Effect of manure ponding on soil hydraulic properties
Date
1996
Authors
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ORCID
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Degree Level
Masters
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to extend previous studies investigating the clogging of soil
by ponded hog manure and to clarify the meaning and the magnitude of the "manure seal".
Specific objectives are related to the effect of clogging upon soil hydraulic conductivity:
to measure the effect of clogging with time,
to measure the effect of clogging with depth, and
to determine the effect of soil texture upon clogging.
Seven soils were studied in column tests in a controlled environment. Hog manure was
ponded on the soils for a period of 185 days and the soils were monitored for changes in
apparent hydraulic conductivity, hydraulic conductivity with depth and visual alterations.
The soil-manure interface was found to govern infiltration into the soil and the apparent
hydraulic conductivity of the soil column. This layer was 5 mm to 7 mm thick and was a
result of particulate matter in the manure clogging the surface soil pores which increased
in thickness with time. Soils below this layer retained their ability to conduct flow with
the exception of some reduction in hydraulic conductivity caused by small particulate
matter passing through the clogged layer and air entrapment caused by fermentation.
The clogging of the soil reduced the apparent hydraulic conductivity of the soil columns to
less than 10-6 cm/s within 5 to 25 days and to less than 10-7 cm/s within 20 to 30 days.
The time required to reduce the apparent hydraulic conductivity of the soil column was
dependent on soil texture and was less for soils with less than 25 % clay content and more
for soils with more than 25% clay content.
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Degree
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Department
Agricultural and Bioresource Engineering
Program
Agricultural and Bioresource Engineering