Journal of Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers ISSN:1738-3692(Print) 2093-7709(Online) 한국농공학회논문집

Manure recycling as fertilizer is one of solutions for the environmental problem related with livestock manure treatment as well as the ocean dumping ban act prohibiting manure disposal to the ocean. For the manure disposal, forest area can be a candidate place because the area has a wide range of applicable sites. However, the manure application to the forest has a possibility of causing environmental impacts including water quality problems due to nutrient loading. Therefore it is necessary to investigate water quality impact from manure disposal to the forestry plantation. In this study, ground and soil water quality had been monitored in the bio-circulation experimental forest where low concentration liquid manure (LCLM) was applied. Soil and groundwater samples were collected and analyzed weekly from April to October in 2008 and 2009. The mean and variation of NO₃-N concentration in soil water of LCLM treatment places showed higher concentration than the reference places declining during growing season. In the case of groundwater from monitoring well in the downstream of disposal site, the NO₃-N concentration was 3.59 mg/L in 2008 and 3.26 mg/L in 2009 in average showing higher concentration than the reference well although the concentration was not exceed the national drinking water standard. To investigate the source of nitrate, δ¹⁵N isotope analysis was also implemented. Its result showed that the LCLM application could be the nitrate source requiring further long-term monitoring soil and water quality.