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Updated: Jun 30, 2026
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A Protocol for Conducting Rainfall Simulation to Study Soil Runoff
Published on: April 3, 2014
Size distributions of manure particles released under simulated rainfall
Yakov A Pachepsky1, Andrey K Guber, Daniel R Shelton
1USDA-ARS, Environmental Microbial Safety Laboratory, 10300 Baltimore Avenue, Building 173, Barc-East, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA. yakov.pachepsky@ars.usda.gov
Journal of Environmental Management
|September 19, 2008
Summary
This study measured bovine manure particle sizes released during simulated rainfall, finding median particle diameters of 3.8 micrometers. These findings are crucial for understanding pathogen transport in agricultural runoff.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Soil Science
- Agricultural Engineering
Background:
- Manure and animal waste on agricultural lands are sources of microorganisms, including potential pathogens.
- Rainfall events can release these microorganisms attached to dissolved manure particles.
- Limited data exists on the size and quantity of manure particles influencing microbial transport.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide the first experimental data on the sizes of bovine manure particles released during simulated rainfall and soil infiltration.
- To investigate how grass cover (live vs. dead) affects manure particle release and turbidity.
- To characterize the particle size distribution in runoff and leachate.
Main Methods:
- Simulated rainfall experiments were conducted on soil boxes with dairy manure applied.
- Turbidity, electrical conductivity, and particle size distribution (laser diffractometry) were measured in runoff and leachate.
- Experiments compared live grass versus dead grass conditions.
Main Results:
- Manure particle size distributions remained stable after 15 minutes, with a median diameter of 3.8 micrometers (90% between 0.6-17.8 micrometers).
- Turbidity decreased exponentially in both runoff and leachate.
- Leachate turbidity was higher than runoff turbidity, and live grass resulted in higher leachate turbidity than dead grass.
Conclusions:
- Manure particle size is relatively consistent during rainfall events, regardless of grass status.
- Manure particles play a role in the transport of microorganisms.
- Further research is needed on the co-release of pathogens and manure particles during rainfall.
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