Quantity and Quality of Runoff from a Beef Cattle Feedlot in Southern Alberta

Abstract

Southern Alberta, which has a cold climate dominated by strong chinook winds, has the highest density of feedlot cattle in Canada. However, the quantity and quality of runoff from beef cattle (Bos taurus) feedlots in this unique region has not been investigated. Our objectives were to compare runoff quantity (1998-2002) with catch-basin design criteria; determine concentrations of selected inorganic chemical parameters (1998-2000) in runoff in relation to water quality guidelines and the potential implications of irrigating adjacent crop-land; and determine if total heterotrophs, total coliforms, and Escherichia coli (1998-2000) persisted in the catch-basin water and soil. Runoff (< 0.1 to 42.5 mm) for a 24-h duration that included maximum peak discharge was less than the recommended design criteria of 90 mm based on runoff from 24 h of rainfall with a 30-yr return period. We found that curve numbers between 52 and 96 (mode of 90) were required to match the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service predicted runoff and actual runoff volumes. Total P posed the greatest threat to water quality guidelines, and K posed the greatest threat for exceeding crop fertilizer requirements if catch-basin effluent was used as irrigation water. Water in the catch basin had continually high populations of E. coli throughout the study, with values ranging between log10 2 and log10 8 100 mL(-1). In contrast, soil in the catch basin generally had low populations of E. coli that were < log10 2 g(-1) wet wt., but at times higher populations between log10 2 and log10 6 g(-1) wet wt. were also found.

Effect of Growth Promotants on the Occurrence of Endogenous and Synthetic Steroid Hormones on Feedlot Soils and in Runoff from Beef Cattle Feeding Operations

“…Most previous studies evaluating runoff from feedlot surfaces have focused on conventional contaminants including sediment, nutrients and E. coli. 14,15 A limited number of studies have focused on the occurrence of biologically active organic compounds in beef cattle feedlot surface soils, manure or runoff from feedlot surfaces. Aust et al 16 evaluated the distribution of three veterinary antibiotics in manure and soil in beef cattle feedlots and determined that these compounds could persist in soil and manure up to 1 year after medication.…”

Assessing the Integration of Wetlands along Small European Waterways to Address Diffuse Nitrate Pollution

“…Later, literature values (see Table 1) were cross compared with field measurements to validate that the calculated values were a good estimation of wetlands' performance for NO 3 -N removal in Flanders. The literature data were analysed as follows: First, the reported nitrate-nitrogen removal rates obtained at FWS CWs treating wastewater originated by agro-urban activities were investigated.…”

“…Yet, an opportunity of this proposal in comparison with the other two designs is the minor modifications and impact caused on the riverbanks, surface flow, and ecosystem. The enhancement of NO 3 -N removal could be tested and compared by incorporating different types of macrophytes versus monocultures. On the one hand, different plants will enhance the landscape and biodiversity.…”

“…Excessive amounts of nitrogen in water lead to oxygen depletion affecting aquatic life and organisms. Nitrogen could be present in surface water in different forms, but total nitrogen (TN), ammonium nitrogen (NH 4 -N), organic nitrogen, nitrite (NO 2 ), and nitrate (NO 3 ) are the main forms that end up in the surface water [2,3]. Several studies have reported that nitrate and nitrite concentrations in rivers greatly differ from each other, with nitrite concentrations being negligible in most cases.…”

“…By 2018, only 5% of all monitoring stations should register nitrate concentrations above the 11.3 mgNO 3 -N/L; nevertheless, currently 16% of the sampling points are currently exceeding this limit [7]. Furthermore, according to the Flemish Environmental Regulations (VLAREM) 90% of the measurements recorded in polder watercourses on a monthly basis must be smaller or equal to 5.65 mgNO 3 -N/L up to a maximum of 8.48 mgNO 3 -N/L [8].…”