| As of July 1, 2008, there were a reported 15.2 million head of cattle on Canadian farms (Statistics Canada, 2008). With this large population of cattle, comes numerous health and environment related issues. Livestock mortality management is one of many environmental issues currently being examined by Canadian government officials. This thesis identifies current livestock mortality management issues, reviews current management practices and presents the details and conclusions of a study that was performed to assess the use of manufactured, geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) in livestock burial plots. The study included a field project that investigated the characteristics of buried livestock leachate, a laboratory investigation into the hydraulic properties of a GCL when exposed to livestock leachate and a modelling study that demonstrates the long-term benefits of using GCLs in livestock burial pits. The results of the study show that the incorporation of GCL as a bottom liner in livestock burial plots would substantially reduce ground water contamination, especially in locations with poor or less desirable soil conditions. |
