Predicting characteristics of rainfall driven estrogen runoff and transport from swine AFO spray fields

Abstract

Animal feeding operations (AFOs) have been implicated as potentially major sources of estrogenic contaminants into the aquatic environment due to the relatively minimal treatment of waste and potential mobilization and transport of waste components from spray fields. In this study a Bayesian network (BN) model was developed to inform management decisions and better predict the transport and fate of natural steroidal estrogens from these sites. The developed BN model integrates processes of surface runoff and sediment loss with the modified universal soil loss equation (MUSLE) and the soil conservation service curve number (SCS-CN) runoff model. What-if scenario simulations of lagoon slurry wastes to the spray fields were conducted for the most abundant natural estrogen estrone (E1) observed in the system. It was found that E1 attenuated significantly after 2 months following waste slurry application in both spring and summer seasons, with the overall attenuation rate predicted to be higher in the summer compared to the spring. Using simulations of rainfall events in conjunction with waste slurry application rates, it was predicted that the magnitude of E1 runoff loss is significantly higher in the spring as compared to the summer months, primarily due to spray field crop management plans. Our what-if scenario analyses suggest that planting Bermuda grass in the spray fields is likely to reduce runoff losses of natural estrogens near the water bodies and ecosystems, as compared to planting of soybeans.

Potential contaminant runoff from Californias dairy concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs): A geospatial analysis

“…This was in contrast to this study where the outcome was a proportion. A similar study was undertaken by Lee et al (2015) to predict estrogen runoff from swine Animal Feeding Operations (AFOs). Although AFOs have lower animal numbers than CAFOs, the concept of incorporating CN grids to study animal excrement-containing runoff supports the use of CN grids in this study.…”

“…Although AFOs have lower animal numbers than CAFOs, the concept of incorporating CN grids to study animal excrement-containing runoff supports the use of CN grids in this study. However, the CN grids in Lee et al (2015) were a subpart of a Bayesian Network model that was dependent on the physical properties of their chemical of interestestrogen (Lee et al, 2015). The degree of runoff observed with this approach can only be associated with estrogen and none of the other contaminants present in swine or dairy cow excrement.…”

Removal of Steroid Estrogens and Total Nitrogen by Denitrification Biofilter with UV/Peracetic Acid Pretreatment: Performance, Microbial Characteristics, and Mechanism

“…4 The SE concentration detected in surface waters in various regions often exceeds the threshold of estrogenic effects (1 ng/L), where secondary effluent is an important source of SEs in surface waters; thus, the advanced removal of SEs is essential to the safe reuse of wastewater. 5,6 Denitrification biofilter (DNBF) is the main process for advanced denitrogenation of secondary effluent due to its simple operation, small footprint, and low operating cost; 7 however, since the chemical oxygen demand (COD) to nitrogen ratio (C/N) in the secondary effluent is usually low, to achieve good denitrification efficiency, exogenous carbon source is usually added to DNBF. 8,9 This carbon sourcedependent mode of operation brings higher operating cost for TN removal and is in urgent need of innovation to meet the demand for carbon neutrality-oriented pollutant removal in wastewater treatment.…”

“…Among them, estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2), estriol (E3), and 17α-ethinyl estradiol (EE2) were commonly detected in water . The SE concentration detected in surface waters in various regions often exceeds the threshold of estrogenic effects (1 ng/L), where secondary effluent is an important source of SEs in surface waters; thus, the advanced removal of SEs is essential to the safe reuse of wastewater. , …”

Stereoselective Degradation of Estradiol and Trenbolone Isomers in Alluvial Sediment

“…The occurrence of steroid hormones in the aquatic environment is of continuing concern due to their endocrine disrupting effects. Municipal wastewater effluents, runoff from animal feeding operations and land-applied manure are major sources for steroid hormones to enter aquatic systems. − The occurrence of steroid hormones including estrogens (e.g., estradiol (E2), estrone (E1), etc.) and androgens (e.g., trenbolone (TB), testosterone, etc.)…”