HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Moore, P. A. Articles by Wood, B. H. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Moore, P. A., Jr. Articles by Wood, B. H. Agricola Articles by Moore, P. A. Articles by Wood, B. H.

Decreasing Metal Runoff from Poultry Litter with Aluminum Sulfate

USDA-ARS, Plant Sciences 115, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, 72701;

T. C. Daniel, J. T. Gilmour and B. R. Shreve

Agronomy Department, Plant Sciences 115, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR;

D. R. Edwards

Dep. Agric. Eng., 128 Agric. Eng. Bldg., University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546-0276;

B. H. Wood

Agronomy and Soils Department, Funchess Hall, Auburn University, AL 36849-5412.

^* Corresponding author (philipm{at}comp.uark.edu).

ABSTRACT

Aluminum sulfate [Al₂(SO₄)₃·14H₂O] applications to poultry litter can greatly reduce P concentrations in runoff from fields fertilized with poultry litter, as well as decrease NH₃ volatilization. The objective of this study was to evaluate metal runoff from plots fertilized with varying rates of alum-treated and untreated (normal) poultry litter. Alum-treated (10% alum by weight) and untreated litter was broadcast applied to small plots in tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.). Litter application rates were 0, 2.24, 4.49, 6.73, and 8.98 Mg ha^–1 (0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 tons acre^–1). Rainfall simulators were used to produce two runoff events, immediately after litter application and 7 d later. Both concentrations and loads of water-soluble metals increased linearly with litter application rates, regardless of litter type. Alum treatment reduced concentrations of As, Cu, Fe, and Zn, relative to untreated litter, whereas it increased Ca and Mg. Copper concentrations in runoff water from untreated litter were extremely high (up to 1 mg Cu L^–1), indicating a potential water quality problem. Soluble Al, K, and Na concentrations were not significantly affected by the type of litter. Reductions in trace metal runoff due to alum appeared to be related to the concentration of soluble organic C (SOC), as well as the affinity of SOC for trace metals. Metal runoff from alum-treated litter is less likely to cause environmental problems than untreated litter, since threats to the aquatic environment by Ca and Mg are far less than those posed by As, Cu, and Zn.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. B. Benke, S. P. Indraratne, X. Hao, C. Chang, and T. B. Goh Trace Element Changes in Soil after Long-Term Cattle Manure Applications J. Environ. Qual., May 1, 2008; 37(3): 798 - 807. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]