Composting Animal Carcasses Removed from Roads: An Analysis of Pathogen Destruction and Leachate Constituents in Deer Mortality Static Windrow Composting PDF Download
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Author: Bridget M. Donaldson Publisher: ISBN: Category : Compost Languages : en Pages : 42
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 : Compost Languages : en Pages : 42
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 : 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: Mary Schwarz Publisher: ISBN: Category : Compost plants Languages : en Pages : 0
Book Description
Abstract Composting of deer carcasses was effective in reducing pathogen levels, decomposing the carcasses and producing a useable end product after 12 months. The composting process used in this project involved enveloping the carcasses of road-killed deer in woodchips and allowing those piles with natural air circulation to sit undisturbed. Temperatures were measured and samples from the piles were analyzed periodically for pathogens and for compost parameters. While significant pathogen reduction occurred in several months, it took 12 months for all of the measured pathogens to decline to low levels in all of the 6 piles we studied. Samples taken at other sites in NYS that have been composting road-killed deer for over a year also had low pathogen content. We thus suggest a composting duration of 12 months before use. In the interest of being cautious, we also recommend that the end product be used in low public contact settings such as highway rights-of-way.
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: 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: 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: Robert Rynk Publisher: ISBN: 9780935817195 Category : Compost Languages : en Pages : 186
Book Description
Benefits and drawbacks; The composing process; Raw materials; Composting methods; Composting operations; Management; Site and environmental considerations; Using compost; Marketing agricultural compost; Farm composting economics: focus on production costs; Other options for waste management and composting; Characteristics of raw materials; Equipment tables; Troubleshooting and management guide; Work sheets and forms; Environmental agencies; Metric conversions.
Author: Thomas M. Pankratz Publisher: CRC Press ISBN: 1420032534 Category : Science Languages : en Pages : 340
Book Description
Like most technical disciplines, environmental science and engineering is becoming increasingly specialized. As industry professionals focus on specific environmental subjects they become less familiar with environmental problems and solutions outside their area of expertise. This situation is compounded by the fact that many environmental science
Author: Bridget M. Donaldson
Author: Bridget M. Donaldson
Author: Bridget M. Donaldson
Author: Mary Schwarz
Author: Mary Schwarz
Author: 
Author: Bridget M. Donaldson
Author: 
Author: Miller, L.P., Miknis, R.A. and Flory, G.A..
Author: Robert Rynk
Author: Thomas M. Pankratz