The Battle for Big Creek

Soil Science, Spring 2016

Mr. Seibert

Presented By Andrea Korbelik

Jordan Cops

Jose Hernandez

Michael Moser

EMPACTS Project

Photo by Michael Moser

Mission Statement

• With new technological advances and a

rapidly growing population, our natural

environments are at risk.

• With soil sampling and analysis along the

Big Creek Watershed, we hope to ensure

the preservation of our local ecosystem.

Photo by Michael Moser

Project Overview Methods and Technology

• On March 3rd, our group gathered soil samples and developed visual cues around the farm.

Samples were collected above the farm to create a control for our experiment. Four more samples

were collected downstream along the banks of Big Creek. The samples were collected in low lying

areas influenced by run-off.

• With assistance from the Benton County Extensions Service, we were able to process the samples

and investigate available nutrients within the soil. Our sample soil analysis was made available on

April 12th.

• Through research and communication with local organizations, we hope to see a relocation of the

C & H Swine Farm.

America’s first national river

• The buffalo river was established as our first national river in 1972.

• It remains one of the few undammed rivers in the lower 48 states.

• Within the 94,293 acre park, over 300 species of fish have been observed.

• Historic homesteads and farms remain standing, offering a glimpse into the past.

• Big creek is one of the larger tributaries that feeds the buffalo river.

• The buffalo river is known for its unique karst topography and hundreds of caves and sinkholes.

Karst topography

• Karstic features are created through the dissolution of soluble limestone. It is a dominate

characteristic found throughout the Ozark Mountains (47,000 sq. Miles).

• These features lead to the formation of caves, sinkholes and springs. This is due to the porosity of

the rock.

• The quick absorption rate allows toxic materials to infiltrate the water table and private wells

without the natural filtration process.

Photo by Michael Moser

• The swine farm rests on 630 acres within the Big Creek watershed, which finds its way into the

Buffalo River. The facility consists of 17 waste application fields and several holding ponds that

equate to a 1,904,730 gallon capacity.

• This concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) has over 6,000 pigs. The population creates 2

million pounds of sewage each year.

• Swine manure contains nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, and many

metals. We expect to see an increase in the primary and secondary nutrients through soil testing.

• High amounts of air pollution and water pollution are synonymous with large operations. This

concerns the local population of Mt. Judea because the school is only 1/16th of a mile away.

The C & H Swine Farm

The C & H Swine Farm

• The holding ponds take advantage of naturally occurring bacteria to break town the waste. They are

lined with several inches of clay, leaving them exposed to the open atmosphere.

• Byproducts associated with swine farms are ammonia, methane, hydrogen sulfide, and antibiotic

resistant bacteria.

• The farm is designed to accommodate the effects of a 25 year rain event. Within the past 40 years,

Big Creek has seen one 50 year flood in 1982.

• Property values have decreased within a 3 mile radius.

• The Mt. Judea community was completely oblivious to the construction of the swine farm. Public

information regarding this CAFO was buried deep within the ADEQ online database. Unfortunately, an

environmental impact statement is not required in the state of Arkansas.

• In 2011, the EPA made alterations to regulations that created general restrictions and permits across

the state. This does not account for sensitive environments such as the karst landscape around the

Buffalo River.

Notice the location of the Farm and waste

application fields. Each field lies above a

tributary that makes its way into Big Creek

and eventually, the Buffalo River.

Mt. Judea School (k-12) is surrounded by

these waste application fields.

http://buffaloriveralliance.org/Resources/Documents/B

ig%20Creek%20Karst%20Facts.jpg

Sample 1: Big Creek (above pig farm)

Qat – Alluvium and terrace deposits.

Unconsolidated clay, silt, sand, and gravel

including deposits on one or more terrace levels.

Sample 2: Big Creek (below pig farm)

Qat

Sample 3: Left Fork of Big Creek

Qat

Sample 4: Big Creek (after Left Fork joins)

Qat

Sample 5: The Buffalo River (where Big Creek

rushes in)

Qty – Unconsolidated clay, silt, sand and

gravel along the Buffalo River. The tops of

terraces are generally tree-covered and

flat. Approximately 20-30 feet thick

Collecting samples above the C & H swine farm.

Left Fork of Big Creek

Photo by Michael Moser

Photo by Michael Moser

Elements Parts per Million

P 14

K 56

Ca 2277

Mg 58

SO4-S 4

Zn 3.1

Fe 119

Mn 128

Cu 1

B 0.2

Elements Parts per Million

P 11

K 63

Ca 1634

Mg 73

SO4-S 4

Zn 2.6

Fe 94

Mn 87

Cu 0.9

B 0.2

pH value: 7.5

Soil texture: silty clay loam

Estimated CEC: 14.06 cmolc/kg

pH value: 7.1

Soil texture: Silt loam

Estimated CEC: 11.02 cmolc/km

Sample 1

(above farm) Sample 2

(below farm)

Elements Parts per

Million

P 19

K 50

Ca 4076

Mg 73

SO4-S 14

Zn 5.4

Fe 242

Mn 103

Cu 1.6

B 0.8

Elements Parts per

Million

P 12

K 42

Ca 4359

Mg 34

SO4-S 11

Zn 3.7

Fe 186

Mn 129

Cu 2

B 0.5

pH value: 7.5

Soil texture: clay

Estimated CEC: 23.18 cmolc/kg

pH value: 7.6

Soil texture: clay

Estimated CEC: 24.26 cmolc/km

Sample 3

(Left Fork)

Sample 4

(after merging with

Left Fork)

Elements Parts per

Million

P 17

K 39

Ca 1862

Mg 61

SO4-S 7

Zn 5.4

Fe 197

Mn 117

Cu 1.2

B 0.6

pH value: 7.1

Soil texture: Silt loam

Estimated CEC: 11.96 cmolc/km

Sample 5

(Buffalo River)

Results

• Our findings indicate a presence of pollution entering the Big Creek Watershed. Yet, the increase

in nutrients are entering from the Left Fork of Big Creek.

• The results conclude that there are high levels of phosphorous, sulfates, and iron entering the creek;

components found in manure. Due to the fragile karst geology, it is difficult to trace the source of

pollution.

• After investigating topography maps of the Big Creek watershed, there are several other farms

that reside along the flood plains of the Left Fork of Big Creek. These other farms could be the

source of the increase of foreign substances.

• Further studies on the Left Fork and main prong of Big Creek are necessary to locate the source of

pollution.

Photo by Michael Moser

Left Fork of Big Creek

Big Creek

C & H Swine Farm

Possible sources of point pollution on the Left Fork of Big Creek

Possible sources of point pollution on the Left Fork of Big Creek

Soil Contamination

• Excess amounts of phosphorous and calcium can prevent plants from taking up other vital

nutrients. Acidic soils are usually associated with too much phosphorous or calcium.

• High amounts of iron can be toxic to plants, and prevent the absorption of other minerals.

The leaves of plants can brown when there is too much available iron within the soil.

• These excess metals can be harmful to microorganism within the soil, damaging their cellular

structures.

Ground Water Contamination

• Even though the C & H Swine Farm has taken extra

precautions to prevent the infiltration of sewage

into ground water, the karst landscape needs

special protection.

• With 6,000 swine and 17 waste application fields,

there will always be a chance of pollution.

• The porous rock found along the Buffalo River

watershed allows liquids to enter aquifers and

under ground caverns with very little filtration.

• Toxins that enter ground water systems can lead to

widespread devastation within thousands of square

miles.

Water Pollution

• Eutrophication is the accumulation of nutrients,

usually phosphates and nitrates, within a

body of water. This typically leads to an

algae bloom that can dominate the water’s

surface. Once the algae dies, the organic

matter accumulates and depletes the

dissolved oxygen levels.

• The processes of eutrophication can devastate

aquatic life, and impact the local food chain.

Fish, reptiles, birds, and even humans can be

affected from excessive amounts of nutrients

found within fresh water sources.

• The holding ponds are lined with several inches of clay, leaving them exposed to the atmosphere.

• More regulations are needed to protect our natural environments. These pictures are examples of

swine farms farms that are located near rivers and lakes.

Pig Farm in Eastern North Carolina Whitetail Hog Facility in Missouri

Air Pollution • Large operations of confined animals and the storage of

manure will introduce concentrations of toxic gases into

the atmosphere.

• Studies show a 12% increase in children’s asthma for

those living within one half of a mile from a concentrated

animal feeding operation.

• Hydrogen sulfide is an airborne pollutant found within

these concentrated animal environments. This can result in

an increased blood pressure for those living within the

area. High blood pressure can lead to stroke and

cardiovascular diseases.

• Not only are local communities affected by air pollution,

the ecosystem and environment can be at risk.

What can we do?

• The Buffalo River Watershed is a precious treasure that must be protected.

• There are many other ideal locations for these concentrated animal feeding operations such as the

C & H Swine Farm.

• More regulations are needed to protect the public, and ensure the health of our natural

environments.

• As populations continue to grow and arable land becomes less available, we will see a rapid

development of these large, concentrated operations. Location and regulations are going to play

a critical role in ensuring a healthy environment.

• We the people must speak up and take action before corporations take hold of our sacred lands

and rivers.

Phytoremediation

• By planting more trees, shrubs, and water

loving plants along the waterway, we can

reduce the amount of toxins that enter the

water. This method uses phytoremediation,

the natural accumulation of nutrients in

plants, to absorb excess nutrients.

• This has been used since the 14th century to

prevent eutrophication and absorb high

levels of metals.

Riparian buffer zones

• This satellite image of Big Creek shows very little vegetation along

the creek.

• A riparian zone is an area along a body of water that slows the

rate of infiltration. This method uses a variety of plants that uptake

these excessive nutrients as they grow and accumulate mass over the

years.

• Even though our findings are inconclusive of pollution leaving the C & H Swine Farm, we have

stumbled upon other non-point sources entering the Big Creek watershed.

• These soil samples were gathered at the beginning of March, early in the spring season. It could

be that the C & H operation had not applied any fertilizer yet this year. With 17 application

fields, there is a high possibility that runoff will enter the watershed.

• The C & H Swine Farm has seen much criticism over the years and is tied down to several

regulations. It is assuring that we do not see toxic levels of nutrients entering below the operation,

although, further testing on a routine schedule is needed.

Conclusion

Photo by Michael Moser

Acknowledgements

Soil Science & Management: sixth edition – Edward Plaster; Delmar

Neil Mays with the Benton County Extensions Services

Buffalo River Watershed Alliance

National Center for Biotechnology Information

USGS Arkansas Water Science Center

University of Arkansas

Clemons University

Dianne Phillips

Photo by Michael Moser