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Nutrient accumulation below cattle feedlot pens in Kansas
Grace C Vaillant1, Gary M Pierzynski, Jay M Ham
1Edgewood Chemical Biological Center, 5183 Blackhawk Rd., Bldg. 5100 (AMSRD-ECB-RT-C), Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010-5424, USA. grace.vaillant@us.army.mil
Journal of Environmental Quality
|March 31, 2009
Summary
Cattle feedlot waste accumulates nutrients like nitrogen in soil, but active pens show low groundwater contamination risk. Inactive feedlots may pose a risk, with topsoil removal recommended for remediation.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Soil Science
- Agricultural Science
Background:
- Cattle feedlot waste contains nitrogen and nutrients that can leach into soil and groundwater.
- Understanding nutrient accumulation beneath feedlots is crucial for assessing environmental impact.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze nutrient accumulation in soil beneath cattle feedlot pens.
- To compare nutrient levels to estimated deposition and consider remediation strategies.
Main Methods:
- Soil samples were collected from four Kansas feedlot locations.
- Chemical and physical soil properties were analyzed to a depth of 1.3 meters.
- Nutrient concentrations were compared to background and estimated deposition levels.
Main Results:
- Surface soil showed elevated concentrations of ammonium nitrogen, organic nitrogen, organic carbon, chloride, and phosphorus.
- Organic nitrogen was the most significant nitrogen source in the top 0.25 m.
- Most feedlots had nitrate-nitrogen below background levels, but one showed a significant increase.
Conclusions:
- Active cattle feedlots have a low potential for groundwater contamination from nitrate-nitrogen leaching.
- Inactive feedlots may present a higher risk of nitrate-nitrogen leaching into groundwater.
- Removing the top 0.25 m of soil can remediate 48% of the total nitrogen upon feedlot closure.
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