title: Biogas final digestive byproduct applied to croplands as fertilizer contains high levels of steroid hormones.
abstract: In this study we evaluate and demonstrate the occurrence of nine natural and one synthetic steroid hormone, including estrogens, androgens and progestagens in biogas final digestate byproduct (digestion liquid) commonly used as an agricultural fertilizer. We investigated two biogas sites that utilize different anaerobic digestion technologies (mesophilic and thermophilic) from swine manure and other organic wastes. Individual hormone concentration levels were observed up to 1478 ng g(-1) dry weight or 22.5 mg kg(-1) N with estrone and progesterone reaching highest concentration levels. Evaluation of the potential environmental burden through the application in agriculture was also assessed on the basis of predicted environmental concentrations. This study indicates that the biogas digestion process does not completely remove steroid hormones from livestock manure and use of final digestate byproduct on croplands contributes to the environmental emission of hormones.
authors.affiliation: Toxicology Laboratory, Analytical Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rodriguez-Navas
authors.forename: Erland
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Björklund
authors.forename: Bent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Halling-Sørensen
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hansen
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture; D000818:Animals; D056804:Biofuels; D018556:Crops, Agricultural / Q000254:growth & development; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005308:Fertilizers / Q000032:analysis*; D006728:Hormones / Q000032:analysis*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D056804:Biofuels; D005308:Fertilizers; D006728:Hormones; D012989:Soil Pollutants
keywords: Agriculture; Anaerobic digestion; Biogas; Livestock manure; Steroid hormones