Effect of Sprinkler Pressure and Spray Plate on Culturable Microorganism Concentrations During Simulated Irrigation of Dairy Wastewater

Dungan, R.S. and Bjorneberg, D.L. and Leytem, A.B. (2011) Effect of Sprinkler Pressure and Spray Plate on Culturable Microorganism Concentrations During Simulated Irrigation of Dairy Wastewater. Transactions of the ASABE. 54(5):1669-1673. 1 November 2011.

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Abstract

In this study we conducted simulated spray irrigation events of dairy wastewater to assess the impact of pressure and sprinkler type upon post-sprinkler culturable microorganism concentrations. Dairy wastewater was sampled before and after it was pumped through sprinklers typically used on center pivot irrigation systems. Three different sprinklers types were used at three different operating pressures to give a range of water drop sizes. The microorganisms quantified in this study were total coliforms, Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens, heterotrophic bacteria, and coliphage. In most cases the pre- and post-sprinkler concentrations were determined to be statistically similar, suggesting that culturable viability was not affected when wastewater flowed through these sprinklers. When an impact was found to occur, there was usually an increase in the post-sprinkler microorganism concentration. While this increase can be attributed to the disruption of microbial aggregates during the spraying process, there was no apparent relationship with pressure setting or spray plate. Understanding impacts at the sprinkler-level should be considered an integral part of the dispersion modeling process, as it may influence the number of viable microorganisms that become aerosolized during pressurized irrigation events.

Item Type:	Article
NWISRL Publication Number:	1409
Subjects:	Irrigation > Sprinkler irrigation Manure
Depositing User:	Users 6 not found.
Date Deposited:	13 Feb 2012 18:02
Last Modified:	13 Feb 2012 18:02
Item ID:	1444
URI:	https://eprints.nwisrl.ars.usda.gov/id/eprint/1444