All Issue

2025 Vol.58, Issue 3 Preview Page

Original research article

Effects of treatment with iron-based precipitate on the long-term leaching of nitrogen and phosphorus from livestock manure compost
So Young Park12
,
Su Chan Yang1
,
Won Hyun Ji3*
1Doctoral student, Department of Energy & Climate Environment Fusion Technology, Graduate School, Hoseo University, Asan 31499, Korea
2Senior researcher, Division of Test ‧ Inspection, National Environment Lab. (NeLab), Seoul 02841, Korea
3Professor, Department of Energy & Climate Environment Fusion Technology, Graduate School, Hoseo University, Asan 31499, Korea
*Corresponding Author
31 August 2025. pp. 284-298
PDF XML Citation
Abstract

This study evaluated the applicability of iron-based precipitate (IBP), primarily composed of ferric hydroxide, as a stabilizing agent to reduce the leaching of nitrogen (T-N) and phosphorus (T-P) from livestock manure compost. The mineralogical properties of IBP include an amorphous structure with a high Fe2O3 content (71.7%), a specific surface area of ​​266.17 m2 g-1, and mesopores with an average pore size of 3.93 nm. Results from the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) and synthetic precipitation leaching procedure (SPLP) tests indicated a low environmental risk, showing undetectable or minimal concentrations of heavy metals, T-N, and T-P. Column experiments were conducted using cow and pig manure composts amended with 5wt% and 10wt% IBP. A synthetic acid rain solution, based on the SPLP method, was continuously applied for five years to simulate rainfall conditions. The results demonstrated that the addition of IBP generally reduced the leaching concentrations of both T-N and T-P. In pig manure compost, T-N was reduced by up to 11.1% and T-P by 47.9% with the 10 wt% IBP addition. On the other hand, cow manure compost exhibited a relatively lower reduction efficiency. These findings were consistent with previous batch test results, particularly for phosphorus stabilization. Overall, this study demonstrates that iron-based precipitate is effective in reducing the leaching of nutrients (N and P) from livestock manure compost and poses minimal environmental risk. Therefore, IBP is expected to be utilized as an eco-friendly stabilization strategy to mitigate agricultural non-point source pollution and prevent eutrophication in adjacent water systems.

Five-year nitrogen and phosphorus leaching concentrations and reduction efficiency of livestock manure compost with iron-based precipitates.
Livestock manure compost IBP1 mix ratio (wt%) Total leaching concentration over a five-year period (%) Reduction efficiency (%)
T-N RSD4 T-P RSD4 T-N T-P
CMC2 0wt% 1.41 6.21 0.37 5.71 - -
5wt% 1.39 2.57 0.35 4.35 1.4 5.1
10wt% 1.38 4.75 0.30 1.29 2.3 19.3
PMC3 0wt% 1.28 5.30 0.35 4.74 - -
5wt% 1.17 7.93 0.22 1.17 8.1 36.0
10wt% 1.13 10.08 0.18 2.65 11.1 47.9

1IBP, iron-based precipitate;

2CMC, cow manure compost;

3PMC, pig manure compost;

4RSD (%), relative standard deviation.

Keywords
Iron-based precipitate
Livestock manure compost
Long-term leaching test
Phosphorus
References
1

Ahn JH, Song IH, Kang MS. 2013. Correlation between raw materials and chemical contents of livestock compost. J. Korean Soc. Agric. Eng. 55:37-45. https://doi.org/10.5389/KSAE.2013.55.2.037

10.5389/KSAE.2013.55.2.037
2

Akhtar M, Randhawa SA, Mahmood MT, Ullah E. 1999. Interactive effects of nitrogen and phosphorus on agronomic traits of maize (Zea mays L.). Int. J. Agri. Biol. 1:267-269.

3

Bastin O, Janssens F, Dufey J, Peeters A. 1999. Phosphorus removal by a synthetic iron oxide–gypsum compound. Ecological Engineering. 12:339-351. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0925-8574(98)00077-9

10.1016/S0925-8574(98)00077-9
4

Choi JK, Son JG, Lee HJ, Kim YJ. 2012. Runoff characteristics of total-N and total-P in upland surface runoff treated with livestock manure compost. J. Korean Soc. Agric. Eng. 54:29-37. https://doi.org/10.5389/KSAE.2012.54.6.029

10.5389/KSAE.2012.54.6.029
5

Debski B. 2016. Supplementation of pigs diet with zinc and copper as alternative to conventional antimicrobials. Pol. J. Vet. Sci. 19:917-924. https://doi.org/10.1515/pjvs-2016-0113

10.1515/pjvs-2016-0113
6

Doydora S, Gatiboni L, Grieger K, Hesterberg D, Jones JL, McLamore ES, Peters R, Sozzani R, Van den Broeck L, Duckworth OW. 2020. Accessing legacy phosphorus in soils. Soil Syst. 4:74. https://doi.org/10.3390/soilsystems4040074

10.3390/soilsystems4040074
7

Iqbal RM, Chauhan HQI. 2003. Relationship between different growth and yield parameters in maize under varying levels of phosphorus. J. Biol. Sci. 3:921-925. http://doi.org/10.3923/jbs.2003.921.925

10.3923/jbs.2003.921.925
8

Jeong MS, Lee M, Lwin DS, Yi NH, Baek TH, Ki KR. 2023. Investigating heavy metal levels of greenhouse soils using long-term livestock manure. Korean J. Soil Sci. Fert. 56:226-234. https://doi.org/10.7745/KJSSF.2023.56.3.226

10.7745/KJSSF.2023.56.3.226
9

Jiaying MA, Tingting C, Jie L, Weimeng FU, Baohua F, Guangyan L, Hubo L, Juncai L, Zhihai W, Longxing T, Guanfu F. 2022. Functions of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in energy status and their influences on rice growth and development. Rice Sci. 29:166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsci.2022.01.005

10.1016/j.rsci.2022.01.005
10

Kang CS, Roh AS, Kim SK, Park KY. 2011. Effects of the application of livestock manure compost on reducing the chemical fertilizer use for the lettuce cultivation in green house. Korean J. Soil Sci. Fert. 44:457-464. https:// doi.org/10.7745/KJSSF.2011.44.3.457

10.7745/KJSSF.2011.44.3.457
11

Kim DY, Kim HJ, Choi YG, Jeong TH. 2001. Nitrification of a saline wastewater. Proceedings of the Korean Society of Water and Wastewater. 2001:419-422.

12

Kim JG, Jung KY. 2000. Amount of maximum compost application on the long-term application with different organic material sources in upland soil. Korean J. Soil Sci. Fert. 33:182-192.

13

Kim JH, Lim CS, Kim KY, Kim DK, Lee SI, Kim JS. 2008. Application of Adsorption Characteristic of Ferrous Iron Waste to Phosphate Removal from Municipal Wastewater. Korean J Environ Agric. 27:231-238. https://doi.org/10.5338/KJEA.2008.27.3.231

10.5338/KJEA.2008.27.3.231
14

Kim MS, Min HG, Kim JG, Koo NI, Park JS, Bak GI. 2014. Effects of various amendments on heavy metal stabilization in acid and alkali soils. Korean J. Environ. Agric. 33:1-8. https://doi.org/10.5338/KJEA.2014.33.1.1

10.5338/KJEA.2014.33.1.1
15

Kim TI, Han YK, Jeon BS, Yoo YH, Park JH, Kweon DJ, Kim HH, Kim KN. 2001. Animal residue and environment: Studies on the standardization for swine manure composts based on the material balances during composting. J. Anim. Technol. 43:997-1004.

16

KMA (Korea Meteorological Administration). 2025. Meteorological Data Open Portal. https://data.kma.go.kr

17

KMOE (Korea Ministry of Environment). 2018. Groundwater quality measurement network operation results. Sejong, Korea.

18

KMOE (Korea Ministry of Environment). 2022. Livestock manure treatment statistics. Sejong, Korea.

19

KMOE (Korea Ministry of Environment). 2024a. Enforcement Rules of the Soil Environment Conservation Act. Sejong, Korea.

20

KMOE (Korea Ministry of Environment). 2024b. Enforcement Rules of the Water Environment Conservation Act. Sejong, Korea.

21

Lee JY, Choi JC, Yi MJ, Kim JW, Cheon JY, Choi YK, Choi MJ, Lee KK. 2005. Potential groundwater contamination with toxic metals in and around an abandoned Zn mine. Korea. Water, air, and soil pollution. 165:167-185. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-005-4637-4

10.1007/s11270-005-4637-4
22

Lee S, Joo JC, Moon HS, Lee DH, Kim DJ, Choi J. 2023. Analysis of nitrogen and phosphorus benthic diffusive fluxes from sediments with different levels of salinity. Ecol. Resil. Infrastruct. 10:85-96. https://doi.org/10.17820/eri.2023.10.3.085

10.17820/eri.2023.10.3.085
23

Lee SH, Jang JH. 2004. Preliminary study on the development of phosphorous removal process by converter and furnace slags. J. KSWW. 18:137-144.

24

Lee Y, Kim SY. 2025. Co-application of urea and ammonium sulfate enhances cabbage productivity by increasing nitrogen use efficiency in a pot experiment. Korean J. Soil Sci. Fert. 58:81-94. https://doi.org/10.7745/KJSSF.2025.58.1.081

10.7745/KJSSF.2025.58.1.081
25

Lee Y, Lee C, Park H, Song Y. 2023. Effect of phosphorus fertigation on concentration of soil available phosphate and growth of green onions (Allium fistulosum L.) in open field. Korean J. Soil Sci. Fert. 56:291-299. https://doi.org/10.7745/KJSSF.2023.56.4.291

10.7745/KJSSF.2023.56.4.291
26

Liu C, Qiu Z, Shan Z, Yan Z. 2023. Study of simultaneous adsorption of ammonium and phosphate in waters by La-F4A zeolites prepared from spent FCC catalyst. In E3S Web of Conference. 385:02033. EDP Sciences. France.

10.1051/e3sconf/202338502033
27

Moon YH, Song YG, Moon HS, Zhang YS. 2010. Mobility of metals in tailings using a column experiment from the guryong copper mine. J. Soil Sci. Fert. 43:275-282.

28

Nam Y, Yong SH, Song KK. 2010. Evaluating quality of fertilizer manufactured (livestock manure compost) with different sources in Korea. Korean J. Soil Sci. Fert. 43:644-649.

29

NIAST (National Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology). 2000. Methods of soil and plant analysis. RDA, Suwon, Korea.

30

NIAST (National Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology). 2010. Methods of soil chemical analysis. RDA, Suwon, Korea.

31

Nicholson FA, Smith SR, Alloway BJ, Carlton-Smith C, Chambers BJ. 2003. An inventory of heavy metals inputs to agricultural soils in England and Wales. Sci. Total Environ. 311:205-219. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0048-9697(03)00139-6

10.1016/S0048-9697(03)00139-6
32

NIER (National Institute of Environmental Research). 2015. Example field-study of rural non-point source pollution caused by livestock excretions. (11-1480523-002657-01). KMOE, Incheon, Korea.

33

NIER (National Institute of Environmental Research). 2023a. Korea Standard Test Method of Soil. KMOE, Incheon, Korea.

34

NIER (National Institute of Environmental Research). 2023b. Korea Standard Test Method of Water. KMOE, Incheon, Korea.

35

Oa SW. 2011. Nutrients Transport Pathway for Watershed Impact Analysis of Livestock Wastes and its Resources. Journal of Wetlands Researh. 13:465-470. https://doi.org/10.17663/JWR.2011.13.3.465

10.17663/JWR.2011.13.3.465
36

Oh SJ, Kim SC, Ko JI, Lee JS, Yang JE. 2011. Evaluating Stabilization Efficiency of Coal Combustion Ash (CCA) for Coal Mine Wastes: Column Experiment. Korean J. Soil Sci. Fert. 44:1071-1079. https://doi.org/10.7745/KJSSF.2011.44.6.1071

10.7745/KJSSF.2011.44.6.1071
37

Oh YT, Park JC, Kim DS, Rhyu JK. 2004. Pollutant Characteristics of Nonpoint Source Runoff in Okcheon Stream. J. Korean Soc. Water Environ. 20:657-663.

38

Park CJ, Kim WI, Jeong GB, Lee JS, Ryu JS, Yang JE. 2006. Characteristics of Heavy Metal Release from the Abandoned Dogog Mine Tailing in Korea. Korea J. Environ. Agric. 25:316-322. https://doi.org/10.5338/KJEA.2006.25.4.316

10.5338/KJEA.2006.25.4.316
39

RDA (Rural development administration). 2024. Fertilizer Regulations. Rural Development Administration, Jeonju, Korea.

40

Ruiz-Urigüen M, Steingart D, Jaffé PR. 2019. Oxidation of ammonium by Feammox acidimicrobiaceae sp. A6 in anaerobic microbial electrolysis cells. Environ. Sci. Water Res. Technol. 5:1582-1592. https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EW00366E

10.1039/C9EW00366E
41

Streat M, Hellgardt K, Newton NLR. 2008. Hydrous ferric oxide as an adsorbent in water treatment: Part 3: Batch and mini-column adsorption of arsenic, phosphorus, fluorine and cadmium ions. Process safety and environmental protection. 86:21-30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2007.10.009

10.1016/j.psep.2007.10.009
42

Tang Z, Chi Z, Jiang F, Zhao M, Fu S, Wei L, Feng Q, Wu Y, Xu N. 2025. Mechanisms and implications of phosphate retention in soils: insights from batch adsorption experiments and geochemical Modeling. Water. 17:998. https://doi.org/10.3390/w17070998

10.3390/w17070998
43

USEPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency). 1992. Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Proucedure. Washington, D.C., USA.

44

USEPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency). 1996. Synthetic Precipitation Leaching Procedure. Washington, D.C., USA.

45

Wang Q, Li S, Li J, Huang D. 2024. The utilization and roles of nitrogen in plants. Forests. 15:1191. https:// doi.org/10.3390/f15071191

10.3390/f15071191
46

Won CH, Choi YH, Shin MH, Seo JY, Choi JD. 2011. Analysis of livestock resources on NPS pollution characteristics by rainfall simulation. J. Korean Soc. Agric. Eng. 53:67-74. https://doi.org/10.5389/KSAE.2011.53.2.067. 2011.53.2.067

10.5389/KSAE.2011.53.2.067
47

Wu L, Zhang S. Wang J, Ding X. 2020. Phosphorus retention using iron (II/III) modified biochar in saline-alkaline soils: adsorption, column and field tests. Environ. Pollut. 261:114223. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114223

10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114223
48

Xia Q, Ai Z, Huang W, Yang F, Liu F, Lei Z, Huang W. 2022. Recent progress in applications of Feammox technology for nitrogen removal from wastewaters: a review. Bioresour. Technol. 362:127868. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2022.127868

10.1016/j.biortech.2022.127868
49

Yoo KY, Cheong YW, Ok YS, Yang JE. 2005. Neutralization of pyrophyllite mine wastes by the lime cake by-product. Korea J. Environ. Agric. 24:215-221. https://doi.org/10.5338/KJEA.2005.24.3.215

10.5338/KJEA.2005.24.3.215
50

Zhu M, Northrup P, Shi C. Billinge SJ, Sparks DL, Waychunas GA. 2014. Structure of sulfate adsorption complexes on ferrihydrite. Environ. Sci. Technol. Lett. 1:97-101.

10.1021/ez400052r
Information
  • Publisher :Korean Society of Soil Science and Fertilizer
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국토양비료학회
  • Journal Title :Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
  • Journal Title(Ko) :한국토양비료학회 학회지
  • Volume : 58
  • No :3
  • Pages :284-298
  • Received Date : 2025-05-09
  • Revised Date : 2025-07-09
  • Accepted Date : 2025-07-15
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.7745/KJSSF.2025.58.3.284
Journal Informaiton Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
KJSSF Online Submission
  • NRF
  • KOFST
  • crossref crossmark
  • crossref cited-by
  • crosscheck
  • orcid
  • open access
  • ccl
Journal Informaiton Journal Informaiton - close