Early research at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL, found the
zebra mussel removes solids and some nutrients from diluted liquid swine
manure.
The researchers found a 90% improvement in the amount of suspended solids
in the liquid manure. The mussels also appeared to reduce odor.
The zebra mussel, considered a detriment to freshwater ecosystems, is a
natural water filter. It constantly pulls water through its body, filtering
out nutrients it needs to live. The remaining particles are coated in a
mucus-like film called pseudofeces, which settle out of the water.
Researchers now are trying to determine if the mussels or the pseudofeces
have value as a plant nutrient. Researchers also are looking at how to
include the mussels in a waste-treatment system.
Researcher: Dick Steffen, Southern Illinois University (618)453-6985.
Something bad has happened to you. It wasn't deserved and it wasn't fair. The people who did it are callous and heartless (at least in regard to you), and lazy, or they would not have done it. But they did it. It's over. It's done. You can whine and wallow in self-pity and martyrdom or pick yourself up, dust yourself off and get on with life and the business of raising quality pork.
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