Estrogenicity and nutrient concentration of surface waters surrounding a large confinement dairy operation using best management practices for land application of animal wastes.
The impact of a confinement dairy operation (>2000 head) using best management practices for land application of animal wastes, on estrogenic activity (E-Screen), estrogens, and nutrients of associated surface waters and tile drain runoff were evaluated. Farm tile drain and creek samples were collected from the drainage region: above and below a municipal wastewater treatment plant located upstream from the dairy; and downstream from animal housing, parlor, and fields receiving applied wastes. Fifty-four thousand tons of waste (from approximately 1000 milking head) were applied to approximately 809 ha from April to July. Maximum estradiol equivalents (E(2)Eqs) present in tile drain samples (<or=0.257 ng/L) were 2-fold maximum creek E(2)Eqs, but only 25% of the proposed no observable effect concentration for E(2) (1 ng/L). Relative manure slurry estrogen concentrations were estrone >17alpha-E(2) > 17beta-E(2). Creek nutrient concentrations were similar above and below the dairy, with higher concentrations found in tile drain samples: tile ammonia ranged from <0.05 to 0.70 mg/L, nitrate/ite from 1.2 to 14 mg/L, and total phosphorus from 0.04 to 0.34 mg/L. No differences in estrogenic activity or nitrate/ite, ammonia, and phosphorus concentrations were detected in surface waters downstream of a large confinement dairy facility and measured nutrients were within regional norms.
Shappell
Nancy W
NW
Animal Metabolism-Agricultural Chemicals Research Unit, 1605 Albrecht Blvd., Biosciences Research Laboratory, Red River Valley Agricultural Research Center, USDA Fargo, North Dakota 58105, USA. nancy.shappell@ars.usda.gov
Elder
Kevin H
KH
West
Mark
M
D000383:Agriculture; D000818:Animals; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid; D003612:Dairying; D004958:Estradiol / Q000032:analysis; D004967:Estrogens / Q000032:analysis*; D008372:Manure / Q000032:analysis*; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D015146:Midwestern United States; D013696:Temperature; D018505:Waste Management / Q000379:methods*; D014866:Waste Products / Q000032:analysis; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
D004967:Estrogens; D008372:Manure; D014866:Waste Products; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D014867:Water; D004958:Estradiol