How to determine setback limits for Manure piles and aquatic systems.
In this section we will explore hypothetical solutions to solving setback limits
Note: This is a theoretical analysis not a scientific study.
Some of the definitions and equations were created for the purpose of this presentation.
If you have any questions or answers to any questions please contact me G.J.LeBlanc BSc.Ed.
Email:webmster@yarmouth.org   subject mink.   (Return to Home Page)

 |  Biodegradibility: |Eutrification  |  Groundwater  |  Watershed area  |  Setback Formula | 

Ecological Concepts ................................................

Biodegradability

If you were to be asked if it were better that something be biodegradable or non biodegradable, you would probably choose the latter.  In some cases you would be correct but in others very wrong.  Example;  If I dumped a million clean non biodegradable glass bottles into the town water system it would have very little, if any, effect on the quality of that water.  An equal amount of biodegradable material, be it plastic, manure or what ever would have a catastrophic effect.  A manure pile that does not rot does not pollute.  But manure rots, it is biodegradable, and when it is gone and rotted away, it now has the biggest potentially negative effect.  Out of sight out of mind but not necessary out of danger.  The latest trend to manufacture biodegradable plastic and other materials will help to reduce levels at land fills but the material does not disappear it goes into the food chains. 

Degrees of pollution.

Kenny, a friend of mine, threw a sandwich out his car window that would have provide some crow with it's daily supply of nutrition, but he was caught by the RCMP and fined several hundred dollars.  Ecological speaking what he did helped out the ecosystem but he did break a law and was justly fined.  However their are very serious situations where aquatic systems are being destroyed and very little is done to correct the situation.

It is helpful to view pollution in degrees thereof.  The model of Gaia looks at  the planet as a living entity.   Mother Nature is a concept that helps us to grasp the importance of a harmonized interaction between us and our biosphere.  Common since tells us that if ecosystems are dying something is wrong.  There are however degrees of severity.  A ton of nutrients may kill a lake but a smaller amount may benefit the lake.

Though not a conventional method of comparison, the following will help somewhat to categorize degrees of pollution.
1st degree burns; Minor invasion.  A discharged pop bottle.
2st degree burns:  Excess nutrients such as fertilizers that, if not kept under control , can cause eutrification and the death of an aquatic system
3st degree burns:  Materials such as mercury, radioactive materials, some pharmaceuticals, "DDT" and many others, that enter the tissue of organisms and become concentrated as they are recycled through the food chain.

Eutrophication is a process that results from accumulation of nutrients in lakes or other water bodies. Eutrophication is a natural process, but can be greatly accelerated by human activities that increase the rate at which nutrients enter the water.

Algae growth is limited by the available supply of phosphorus or nitrogen, so if excessive amounts of these nutrients are added to the water, algae and aquatic plants can grow in large quantities. When these algae die, they are decomposed by bacteria, which use dissolved oxygen. This process is called "eutrophication." Dissolved oxygen concentrations can drop too low for fish to breathe, leading to fish kills. Excessive amounts of algae grow into scum on the water surface, decreasing recreational value and clogging water-intake pipes. Rapid decomposition of dense algae scums with associated organisms can give rise to foul odors. 
Source:(http://sevenhillslake.com/technical.html)




Ecosystems, Watersheds and Aquifers
Groundwater:

Groundwater comes from rain, snow, sleet, and hail that soaks into the ground. Nutrients on the surface that disolve in water become part of the groundwater and it's water table. When A water s
http://www.groundwater.org/kc/whatis.html

Protection of groundwater is of extreme importance because once contminated it make take many decades to clear and it will gradually or quickly spread within the watedshed area.  Goundwater (where we have our wells) and surface water (lakes, rivers, streams marshes etc) interact  with each other.

Groundwater and surface water are connected. This type of contamination can occur if a stream, lake, or wetland is higher than an adjacent aquifer to which it "loses" water. Rainfall or snowmelt can also seep through contaminated soil, carrying pollutants to aquifers below.(source:Groundwater: Myths and Facts?)
 

A watershed is a basin-like landform defined by highpoints and ridgelines that descend into lower elevations and stream valleys. A watershed carries water "shed" from the land after rain falls and snow melts. Drop by drop, water is channeled into soils, groundwaters, creeks, and streams, making its way to larger rivers and eventually the sea. Water is a universal solvent, affected by all that it comes in contact with: the land it traverses, and the soils through which it travels. The important thing about watersheds is: what we do on the land affects water quality for all communities living downstream.(source)




 


Setback Formula

Question:  How far do you have to be from an explosion to be safe ?
Answer:    How big is the explosion?
Some factors of ecological concern:  E-coli, Phosphorus, Nitrogen, anti-biotics, hormones,  ..................
We will examine one of these:  Phosphorus
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful , committed people can change the world. - Margaret Mead"
Simple formula to determine setback distance. = If a water system is green with toxic algae, it is obvious whatever  setback limits or anti-pollution steps were taken, they were inadequate.  Conclusion... .Correct situation pronto.

What is the importance of  Phosphorus in water pollution, as an indicator and as a contributor .

The fecal component of manure if buried as in a septic system if a proper disposal bed destroys that component before it exits the system. a setback of 100 ft -400 ft seams to purify the fecal component of the waste*1  Surface waste piles may respond differently.

Chemicals &  fertilizers containing phosphate can cause algae blooms in the absence of coliform therefore phosphate levels are also a valuable indicator of environmental health.

 *1
http://www.sdw-eps.gc.ca/rprt/vlm2/wlls_e.asp
Wells must be at least 100 feet from any probable source of contamination, such as a privy vault, cesspool, manure heap, stable or pigsty, and at least 20 feet from any dwelling house, and at least 400 feet from any cemetery or dumping ground (subject to exceptions)
http://www.rappmonitor.va.nacdnet.org/intro.htm
 * Measures of fecal coliform are used to indicate possible sewage contamination as fecal coliforms are found in animal and human feces. * Fecal coliform bacteria are not harmful themselves, but they indicate the possible presence of disease causing bacteria, viruses and protozoan that live in digestive tracts.  * They can also cause unpleasant odors, cloudy water and increase oxygen demand.

1. Element or material causing problem
Their are many minerals that can cause problems in aquatic systems. The most important is the one that is in the least supply, this is referred to as the limiting factor.  Since blue-green algae are nitrogen fixing organisms, phosphorus is their limiting factor, and it is an element that they need for growth. 
  

2. Type of  waste compost. 

Cattle, Pigs, Chicken, Mink.....Diet of live stock determines the type of waste and there are difference in the same species in different locations. . 

Phosphorus is a principal element that results in algae growth.  It is a limiting factor that once added to the system can result in algae growth 500*1 times it's own weight.

Manure Nutrient Content*2 for Various Livestock Species
Pounds per ton of phosphorus.  *Based on averages form a variety of sources. Actual farm values may vary greatly.

Mp= Factor related to amount P in manure  Let's say Range 0 to 10 with mink at range of 5 cows at 0.4

Therefore the distance removed from water source depends to some extent on the type of manure. 
 

 *1source
http://www.serc.com/phosphorus/fact.html
Phosphorus is the nutrient that “limits” (is most essential to) aquatic plant growth. This means that, if aquatic plants, such as algae, have excess phosphorus to adsorb, they can grow out of control.
* One pound of phosphorus can result in the growth 350-700 lbs. of green algae.
* Algal blooms and excessive submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) growth can lead to the biological death, or eutrophication, of a body of fresh water.
* Blooms of blue-green algae produce neurotoxins (affecting the nervous system) and hepatoxins (affecting the liver), and can cause a serious public health problem as well as damage aquatic habitats.
* On the economic side, excessive SAV and algal growth due to phosphorus pollution increases water treatment costs, degrades fishing and boating activities, and impacts tourism and property values.(1)
* Phosphorus pollution needs to be remediated 70-90% before a lake can recover from eutrophication.(2)
*2  http://gis.lrs.uoguelph.ca/AgriEnvArchives/bioenergy/facts.html#Composition
Phosphorus is expressed as phosphate equivalent in lbs/ton (kg/tonne)

3. Amount of waste compost. (X Bomb)

If a meteorite hits the earth, the point source, or impact point is more or less the centre of  the creator left behind.   When an pollution hits the earth a similar crater is created. 

A meteor leaves a physical hole while an X Bomb creates and *ecological hole(EH) not just a foot print but rather an **ecological stomp.   The magnitude on the impact is a factor related to the amount of waste, type of waste, accumulation over time. 

The effect of the stomp is determined by of the ability of the ecosystem to absorb the impact, which in turn is dependent on a multitude of factors of which setback distance is one.

The ability of "Spaceship Earth" to repair this ecological hole 
is determined by of the ability of that ecosystem to process the impact (ecological resistance ER), which in turn is dependent on a multitude of factors including human intervention . Some areas have a high 

The ER of an aquatic system to phosphorus impact is low, that is the system has a difficult time to safely incorporate it,
while grassy meadows ability to utilize the mineral in a safe way is relatively high.
 

Hypothetical scale for an ecosystem to absorb phosphorus (ecological resistance or ability to utilize phosphates ERP)


The following formula 
( EH = (MP x MX)/ERP  ) 
can be used to compare the effect manure on an ecosystem .  We see (calculations in right column) that aquatic systems are much more sensitive to pollution from mink manure than cow manure, at least with respect to phosphorus levels. The pollution units (Pu) of 500 for mink and 40 for cow 

We also see that mink manure is a much more valuable a commodity as a fertilizer.   Providing more  phosphorus than cow manure. 


Terms
* Ecological Hole:  When a section of the biosphere is no longer able to live up to it's ecological potential. 
**Ecological Stomp:  Footprint is a measure of demand we place on the biosphere  while stomp represents a serious blow to it's survival. 
 X Bomb = The collision of  substance X (chemical, biological etc.) with an ecosystem.   P Bomb = Phosphors  S=Manure  X=whatever and so on.
Causes of Non-Point Source Water Pollution in BC
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wat/wq/bmps/npsaction.html#causes
The more contaminants in water, the greater the risk to humans, fish, and animals. Even small amounts of contaminants in small amounts of runoff result in cumulative effects over an entire watershed and, building up over time, can have a significant impact. Locating the sources of pollution and removing contaminants before they reach the water provides the best assurance of clean water in the future.
There are no ecosystems just one biosphere
Canadian Water Advisory Map - 9/5/09
Boil Water Advisories

http://www.water.ca/wkd-91209.asp

Water can process the impact of a meteorite much more easily then a hit from an Poo Bomb.
 
Hypothetical formula

EH = (MP x MX)/ERP
The following are some possible comparisons.

Mink Manure in grassland ecosystem 
EH = (50lb/ton x 20tons) /8 = 125 
Mink Manure in Aquatic ecosystem
EH = (50lb/ton x 20tons) /2 = 500 

Cow Manure in grassland ecosystem 
EH = (4lb/ton x 20tons) /8 = 10
Cow Manure in aquatic ecosystem 
EH = (4lb/ton x 20tons) /2 = 40
 

Must visit site for information 
on Canadian Pollution Policies

Environment Canada Site Map

"Sometimes nature itself can produce these imbalances. 
Often our waterways are being polluted by municipal, agricultural and industrial wastes, including many toxic synthetic chemicals which cannot be broken down at all by natural processes. Even in tiny amounts, some of these substances can cause serious harm."

Setback distance

Area for absorption on compost nutrients into soil

It is obvious that the greater the setback distance the less likely material will enter water systems.  What may not be as obvious is that a doubling of distance results in a quadrupling of area from the centre to the perimeter.  We are not just dealing with surface are but depth of soil.  See calculations to the right.  Go to link for making more calculations.
 

Conclusion:   The greater the setback distance the greater the ability of the substrate to absorb nutrients.   However the storage area is finite and eventually even under ideal conditions the limits will exceed the holding capacity and leaching into aquatic ecosystem will occur.


In the real world runoff, streams and subterranean water movement will greatly effect the rate at which nutrients are transferred to aquatic systems.  So ultimately we are faced with determining how much nutrients a system can process before these nutrients become pollutants.

Ecosystems need nutrients and can process within limits, but there comes a point (Tipping Point ) where we get to much of a good thing and the effects can be far reaching and long lived.

***Very Important Document***
WATER QUALITY SURVEY OF NINE LAKES
(Copy Pdf Format)

 		 Area in relations to setback distance (area of circle)

Answer: 1 acre = 0.404685 hec
Answer: 1 hec = 2.47105 acre http://www.metric-conversions.org/area/acres-to-hectares.htm

volume = (Pi * h2 * r) - (Pi * h3 / 3)  (source + calculator) 

If we assume that the soil depth is30 feet

Volume of  100 foot circle   =     254,469  cubic feet
Volume of  325 foot circle   =     890,641  cubic feet
Volume of  500 foot circle   =   1,385,442 cubic feet 

Volume of  5000 foot circle = 14,108,892  cubic feet
***Very Important Document***
A WATER QUALITY SURVEY OF NINE LAKES IN THE CARLETON RIVER WATERSHED AREA YARMOUTH COUNTY, NOVA SCOTIA
The Carleton River is in the Southern Upland region of the
province, draining approximately 200 km 2 of watershed, and contains nearly 100 lakes.
Prepared by Water & Wastewater Branch Nova Scotia Environment  Darrell Taylor Project Lead March 18, 2009  (Copy Pdf Format)
Personal Rant................
In the course of discussion over the past few months the impression was given that it would be very difficult to solve the algae problem in the Carleton because the point source could not be located.  Using this as a reason for inaction or misdirected action, the scientific stupidity of this statement, is one of the things that has irked me.   A Point Source is something like the 18 inch sewage pipe that Mr. Randy Cleveland refereed to that was in the mink ranch area. It is a source that you can visibly see, which I presume has been cleaned up by now. The source of this pollution is not an enigma.  More scientifically knowledgeable individuals will not resort to this  confusing point/non-source point deception. 

Another definition - Point Source: A source, especially of pollution or radiation, occupying a very small area and having a concentrated output.  In order to detect point source radiation, that you cannot see,  you need instruments.  The same is used to pin point the source of a so called non-point source pollutant.  There are situations where locating the source of pollution is difficult,  but this is not one of them. 
How much land do we need to safely dispose of  a specific amount of manure?

The following estimations can be calculated using the amount of manure produced,  which is a bit complicated to determine or on the amount of mink producing manure.  I will chose the latter.
Source of stats in column at right.

Weight of Manure = (#of Mink  x  waste/mink/year) /2000
Wm = (M# x 44)/2000


 

Conclusion:  You cannot safely store the waste of 1,000,000 animals on a few acres of land when the waste out-put represents an amount that is suitable for spreading over 100's. of acres/yr. 

This especially cannot be done year after year or you will get what you got.....  an ecological disaster.
 

 Land plants are more sensitive to Nitrogen excess than Phosphorus.  The amount added to the soil also depends on the amount that is already there.

We cannot add more minerals to the soil than it can use otherwise it will end up in water systems.  Nutrient Removal per ton of hay Nitrogen  40 lb N,   Potassium  60 lb K 2O, Phosphate   13 lb P 2O5  (Source)
About 44 pounds of feces are excreted per mink skinned by fur farmers. Based on the total number of minks skinned in the U.S. in 1999, which was 2.81 million, mink factory farms generate approximately 62,000 tons of manure per year. One result is nearly 1,000 tons of phosphorus, which wreaks havoc in water ecosystems. (Source)
Mink manure contains about 50 lb phosphorus in 2000 lb,1 ton of manure (source )

Mink manure is part of the problem! 
Mink ranchers have to be part of the solution.


Mink stink but most of 
the farmers smell OK.
 

 
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Drill hole or insert hollow tube into soil that is able to take sub soil samples
About 44 pounds of feces are excreted per mink skinned by fur farmers. Based on the total number of minks skinned in the U.S. in 1999, which was 2.81 million, mink factory farms generate approximately 62,000 tons of manure per year. One result is nearly 1,000 tons of phosphorus, which wreaks havoc in water ecosystems.
 
 

UNDER CONSTRUCTION
 Stop here

Plant eaters excrete a different type of waste than meat eaters.   Birds are not mammals and the waste they produce is radically different in it's composition and eventual environmental impact.
4. Rate of  biological conversion of waste to plant material.

5. What effects does it have on the quality of life of the community it is in.

Topic  Settling ponds  vs  semi isolated spring fed ponds vs moving water vs salt water vs contained and controlled dispersal
6. Spring fed lack as a settling pond.
Settling ponds are often constructed to retard the migration on environmental pollutants but what happens when a natural water way becomes a settling pond. 
 

12  Manure is a valuable source of nutrients for plants growth and to simply bury it is a waste of resources.
Theoretically the manure should be to valuable to have leach away.


13. Quantitative analysis vs Quantitative comparison
14  Manure as a catalyst to carbon capture and greenhouse gas reduction.

What next?
disclosure  of  construction before construction begins

Should not allow the construction of more farms until it has been demonstrated that the operations can function with minimal environmental impact, and with respect to air and water quality.
 
 

 

 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Mink Farm in Cox’s Cove Registration Pursuant to Section 49 of
The Environmental Protection Act  (Link)
 
 
 
 
 
 

Personal notes:-----------------------

Miscellaneous Facts and Figures
ManureNet
Composition of Animal Manures
http://gis.lrs.uoguelph.ca/AgriEnvArchives/bioenergy/facts.html#Composition
Phosphorus per ton of manure: Dairy Cows  about 10 lb/ton,  Mink 40lb/ton  and interestingly pigs about 4lb/ton
Mink manure has 4 time phosphorus level as Beef
This aspect of mink manure makes it more hazardous as a potential pollutant but also more valuable as a fertilizer.


Anaerobic Digestion of Animal Wastes: Factors to Consider
http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/anaerobic.html
Outline of the cost and feasibility of  manure for fuel.  Setup is very expensive   Chicken manure not suitable.

The average dairy cow will produce 82 pounds of manure per day per 1000 pounds live weight (Table 1). Thus, a Holstein (1400 pounds) cow produces 115 pounds of manure per day or about 21 tons per year.  (S=http://www.livestocktrail.uiuc.edu/dairynet/paperDisplay.cfm?ContentID=199)

percent K x 20 x 1.2 = lbs. K2O per ton
Conversions for interpreting manure tests
Right to Farm GAAMPs refer to nutrients as P2O5 and K2O.
If the manure test reports nutrients as pounds per ton (solid manure) use the left hand column.
If the manure test reports nutrients as pounds per 1000 gallons (liquid manure) use the right hand column.
 

Conversion Factors
Solid Manure (lbs./Ton) Liquid Manure (lbs./1,000 gal)
ppm P x 0.002 x 2.3 = lbs. P2O5 per ton ppm              P x 0.00835 x 2.3 = lbs.P2O5 per 1000 gal.
ppm K x 0.002 x 1.2 = lbs. K2O per ton ppm             K x 0.00835 x 1.2 = lbs. K2O per 1000 gal.
percent P x 20 x 2.3 = lbs. P2O5 per ton percent             P x 83.5 x 2.3 = lbs. P2O5 per 1000 gal.
percent K x 20 x 1.2 = lbs. K2O per ton percent             K x 83.5 x 1.2 = lbs. K2O per 1000 gal.
Composting Livestock Manure
http://www.animalagteam.msu.edu/Portals/0/Phosphorus_conversions_for_soil_manure_tests.pdf
Calibrating Manure Spreaders

http://extension.missouri.edu/publications/DisplayPub.aspx?P=WQ213
Manure tank truck
Tank volume, gallons = 5.87 x (tank length, feet) x (tank diameter, feet) x (tank diameter, feet)
A farmer has determined by Method A that a spreader applies manure nitrogen at the rate of 170 pounds per acre for a given spreader setting and travel speed of 3.5 miles per hour. Soil tests recommend a nitrogen application rate of 120 pounds of nitrogen per acre. How should travel speed be adjusted to obtain the desired rate?

Moist manure with bedding will weigh about 55 to 60 pounds (lbs) per cubic foot. When the manure is wet enough to be a semi-solid or thick slurry then use ...
wmc.ar.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/WQ/calibrating.html - Cached - Similar
 

In the 1970's we canoed the Tusket system, and as we canoed we dipped or cups into the rivers and drank.  Now we are at a stage where it may not be safe to even swim in these waters.  For 34 years as a biology teacher I educated students on the dangers of pollution and the destruction of ecosystems, but it was always on some other part of the planet.  Now it is here in Yarmouth County Nova Scotia.

What is the proper setback limits (distance from lakes and streams etc.) for a farming operation?  Why did the warden Anthony and Mr. Fulton  believe the five hundred foot distance to be arbitrary and without validity?  Why did the environmental group believe that distance to be important?   Why do some areas have setback distances of 1000 ft?

http://www.cjls.com/news.php?ID=716