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Accumulation of Nutrients in Soil Beneath Hog Manure Lagoons¹

ABSTRACT

The soil beneath four hog manure lagoons was sampled and analyzed for NO₃-N, NH₄-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 NH₄-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.

Key Words: nitrate • ammonium • phosphorus • seepage

¹ Report of project conducted jointly by the University of Guelph and Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food and supported financially by a SWEEP grant from the Ontario Ministry of the Environment. Appreciation is expressed to Mary Thompson, Kim Knight, Wes Garrod, and Keith Cooke for their assistance.

² Professors, Dep. of Land Resource Science and Dep. of Environmental Biology, and Soils and Crops Specialist, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, respectively.

Received for publication July 18, 1975.