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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Florence, South Carolina » Coastal Plain Soil, Water and Plant Conservation Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #173470

Title: DEVELOPMENT OF ENVIRONMENTALLY SUPERIOR TECHNOLOGY IN NORTH CAROLINA: THE SUPER SOIL PROJECT

Author
item Vanotti, Matias
item Szogi, Ariel
item Hunt, Patrick
item Ellison, Aprel
item Millner, Patricia
item HUMENIK, FRANK - NC STATE UNIV.

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/5/2005
Publication Date: 1/5/2005
Citation: Vanotti, M.B., Szogi, A.A., Hunt, P.G., Ellison, A.Q., Millner, P.D., Humenik, F.J. 2005. Development of environmentally superior technology in North Carolina: The super soil project. Symposium on the State of the Science of Animal Manure and Waste Management, January 5-7, 2005, San Antonio, Texas. 6 p.2005 CD-ROM.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: A treatment system was developed to eliminate animal-waste discharge to surface and ground waters and contamination of soil and ground water by nutrients and heavy metals, along with related release of ammonia, odor, and pathogens. The system greatly increased the efficiency of liquid-solid separation by injection of polymer to increase solids flocculation. Nitrogen management to reduce ammonia emissions was accomplished by passing the liquid through a module where bacteria transformed ammonia into harmless nitrogen gas. Subsequent alkaline treatment of the wastewater in a phosphorus module precipitated recoverable phosphorus and killed pathogens. Treated wastewater was recycled to clean swine houses and crop irrigation. The system was tested during one year at full-scale in a 4,400-head finishing farm as part of the Agreement between the Attorney General of North Carolina and Smithfield Foods/Premium Standard Farms to replace current anaerobic lagoons with environmentally superior technology. The system removed 97.6% of the suspended solids, 99.7% of BOD, 98.5% of TKN, 98.7% of ammonia, 95% of total P, 98.7% of copper and 99.0% of zinc. It also removed 97.9% of odor compounds in the liquid and reduced pathogen indicators to non-detectable levels. It was verified that the technology was technically and operationally feasible. Based on performance results obtained, it was determined that the treatment system met the Agreement's technical performance standards that define an environmentally superior technology.