Current Research Interests:

Francis’ primary research interests revolve around remediation of contaminated sites. Current projects include:

• Chemically-enhanced phytoremediation of multi-trace element contaminated organic soils using native plants and high biomass crops
• Remediation of hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] contaminated water using chemical reductants and synthetic oxides of iron
• In situ remediation of decommissioned municipal lagoons using wetland and traditional phytoremediation approaches
• Dissipation of veterinary antimicrobials in the environment
• Other recent or ongoing projects including the characterization of nutrient dynamics and fertilizer value of organic and other byproducts (e.g., anaerobically-digested manure, liquid manure-derived struvite); drilling waste (from petroleum industry) management on native prairie; solid/liquid separation of liquid swine manure; and land application of wastewater as a disposal option.

Teaching Responsibilities:

SOIL 4500 – Remediation of Contaminated Land
SOIL 7220 – Principles of Scientific Research
SOIL 0420 – Soil Productivity

Graduate Students:

Current:
Ike Agomoh (M.Sc.)
Inoka Amarakoon (Ph.D.)
Alison Murata (M.Sc.)

Past:
Waraidzo Lillian Chiyoka (M.Sc.)

Publications:

Chiyoka, W.L., X. Hao, F. Zvomuya, and X. Li. 2011. Nitrous oxide emissions from Chernozemic soils amended with anaerobically digested beef cattle feedlot manure: a laboratory study. Animal Feed Sci. Technol. 166-167:492-502.

Zvomuya, F., F.J. Larney, W.D. Willms, A.F. Olson, R.K. Beck, and P.R. DeMaere. 2011. Vegetation response to a one-time spent drilling mud application to semiarid, mixed-grass prairie. Rangeland Ecol. Manag. 64:375-383.

Shymko, J., A. Farenhorst, and F. Zvomuya. 2011. Polynomial Response of 2,4-D Mineralization to Temperature in Soils at Varying Soil Moisture Contents, Slope Positions and Depths. J. Environ. Sci. Health B 46:301-12.

Kumaragamage, D., D.N. Flaten, O.O. Akinremi, C.A. Sawka, and F. Zvomuya. 2011. Soil test phosphorus changes and phosphorus runoff losses in incubated soils treated with livestock manures and synthetic fertilizer. Can J. Soil Sci. 91:375-384.

Caron, E., A. Farenhorst, F. Zvomuya, J. Gaultier, N. Rank, T. Goddard, and C. Sheedy. 2010. Sorption of four estrogens by surface soils from 41 cultivated fields in Alberta, Canada. Geoderma 155:19-30.

Zvomuya, F., F.J. Larney, P.R. DeMaere, and A.F. Olson. 2009. Hydraulic properties of a sandy loam soil following spent drilling mud application on native prairie. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 73:1108-1112.

Johnson, H.O., S.C. Gupta, A.V. Vecchia, and F. Zvomuya. 2009. Assessment of water quality trends in the Minnesota River using non-parametric and parametric methods. J. Environ. Qual. 38:1018-1030.

Zvomuya F., F.J. Larney, S.M. McGinn, A.F. Olson, and W.D. Willms. 2008. Surface albedo and soil heat flux changes following drilling mud application to a semiarid, mixed-grass prairie. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 72:1217-1225.

Zvomuya, F., H.H. Janzen, F.J. Larney, and B.M. Olson. 2008. A Long-term field bioassay of soil quality indicators in a semi-arid environment. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 72:683-692.

Larney, F.J., A.F. Olson, J.J. Miller, P.R. DeMaere, F. Zvomuya, and T.A. McAllister. 2008. Physical and chemical changes during composting of wood chip- and straw-bedded beef cattle feedlot manure. J. Environ. Qual. 37:725-735.

Zvomuya, F., F.J. Larney, P.R. DeMaere, and A.F. Olson. 2008. Organic amendment effects on crop productivity and nutrient uptake on reclaimed natural gas wellsites. Nutr. Cycling Agroecosyst. 80:223-232.

Zvomuya, F., F.J. Larney, P.R. DeMaere, and A.F. Olson. 2007. Reclamation of abandoned wellsites with organic amendments: effects on soil carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 71:1186-1193.

Zvomuya, F., F.J. Larney, O.O. Akinremi, R.L. Lemke, and V.E. Klaasen. 2006. Topsoil replacement depth and organic amendment effects on plant nutrient uptake from reclaimed natural gas wellsites. Can. J. Soil Sci. 86:859-869.

Charmley, E., D. Nelson, and F. Zvomuya. 2006. Nutrient cycling in the vegetable processing industry: utilization of potato by-products. Can. J. Soil Sci. 86:621-629.

Zvomuya, F., B.L. Helgason, F.J. Larney, H.H. Janzen, O.O. Akinremi, and B.M. Olson. 2006. Predicting phosphorus availability from soil-applied composted and non-composted cattle feedlot manure. J. Environ. Qual. 35:928-937.

Zvomuya, F., C.J. Rosen, and S.C. Gupta. 2006. Phosphorus sequestration by chemical amendments to reduce P leaching from wastewater applications. J. Environ. Qual. 35:207-215.

Zvomuya, F., C.J. Rosen, and S.C. Gupta. 2006. Nitrogen and phosphorus leaching from growing season versus year-round application of wastewater on seasonally frozen lands. J. Environ. Qual. 35:324-333.

Zvomuya, F., F.J. Larney, C.K. Nichol, A.F. Olson, J.J. Miller, and P.R. DeMaere. 2005. Chemical and physical changes following co-composting of beef manure with phosphogypsum. J. Environ. Qual. 34:2318-2327.

Zvomuya, F., S.C. Gupta, and C.J. Rosen. 2005. Phosphorus leaching in sandy outwash soils following potato-processing wastewater application. J. Environ. Qual. 34:1277-1285.

Gupta, S.C., E.l Munyankusi, J. Moncrief, F. Zvomuya, and M. Hanewell. 2004. Tillage and manure application effects on mineral-N leaching from seasonally frozen soils. J. Environ. Qual. 33:1238-1246.

Zvomuya, F., C.J. Rosen, M.P. Russelle, and S.C. Gupta. 2003. Nitrate leaching and nitrogen use efficiency following application of polyolefin-coated urea to potato. J. Environ. Qual. 32: 480-489.

Zvomuya, F. and C.J. Rosen. 2002. Biomass partitioning and nitrogen use efficiency of ‘Superior’ potato following genetic transformation for resistance to Colorado potato beetle. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science 127 (4): 703-709.

Zvomuya, F., C.J. Rosen, and J. Creighton Miller, Jr. 2002. Response of Russet Norkotah clonal selections to nitrogen fertilization. American Journal of Potato Research 79 (4): 231-239.

Zvomuya, F. and C.J. Rosen. 2001. Evaluation of polyolefin-coated urea for potato production on a sandy soil. HortScience 36(6):1057-1060.

Contact information:

Dr. Francis Zvomuya, Associate Professor
Department of Soil Science
University of Manitoba
315 Ellis Building
13 Freedman Cres.
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2
Phone: (204) 474-9932
Fax: (204) 474-7642
Email: Francis.Zvomuya@ad.umanitoba.ca