant environmental issue. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of aluminum chloride (AlCl 3 ) applications to a swine lagoon during total clean out on P concentrations in manure and runoff water. There were four treatments: 1) untreated manure; 2) manure treated with AlCl 3 in-situ; 3) manure treated with AlCl 3 post collection; and 4) manure treated with AlCl 3 plus lime post collection. Manure applications were equivalent to 112 kg P ha -1 . Rainfall simulators were used to provide a 5-cm h -1 storm event 1, 8, 15, 17, and 24 days after application. All AlCl 3 amendments significantly reduced manure soluble reactive P (SRP) concentrations. The AlCl 3 /lime treatment was the most effective, reducing manure SRP concentrations by 69% compared to the untreated manure. In runoff water, SRP loads were significantly higher from plots fertilized with the untreated manure. Cumulative SRP loads were 30% lower from plots fertilized with manure treated with AlCl 3 in-situ than the untreated manure. Cumulative P losses increased as SRP application rates increased. Treatment of manure with AlCl 3 in-situ can significantly decrease manure SRP concentrations and subsequently reduce P loss from fields receiving manure applications. 2010 American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.

Reducing phosphorus in swine effluent with aluminum chloride treatment during lagoon cleanout Academic Article