Temporal flux and spatial dynamics of nutrients, fecal indicators, and zoonotic pathogens in anaerobic swine manure lagoon water

Abstract

Confined animal feeding operation (CAFO) Clostridium perfringens Escherichia coliCampylobacter Listeria Salmonella a b s t r a c t Confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) often use anaerobic lagoons for manure treatment. In the USA, swine CAFO lagoon water is used for crop irrigation that is regulated by farm-specific nutrient management plans (NMPs). Implementation of stricter US environmental regulations in 2013 will set soil P limits; impacting land applications of manure and requiring revision of NMPs. Precise knowledge of lagoon water quality is needed for formulating NMPs, for understanding losses of N and C in ammonia and greenhouse gas emissions, and for understanding risks of environmental contamination by fecal bacteria, including zoonotic pathogens. In this study we determined year-round levels of nutrients and bacteria from swine CAFO lagoon water. Statistical analysis of data for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), inorganic and organic C, total N, water-soluble and total minerals (Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, P, and Zn) and bacteria (Escherichia coli, enterococci, Clostridium perfringens, Campylobacter spp., Listeria spp., Salmonella spp., and staphylococci) showed that all differed significantly by dates of collection. During the irrigation season, levels of total N decreased by half and the N:P ratio changed from 9.7 to 2.8. Some seasonal differences were correlated with temperature. Total N and inorganic C increased below 19 C, and decreased above 19 C, consistent with summer increases in ammonia and greenhouse gas emissions. Water-soluble Cu, Fe, and Zn increased with higher summer temperatures while enterococci and zoonotic pathogens (Campylobacter, Listeria, and Salmonella)decreased. Although their populations changed seasonally, the zoonotic pathogens were present year-round. Increasing levels of E. coli were statistically correlated with increasing pH. Differences between depths were also found. Organic C, total nutrients (C, Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, N, P, and Zn) and C. perfringens were higher in deeper samples, indicating stratification of these parameters. No statistical interactions were found between collection dates and depths.

A Closer Look on Spatiotemporal Variations of Dissolved Oxygen in Waste Stabilization Ponds Using Mixed Models

“…BOD 5 and COD represented the bacterial mineralization whilst TKN and TP were nutrients for the growth of algae and bacteria and nitrification process. The spatial and temporal variation of these variables in ponds were also reported in previous studies, e.g., McLaughlin et al [24] and Guo et al [25]. Moreover, we modelled the effects of depth and daytime as a logarithm function and a quadratic function, respectively, based on their observed patterns in the studies of Kayombo et al [6] and Tadesse et al [26].…”

“…This underestimation can be explained by the sensitivity of mixed models to abnormal observations [40] and the fact that the three sampling campaigns were conducted within one dry season of Ecuador. As the photosynthetic activity of algae changes in response to the seasonal changes in environmental conditions [24,41], there is a need for additional sampling campaigns in the rainy season. From that, the interpolation of this mixed model can be reliably performed within a larger range of observation.…”

“…This can lead to overload and violate the discharge permit; hence, extra aeration may be needed during the night. Furthermore, as not only algal photosynthetic activities but also other characteristics of ponds, such as nutrients, bacterial levels, and dissolved organic matter changes seasonally [24,25], it is advised that the oxygen profile should be recorded and compared between different seasons during a year for an accurate depiction of pond performance.…”

Members of the family Campylobacteraceae: Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli

“…This was seen for example in anaerobic swine manure lagoon samples in Mississippi, USA, where the rising lagoon water temperature was found to decrease viable Campylobacter counts (McLaughlin et al, 2012).…”

Spatial and Temporal Variation in Physicochemical Properties of Dairy Lagoons in South-Central Idaho

“…Westerman et al (2010) also showed decreasing N concentrations in swine lagoons from spring to fall in North Carolina. McLaughlin et al (2012) reported increases of total P and decreases of total N concentrations in swine lagoons in Mississippi from early spring to fall. They reported a dec- rease in the N:P ratio in lagoon water from spring to fall of 71%, while in the present study the TKN:P ratios decreased by 26% to 65%.…”