EPA-R 2-73 157
FEBRUARY 1973
Environmental Protection Technology Series
National Animal Feedlot
Wastes Research Program
\
111
National Environmental Research Center
Office of Research and Monitoring
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Corvallis, Oregon 97330
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RESEARCH REPORTING SERIES
Research reports of the Office of Research and
Monitoring, Environmental Protection Agency, have
been grouped into five series. These five broad
categories were established to facilitate further
development and application of environmental
technology. Elimination of traditional grouping
was consciously planned to foster technology
transfer and a maximum interface in related
fields. The five series are:
1. Environmental Health Effects Research
2. Environmental Protection Technology
3. Ecological Research
4. Environmental Monitoring
5. Socioeconomic Environmental Studies
This report has been assigned to the ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION TECHNOLOGY series. This series
describes research performed to develop and
demonstrate instrumentation, equipment and
methodology to repair or prevent environmental
degradation from point and non-point sources of
pollution. This work provides the new or improved
technology required for the control and treatment
of pollution sources to meet environmental quality
standards.
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EPA-R2-73-157
February 1973
NATIONAL ANIMAL FEEDLOT WASTES RESEARCH PROGRAM
Lynn R. Shuyler
Agricultural Wastes Section
Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research Laboratory
P. O. Box 1198
Ada, Oklahoma 74820
Project 13040 GJU
Program Element 1B2039
National Environmental Research Center
Office of Research and Monitoring
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
200 S.W. 35th Street
Corvallis, Oregon 97330
For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402
Price 75 cents domestic postpaid or £0 cents OPO Bookstore
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ABSTRACT
The status of the National Animal Feedlot Wastes Research Program is
presented. Current research projects and future program development
are discussed. Research and investigations are needed to evaluate the
effectiveness of potential treatment and control measures. Examples of
such projects are presented. Demonstrations and educational activities
will be required to provide widespread acceptance of new concepts.
Key Words: Animal Feedlot Wastes, Water Quality, Pollution Control,
Pollution Abatement, Agricultural Wastewater.
111
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CONTENTS
Section Page
I Summary and Conclusions 1
II Introduction 2
III Research Needs 8
IV Current Research and Development Program 12
V Future Research and Development Program Plans
and Objectives 26
VI References 32
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FIGURES
No. Page
1 FED CATTLE MARKETED IN 23 MAJOR STATES 3
2 SCHEMATIC OF AN ANIMAL FEEDLOT SYSTEM 4
3 NATIONAL ANIMAL WASTE RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM GOALS AND
MILESTONES 31
VI
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TABLES
No.
I FOX CREEK NEAR STRONG CITY, KANSAS,
NOVEMBER 1962 WATER QUALITY PARA-
METERS (mg/1)
II WATERSHED RESERVOIRS AND FEEDLOT NEAR
McKINNEY, TEXAS, WATER QUALITY PARA-
METERS (mg/1)
vn
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SECTION I
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
This report presents the current status of the National Animal Feedlot
Wastes Research and Development Program, including ongoing research
projects and program goals, needs, milestones and future plans. Com-
pleted animal waste management research projects indicate several
areas that require further investigation and have shown several prom-
ising systems for control of animal wastes. The historical practice of
land disposal of these wastes has raised many questions relating to
total salt buildup in soils at high application rates and to natural run-
off quality from these disposal areas. Odors common to most handling,
storage and disposal methods have created serious problems for some
of the most promising control systems. New and innovative ideas and
systems must be evaluated along with the more conventional systems
for the control and management of animal wastes.
It is apparent that much work has been done in the area of animal
waste control, but it is also evident that a monumental amount of re-
search and demonstration work remains to be done if sound solutions
are to be found for the many facets of the animal waste problem. The
total environment (air, water, and solid waste) must be involved in
the pollution control systems developed for use by the animal indus-
try.
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SECTION II
INTRODUCTION
Animal production enterprises attracted national attention as signifi-
cant sources of water pollution during the last decade, with cattle
feedlots receiving the greatest notice. Although farmers of the Mid-
west have been finish feeding small groups of animals for a number
of years, the trend in animal production has changed to one of con-
centrated, confined "industrialized" operations for beef, swine and
dairy cattle. This trend has resulted in a reduction in the total num-
ber of operations, but the concentration in animal production has
magnified the pollution problems. Wastes produced from cattle feed-
ing operations amount to approximately 110 million tons per year,
from the dairy industry approximately 230 million tons per year, and
from the hog feeding industry approximately 42 million tons per year.
These figures do not account for the wastes produced from cow-calf
operations, stocker calf enterprises, farrowing operations, and
other miscellaneous animal operations.
During the period from 1960 to 1970 the number of fed cattle marketed
increased from 13 to 25 million head (1), while total swine production
increased only slightly from the 84 million slaughtered in 1960. Dur-
ing this 10 year period production methods have changed from many
small operations with a few hogs in open shelters to slotted floor
houses with large numbers of hogs at fewer locations. Dairy herd
size has doubled in the last ten years, with the total number of dairy
cows being reduced from 19 million to something less than 16 million;
however, total milk production has increased (3) .
All of these changes have been brought about by an increased popula-
tion with a higher standard of living, demanding and receiving more
and better quality food at relatively the same price. The resulting
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FIGURE I - FED CATTLE MARKETED IN 23 MAJOR STATES
1971
1,000 Head
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Temperature
Humidity
Precipitation
Wind
Replacement
Animals
Grain
Pre-mix Concentrates
Forage
Additives
Water
LOT FACILITIES
Feed Storage
Type of Construction
Topography
Geology
FEEDLOT
Beef
Dairy
Swine
Slaughter Animals
and
Marketable Products
Dry Wastes
Slurry Wastes
Runoff Wastes
and
Percolation Wastes
MANAGEMENT FACTORS
Equipment Options
Stocking Rate
General Housekeeping
Confinement Period
Labor
FIGURE 2 -
SCHEMATIC OF AN ANIMAL FEEDLOT SYSTEM
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economic impetus dictated that producers of food commodities expand
their operations to meet this demand. A myriad of economic and
technical factors have worked together to produce large quantities
of animal waste on very small land areas; not unexpectedly, these
are often concentrated near population centers.
Essentially all the increase in the cattle feedlot industry has been in
the form of large scale (10,000 head) operations. Large feedlots have
greatly increased the efficiency of beef production but also have
accented and enlarged the environmental problems. For each beef
animal fed in a feedlot, the operator must dispose of nearly 3.6 tons
of waste; a 10,000 head lot would have about 100,000 tons of manure
per year that must be managed in some manner. In the mid-1960's
water pollution caused by rainfall runoff from concentrated cattle
feeding operations was reported as the cause of death for over 80 per-
cent of the fish killed in one central state and was implicated in the
transmission of a number of diseases (4, 5,6).
Table I indicates the pollutional problems caused by feedlot runoff in
a stream. A comparison of water quality parameters of two adjacent
reservoirs, one of which received feedlot runoff following treatment
by detention plus dilution in transit, is shown in Table II.
Fish kills are a visible indication of pollution. Nevertheless, the
effect of animal wastes in streams may be very harmful to the ecologi-
cal balance of the stream and still not cause fish kills. Moreover,
long after a reported fish kill, the stream may not have recovered its
normal condition because of manure deposition. In addition to Bio-
chemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD),
Chloride (Cl) , Ammonia (NHg) and Dissolved Oxygen (DO) , other
parameters must be considered when discussing animal waste pollu-
tion . Pathogenic Salmonella oganisms have been isolated from feces,
runoff from animal confinement operations, carcasses of dead animals,
and waterholes from which the animals drank (10-14) . Two organisms,
S. dublin and S. typhimurium were the salmonella organisms most
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commonly found in the cattle and contaminated water investigated.
S_._ dublin is essentially a pathogen of cattle but can cause meningitis
and septicemia in humans. §_._ typhimurium, the pathogen which
causes typhoid fever, can infect man and practically all species of
birds and animals.
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TABLE I
FOX CREEK NEAR STRONG CITY, KANSAS, NOVEMBER 1962
WATER QUALITY PARAMETERS (mg/1)
TIME
DO
Avg. Dry Weather 8.4
After Rainfall
13 hours
20 hours
26 hours
46 hours
69 hours
^hours
7.2
0.8
5.9
6.8
4.2
6.2
BOD,
1 ™" ~ ' 0
2
8
90
22
5
7
3
COD
29
37
238
63
40
43
22
(7)
Cl
11
19
50
35
31
26
25
NH
3
0.06
12.0
5.3
0.44
0.02
0.08
TABLE II
WATERSHED RESERVOIRS AND FEEDLOT NEAR McKINNEY, TEXAS
WATER QUALITY PARAMETERS (mg/1) (g) (g)
Feedlot Runoff
Retention Pond Effluent
Farm Pond Effluent
Reservoir Receiving* F.R.** 0.0
Reservoir Without F.R.**
*Diluted in transit through Retention and Farm Ponds.
**F.R. = Feedlot Runoff.
Min.
DO
—
—
—
0.0
6.4
BOD5
2201
582
276
46
4.1
Mean Values
COD Cl
7210 450
1980 314
1379 240
61 29
29 7.1
NH3
108
63.4
35.0
1.7
0.53
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SECTION in
RESEARCH NEEDS
In early 1967, the Federal Water Pollution Control Administration,
subsequently a part of the Environmental Protection Agency, assigned
the animal feedlot wastes (beef, swine, and dairy) research and de-
velopment responsibilities to Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research
Laboratory of Ada, Oklahoma. The goals of the program are to define
the animal waste problem and its real and potential pollutional effects,
to determine technically deficient areas of control, and to conduct and
stimulate research, development, and demonstration of animal wastes
pollution control technology.
In 1967, Dr. Raymond Loehr, Professor of Water Resources and Agri-
cultural Engineering, Cornell University, under sponsorship of EPA
(FWPCA) prepared a state-of-the-art document on pollution from
animal wastes entitled "Pollution Implications of Animal Wastes—A
Forward Oriented Review." This report defined the problem, re-
viewed existing technology, indicated gaps in knowledge, including
engineering data (e.g. on waste composition), and recommended
areas of research needs.
In order to provide a logical guide for research, development, and
demonstration of an array of technically and economically effective
waste management alternatives for animal producers to use in their
operations, a system of needs priorities and implementations was
devised. Research needs derived from a number of sources are
listed below in order of implementation priorities.
High Priority Needs
The high priority research needs of the animal feedlot program are
outlined in two general areas of work:
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(1) The need to develop techniques for reprocessing or converting
animal wastes into a usable product. Currently promising processes
include conversion to some type of fuel, feed or feed additive for ani-
mals , or other by-product.
(2) The urgent need to make the current information on animal waste
management readily available for widespread use by governmental
agencies t the feeding industry. and researchers in the field. This
objective will be accomplished by expanding an already existing
abstract service and the development of waste management manuals
and related literature.
The titles of the related needs statements and their associated identifi-
cation numbers are listed below.
i
04 AAE Disposal of Rumen Residue by Conversion into Animal Feed.
09 AAJ Methods to Dispose of or Recycle the Manure.
04 AAE Utilization of Manure by Conversion to Animal Feeds.
06 AAM Effect of Refceding Animal Wastes in Feedlots.
09 AAJ Symbiotic Integration of Agricultural Wastes in Hawaii.
04 AAE Kinetics of Growth and Substrate Removal by Microbes as
Affected by Environmental Conditions in Batch Fermenta-
tion.
09 AAJ Investigations of Uses of Wastes from Agricultural Practices,
Including Animal Wastes.
WRW Dissemination of Waste Management Information on Cattle
Feedlots.
Medium Priority Needs
The medium priority needs of the animal waste program relate to con-
trol of ancillary pollutants from feedlots and to land disposal of animal
wastes.
(1) The control of ancillary pollutants includes control and disposal
of growth-promoting chemicals, antibiotics, heavy metals, dust, odors
and other nuisance items characteristic of animal feeding operations.
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(2) Land disposal of animal waste offers the only practical system of
waste disposal at this time for the majority of operations. However,
there are still many unanswered questions relating to loading rates,
crops and soils. Treatment systems for disposal of part or all of the
wastes from an animal production system must be developed and
demonstrated. Two such systems have progressed to the pilot scale
level and must be tested at full scale.
The titles of the related needs statements and their associated identifi-
cation numbers are listed below.
07 AAE Environmental Hazard of Animal Growth Stimulants, Feedlot
Medicines'and Pesticides.
07 AAO Pollution from Animal Health and Growth Stimulants Subse-
quent to Excretion.
08 AAI Feedlot Odor Problems.
07 AAD Crop Response to Manure Disposal.
07 AAD Soil Response to Manure Disposal.
07 AAD Methods to Improve Cattle Feeding Techniques and Reduce
Manure Production.
06 AKU Nitrate Buildup in Field Crops Receiving Feedlot Wastes.
06 ACQ Disposal of Feedlot Wastes.
09 AAJ Control of Drainage and Waste Water from Livestock Feedlots.
Low Priority Needs
The research needs in this category relate to control of pollutants for
certain unique animal feeding enterprises and the demonstration of
cattle management concepts to minimize pollution source problems.
Since the problem of snowmelt runoff has not received the attention
given rainfall runoff, methods of control for this type of runoff have
not been developed to date; these are needed in the northern climates.
A unique pollution control problem exists with an abandoned feedlot
and also with a new feedlot just starting operation. These two types
of lots can and do allow surface infiltration of moisture that carries with
it very high concentrations of pollutants.
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The titles of the related needs statements and their associated identifi-
cation numbers are listed below.
07 AAF Techniques of Abandoned Feedlot Pollution Control.
10 ASJ Animal Feedlot Waste Treatment.
04 AAE Confined Animal Waste Disposal.
06 AAM Feedlot Waste Disposal.
07 ARW Demonstration of Improved Cattle Feedlot Management
Techniques that Optimize Pollution Control.
07 AAD Manure Production Related to Feed and Environment.
06 AAM Optimum Cattle Feedlot Design.
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SECTION IV
CURRENT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Animal waste research is assigned to the National Animal Feedlot Wastes
Research Program under Program Element B12039. Because of the in-
creasing importance of animal feedlot pollution, regionally and
nationally, all three research programs—Treatment and Control,
Ground Water, and Water Quality Control—at the Robert S.Kerr
Environmental Research Laboratory have been cooperating on specific
in-house research activities.
To stimulate and guide the preparation of research grant proposals,
a report entitled "Animal Feedlot Wastes Program Research Needs" was
published in 1969; copies were distributed to research institutions
throughout the United States. This report was revised for 1970 on the
basis of research already funded, additional information relating to
research priorities, and trends in animal production operations. The
National Animal Feedlot Wastes Research Program is continually being
restructured, not only to include pollution problems of current pro-
duction methods as they arise, but also to encourage development of
promising new management practices. Numerous consultations have
been held with researchers and industry spokesmen in an effort to
stimulate forward-oriented research.
Characterization of animal wastes was one of the early high priorities
of feedlot research. Subsequent projects have essentially established
waste characteristics to the extent that other aspects of the program
are currently given more emphasis. Since August 1969, Treatment
and Control Research and the National Water Quality Control Research
Program have cooperated on projects at a 12,000 head cattle feedlot
near McKinney, Texas. This facility, located 130 miles from Ada, was
selected as one of the best designed non-paved feedlots available for
the study of rainfall runoff.
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At the time this study was initiated, information on feedlot runoff
characteristics had been based mostly on artificial rainfall (sprinkler)
conditions or a small number of grab samples of runoff. The McKinney
study was to substantiate the results of these previous studies and to
include additional parameters needed in the design of treatment or
control facilities. Data from McKinney have shown that feedlot runoff
from this site may not be as difficult to treat as had been believed. The
direct runoff from the feed pens is, as previously reported, 10 to 15
times as concentrated as raw municipal wastes in terms of oxygen
demand and solids; however, it was found that sedimentation resulting
from only a few days retention in the runoff collection ponds reduced
the amount of solids and the oxygen demand by about one half. In this
special case, the concentrations of solids and the oxygen demand were
reduced by 90 and 70 percent respectively, when both retention time
and dilution from rainfall on the storage ponds were considered. The
wastewater from this feedlot that actually must be treated is only 2 to
4 times the strength of raw municipal wastes. The data also suggest
that the supernatant should be pumped from the collection ponds in a
matter of a few days to prevent dissolution of the solids and an
increase in the oxygen demand of the liquid.
The ditch-pond treatment system, as designed and operated by the
feedlot management, was insufficient to treat feedlot wastewater.
This was dramatically demonstrated by data collected for several
months prior, during, and after a major fish kill in the downstream
reservoir (see Table II) .
The results of the McKinney studies were presented at the Purdue
Industrial Waste Conference on May 7, 1970. The paper published in
the proceedings and entitled "Characteristics and Effects of Cattle
Feedlot Runoff" has been distributed (15) . The final report of the
project has been published.
Presently, almost all feedlots use the conventional approach to land
disposal of animal wastes on the basis of irrigation and fertilizer needs.
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Program personnel were instrumental in developing a research and
demonstration grant (one of the first in the National Animal Feedlot
Program) with Kansas State University to determine optimum design
and loading parameters for land disposal of both liquid and solid
wastes.
As early as the summer of 1969, Kerr Laboratory staff began planning
a concentrated soil treatment system for feedlot runoff; construction on
the project began at McKinney in June 1970. The treatment system is
based on the principle of spray-runoff on sloped grassland used by
Campbell Soup Company of Paris, Texas, other cannery plants, and
some pulp and paper companies. This system produces a very good
quality effluent from a high organic waste, and it is believed that
adaptation to animal wastewater is quite feasible.
Preliminary results from the system at McKinney indicate that efflu-
ent discharged from this process is of sufficient quality to maintain
current stream standards. The system is fully automated and uses
only eight acres of treatment land for the runoff from 50 acres of feedlot.
Modifications of the system can probably be applied in most areas of
the United States although up to five months of waste storage may be
required in the coldest climates. The system should be particularly
adaptable to dairy and swine operations. Plans are under way to
demonstrate and test this system with different wastes and in various
climates in the United States.
One of the major problems of the program is the collection and dis- x
semination of information to feedlot operators, regulatory agencies,
consulting engineers, researchers, and others concerned with animal
waste pollution. Several major steps have been initiated to alleviate
this problem.
A grant to abstract all technical articles concerned with animal waste
pollution has been awarded. Copies of the abstracts and articles are
forwarded to the Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research Laboratory
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and to the Water Resources Scientific Information Center (WRSIC) .
The Kerr Laboratory will maintain a reference library to aid in pro-
gram planning and review of future research proposals. The WRSIC
will prepare an annual publication of abstracts on animal wastes
pollution for general distribution.
Oklahoma State University has been awarded a grant to anaylze the
various current waste management alternatives available for cattle
feedlot operation. The report shows these alternatives in relation to
cost, climate, geology, land use, and other environmental factors.
The report entitled "Evaluation of Beef Feedlot Waste Management
Alternatives" has been published in the Clean Water Report Series.
The report from Oklahoma State has been used as a basis for two
seminars conducted by the Kerr Laboratory personnel in the Northern
and Southern High Plains during 1971. These seminars were used to
provide design information on cattle feedlot waste management alterna-
tives to those who can have the most immediate impact on water
pollution abatement. Included in the groups were feedlot operators,
consulting engineers, Agricultural Extension Service agents, state
regulatory agency representatives, Soil Conservation Service engi-
neers , and representatives of the Agricultural Stabilization and
Conservation Service.
The program personnel are presently preparing for public distribu-
tion two animal feedlot manuals based on the Oklahoma State University
report and other information generated by the research program.
Along with the above-mentioned activities, program personnel have
given several papers on the need for and means of controlling animal
feedlot pollutants at various feeder association meetings and other
environmental conferences throughout the United States.
Current and past research projects related to animal waste manage-
ment and sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency are
described on the following pages.
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IN-HOUSE RESEARCH
1. "Runoff Characterization and Treatment Evaluation" (13040 PCN)
Sponsor: Robert S . Kerr Environmental Research Laboratory
Ada, Oklahoma
Project Director: Marion R. Scalf
Project Site: Meat Producers, Inc. Feedlot
near McKinney, Texas
Start Date: 1969 Completion Date: 1970
This research project determined the physical, chemical, and bio-
logical characteristics of runoff from a beef cattle feedlot. It also
evaluated an existing treatment system being used by the feedlot.
The results indicated that the total amount of pollutants transported
in feedlot runoff could be reduced approximately 50 percent by
passing it through a settling basin prior to storage. The long
naturally aerated oxidation ditch that was in use as a treatment sys-
tem did not, in fact, provide any significant amount of treatment.
The final report on the project is complete and available through the
Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C., Water Pollution
Control Research Series, 13040 PCN.
2. "Soil Treatment of Runoff Prom Beef Cattle Feedlots" (13040 RBQ-
16080 WNU)
Sponsor: Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research Laboratory
Ada, Oklahoma
Project Director: R. E. Thomas
Project Site: Meat Producers, Inc. Feedlot
near McKinney, Texas
Start Date: 1969 Completion Date: 1972
This project is evaluating the effectiveness of the spray-runoff
treatment process for treating rainfall runoff from a cattle feedlot.
The system has not been in continuous operation because the feedlot
is empty at times; however, when the system has operated it has
been successful in producing an effluent that is satisfactory for
stream discharge.
16
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3. "Dissemination of Waste Management Information on Cattle Feedlots"
(13040 WRW)
Sponsor: Robert S . Kerr Environmental Research Laboratory-
Ada, Oklahoma
Project Director: Lynn R. Shuyler
Project Site: Ada, Oklahoma
The program staff at Ada has held two regional cattle feedlot waste
management seminars which have produced a manual to aid in the
location of animal feeding operations, considering all envionment
factors of an area. The "Animal Feedlot Site Selection for Environ-
mental Protection'1 manual is now available from the Government
Printing Office and at the Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research
Laboratory, Ada, Oklahoma.
\
The staff is also preparing a design manual for beef cattle waste
management to be available early in 1973.
CONTRACT RESEARCH
4. "State-of-the-Art Animal Wastes" (14-12-88)
Contractor: Dr. Raymond C. Loehr
Location: Lawrence, Kansas
Start Date: 1967 Completion Date: 1968
This contract resulted in a state-of-the-art paper on animal wastes.
It described the characteristics of the wastes, both physical and
chemical. It also revealed many areas of needed research in the
animal wastes field.
\
This report, entitled "Pollution Implications of Animal Wastes—A
Forward Oriented Review," has received wide distribution and is
now available from the Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research
Laboratory at Ada, Oklahoma.
17
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GRANT RESEARCH
5. "Characteristics of Wastes from Cattle Feedlots in the Southwest"
(13040 DEM)
Grantee: Texas Tech University
Water Resources Center
Lubbock, Texas
Project Site: Lubbock Texas
Start Date: 1969 Completion Date: 1970
This project was designed to determine the characteristics of wastes
from southwestern cattle feedlots, to evaluate waste control and re-
moval techniques and to develop criteria for the design and operation
of feedlots to minimize water pollution.
The study produced information indicating that the quantity of waste
could be reduced by 50 percent by reducing the roughage from
12 percent to five percent. It also indicated that sloping concrete
pens could be designed to self clean by hoof action of the cattle.
The final report, entitled "Characteristics of Wastes from Southwestern
Cattle Feedlots," is available from the Government Printing Office,
Washington, D.C., Water Pollution Control Research Series, 13040
DEM. Limited copies are also available at the Kerr Laboratory.
6. "Demonstration and Development of Facilities for the Treatment
and Ultimate Disposal of Cattle Feedlot Wastes" (13040 DAT)
Grantee: Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas
Project Site: Pratt Feedlot, Inc.
Pratt, Kansas
Start Date: 1969 Completion Date: 1973
The objectives of this project were to determine optimum loading rates
for the land disposal of both solid and liquid feedlot wastes in relation
to the effect on soils, crops, and runoff water from the disposal area.
The preliminary results have revealed an excessive amount of salt in
18
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the soil beneath some of the plots. The study is bracketing the maxi-
mum amounts of manure and runoff that can safely be applied to the
soil.
7. "Animal Waste Management—Demonstration of Feasible Handling
and Treatment Processes" (13040 DDG)
Grantee: Cornell University
Ithaca, New York
Project Site: Ithaca, New York
The objective of this study was to design, construct and demonstrate
the applicability of a treatment system, based upon laboratory results,
for the removal of organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, and color
from poultry and dairy cattle wastewater. The facilities developed in
Phase I of this project are being used to evaluate other treatment
systems.
The Phase I report is available from the Government Printing Office,
Washington, B.C., Water Pollution Control Research Series, 13040 DDG.
8. "Closed System Waste Management for Livestock" (13040 DKP)
Grantee: Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan
Project Site: East Lansing, Michigan
Start Date: 1970 Completion Date: 1971
The main objective of this study was to determine the necessary
engineering design parameters for a self-contained, automated animal
waste management system for cattle and swine wastes. The study pro-
duced a very effective method of separation of the solid and liquid
fractions of the wastes by using a vibrating screen.
The final report of this project is available from the Government
Printing Office, Washington, D.C., Water Pollution Control Research
Series, 13040 DKP.
19
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9. "The Utilization/Disposal of Cattle Feedlot Wastes by Pyrolysis"
(13040 EGH)
Grantee: Midwest Research Institute
Kansas City, Missouri
Project Site: Kansas City, Kansas
Start Date: 1970 Completion Date: 1971
This project evaluated the technical and economic feasibility of
pyrolysis as a method of cattle feedlot waste utilization and disposal.
The results indicated that the system is technically feasible, although
considerable study of the engineering problems of the system is
needed. However, the economic study indicated the process was
unfeasible at the time.
The final report is available from the Government Printing Office,
Washington, D.C., Water Pollution Control Research Series, 13040 EGH.
10. "Automated System for Water Pollution Control from an Animal
Production Unit" (13040 EOL)
Grantee: Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio
Project Site: Botkins, Ohio
Start Date: 1970 Completion Date: 1973
The objectives of the project are to develop and demonstrate an auto-
mated oxidation ditch treatment of hog wastes with recirculation of
effluent for flushing water. The system will provide design informa-
tion for other less elaborate systems.
11. "Abstract Service on Animal Waste Technical Literature"
(13040 FUU)
Grantee: Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa
Project Site: Ames, Iowa
Start Date: 1969 Completion Date: 1972
The abstract service was established to provide a reference library
of technical articles concerned with water pollution from animal
20
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wastes. The library is located at the Robert S. Kerr Environmental
Research Laboratory. The abstracts will be published annually by
the Water Resources Scientific Information Center.
12. "Demonstration of a Waste Treatment System for Confined Hog-
Raising Operations" (13040 EVM)
Grantee: Schuster Farms
Gower, Missouri
Project Site: Gower, Missouri
Start Date: 1970 Completion Date: 1972
This project demonstrated how a collection, aeration treatment, and
land disposal system could be designed and constructed for an exist-
ing 800 head confined hog-feeding operation. The system has
operated very successfully to date and has proven that additional
treatment prior to disposal is feasible.
13. "Swine Waste Treatment System Using a Rotating Biological
Contactor" (13040 ERR)
Grantee: Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa
Project Site: Ames, Iowa
Start Date: 1971 Completion Date: 1972
The project is demonstrating and evaluating the use of a lagoon system
plus the addition of a rotating biological contactor for the treatment of
swine waste. The water from the contactor is recycled and used in a
flush system in the swine houses. The system has worked very satis-
factorily to date.
14. "Evaluation of Beef Feedlot Waste Management Alternatives"
(13040 FXG)
Grantee: Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, Oklahoma
Project Site: Stillwater, Oklahoma
Start Date: 1970 Completion Date: 1971
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This grant project involved visiting and studying the waste manage-
ment of a great number of feedlots located in all parts of the United
States. The report compares, from both an economical and a technical
viewpoint, the current waste management alternatives being used by
the feedlots visited. The systems were evaluated on the basis of the
feedlot design, the topography at the location, local climate, and other
environmental variables.
The report is complete and is available from the Government Printing
Office, Washington, B.C., Water Pollution Control Research Series,
13040 FXG..
15. "Soil Modification for the Denitrification and Phosphate Reduction
of Feedlot Wastes" (13040 FYK)
Grantee: Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan
Project Site: East Lansing, Michigan
Start Date: 1971 Completion Date: 1973
This research project is to evaluate the potential of the soil as a treat-
ment system for the removal of nitrogen and phosphate from both dairy
and swine wastes. The system consists of a plastic barrier placed six
feet below the soil surface with drain lines located two feet above the
barrier. Liquid waste, applied to the surface, moves downward through
the soil and is recovered from the drain lines.
16. "Design Criteria for Swine Waste Treatment System" (13040 GDD)
Grantee: North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina
Project Site: Raleigh, North Carolina
Start Date: 1971 Completion Date: 1973
The project is to provide specific design data for anaerobic lagoons
in the Southeast. The lagoon systems being investigated are single
cell lagoons, series lagoons, and aerated lagoons. The effluent from
these systems will be distributed on land for final disposal.
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17. "Waste Treatment Facilities Demonstration" (13040 FTX)
Grantee: Union Stockyards Company
West Fargo, North Dakota
Project Site: West Fargo, North Dakota
Start Date: 1970 Completion Date: 1972
The objective of this study was to evaluate stabilization ponds for the
treatment of stockyard wastes. These wastes were generated from
the pens, the alleys, and the truck-cleaning operations.
The final report from this project is available from the Government
Printing Office, Washington, D.C., Water Pollution Control Research
Series, 13040 FTX.
18. Proceedings for "Conference on the Role of Agriculture in Clean
Water" (13040 EYK)
Grantee: Iowa State University
This grant supported the publication of the proceedings of the confer-
ence . The proceedings are available from the Government Printing
Office, Washington, D.C., Water Pollution Control Research Series,
13040 EYX, and from Iowa State University Press, Ames, Iowa.
19. "Pollution Abatement from Cattle Feedlots in Northeastern
Colorado and Eastern Nebraska" (13040 DPS)
Grantee: Agricultural Research Service, USDA
Project Site: Fort Collins, Colorado, and Lincoln, Nebraska
Start Date: 1970 Completion Date: 1973
This joint effort was conceived to investigate the extent and kinds of
pollutants generated and released from a feedlot. Total moisture and
nutrient balances are being measured on several feedlots to determine
the fate of the pollutants. Extensive core sampling below the feedlot
surface has indicated very little movement of pollutants below the
feedlot if a manure pack is established and not disturbed; however,
if the lot is abandoned serious problems are encountered. Studies
have also been made to determine the amount and extent of airborne
pollutants.
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20. "A Method for Dissemination of Animal Waste Management Technical
Information" (801454)
Grantee: East Central State College, Ada, Oklahoma
Start Date: 1972 Completion Date: 1973
The project is to gather published material related to management
and pollution control of livestock, poultry and fish wastes, to abstract
this material, and to make it available to potential users. Abstracts
will be submitted to the Water Resources Scientific Information
Center (WRSIC) and will be published in Selected Water Resources
Abstracts. In addition, a bibliography of all abstracted material will
be published by EPA yearly. The entire file of data will be available
through the grantee and the Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research
Laboratory.
21. "Conversion of Cattle Feedlot Waste to Ammonia Synthesis Gas"
(801065)
Grantee: Texas Tech University
Start Date: 1972 Completion Date: 1973
This project will determine the technical and economic feasibility
of abating cattle feedlot pollution by converting cattle manure into
synthesis gas to be used for subsequent ammonia production. The
study will determine the design values for the following parameters:
(1) heat of combustion, (2) composition, (3) moisture content, (4) heat
capacity data, (5) projected equilibrium yields. The data obtained from
these investigations will be used to formulate process design informa-
tion for a pilot scale operation.
22. "Feedlots/Affected/Environment/Ration/Animal Management"
(800302)
Grantee: Gulf Coast Development Corporation
Bay St. Louis, Mississippi
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This project is designed to demonstrate the effect of (1) feed
roughage concentration, (2) confinement housing facility type, and
(3) animal density, on waste management systems, costs, and beef
cattle feed/gain efficiencies.
The project will require 24 months of continuous operation and
be conducted in three phases with repeated feed cycles, as outlined
above. Three different waste management schemes will be evaluated
in each phase, based on (1) wastes mixed with rainfall runoff, (2)
slurry wastes from slotted and paved floors, and (3) solid wastes.
23. "Liquid Aerobic Compositing of Cattle Waste and Evaluation of
By-products" (S-801647)
Grantee: Chino Basin Municipal Water District
Chino, California
The primary objective of the project is to demonstrate the techni-
cal and economic feasibility of treating livestock wastes by means of a
sequential thermophilic-mesophilic aerobic stabilization process to
produce (1) an innocuous, settleable humus with ion-sequestering
ability suitable as a soil conditioner, and (2) a nearly odor-free,
pathogen-free supernatant usable for irrigation or flushing.
The digestions will be carried out in bench scale vessels with
fresh wastes collected and processed on-site. Process parameters
needed for construction of a mathematical model will be measured and
a usable computer model of the process will be attempted. In addi-
tion , the amount of heat generated by the process will be measured to
determine if it is self-sustaining. From the bench scale experiments,
design data and operating requirements for a plant capable of treat-
ing wastes from 500 head of cattle will be developed and estimates of
the economics of this system made.
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SECTION V
FUTURE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAM PLANS AND OBJECTIVES
Based on the need statements, the current status and future trends in
the animal feeding industry and the public environmental awareness,
the major emphasis in the National Animal Feedlot Waste Research
Program are divided into six areas of concern:
I. Development and Demonstration of Reprocessing
and Reuse Systems for Animal Wastes.
II. Demonstration of Land Disposal/Treatment
Concepts for Animal Wastes from Small Operations.
Ill. Development and Demonstration Measures to
Control Ancillary Pollutants from Animal Feedlots.
IV. Identification of, Impact of, and Control
Techniques for. Pollutants from Certain Animal
Feeding Enterprises.
V. Development and Demonstration of Animal
Management Concepts which Minimize Pollution
Source Problems.
VI. Information and Guidelines Governing Animal
Wastes.
Each of these major areas will be discussed in detail as follows:
I. Reprocessing and Reuse Systems for Animal Wastes.
Recent trends in the animal feeding industry and the increasing pub-
lic concern about the environment suggest that waste control systems
should adapt themselves to the closed-loop principle, including the
recovery or reuse of the wastes produced. In many cases the concept
of land disposal is not satisfactory for the larger feeding enterprises.
Moreover, as the urban population moves into the previously rural
26
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areas, waste disposal becomes critical in determining the survival of
animal production operations in their present locations. As examples,
some possible research projects are listed below. This list is by no
means complete or final.
A. Develop and demonstrate economically feasible processes for
manufacture of feeds or feed additives from animal excreta.
B. For each excreta-derived feed product, determine metabolic
balance, daily requirement, and palatability for each possible
consumer animal species.
C. Research and demonstrate economic processes for conversion
of animal waste into oil and/or gas for replacement of fossil fuel
sources.
II. Land Disposal and/or Treatment Concepts for Animal Wastes from
Small Operations.
Even though the trend in the feeding industry is to larger production
units, the smaller units outnumber them by a ratio of about 7 to 1.
These small units have the same pollution problems as the large
operations but in many cases cannot economically afford the same
control systems. The objectives of this planning unit are to develop
and demonstrate an array of waste control systems that will satisfy
the needs of the smaller production units. Three possible projects
in this category are listed; additional concepts are solicited.
A. Demonstrate and evaluate the spray runoff treatment system
under diverse climatic conditions and for wastes from various
types of production units.
B. Demonstrate and evaluate containment, stabilization, and
land disposal of all wastes generated from small operations in
cold climates and high rainfall areas. Projects of this type might
consider modification of concepts in use today on larger opera-
tions to meet the needs of the small operators both in terms of
size of facilities and the economics of the system.
27
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C. Demonstrate and evaluate the barriered land filter treatment
system for treatment of animal wastes. Variations of this system
can be used with both liquid and slurry wastes.
Ill. Develop Measures to Control Ancillary Pollutants from Animal
Feedlots.
The modern rations now being used by animal feeders include growth
hormones, antibiotics, and heavy metals. Portions of these additives,
their breakdown products, and/or their matabolites are excreted by
the livestock. The control and treatment of these substances is
necessary to insure safe reuse of the waste. Other nuisances such as
dust, odors, and vectors must also be controlled in order to insure
complete environmental harmony between the animal feedlots and the
surrounding neighborhood.
A partial list of possible projects is given below..
A. Determine minimum required intake rates of all non-nutri-
tional substances presently used or contemplated for use in
animal feeding operations including growth promoters, anti-
biotics, salts, pesticides, etc.
B. Determine buildup rates of growth promoters, antibiotics,
salts, and pesticides in soils used for disposal and establish
levels at which these substances become inimical to soil
microorganisms, animals and aquatic life.
C. For the various facility designs of each branch of the
animal feeding industry, develop and demonstrate dust and
odor control techniques applicable to diverse climatic condi-
tions.
IV. Identify Impact of and Control Techniques for Pollutants from
Certain Animal Feeding Enterprises.
Pollution problems encountered when starting a new feeding operation
and when abandoning a feedlot are very different from those of an
28
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operational feedlot. A second important problem is that of minimizing
pollution from an unused or abandoned feedlot site. The slow release
of pollutants from runoff and decay may require control or renovation
measures, e.g. plowdown and crop planting, maintenance of detention
and treatment structures, etc. At present, neither the extent of the
problem nor the efficiency of the proposed control methods has been
quantified. A third problem specific to animal producers in northern
climates is that of control and disposal of snowmelt runoff. Characteri-
zation of runoff under some snowmelt conditions has been accomplished;
however, techniques for its containment and disposal have yet to be
developed.
As examples, some of the possible projects are listed below. This list
is by no means complete or final.
A. Characterize pollutants and develop and demonstrate control
methods for runoff resulting from snowmelt and frozen surface
conditions from feedlots in several areas of the northern United
States.
B. Characterize pollutants, develop and demonstrate control
methods for rainfall runoff and water infiltrating the feedlot
surface from both new feedlots and abandoned feeding facilities
at various locations in the established feeding areas.
V. Cattle Management Concepts which Minimize Pollution Source
Problems.
Animal producers have continually been trying, with the help of
universities, to develop new facilities and feed rations. Some of these
developments have incorporated unique feed and waste handling tech-
niques . This planning unit will attempt to evaluate these present
ideas and develop and demonstrate other new and unique facilities,
feed rations, animal manipulation methods, feed distribution systems,
manure removal methods, and nuisance control methods.
29
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One example of a project for this unit might include a complete field
station for the development of the techniques described above. A
second approach to this plan would be to evaluate these systems at
existing facilities in feeding areas of the United States.
VI. Dissemination of Information and Guidelines Governing Animal
Wastes.
A crucial need is a comprehensive system for compilation and dissemi-
nation of animal waste management information for use by federal,
state, and private institutions as well as individual animal producers.
A complete library of the abstracts of all recent animal waste literature
has been established at the Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research
Laboratory, Ada, Oklahoma; this collection is continually updated. It
is anticipated that these files will be put on microfilm in the near
future and will hence be more useful to the entire industry.
The scope of future projects in this area will include the following:
A. National seminars for animal wastes control and management
concepts.
B. Establishment of mass media dissemination of current wastes
management or control methods by means of spot radio and tele-
vision broadcasts, periodic newsletters, and other printed
material.
C. Development of wastes management manuals for each species
of animal to disseminate current environment protecting wastes
control and management practices. These must be updated
biennially.
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FIGURE 3 -
NATIONAL ANIMAL FEEDLOT WASTES RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Goals and Milestones
Produce Waste Management Manuals and Guidelines for
All Animal Production Systems - Update When Necessary
State-of-the-Art
Define Nature and
Extent of Problems
Research Needs for
Technological and
Institutional
Requirements
Existing
Systems
Organize Needs
and Fund Studies
in Major Problem
Areas
Characterization of Animal
Feedlot Wastes
Detailed Study of Present Systems
Being Used in the Industry for
Pollution Control
Develop Methods of Containing
Stormwater Runoff from Animal
Wastes
Develop Land Disposal Criteria
for Liquid and Solid Animal
Wastes
Demonstrate Control
Methods for Existing
Animal Feedlots
Develop Physical, Chemical and
Biological Treatment Systems
for Animal Wastes
Future
Systems
Demonstrate Treatment
Systems for Future
Animal Production
Develop Waste Handling Systems for
New Confinement Methods of
Animal Production
Implement
Control Program
Demonstrate Recycle
Processes
Develop Reuse/Recycle of Animal
Waste Through by Product Recovery and
Refeeding Investigations
FY 1972
FY 1972-1977
6 years
FY 1974-1978
FY 1978-1980
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SECTION VI
REFERENCES
1. Cattle on Feed, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Statistical
Reporting Service (Jan. 1969)
2. Number of Fed Cattle Marketed in Major Feeding States. Quarterly
Report Prepared by Crop Reporting Board, Statistical Reporting
Service, USDA (1960-1970) .
3. Agricultural Statistics. U.S. Department of Agriculture (1968) .
4. U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Pollution
Caused Fish Kills in 1964, PHS Pub. No. 847 (1965) .
5. U.S. Department of the Interior, Pollution-Caused Fish Kills in
1965, WP-12, FWPCA (1966) .
6. Kansas Forestry, Fish, and Game Commission (1967) .
7. Smith, S. M., and Miner, J. R., "Stream Pollution from Feedlot
Runoff," Trans. 14th Ann. Conf. on San. Engr., Univ. of
Kansas, pp. 18-25 (1964) .
8. Kreis, R. D., M. R. Scalf, and J. F. McNabb, Characteristics of
Rainfall Runoff from a Beef Cattle Feedlot, Environmental Protec-
tion Agency, Environmental Protection Technology Series,
EPA-R2-72-061 (September 1972) .
9. Duffer, W. R., R. D. Kreis, and C. C. Harlin, Effects of Feedlot
Runoff on Water Quality of Impoundments, Environmental Pro-
tection Agency, Water Pollution Control Research Series, Report
No. 16080GGP07/71 (1971).
10. Federal Water Pollution Control Administration, Report on
Pollution of the Navigable Water of Moriches Bay and Eastern
Section of Great South Bay, Long Island, New York. Metuchen,
New Jersey (Sept. 1964).
11. Oglesby, W. C ., "Bovine Salmonellosis in a Feedlot Operation,"
Vet. Med/Small Animal Clin., 59, pp. 173-174 (1964) .
12. Gibson, E. A., "Salmonellosis in Cattle," Agriculture, 73, pp.
213-216 (1966) .
13. Gibson, E. A., "Disposal of Farm Effluent—Animal Health,"
Agriculture, 74. pp. 183-192 (1967) .
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14. Hibbs, C. M., andFoltz, V. D., "Bovine Salmonellosis Associated
with Contaminated Creek Water and Human Infection," Vet.
Med/Small Animal Clin., 59, pp. 1153-1155 (1964) .
15. Scalf, M. R., Duffer, W. R., and Kreis, R. D., "Characteristics
and Effects of Cattle Feedlot Runoff," Trans. 25th Ann. Ind.
Waste Conf., Purdue Univ., pp. 855-864 (May 1970) .
r U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1973— 51
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SELECTED WATER
RESOURCES ABSTRACTS
INPUT TRANSACTION FORM
1. Report No.
w
4. Title
NATIONAL ANIMAL FEEDLOT WASTES RESEARCH PROGRAM,
S. Report Date
6.
7. Author(s)
Shuyler, L. R.
9. Organization
Environmental Protection Agency
Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research Laboratory
Ada, Oklahoma
Eva - - — - . -, ._ -._---_
12. Sponsoring Oiganination ''•"'•.' -' " .
5. $upi;lemenlsry Notes
Environmental Protection Agency report
number EPA-R2-73-157, February 1973.
8. £ rformju^ Organization
Report No.
Pi-j,i--c- No
13040 GJU
13. Type --•£ Repoi; and
Period Covered
16. Abstract
The status of the National Animal Feedlot Wastes Research Program is
presented. Current research projects and future program development are
discussed. Research and investigations are needed to evaluate the effectiveness
of potential treatment and control measures. Examples of such projects are
presented. Demonstrations and educational activities will be required to
provide widespread acceptance of new concepts.
The future plans of the program are presented on a PERT diagram. The
time frame for the PERT diagram is dependent on funding and may be adjusted
slightly in the future.
17a. Descriptors
*Feedlots, *Animals, *Wastes, Water quality control, Pollution abatement, Planning
17b. Identifiers
*National research program, *Animal feedlot wastes, Agricultural waste water
17c. COWRR Field & Group 05G
18. Availability
SB., SeturityCl&
(Page)
H, No. of
Pages
•*
Send To:
WATER RESOURCES SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION CENTER
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
WASHINGTON. D. C. 2O24O
Abstractor
Institution
WRSIC 1O2 (REV JUNE I37T,
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