Control of Environmental Pollution Related to Poultry Production in Egypt

Although poultry provides an economically sound alternative protein source worldwide, negative environmental effects attributable to poultry production in Egypt have not been addressed. The environmental hazard arising from excess nitrogen and phosphorus in poultry waste as well as other contaminants such as drug residues, pathogenic organisms, and viruses (like avian influenza) could be eliminated via nutritional and management interventions, and attention in the media has increased greatly ([email protected]). Soil, water, and air pollution, and transmitted diseases have been reported worldwide and methods of controlling them have been discussed in the literature. Nutrient concentrations, dietary manipulation, and waste management may play an important role in these areas. Biotechnology may offer interesting tools for improving nutrient utilization and eliminating nutrient waste, while protecting the environment from excess pollutants, including animal wastes. On the other hand, waste management, composting, using manure as fuel though methane production, a soil amendment, fertilizer, a feed ingredient, or enhancing its nutrient content by additives could be also be used effectively. J.Agric.&Env.Sci.Alex.Univ.,Egypt Vol.4 (1)2005 2 INTRODUCTION In Egypt, consumption of red meat alone cannot meet human protein needs, and other protein sources such as dairy products, white meat from poultry, and fish are essential sources for improving living standards and human health. Although, poultry plays an important role in satisfying approximately 40% of animal protein consumption in Egypt, negative effect from poultry production on the environment is well recognized worldwide, but not addressed in Egypt. Thus, regulations for nutrient concentrations in animal manure in areas of intensive animal production are now common issue (www.usda.gov; www.scotland.gov.uk). Type of contaminants in animal waste: 1Nitrogen excretion in poultry manure (www.usda.gov). 2Minerals and heavy metals P2O5, Na, K2O, Mg, Mn, Cu, Fe, Zn and S (www.usda.gov; www.scotland.gov.uk). 3-Transmitted pathogenic organisms and diseases, e.g., avian influenza (www.fao.org; www.cdc.gov). Problems related to these pollutants: Poultry manure has several positive effects when used at recommended levels as a soil amendment and fertilizer (as a source of N, P and K source (Table 1), for increasing organic matter in soils, and improving soil tilth. It can also be used as an animal feed ingredient, and source of fuel through production of methane gas. Excess nitrogen and phosphorus has been shown to contribute to soil and water pollution in areas of intensive animal production. Worldwide use of poultry manure for different purposes has led to contamination of soil, ground and well water and air as well (Blake and Donald, 1992 and Payne and Donald, 1992). The expected nutrients output from poultry manure from the two major classes of poultry are shown in Table 1. It can be concluded from Table 1 that manure can create a serious global environmental problem (www.usda.gov). J.Agric.&Env.Sci.Alex.Univ.,Egypt Vol.4 (1)2005 3 Table 1. Nutrient content and approximate manure production of various types of poultry waste (Blake and Donald, 1992 and Payne and Donald, 1992) Type of manure 1 Chemical composition 2, % N P2O5 K2O Na Manure nutrient content \bird \year (g) DM N P2O5 K2O Na Broiler 4.88 4.86 3.0 0.6 4890 239 229 129 29.5 Laying hens 4.80 6.73 3.92 0.6 7000 336 471 275 42.0 1 Manure production varies with bird, ration and season. 2 Dry matter basis Numbers of birds and the amount of nutrients excreted in poultry manure in Egypt are presented in Table 2. These data indicated that there are considerable amounts of nutrients excreted in poultry manure that needed to be utilized more efficiency as a soil amendment, fertilizer, fuel, or animal feed ingredient. In Egypt, nitrogen and phosphorus may represent major pollutants in newly reclaimed areas due to excessive use of poultry manure as a soil fertilizer and\or amendment. This could result in pollution of ground and well water, and consequently pose a human and animal health hazard due to increasing nitrate (a water soluble nitrogen form that does not attach to soil particles like ammonium nitrogen does) levels and bacterial contamination (e.g., Streptococcus spp.) of water. Nitrates can cause blue baby-syndrome in infants, and many pose other health hazards. Excessive P in the topsoil can decrease micronutrient availabilities for plants and eutrophication in fish farming, due to overgrowth of algae on the surface of a pond or lake or aquaculture environment. Heavy metals excreted in poultry and animal manures can build up in the soil, reducing nutrient availability to plants, resulting in higher concentrations in cereals, vegetables, fruits, and animal products, causing related health hazards. J.Agric.&Env.Sci.Alex.Univ.,Egypt Vol.4 (1)2005 4 Table 2. Estimated number of birds, manure amount and nutrients contents (Egypt) Type of birds N of birds (M) Manure produced g/b/yr Amount of nutrient produced annually, tons N P205 K2O Na Broilers 800 489