Progress 09/15/07 to 09/14/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: This project involves field monitoring and laboratory-scale research activities. Laboratory-scale activities regarding the persistence of E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella typhimurium, fecal indicator bacteria, and host-specific PCR biomarkers were initiated in 2007-2008. Green fluorescent protein (gfp-) transformed E. coli O157:H7 and red fluorescent protein (rfp-) transformed Salmonella typhimurium were produced in the summer or 2008 for use in soil persistence studies, which were initiated in July and August of 2008. Installation of field sampling equipment was initiated at the Purdue University's Animal Sciences Research and Education Center in the summer of 2008. Expansion of the Lizzie Swine research farm monitoring network was completed in 2008 to better monitor tile drainage and overland flow in grassed waterways draining land receiving swine manure lagoon effluents via spray irrigation. Field research activities were initiated at the North Appalachian Experimental Watershed where swine manure and poultry litter were applied to frozen ground in February, 2008 on small (approximately one acre) watersheds containing corn stover and 100 ft unmanured setbacks. Beef manure solids were also applied to frozen grassed plots to investigate the performance of grassed buffers regarding the fate and transport of fecal pathogens. Products include the acquisition and maintenance of a physical collection of antibiotic-resistant E. coli and Enterococcus spp. originating from CAFO environments and production of a large data set regarding fecal indicator bacteria, bacterial pathogens, and host-specific PCR biomarkers in CAFO environments. Dissemination activities in 2007-2008 included an invited presentation, guest lectures at three universities, and three additional presentations at State and National Conferences. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals: Dr. Shane Rogers, PD Planning/implementation of field research activities, training in methods for pathogen detection, real time qPCR, and measurement of indicator bacteria, and design/implementation of laboratory studies for pathogen, fecal indicator, and molecular biomarker decay in soils. Also, writing/managing US EPA contracts to project sites, obtaining permits, and reporting to the US EPA, NRMRL and USDA-NRI. Dr. Orin Shanks, co-PD Planning/implementation of measurement of host-specific PCR biomarkers in environmental samples, training in methods for real time qPCR, and measurement of host-specific PCR biomarkers. Partner organizations: US EPA, NRMRL: financial support for field sampling activities, shipping, and laboratory research scientists, technicians, graduate students, and undergraduate students, and supports the analyses of fecal bacterial indicators, antibiotic resistant bacteria, COD, and nutrients. Clarkson University: contracted by the US EPA to process samples and measure pathogens and molecular biomarkers. They are also responsible for data analysis and reduction activities. In kind support is provided through various programs at Clarkson University including the NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates program and the Ronald E. McNair, CSTEP, and TRiO programs. USGS (Raleigh, NC): contracted by the US EPA to install/maintain field sampling equipment at the Lizzie and Lake Wheeler Road research facilities in North Carolina. They collect/ship manures and lagoon effluents, soils, and biweekly and rainfall-associated water samples from field sites, measure nutrients, and maintain all rainfall and flow records for drainage structures and streams. North Carolina State University: contracted by the US EPA to provide fecal samples and historical data at their Lake Wheeler Road Research Facility. USDA-ARS, North Appalachian Experimental Watershed (NAEW): contracted by the US EPA to install/maintain field sampling equipment at their facility. They collect/ship manures, soils, and runoff samples from cropped watersheds and research plots, measure nutrients, COD, and sediments in all samples, and maintain records of rainfall and flow from each experimental watershed and plot. Purdue University: contracted by the US EPA to install/maintain field sampling equipment at their Animal Sciences Research and Education Center. They collect/ship manures and lagoon effluents, soils, biweekly water samples, and rainfall-generated samples from tile drainage structures and a receiving stream situated within the manure application area. They also maintain records of rainfall and flow from drainage tiles and the stream. Training/professional development: Training and professional development has been provided for two laboratory technicians, three graduate students, and four undergraduate research students at Clarkson University and the US EPA in addition to the field technicians at the three research sites. TARGET AUDIENCES: A new graduate-level course titled "Livestock Manure Management" was constructed at Clarkson University to translate information from this and related projects to future agricultural and environmental engineers and scientists. A seminar regarding the pathogens in barnyard runoff and detection was presented at the 2007 Empire state Soil and Water Conservation Society to conservation New York SWCS specialists. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: A one year no-cost extension was requested due to changes in project staff and reorganization of activities after John Haines, the original PD, passed away in late 2007. Dr. Shane Rogers has assumed the role as Project Director. The project is currently on track for completion in September, 2011.
Impacts
Livestock manures may contain pathogenic microorganisms that can pollute surface and groundwater resources if improperly managed. The final disposition of most livestock manures in the US is on land as a fertilizer and soil conditioner. Several best management practices (BMPs) exist to limit nutrient and sediment runoff from manure-amended lands. This study will provide quantitative data and analysis regarding the persistence of manure pathogens in field soils following manure application to land and performance of these BMPs for limiting agricultural non-point source runoff of manure pathogens during rainfall. The results will inform watershed managers, extension agents, and farmers in effective practices to limit potential risks associated with manure applied to land. Emerging fecal pollution indicators include real time quantitative PCR measurements of E. coli, Enterococcus spp., fecal Bacteroidales, and several manure pathogens as well as several proposed (conventional and quantitative PCR) host-specific molecular biomarkers. These emerging technologies offer improved resolution over conventional technologies in regards to the breadth of microbial targets monitored as well as exclusion of potential sources of fecal pollution in mixed-use waters. They also offer the advantage of greatly reduced analysis times as compared to conventional (cultivation-based) approaches. This study will elucidate similarities and differences in the persistence of these emerging fecal pollution indicators, bacterial pathogens, and conventional cultivation-based measurements of fecal indicator bacteria in manure-amended soils, and in their transport properties in several BMPs, that may inform regulatory bodies regarding their potential for watershed-scale investigations. The US EPA is currently revising their surface water monitoring rules in regards to pathogens; these data will supplement those efforts.
Publications
- Harden, S.L. 2008. Microbial and nutrient concentration and load data during stormwater runoff at a swine concentrated animal feeding operation in the North Carolina Coastal Plain, 2006-2007: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2008, 22 pp.
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