Studies on the sources of pollution from livestock activities in the north-east region

Abstract

An important consequence in any breeding activity is the production of large quantities of waste. These quantities of waste consist in manure from all species of animals, scrap of crops left from feeding, secondary production of crops unconsumed by animals, solid dung and fluid or semi-fluid manure. If these are managed and treated properly, they may be quality fertilizing material for the vegetable crops. Otherwise, in their initial untreated condition, they are negative polluting matter for soil, having also negative effects on crops, besides the positive ones. According to the studies conducted by specialized institutions, about 80% of livestock farms throughout the country belong to small agricultural holdings, owned by individuals of family farms. Because these kind of units lack the necessary technical and financial resources for its transformation, manure coming from the livestock is not trated, instead being randomly distributed on the edges of arable land, edge of the villages, or waterways, causing pollution to soil, and both groundwater and surface water. The study aims to analyze the current situation in Romania and especially in the North-East Region concerning the causes of pollution from livestock.