Author: Publisher: ISBN: Category : Compost Languages : en Pages : 42
Book Description
Many maintenance facilities of the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) face a decreasing availability of the conventional methods of animal mortality disposal (i.e., landfills and burial of individual mortalities) and have a need for a viable alternative. Others are interested in an alternative means of managing mortality that will save time and labor. Recent studies found that static windrow composting and in-vessel forced aeration composting systems are useful and effective means of managing animal mortality for VDOT, but more information is needed with regard to their cost and feasibility. The purpose of this study was to determine the economic value of implementing a composting program for VDOT. A survey was used to gather general information on animal mortality management from VDOTs area headquarters (AHQs). Weekly diaries were also collected from eight AHQs and two VDOT residencies over an 8-month period to gather more detailed information regarding their means of mortality management. With the use of these maintenance areas as case studies, cost models were developed that determined the costs or savings incurred from replacing the maintenance areas current means of disposal with one of three composting methods: static windrows, a rotary drum, or a forced aeration composting system. The study found that even the most expensive composting option currently available to VDOT, the forced air system, is cost-effective when there is sufficient mortality volume. Under the assumptions of the cost models, with regard to the AHQs evaluated, purchasing and operating the current forced air system and rotary drum can save VDOT up to 54,000 dollars and 36,500 dollars, respectively, within the lifetime of the vessels. Static windrows are always cost-effective when a free carbon source (i.e., woodchips from vegetative debris removal) is available. As a general rule with regard to the cost-effectiveness of composting, the start-up costs of the current forced aeration composting system should not exceed 22 times the operational savings from composting in the first year and the start-up costs of rotary drum composting should not exceed 14 times the operational savings from composting in the first year. To maximize the cost-effectiveness of composting, maintenance area superintendents who plan to use composting for animal mortality management should try to identify a no-cost carbon source; use finished compost for transportation project applications in place of purchasing comparable material; seek other maintenance areas with which to share composting facilities; and consider using static windrows whenever possible, including to supplement vessel composting during periods of high mortality. In addition, the Virginia Center for Transportation Innovation and Research should pursue the design of a forced air system with a smaller capacity and lower construction costs than the one presently in use. This would increase the cost-effectiveness of composting for AHQs that do not have a readily available no-cost carbon source; that have smaller mortality volumes; and/or for which pooling of mortality with other AHQs is infeasible. VDOT can save costs by replacing current mortality management methods with a composting alternative and adopting supportive business practices.
Author: Bridget M. Donaldson Publisher: ISBN: Category : Compost Languages : en Pages : 29
Book Description
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) removes an estimated 55,000 deer carcasses from its roadways each year at a cost of more than $4 million per year. Many VDOT maintenance facilities have a need for viable, environmentally compliant, and cost-effective carcass management strategies. Disposal challenges include a decreasing availability of conventional disposal methods, such as landfills, and a lack of viable burial areas. The purpose of this study was to evaluate two in-vessel composting systems to determine the utility of each as a carcass management option for VDOT. The systems were a rotary drum system and a forced aeration bin system (forced air system). Pilot projects were conducted to determine the utility of each system based on two factors: (1) whether the generated compost met a set of established composting criteria, including regulatory standards; and (2) whether the system performed well from an operational standpoint. A rotary drum system was installed at a VDOT maintenance facility and monitored for 163 days. The generated compost met the established pathogen destruction criteria but was inconsistent with regard to meeting the temperature and moisture criteria. The operational performance of the system was also inconsistent. The problems encountered may be preventable in future installations, but the system requires further evaluation to determine its utility as a means of animal mortality management for VDOT. It is recommended that VDOT install a smaller rotary drum system at a selected maintenance facility and evaluate its performance when the lessons learned described in this study are applied. A forced air system was installed at another VDOT maintenance facility and monitored for 274 days. The generated compost met all established compost criteria (i.e., temperature, compost maturity, and pathogen destruction), and the system performed well from an operational standpoint. This system is a useful means of animal mortality management for VDOT. It is recommended that VDOT install several additional forced air system units at maintenance areas interested in this method ofcomposting. When the savings in disposal fees and travel costs from composting mortalities in a compost vessel rather than disposing of them at a facility are taken into account, the initial investment in a compost vessel would be offset in less than 5 years for maintenance facilities with particularly long drives to a disposal facility (25 to 40 miles). This study will be followed by an in-depth study to evaluate the economics and logistics of in-vessel composting to complete the feasibility analysis of this method of animal mortality management for VDOT. A composting guidance document will also be prepared to support the implementation of animal mortality composting at VDOT maintenance facilities.
Author: Publisher: ISBN: Category : Compost Languages : en Pages : 37
Book Description
A series of studies on the effectiveness, feasibility, and costs of composting as a means of managing animal mortality removed from roadways has been conducted at the Virginia Center for Transportation Innovation and Research (VCTIR). In these studies, three composting methods were evaluated for use by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and found to be effective: static compost windrows, a forced aeration system, and a rotary drum. Successful pilot studies at VDOT maintenance facilities have led to a growing interest in adopting this method of mortality management. As plans for additional composting vessels are underway, final tests are needed in order to develop guidance on composting procedures that generate mature, or finished, compost that is suitable for road project applications. The purpose of this study was to determine the time and treatment conditions necessary for VDOT compost vessels to generate mature compost and to evaluate the suitability of this compost for potential VDOT applications. Four methods were used to assess compost maturity: temperature monitoring, the Solvita compost maturity test, plant germination and growth tests, and qualitative observations. Tests were conducted on compost generated from the rotary drum and forced aeration system and on compost subsequently transferred to curing areas. The suitability of compost for road project applications was determined by testing compost for a suite of biological, physical, and chemical properties and conducting a demonstration project at a VDOT facility. Of the compost maturity tests, temperature decline was the most conservative indicator of finished compost. As determined primarily by temperature monitoring and supported by the other maturity tests, compost generated from the forced aeration system and rotary drum should be transferred to curing areas to cure for approximately 8 to 9 weeks. Mature compost generated from these vessels met the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys compost specifications for transportation applications. It is recommended that VCTIR and VDOT incorporate the findings of this study into a guidance document for VDOT animal mortality composting.
Author: Bridget M. Donaldson Publisher: ISBN: Category : Compost Languages : en Pages : 0
Book Description
More than 48,700 deer-vehicle collisions occurred in Virginia from 2010 through 2011, the fifth highest number in all U.S. states. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is responsible for the removal and disposal of animal carcasses along the state road system. The predominant methods currently used (landfill and burial) have several costly disadvantages, including long travel distances to landfills, increasing landfill restrictions, and lack of viable burial areas. Other states have found static compost windrows to be an easy and cost-effective carcass management technique. Deer mortality static compost windrows were monitored for 1 year under conditions typical of a VDOT area maintenance headquarters facility. Windrows were analyzed for pathogen destruction and the degree to which underlying soil filtered leachate contaminants. In response to high windrow temperatures, indicator pathogens E. coli, Salmonella were reduced by 99.99% the first sampling day (Day 7) and ascarids were deemed non-viable by Day 77. Soil filtration of leachate was effective in reducing concentrations of ammonia, chloride, and total organic carbon. Nitrate, a contaminant of particular regulatory concern, had an estimated mass contaminant loss of 1.9 lb/acre, compared to the 8 to 45 lb/acre estimated loss from fertilizer application on agronomic crops in Virginia. Results from this study indicate that with properly constructed static compost windrows, (1) high temperatures destroy indicator pathogens; (2) the natural filtration of leachate through soil reduces deer mortality contaminant concentrations; and (3) the low volume of leachate from windrows results in nominal losses of nitrate and other contaminants. The study recommends that VDOT consider sharing these results with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality to discuss options for a statewide composting program. This could provide VDOT with an additional carcass management option.
Author: Bridget M. Donaldson Publisher: ISBN: Category : Animal carcasses Languages : en Pages : 41
Book Description
More than 54,000 deer-vehicle collisions occurred in Virginia from 2007 through 2008, the fifth highest number of all U.S. states, and the number of these incidents is increasing each year. Removing animal carcasses from the road and properly disposing of them is an essential service on Virginia roadways, and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) spent $4.4 million on carcass removal and disposal work in 2008. Given the magnitude of animal-vehicle collisions in Virginia, some of the carcass disposal methods available to many VDOT maintenance areas are becoming increasingly impractical. On-site burial is becoming a less viable option for many maintenance areas as rural areas become more populated and concern for environmental quality increases. Yet driving the sometimes considerable distances to reach the nearest disposal facility is greatly inefficient in terms of time and labor. Because of such limitations that can increase costs to VDOT, many maintenance areas have an urgent need for viable and cost-effective alternative carcass management strategies. The purpose of this study was to investigate and recommend cost-efficient options that address the growing problem of carcass disposal. Carcass management methods investigated included on-site burial, disposal facilities, contracts for removal and disposal, incineration units, and composting. The results of a survey of VDOT maintenance area staff indicated that 77% use a disposal facility such as a landfill and nearly 50% of disposal facility users travel away from a routine maintenance route to access the facility. Cost models were developed to allow maintenance managers to evaluate costs incurred for various carcass management methods, and a decision tool was developed to guide the selection of the most suitable method. Implementing carcass management at VDOT maintenance areas may be a very effective approach for increasing labor efficiency. Compost windrows, or static-pile composting, is recommended as an easily managed technique that can be performed at the maintenance area. If only the portion of area headquarters that frequently use disposal facilities for carcass disposal were to replace this method with compost windrows, it is estimated that $515,440 per year could be avoided or reallocated within the maintenance areas. When space for compost windrows is unavailable, an automatic compost vessel can also be a practical option.
Author: Miller, L.P., Miknis, R.A. and Flory, G.A.. Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org. ISBN: 9251337438 Category : Nature Languages : en Pages : 56
Book Description
Animal disease outbreaks pose many challenges for response authorities that can impact livelihoods, food security, and the environment. Proper disposal of animal carcasses that die or are culled during the outbreak is a key component of a successful response to a disease outbreak because it helps prevent or mitigate the further spread of pathogens and in case of zoonotic disease, to further protect human health. The practical guidelines presented hereby provide carcass and related waste management considerations and recommended procedures for use by Veterinary Services and other official response authorities when developing animal disease outbreak containment and eradication plans. The guidelines apply to animal disease outbreaks of varying sizes, whether the outbreak is isolated to a single premise or spans a region to cover numerous premises. However, they are focused on small to medium-sized holdings in countries without access to engineered landfills, rendering plants or controlled incinerators. The guidelines are written in the spirit of “keep it simple and doable”, considering the limited human and financial resources that many countries are constrained with. Its presentation and practical approach ensure that countries will find it very useful for their emergency operation procedures toolbox. Further, the guidelines directly contribute to the one-health approach by protecting the health of animals, humans, and the environment.
Author: Publisher: ISBN: Category : Languages : en Pages : 56
Book Description
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists is the premier public resource on scientific and technological developments that impact global security. Founded by Manhattan Project Scientists, the Bulletin's iconic "Doomsday Clock" stimulates solutions for a safer world.
Author: Dr. Johannes Lehmann Publisher: Earthscan ISBN: 1849770557 Category : Business & Economics Languages : en Pages : 449
Book Description
"Biochar is the carbon-rich product when biomass (such as wood, manure, or crop residues) is heated in a closed container with little or no available air. It can be used to improve agriculture and the environment in several ways, and its stability in soil and superior nutrient-retention properties make it an ideal soil amendment to increase crop yields. In addition to this, biochar sequestration, in combination with sustainable biomass production, can be carbon-negative and therefore used to actively remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, with major implications for mitigation of climate change. Biochar production can also be combined with bioenergy production through the use of the gases that are given off in the pyrolysis process.This book is the first to synthesize the expanding research literature on this topic. The book's interdisciplinary approach, which covers engineering, environmental sciences, agricultural sciences, economics and policy, is a vital tool at this stage of biochar technology development. This comprehensive overview of current knowledge will be of interest to advanced students, researchers and professionals in a wide range of disciplines"--Provided by publisher.
Author: 
Author: Bridget M. Donaldson
Author: 
Author: Bridget M. Donaldson
Author: Bridget M. Donaldson
Author: Miller, L.P., Miknis, R.A. and Flory, G.A..
Author: 
Author: Henning Steinfeld
Author: 
Author: Dr. Johannes Lehmann