Surface and subsurface attenuation of trenbolone acetate metabolites and manure-derived constituents in irrigation runoff on agro-ecosystems

Abstract

Although studies have evaluated the ecotoxicity and fate of trenbolone acetate (TBA) metabolites, namely 17α-trenbolone (17α-TBOH), 17β-trenbolone (17β-TBOH), and trendione (TBO), their environmental transport processes remain poorly characterized with little information available to guide agricultural runoff management. Therefore, we evaluated TBA metabolite transport in representative agricultural systems with concurrent assessment of other manure-derived constituents. Leachate generated using manure from TBA-implanted cattle was applied to a subsurface infiltration plot (4 m) and surface vegetative filter strips (VFSs; 3, 4, and 5 m). In the subsurface experiment, 17α-TBOH leachate concentrations were 36 ng L(-1) but decreased to 12 ng L(-1) in initial subsurface discharge. Over 75 minutes, concentrations linearly increased to 23 ng L(-1) (C/Co = 0.32-0.64). In surface experiments (n = 4), 17α-TBOH leachate concentrations ranged from 11-150 ng L(-1), remained nearly constant with time, but were attenuated by ∼70-90% after VFS treatment with no statistical dependence on the VFS length. While attenuation clearly occurred, the observations of a highly mobile fraction of all constituents in both surface runoff and subsurface discharge suggest that these treatment strategies may not always be capable of achieving threshold discharge concentrations. To attain no observed adverse effect levels (NOAELs) in receiving waters, concurrent assessment of leachate concentrations and available dilution capacities can be used to guide target treatment performance levels for runoff management. Dilution is usually necessary to achieve NOAELs, and receiving waters with less than 70-100 fold dilution capacity are at the highest risk for steroidal endocrine disruption.

Nitrate source apportionment using a combined dual isotope, chemical and bacterial property, and Bayesian model approach in river systems

“…For example, a 20‐ to 100‐fold increase in the concentrations of manure fecal indicator bacteria was measured, and these bacteria were transported to reservoirs during heavy rainfall in the Nauholzbach catchment [ Kistemann et al ., ]. Third, the NH 4 + concentration in river water increased simultaneously with the increase of MPNs of EC and FC, which indicated a dominate manure source in the IAR as livestock effluents have been found to have both high ammonia and coliforms [ Jones et al ., ; Lansing et al ., ].…”

A critical review of the environmental occurrence and potential effects in aquatic vertebrates of the potent androgen receptor agonist 17β‐trenbolone

“…Another runoff study, which featured a 2‐yr monitoring program, recorded a maximum measured concentration of 17β‐trenbolone of 270 ng/L, whereas 17α‐trenbolone was not detected (Bartelt‐Hunt et al ). Both the Gall et al () and Bartelt‐Hunt et al () studies are in contrast with other simulated cattle‐dosing studies, where concentrations of 17α‐trenbolone were consistently higher than 17β‐trenbolone in wastes originating from dosed animals (Webster et al ; Jones et al , , ).…”

“…Hence, aquatic species would be most prone to unintended exposures. However, there is at least some potential for exposure in terrestrial environments, either through land‐applied manure from treated animals (Lange et al ; Jones et al ) or via aerial transport of trenbolone acetate metabolites associated with dust (Blackwell et al , ; Wooten et al ).…”

Trenbolone Acetate Metabolite Transport in Rangelands and Irrigated Pasture: Observations and Conceptual Approaches for Agro-Ecosystems

“…Compared to 17α-TBOH, the data for most of these constituents, particularly ammonia, exhibited similar leaching and attenuation patterns (Figure 2), consistent with previous data. 28 Background concentrations for total ammonia were 0.07 ± 0.03 mg NH 3 N/L, while concentrations in the first flush at 0.3 m downslope increased to 10.70 ± 0.01 mg NH 3 N/L, then dropped to 4.0 mg NH 3 N/L and 1.3 mg NH 3 N/L after 15 and 90 min. At 30 m downslope, ammonia was not detected, suggesting attenuation by sorption or subsurface infiltration.…”

“…Furthermore, some attenuation processes (e.g., sorption, transformation, and infiltration) also may be substantially reduced or bypassed entirely during long-term direct manure-water contact. 22,27,28,37,41,42 Upon the basis of previous data, 27,28 we predict that the mass of TBA metabolites and other steroids that can impact surface waters is ∼40 times higher when cattle have direct water access compared with access-restricted scenarios (see SI for calculation). Therefore, for a range of contaminant issues, management practices should focus on preventing direct access to receiving waters.…”