Anaerobic lagoons are used for the treatment of meat packing wastes in most areas of the country. They are a relatively low cost means of achieving BOD reduction. Although lagoon effluent is not suitable for stream discharge, it is amenable to further treatment or to land application. One of the most serious limitations of anaerobic lagoons in this application is odor production. Odor complaints have been widespread but have been most frequent in areas of high sulfate waters and during start-up. There has been little specific research effort devoted to anaerobic lagoon odor control. This report assembles existing information relative to odor control associated with anaerobic lagoons used in the meat packing industry and identifies opportunities for productive research. It provides a basis for approaching the overall problem in a comprehensive fashion.

Issued July 1978. Includes bibliographical references. Prepared by Agricultural Engineering Department, Oregon State University, under contract no. Contract Number: CC691935-J.