Chemical Removal of Cu and Zn from Swine Feces before Soil Application

Cu and Zn are known to be abundant in swine feces; hence, concentrations of these metals need to be lowered before swine feces are applied to land in order to prevent potential environmental problems. The main objective of this study was to develop an appropriate chemical process to remove Cu and Zn from swine feces using acid extractions. The removal efficiencies of Cu and Zn decreased in the order of H2SO4 > HNO3 > organic acids (citric and oxalic acids). Owing to the highest removal efficiencies of Cu and Zn by using H2SO4, it was selected for further elimination of Cu and Zn from swine feces. By using H2SO4, the optimal concentration, solid-to-liquid ratio, and reaction time were 2%, 1:50, and 8 h, respectively. At the optimum conditions, Cu concentration was decreased from 198 mg/kg to 40.1 mg/kg and Zn concentration from 474 mg/kg to 80.0 mg/kg, with removal rates of 79.7% and 83.1%, respectively. The low Cu removal efficiency, resulting from the strong complexation between Cu and organic matter of swine feces, was improved by the increase in the reaction time and H2SO4 solution concentrations. However, about half of the total nitrogen (TN) was also removed by using H2SO4, indicating that the swine feces treated with H2SO4 may have poor value as fertilizer. Additional studies are required to find an optimal method to maintain TN concentrations while simultaneously removing Cu and Zn.

Automated summary

Cu and Zn concentrations in swine feces need to be lowered before application to prevent environmental problems. This study found that using H2SO4 had the highest removal efficiency for Cu and Zn, but also removed about half of total nitrogen. Additional studies are needed to find a method to maintain TN concentrations while removing Cu and Zn.