This collaborative project between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the USGS was conducted as part of a larger research program being undertaken by USEPA and the U.S Department of Agriculture at several research sites throughout the United States. Goals included:
1. Obtain detailed data concerning the survival of pathogenic microorganisms from manure applied to soil under different waste management practices;
2. Evaluate the movement of these organisms in overland runoff and through subsurface drainage to receiving waters; and
3. Evaluate the variability of host-specific PCR biomarkers from pathogens in wastes under different management practices.
The project was conducted at the North Carolina State University Lake Wheeler Road Field Laboratory in Wake County, NC, an agricultural site used for research and teaching purposes.
This scope of work is being established to support USEPA’s research activities at the LWRFL site over a 2-year period, beginning in October 2009 (FY10) and ending in September 2011 (FY11). Field data collection activities are planned for the first year (FY10). Water-quality sampling sites will be established at the swine operation at the LWRFL. Water-quality samples of source waste materials and surface water will be collected for laboratory analysis of fecal indicator bacteria, pathogens, host-specific PCR biomarkers, antibiotic resistant bacteria, antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs), and nutrients (tables 1 and 2). In the final year of the project (FY11), the field site will be decommissioned and the USGS and USEPA will work collaboratively to develop a final project report that compiles results of data collection activities at the LWRFL.
The specific objectives of the USGS and USEPA research proposed at the LWRFL are to:
-
measure the survival of bacterial indicator organisms and pathogens and the persistence of host-specific molecular biomarkers in soils receiving applications of swine waste materials, and
-
assess transport of microorganisms and nutrients through overland runoff and from waste-application fields to adjacent streams.
As part of field data collection activities, the USGS has installed stream gages to monitor flow and automated samplers to collect stormwater-runoff samples at five surface-water sites (fig. 1). Samples at the stormwater monitoring stations will be collected during approximately 6 storm events. Soil samples will be collected following applications of lagoon effluent in the spray fields. A rain gage will be installed to record rainfall data at the LWRFL. The USGS will collect and provide samples to USEPA for analysis of fecal indicator bacteria, pathogens, host-specific PCR biomarkers, antibiotic resistant bacteria, and ARGs (table 1). USGS also will collect and analyze samples for nutrient concentrations (table 2).
Approach:
The following tasks and data collection activities will be performed to meet the project objectives.
Task 1: Establish hydrologic and water-quality monitoring stations
Five monitoring sites at the LWRFL have been established for use in collecting water-quality samples and continuous discharge data. Monitoring sites ST1A, SR1, SR2, and ST1D were established to monitor stormwater runoff at the swine facility. Monitoring site BR1 was established in an agricultural field with no animal waste inputs to generate background data for use in examining relative differences in bacteria and nutrient loadings associated with sites SR1 and SR2 that receive overland runoff from the swine waste application fields. A rain gage was installed at site ST1A for recording continuous data on precipitation at the LWRFL.
Task 2: Continuously measure water stage at each water-quality monitoring station
At each monitoring site established as part of task 1, USGS will continuously measure water stage and perform discharge measurements to develop continuous records of discharge at each site. Pre-fabricated flumes have been installed at overland runoff sites BR1, SR1, and SR2 (fig. 1 and table 3). Discharge rating curves for the flumes will be used in combination with continuous stage measurements in each flume to determine continuous discharge records for each site.
Task 3: Characterization of animal wastes
Samples of fecal waste-material will be collected from the animal waste-storage lagoons at the swine operation for laboratory analyses. Samples of swine waste applied by spraying of lagoon effluent also will be collected in the waste application fields. The samples will be analyzed primarily for fecal bacterial indicators, pathogens, molecular biomarkers, and antimicrobial resistance (table 1). Select samples will be analyzed for nutrients (table 2).
Task 4: Collect soil samples for survivability testing of pathogenic microorganisms
Samples of surface soil material will be collected from the swine waste application fields for laboratory analysis of pathogens, fecal indicator bacteria, and antibiotic resistance bacteria, and host specific molecular biomarkers (fig. 1, table 1). Ideally, a soil sampling event will be conducted in coordination with the spraying of lagoon effluent in the application fields. Samples are proposed to be collected the day before spraying, the day of spraying, and then at 3, 7, 14, and 28 days following the application event.
Task 5: Perform rainfall-associated sample collection for evaluation of bacteria and nutrients at each water-quality monitoring station
At the five monitoring stations (fig. 1), automated samplers will be used to collect water samples during approximately 6 rainfall-runoff events during the one year monitoring period. For each event, approximately 5 samples will be collected at each site for microbiological and chemical analyses (table 1 and table 2). The water quality samples will be analyzed primarily for fecal bacterial indicators, pathogens, molecular biomarkers, antimicrobial resistance, and nutrients.
Task 6: Perform routine baseline sample collection for evaluation of bacteria and nutrients at each study area
In addition to storm-event sampling, instantaneous water samples will be collected on approximately a bi-weekly basis to establish baseline water-quality information. Samples will be collected at the upstream and downstream automated monitoring stations (sites ST1A and ST1D) and at two additional baseline sites (sites ST1B and ST1C) not included in the runoff monitoring network (fig. 1 and table 3). Discharge measurements will be performed at the time of sampling. The water samples will be analyzed primarily for fecal bacterial indicators, pathogens, molecular biomarkers, antimicrobial resistance, and nutrients (table 1 and table 2).
Task 7: Compile site use information
USGS staff will work with LWRFL staff to obtain available information on past and present activities at the swine operation that may be beneficial to interpreting data results obtained during the study. To the extent possible, USGS will compile information on waste applications (manure types and amounts, timing, and field locations), inorganic fertilizer applications, crop rotations, livestock populations, and historical pharmaceutical use for the swine operation.
Task 8: Prepare final report
Upon completion of field data collection activities, the USGS will work in collaboration with EPA to jointly complete an USGS Open-File Report (available online) that compiles and summarizes results of data collection activities at the LWRFL. The study results will provide animal producers, public health officials, and water-resource managers, at local and national levels, with beneficial information in designing and implementing best management practices for reducing the load of pathogenic microorganisms, nutrients, and OWCs reaching the environment.
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Evaluation of Nutrients in Durham County, North Carolina, Urban Streams
Below are publications associated with this project.
Reconnaissance of Organic Wastewater Compounds at a Concentrated Swine Feeding Operation in the North Carolina Coastal Plain, 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
Factors Affecting Nitrate Delivery to Streams from Shallow Ground Water in the North Carolina Coastal Plain
Geochemistry and characteristics of nitrogen transport at a confined animal feeding operation in a coastal plain agricultural watershed, and implications for nutrient loading in the Neuse River basin, North Carolina, 1999-2002
Pharmaceuticals, hormones, and other organic wastewater contaminants in U.S. streams
Analysis of trace levels of sulfonamide and tetracycline antimicrobials in groundwater and surface water using solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry
Use of radioimmunoassay as a screen for antibiotics in confined animal feeding operations and confirmation by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry
Potential endocrine disrupting organic chemicals in treated municipal wastewater and river water
Methods of analysis by the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Quality Laboratory - Determination of elements in whole-water digests using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry
Methods for determination of inorganic substances in water and fluvial sediments
Below are partners associated with this project.
- Overview
This collaborative project between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the USGS was conducted as part of a larger research program being undertaken by USEPA and the U.S Department of Agriculture at several research sites throughout the United States. Goals included:
1. Obtain detailed data concerning the survival of pathogenic microorganisms from manure applied to soil under different waste management practices;
2. Evaluate the movement of these organisms in overland runoff and through subsurface drainage to receiving waters; and
3. Evaluate the variability of host-specific PCR biomarkers from pathogens in wastes under different management practices.
The project was conducted at the North Carolina State University Lake Wheeler Road Field Laboratory in Wake County, NC, an agricultural site used for research and teaching purposes.This scope of work is being established to support USEPA’s research activities at the LWRFL site over a 2-year period, beginning in October 2009 (FY10) and ending in September 2011 (FY11). Field data collection activities are planned for the first year (FY10). Water-quality sampling sites will be established at the swine operation at the LWRFL. Water-quality samples of source waste materials and surface water will be collected for laboratory analysis of fecal indicator bacteria, pathogens, host-specific PCR biomarkers, antibiotic resistant bacteria, antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs), and nutrients (tables 1 and 2). In the final year of the project (FY11), the field site will be decommissioned and the USGS and USEPA will work collaboratively to develop a final project report that compiles results of data collection activities at the LWRFL.
The specific objectives of the USGS and USEPA research proposed at the LWRFL are to:
-
measure the survival of bacterial indicator organisms and pathogens and the persistence of host-specific molecular biomarkers in soils receiving applications of swine waste materials, and
-
assess transport of microorganisms and nutrients through overland runoff and from waste-application fields to adjacent streams.
As part of field data collection activities, the USGS has installed stream gages to monitor flow and automated samplers to collect stormwater-runoff samples at five surface-water sites (fig. 1). Samples at the stormwater monitoring stations will be collected during approximately 6 storm events. Soil samples will be collected following applications of lagoon effluent in the spray fields. A rain gage will be installed to record rainfall data at the LWRFL. The USGS will collect and provide samples to USEPA for analysis of fecal indicator bacteria, pathogens, host-specific PCR biomarkers, antibiotic resistant bacteria, and ARGs (table 1). USGS also will collect and analyze samples for nutrient concentrations (table 2).
Approach:
The following tasks and data collection activities will be performed to meet the project objectives.
Task 1: Establish hydrologic and water-quality monitoring stations
Downstream monitoring station Five monitoring sites at the LWRFL have been established for use in collecting water-quality samples and continuous discharge data. Monitoring sites ST1A, SR1, SR2, and ST1D were established to monitor stormwater runoff at the swine facility. Monitoring site BR1 was established in an agricultural field with no animal waste inputs to generate background data for use in examining relative differences in bacteria and nutrient loadings associated with sites SR1 and SR2 that receive overland runoff from the swine waste application fields. A rain gage was installed at site ST1A for recording continuous data on precipitation at the LWRFL.
Task 2: Continuously measure water stage at each water-quality monitoring station
At each monitoring site established as part of task 1, USGS will continuously measure water stage and perform discharge measurements to develop continuous records of discharge at each site. Pre-fabricated flumes have been installed at overland runoff sites BR1, SR1, and SR2 (fig. 1 and table 3). Discharge rating curves for the flumes will be used in combination with continuous stage measurements in each flume to determine continuous discharge records for each site.
Overland runoff monitoring station Task 3: Characterization of animal wastes
Samples of fecal waste-material will be collected from the animal waste-storage lagoons at the swine operation for laboratory analyses. Samples of swine waste applied by spraying of lagoon effluent also will be collected in the waste application fields. The samples will be analyzed primarily for fecal bacterial indicators, pathogens, molecular biomarkers, and antimicrobial resistance (table 1). Select samples will be analyzed for nutrients (table 2).
Task 4: Collect soil samples for survivability testing of pathogenic microorganisms
Samples of surface soil material will be collected from the swine waste application fields for laboratory analysis of pathogens, fecal indicator bacteria, and antibiotic resistance bacteria, and host specific molecular biomarkers (fig. 1, table 1). Ideally, a soil sampling event will be conducted in coordination with the spraying of lagoon effluent in the application fields. Samples are proposed to be collected the day before spraying, the day of spraying, and then at 3, 7, 14, and 28 days following the application event.
Task 5: Perform rainfall-associated sample collection for evaluation of bacteria and nutrients at each water-quality monitoring station
At the five monitoring stations (fig. 1), automated samplers will be used to collect water samples during approximately 6 rainfall-runoff events during the one year monitoring period. For each event, approximately 5 samples will be collected at each site for microbiological and chemical analyses (table 1 and table 2). The water quality samples will be analyzed primarily for fecal bacterial indicators, pathogens, molecular biomarkers, antimicrobial resistance, and nutrients.
Task 6: Perform routine baseline sample collection for evaluation of bacteria and nutrients at each study area
In addition to storm-event sampling, instantaneous water samples will be collected on approximately a bi-weekly basis to establish baseline water-quality information. Samples will be collected at the upstream and downstream automated monitoring stations (sites ST1A and ST1D) and at two additional baseline sites (sites ST1B and ST1C) not included in the runoff monitoring network (fig. 1 and table 3). Discharge measurements will be performed at the time of sampling. The water samples will be analyzed primarily for fecal bacterial indicators, pathogens, molecular biomarkers, antimicrobial resistance, and nutrients (table 1 and table 2).
Task 7: Compile site use information
USGS staff will work with LWRFL staff to obtain available information on past and present activities at the swine operation that may be beneficial to interpreting data results obtained during the study. To the extent possible, USGS will compile information on waste applications (manure types and amounts, timing, and field locations), inorganic fertilizer applications, crop rotations, livestock populations, and historical pharmaceutical use for the swine operation.
Task 8: Prepare final report
Upon completion of field data collection activities, the USGS will work in collaboration with EPA to jointly complete an USGS Open-File Report (available online) that compiles and summarizes results of data collection activities at the LWRFL. The study results will provide animal producers, public health officials, and water-resource managers, at local and national levels, with beneficial information in designing and implementing best management practices for reducing the load of pathogenic microorganisms, nutrients, and OWCs reaching the environment.
(Public domain.) -
- Science
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Evaluation of Nutrients in Durham County, North Carolina, Urban Streams
Falls Lake and Jordan Lake are included in the North Carolina Division of Water Quality's 303(d) list of "impaired" waters due to violations of the State chlorophyll-a standard caused by excessive nutrient inputs. Scientific data are needed allocate resources to achieve nutrient reduction targets have been adopted for the Falls Lake and Jordan Lake watersheds for stormwater, as well as for... - Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Reconnaissance of Organic Wastewater Compounds at a Concentrated Swine Feeding Operation in the North Carolina Coastal Plain, 2008
Water-quality and hydrologic data were collected during 2008 to examine the occurrence of organic wastewater compounds at a concentrated swine feeding operation located in the North Carolina Coastal Plain. Continuous groundwater level and stream-stage data were collected at one monitoring well and one stream site, respectively, throughout 2008. One round of environmental and quality-control sampleAuthorsStephen L. HardenMicrobial and Nutrient Concentration and Load Data During Stormwater Runoff at a Swine Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation in the North Carolina Coastal Plain, 2006-2007
This report summarizes water-quality and hydrologic data collected during 2006-2007 to characterize bacteria and nutrient loads associated with overland runoff and subsurface tile drainage in spray fields at a swine concentrated animal feeding operation. Four monitoring locations were established at the Lizzie Research Site in the North Carolina Coastal Plain Physiographic Province for collectingAuthorsStephen L. HardenFactors Affecting Nitrate Delivery to Streams from Shallow Ground Water in the North Carolina Coastal Plain
An analysis of data collected at five flow-path study sites between 1997 and 2006 was performed to identify the factors needed to formulate a comprehensive program, with a focus on nitrogen, for protecting ground water and surface water in the North Carolina Coastal Plain. Water-quality protection in the Coastal Plain requires the identification of factors that affect the transport of nutrients frAuthorsStephen L. Harden, Timothy B. SpruillGeochemistry and characteristics of nitrogen transport at a confined animal feeding operation in a coastal plain agricultural watershed, and implications for nutrient loading in the Neuse River basin, North Carolina, 1999-2002
Chemical, geologic, hydrologic, and age-dating information collected between 1999 and 2002 were used to examine the transport of contaminants, primarily nitrogen, in ground water and the pathways to surface water in a coastal plain setting in North Carolina. Data were collected from more than 35 wells and 4 surface-water sampling sites located in a 0.59 square-mile basin to examine detailed hydrogAuthorsT. B. Spruill, A. J. Tesoriero, H.E. Mew, K.M. Farrell, S.L. Harden, A.B. Colosimo, S.R. KraemerPharmaceuticals, hormones, and other organic wastewater contaminants in U.S. streams
A recent study by the Toxic Substances Hydrology Program of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) shows that a broad range of chemicals found in residential, industrial, and agricultural wastewaters commonly occurs in mixtures at low concentrations downstream from areas of intense urbanization and animal production. The chemicals include human and veterinary drugs (including antibiotics), natural andAuthorsHerbert T. Buxton, Dana W. KolpinAnalysis of trace levels of sulfonamide and tetracycline antimicrobials in groundwater and surface water using solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry
A method has been developed for the trace analysis of two classes of antimicrobials consisting of six sulfonamides (SAs) and five tetracyclines (TCs), which commonly are used for veterinary purposes and agricultural feed additives and are suspected to leach into ground and surface water. The method used solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) with positive ion elAuthorsM.E. Lindsey, M. Meyer, E. M. ThurmanUse of radioimmunoassay as a screen for antibiotics in confined animal feeding operations and confirmation by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry
Approximately one-half of the 50 000000 lb of antibiotics produced in the USA are used in agriculture. Because of the intensive use of antibiotics in the management of confined livestock operations, the potential exists for the transport of these compounds and their metabolites into our nation's water resources. A commercially available radioimmunoassay method, developed as a screen for tetracycliAuthorsM. T. Meyer, J.E. Bumgarner, J.L. Varns, J.V. Daughtridge, E. M. Thurman, K.A. HostetlerPotential endocrine disrupting organic chemicals in treated municipal wastewater and river water
Select endocrine disrupting organic chemicals were measured in treated wastewater from Chicago, IL, Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN, Detroit, MI, and Milwaukee, WI, and in the Des Plaines, Illinois, and Minnesota Rivers during the fall of 1997 and the spring of 1998. Emphasis was given to alkylphenolpolyethoxylate (APEO) derived compounds, although 17-??-estradiol, bisphenol A, caffeine, total organic caAuthorsLarry B. Barber, Greg K. Brown, Steven D. ZauggMethods of analysis by the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Quality Laboratory - Determination of elements in whole-water digests using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry
Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) can be used to determine 26 elements in whole-water digests. Both methods have distinct advantages and disadvantages--ICP-OES is capable of analyzing samples with higher elemental concentrations without dilution, however, ICP-MS is more sensitive and capable of determiningAuthorsJohn R. Garbarino, Tedmund M. StruzeskiMethods for determination of inorganic substances in water and fluvial sediments
Chapter Al of the laboratory manual contains methods used by the U.S. Geological Survey to analyze samples of water, suspended sediments, and bottom material for their content of inorganic constituents. Included are methods for determining the concentration of dissolved constituents in water, the total recoverable and total of constituents in water-suspended sediment samples, and the recoverable aAuthorsMarvin J. Fishman, Linda C. Friedman - Partners
Below are partners associated with this project.