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Cited by 84Soil and Water Nutrient DynamicsWastewater Treatment and ReusePharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental Impacts

An overview of the environmental effects of land application of farm effluents

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Wang, Hailong, Magesan, Gujja N., Bolan, Nanthi S.·2004·New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research
DOI 10.1080/00288233.2004.9513608
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Abstract

New Zealand dairy and pig farms generate significant amounts of effluents that contain high concentrations of nutrients such as nitrogen (N), potassium (K), and phosphorus (P), and various trace contaminants (e.g., heavy metals, organic compounds, and endocrine‐disrupting chemicals). Land application is a preferred option for farm effluent management. Regulations have been imposed to limit the land application of farm effluent to 150–200 kg N ha −1 to minimise potential leaching loss of nitrate to groundwater. However, focusing mainly on nutrient recycling from farm effluent application has resulted in the effects of other effluent constituents, such as microbial pathogens, heavy metals, odorants and oestrogens, on the receiving ecosystems being overlooked. In this literature review, we assess land‐applied farm effluents and their beneficial and potentially adverse effects on the receiving environment. Long‐term application of farm effluent based on N loading can lead to P and heavy metal accumulation in the soil. High concentrations of K in effluent are likely to cause pasture nutrient imbalance and induce animal health problems. Recently, there has been some research interest in the role of runoff P in eutrophication of receiving water, effluent‐derived pathogen survival and movement in soil ecosystems, effect of effluent‐borne dissolved organic matter on pesticide transport in soil profile, and degradation of oestrogens in land‐applied effluent. Further research in these areas in New Zealand is needed to help sustain the agricultural industry.

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  • NH4+ is highly volatile and waste application can lead to N loss through NH3 volatilization.

    “NH 4 + is highly volatile and waste application can lead to N loss through NH 3 volatilization (Wang et al., 2004).”

    From Long-term nitrate removal in a denitrification wall (2011) · cites this paper as Wang et al., 2004

    The “Odours and gaseous emissions” section says that ammonia volatilisation during and after farm-effluent application can cause significant nitrogen loss. It identifies ammonium-N as a major component of treated effluent, but does not say that NH4+ itself is highly volatile; it describes the volatile loss as ammonia. (LLM, conf=0.86)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • When discharged to receiving waterways, high concentrations of N and phosphorus potentially lead to eutrophication.

    “When ultimately discharged to receiving waterways, the high concentrations of N and phosphorus (P) potentially lead to eutrophication (Wang et al., 2004).”

    From Long-term nitrate removal in a denitrification wall (2011) · cites this paper as Wang et al., 2004

    The Introduction and “Phosphorus loss” section (page numbers unavailable) say that effluent-derived P can reach waterways and contribute to eutrophication. The Abstract identifies high concentrations of both N and P in farm effluent, but the located passages do not specifically link N discharged to waterways with eutrophication. (LLM, conf=0.84)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Land application of farm effluents is being encouraged in New Zealand and waste stabilization ponds are slowly being phased out.

    “As a potential solution to this problem, land application of farm effluents is being encouraged in New Zealand and the waste stabilization ponds are slowly being phased out (Wang et al., 2004).”

    From Long-term nitrate removal in a denitrification wall (2011) · cites this paper as Wang et al., 2004

    The Introduction says New Zealand regional councils encourage land application of farm effluents. It says that direct discharge of effluent from ponds to surface water has been gradually phased out, not that waste stabilisation ponds themselves are being phased out. The supplied passage has no page number. (LLM, conf=0.88)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Regulations in New Zealand limit effluent applied to pastures to 150-200 kg N ha-1 yr-1 as the maximum to minimize potential leaching loss of NO3- to groundwater.

    “Regulations have been created in New Zealand to limit the amount of effluent that can be applied to pastures; 150 -200 kg N ha -1 yr -1 is the maximum application to minimize potential leaching loss of NO 3 -to the groundwater (Wang et al., 2004).”

    From Long-term nitrate removal in a denitrification wall (2011) · cites this paper as Wang et al., 2004

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Cited by

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Authors
Wang, H., Magesan, G. N., & Bolan, N. S.
Affiliations
  • Forest Research Private Bag 3020 Rotorua New Zealand
  • Massey University (NZ)
ORCID
Venue
New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2004-12
Volume
47
Issue
4
Pages
389-403
ISSN
  • 0028-8233 (ISSN-L)
  • 1175-8775
DOI
10.1080/00288233.2004.9513608
OpenAlex
W2000977458
Cited by
84
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 3
FWCI
3.64
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research (publishedVersion)
  • Adelaide Research & Scholarship (AR&S) (University of Adelaide) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Soil and Water Nutrient Dynamics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Waste Management and Disposal › Wastewater Treatment and Reuse
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Pollution › Pharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental Impacts
Keywords
dairy wastewater, pig effluent, nutrient cycling, nitrogen leaching, phosphorus accumulation, heavy metal accumulation, potassium, pathogenic microorganisms, pathogen survival in soil, dissolved organic matter, pesticide transport, eutrophication, water quality, New Zealand agriculture

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