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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Orono, Maine » New England Plant, Soil and Water Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #258312

Title: Sources and Contents of Heavy Metals and Other Trace Elements in Animal Manure

Author
item ZHANG, HAILIN - Oklahoma State University
item SCHRODER, JACKIE - Oklahoma State University
item He, Zhongqi

Submitted to: Soil Science Society of America Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/1/2010
Publication Date: 8/15/2010
Citation: Zhang, H., Schroder, J., He, Z. 2010. Sources and Contents of Heavy Metals and Other Trace Elements in Animal Manure. Soil Science Society of America Annual Meeting. Available: http://a-c-s.confex.com/crops/2010am/webprogram/paper58793.html.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Trace elements are natural and added components of livestock and poultry feeds. Appropriate amounts of these trace elements in the diet of livestock and poultry ensures both health and reproduction. Unfortunately, many times trace metals that are added to livestock diets by producers or feed companies exceed dietary requirements. Because most of the trace elements ingested by livestock and poultry are excreted via the feces and urine, the concentration of metals in manures is dependent on the concentrations of these metals in the animal’s diet. Large quantities of animal manures are generated worldwide and virtually all animal manures are land applied. The application of animal manures has been identified as a major input of trace elements to soils and repeated applications has increased concentrations of trace elements in soil. This presentation will discuss concentrations of metals in different types of animal wastes, the sources of the metals, and the impact of metal accumulation in manure applied soils. Strategies for minimizing metal build-up will also be discussed.