AUTHOR=Vanotti Matias B. , Ro Kyoung S. , Szogi Ariel A. , Loughrin John H. , Millner Patricia D. 

TITLE=High-Rate Solid-Liquid Separation Coupled With Nitrogen and Phosphorus Treatment of Swine Manure: Effect on Water Quality

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems

VOLUME=Volume 2 - 2018

YEAR=2018

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sustainable-food-systems/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2018.00049

DOI=10.3389/fsufs.2018.00049

ISSN=2571-581X

ABSTRACT=This study determined the water quality improvements in swine lagoons by an innovative swine manure treatment system operating at full-scale during five pig production cycles.  The system performed high-rate solid-liquid separation, biological ammonia treatment and phosphorus treatment.  Based on performance results obtained, it was determined that the treatment system met the technical environmental performance criteria for swine waste management systems in new or expanding operations in North Carolina.  The system substantially reduced odor by 99.9%; pathogens by 99.99%, nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen) by > 90%, and heavy metals by 99%.  As the treated effluent and/or rainwater renovated the liquid in the anaerobic lagoons, they became aerobic (Eh > 300 millivolts).   By the end of the second year, the NH4-N concentration in the lagoons liquid was reduced from the initial 370-485 mg L-1 to lower than 15. After conversion, the sludge accumulation in the former lagoons was halted.  This was a significant outcome because one converted lagoon served twice the number of animals than before implementation of the innovative manure treatment system, which is similar to a situation of herd expansion. These findings overall showed that cleaner alternative technologies can have significant positive impacts on water quality in intensive swine production.