Title: Factors affecting phosphorus exports from sites irrigated with abattoir wastewater

Authors: David Nash, Craig Butler

Addresses: Future Farming Systems Research Division, Department of Primary Industries, 1301 Hazeldean Road, Ellinbank, 3821 Victoria, Australia. ' Future Farming Systems Research Division, Department of Primary Industries, 1301 Hazeldean Road, Ellinbank, 3821 Victoria, Australia

Abstract: Abattoir wastewaters often contain significant quantities of phosphorus, inorganic salts, nitrogen and biodegradable organic materials. The nutrients in abattoir wastewaters are potentially useful for plant production and in many countries the application of abattoir wastewaters to land is considered a preferable option to other forms of treatment. In this paper we investigate the factors that affect the sources, mobilisation and transport of phosphorus from sites irrigated with abattoir or similar wastewaters and conclude that it is the interaction between the wastewater and the soil properties that determines if phosphorus exports from sites irrigated with abattoir wastewater are excessive.

Keywords: slaughterhouses; abattoirs; soil properties; phosphorus exports; abattoir wastewater; irrigation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEE.2011.037872

International Journal of Environmental Engineering, 2011 Vol.3 No.1, pp.18 - 47

Published online: 25 Apr 2015 *

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