Monitoring of soil percolate solution after swine effluent application

Abstract

Fertigation with swine effluent is an increasingly adopted practice in the agricultural sector, aiming to prevent waste discharge into watercourses and contribute to more sustainable production. This study evaluated the percolated soil solution following the application of swine effluent to assess ion retention by porous capsules and the compliance of drained elements with Brazilian legislation. The experiment was conducted in Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, using soils from three distinct regions (Dourados, Caarapó, and Naviraí). Soil samples were prepared and placed in pots subjected to fertigation with swine effluent. To collect percolated solutions, porous capsules were installed in ceramic pots at a depth of 0.3 m. The analysis included iron, manganese, copper, zinc, phosphorus, and nitrate. Results indicated that the porous capsules partially retained zinc and phosphorus ions, while nitrate displayed high mobility in the soil, exceeding groundwater limits in some samples. It was concluded that the use of swine effluent in fertigation requires constant monitoring, as certain elements may surpass legal limits, compromising environmental quality. Capsule calibration was effective, but limitations were observed for iron.