Περιβαλλοντικες επιπτώσεις κτηνοτροφικής μονάδας μεγάλης δυναμικότητας στο έδαφος - Προσδιορισμός pH, ηλεκτρικής αγωγιμότητας, K, Ca, Mg στο έδαφος πλησίον χοιροτροφικής μονάδας μεγάλης δυναμικότητας στη βόρεια Κρήτη

Abstract

Περιβαλλοντικές επιπτώσεις κτηνοτροφικής μονάδας μεγάλης δυναμικότητας στο έδαφος - Προσδιορισμός pH, ηλεκτρικής αγωγιμότητας, K, Ca, Mg στο έδαφος πλησίον χοιροτροφικής μονάδας μεγάλης δυναμικότητας στη βόρεια Κρήτη.

Animal production has changed from subsistence to an industrial model, lowering production costs but giving rise to higher potential environmental impact. One of the main environmental impacts of concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) is the soil degradation in vicinity with the livestock breeding facilities due to substances, such as ammonia, emitted from the various stages of the process. In this research, the soil degradation effects of a large meat producing (pigs rearing), processing and packaging unit have been investigated. The investigated hog industry is located at a limestone soil coastal area with sea to the north and hills to the south. This fact has an important influence to the dispersion of ammonia emitted from the various compartments of the facility. Owing to the high temperatures of the Mediterranean ecosystems, it has been estimated that the dispersion of the emitted gases is more extensive and the soil degradation is consequently more severe than those obtained in northern European countries. For the needs of the present study soil samples of the upper mineral soil (0-30 cm) were taken in various distances and directions (10-1500 m) from the CAFO boundaries. The soil samples were analysed on pH values, electrical conductivity (EC), Ca, Mg and K concentrations by applying standard methods. The mean pH values of the soil, which varied between 7.1 and 8.2, were lower near the farm. The mean pH value decrease is very likely to affect the leaching of cations such as Ca2+, K+ and Mg2+ in vicinity with the hog industry.