Animal manure and biosolids, the solid byproduct of wastewater treatment, often are applied to agricultural crops to provide nutrients for plant growth and to improve the quality of soil. Earthworms studied in agricultural fields where manure and biosolids were applied have been found to contain organic chemicals from household products and manure. Earthworms continuously ingest soils and may accumulate any soil contaminants into their bodies. The chemicals detected included the active ingredients commonly found in a variety of household products—including the disinfectant found in antibacterial soaps, fragrances used in perfumes and detergents, and pharmaceuticals. The chemicals targeted in this study are referred to collectively by the authors as anthropogenic waste indicators.
U.S. Geological Survey scientists and their colleague from Colorado State University at Pueblo published the results of the earthworm study in Environmental Science and Technology. The scientists collected soil and earthworms from three agricultural fields—a soybean field fertilized with biosolids, a corn field fertilized with swine manure, and a soybean field that had received no applications of either biosolids or manure for at least 7 years. Samples were collected approximately one month after manure and biosolid applications (in the early part of the growing season) and again just before harvest. To determine what was in the material being applied to these fields, the scientists also collected samples of the applied biosolids and swine manure. All samples were analyzed for 77 AWIs. They found:
Anthropogenic Waste Indicators
Anthropogenic waste indicators (AWIs) are organic chemicals that are found in waste sources such as biosolids or wastewater effluent from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). AWIs are made up of a wide variety of organic chemicals, some of which are found in household products such as prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, detergents, antibacterial soaps, fragrances, and pesticides. Some AWIs are naturally occurring chemicals (such as plant and animal sterols) that are concentrated by the treatment processes at WWTPs.
Biosolids
Biosolids are created from the sludge generated by the treatment of sewage at WWTPs. WWTPs in the United States generate approximately 8 million dry tons of biosolids each year. Since biosolids are rich in plant nutrients, about 50 percent of the annual production of biosolids in the United States is applied to fields and gardens as fertilizer for plants. Biosolids must meet standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for nutrient, metal, and pathogen content before it can be used to fertilize plants and to improve the quality of soil. Biosolids have relatively higher concentrations of organic wastewater contaminants than their liquid counterparts—effluent discharged from wastewater treatment plants.
Results
- Twenty-five of the 28 AWIs detected in the biosolids applied to a soybean field were also found in the earthworms from the field.
- Twenty-one AWIs were detected in the earthworms from the field where swine manure was applied; however, concentrations of contaminants were dominated by natural plant and animal sterol compounds.
- Several compounds were detected in earthworms collected both from the biosolids- and manure-applied fields, including phenol (disinfectant), tributylphosphate (antifoaming agent and flame retardant), benzophenone (fixative, binds fragrances in soaps and other products), trimethoprim (antibiotic), and the synthetic fragrances galaxolide and tonalide.
- Detergent metabolites and the disinfectant triclosan were found in earthworms from the biosolids-applied field, but not the manure-applied field.
- Somewhat surprisingly, earthworms from the control field (no recent application of biosolids or manure) contained detections of some of the same compounds, indicating potential persistence in the environment or another source.
- A few of the chemicals that were detected in the earthworms were not detected in the corresponding soil samples.
These results build upon two recent studies that found that household chemicals were detected in biosolids and that pharmaceuticals were found in soil irrigated with reclaimed water.
This study is part of a long-term effort by the U.S. Geological Survey’s Toxic Substances Hydrology Program to determine the fates and effects of pharmaceuticals and other emerging contaminants in aquatic and terrestrial environments, and to provide water-resource managers with objective information that assists in the development of optimal wastewater management practices.
Related science listed below.
Cyclical Mobilization and Attenuation of Naturally Occurring Arsenic in an Underground Petroleum Plume
Commonly Used Chemicals Transported to Agricultural Field through Municipal Biosolids Application
Multi-State Survey Measures Parabens in Municipal Wastewater Biosolids
Gestodene Affects Fish Reproductive Behavior in Laboratory Exposure Study
Swine Manure Application as a Source of Hepatitis E Virus and other Livestock-Related Pathogens
Landfill Leachate Released to Wastewater Treatment Plants and other Environmental Pathways Contains a Mixture of Contaminants including Pharmaceuticals
Pharmaceuticals and Other Chemicals Common in Landfill Waste
Hormones in Land-Applied Biosolids Could Affect Aquatic Organisms
Antibiotics in Groundwater Affect Natural Bacteria
Algal Blooms Consistently Produce Complex Mixtures of Cyanotoxins and Co-Occur with Taste-and-Odor Causing Compounds in 23 Midwestern Lakes
Hormones Degrade in the Environment!
Glyphosate Herbicide Found in Many Midwestern Streams, Antibiotics Not Common
Related publications listed below.
Bioaccumulation of pharmaceuticals and other anthropogenic waste indicators in earthworms from agricultural soil amended with biosolid or swine manure
Survey of organic wastewater contaminants in biosolids destined for land application
Transport of chemical and microbial compounds from known wastewater discharges: Potential for use as indicators of human fecal contamination
Related news stories listed below.
- Overview
Animal manure and biosolids, the solid byproduct of wastewater treatment, often are applied to agricultural crops to provide nutrients for plant growth and to improve the quality of soil. Earthworms studied in agricultural fields where manure and biosolids were applied have been found to contain organic chemicals from household products and manure. Earthworms continuously ingest soils and may accumulate any soil contaminants into their bodies. The chemicals detected included the active ingredients commonly found in a variety of household products—including the disinfectant found in antibacterial soaps, fragrances used in perfumes and detergents, and pharmaceuticals. The chemicals targeted in this study are referred to collectively by the authors as anthropogenic waste indicators.
Scientists collected earthworms from a soybean field fertilized with biosolids. The earthworms were analyzed for 77 different chemicals; 20 chemicals were detected in the earthworms. U.S. Geological Survey scientists and their colleague from Colorado State University at Pueblo published the results of the earthworm study in Environmental Science and Technology. The scientists collected soil and earthworms from three agricultural fields—a soybean field fertilized with biosolids, a corn field fertilized with swine manure, and a soybean field that had received no applications of either biosolids or manure for at least 7 years. Samples were collected approximately one month after manure and biosolid applications (in the early part of the growing season) and again just before harvest. To determine what was in the material being applied to these fields, the scientists also collected samples of the applied biosolids and swine manure. All samples were analyzed for 77 AWIs. They found:
Anthropogenic Waste Indicators
Anthropogenic waste indicators (AWIs) are organic chemicals that are found in waste sources such as biosolids or wastewater effluent from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). AWIs are made up of a wide variety of organic chemicals, some of which are found in household products such as prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, detergents, antibacterial soaps, fragrances, and pesticides. Some AWIs are naturally occurring chemicals (such as plant and animal sterols) that are concentrated by the treatment processes at WWTPs.Biosolids
Biosolids are created from the sludge generated by the treatment of sewage at WWTPs. WWTPs in the United States generate approximately 8 million dry tons of biosolids each year. Since biosolids are rich in plant nutrients, about 50 percent of the annual production of biosolids in the United States is applied to fields and gardens as fertilizer for plants. Biosolids must meet standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for nutrient, metal, and pathogen content before it can be used to fertilize plants and to improve the quality of soil. Biosolids have relatively higher concentrations of organic wastewater contaminants than their liquid counterparts—effluent discharged from wastewater treatment plants.Results
- Twenty-five of the 28 AWIs detected in the biosolids applied to a soybean field were also found in the earthworms from the field.
- Twenty-one AWIs were detected in the earthworms from the field where swine manure was applied; however, concentrations of contaminants were dominated by natural plant and animal sterol compounds.
- Several compounds were detected in earthworms collected both from the biosolids- and manure-applied fields, including phenol (disinfectant), tributylphosphate (antifoaming agent and flame retardant), benzophenone (fixative, binds fragrances in soaps and other products), trimethoprim (antibiotic), and the synthetic fragrances galaxolide and tonalide.
- Detergent metabolites and the disinfectant triclosan were found in earthworms from the biosolids-applied field, but not the manure-applied field.
- Somewhat surprisingly, earthworms from the control field (no recent application of biosolids or manure) contained detections of some of the same compounds, indicating potential persistence in the environment or another source.
- A few of the chemicals that were detected in the earthworms were not detected in the corresponding soil samples.
These results build upon two recent studies that found that household chemicals were detected in biosolids and that pharmaceuticals were found in soil irrigated with reclaimed water.
This study is part of a long-term effort by the U.S. Geological Survey’s Toxic Substances Hydrology Program to determine the fates and effects of pharmaceuticals and other emerging contaminants in aquatic and terrestrial environments, and to provide water-resource managers with objective information that assists in the development of optimal wastewater management practices.
- Science
Related science listed below.
Filter Total Items: 14Cyclical Mobilization and Attenuation of Naturally Occurring Arsenic in an Underground Petroleum Plume
Scientists found that naturally occurring arsenic in aquifer sediments was mobilized into groundwater and attenuated through reattachment to sediments within an underground petroleum plume. Understanding these patterns identifies anthropogenic factors that affect arsenic presence and magnitude in groundwater.Commonly Used Chemicals Transported to Agricultural Field through Municipal Biosolids Application
Commonly used chemicals (including fragrances, detergents, fire retardants, plasticizers, and antibacterials) transferred to wastewater treatment plants were detected in municipal wastewater biosolids applied to agricultural field plots and subsequently detected in the runoff transported from the plots during precipitation events.Multi-State Survey Measures Parabens in Municipal Wastewater Biosolids
This study provides new information about the composition and concentrations of 5 parabens—preservatives in pharmaceuticals and personal care products—present in biosolids collected from 14 municipal wastewater treatment plants across the United States.Gestodene Affects Fish Reproductive Behavior in Laboratory Exposure Study
Short-term laboratory exposure of adult fathead minnows to the human contraceptive progestin, gestodene (GES), at environmentally relevant concentrations induced rapid and negative effects on reproductive health and suggests that wild fish may be similarly affected.Swine Manure Application as a Source of Hepatitis E Virus and other Livestock-Related Pathogens
The presence of indicator bacteria, hepatitis E virus (HEV), and numerous bacterial pathogen genes increased following precipitation-induced runoff events in streams draining adjacent land surfaces in Iowa where swine manure was recently applied.Landfill Leachate Released to Wastewater Treatment Plants and other Environmental Pathways Contains a Mixture of Contaminants including Pharmaceuticals
New scientific research from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) details how landfill leachate, disposed from landfills to environmental pathways, is host to numerous contaminants of emerging concern (CECs).Pharmaceuticals and Other Chemicals Common in Landfill Waste
Landfill leachate contains a variety of chemicals that reflect our daily activities, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists concluded as a result of a nationwide study. Landfills are a common disposal mechanism for our Nation's solid waste from residential, commercial, and industrial sources. The scientists found that pharmaceuticals, personal-care products, and other contaminants of emerging...Hormones in Land-Applied Biosolids Could Affect Aquatic Organisms
Hormones from biosolids applied to fields may be present in rainfall runoff at concentrations that are high enough to impact the health of aquatic organisms if the runoff reaches streams, report scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and Colorado State University in Environmental Science and Technology. Artificial rainfall runoff from agricultural test plots where biosolids were applied...Antibiotics in Groundwater Affect Natural Bacteria
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists have documented adverse health effects on populations of native soil bacteria exposed to levels of the antibiotic (SMX) below those used to treat diseases (subtherapeutic). Because SMX has been found in environmental waters by many previous studies, the scientists conducted laboratory exposure experiments to determine the effect of SMX on native bacteria...Algal Blooms Consistently Produce Complex Mixtures of Cyanotoxins and Co-Occur with Taste-and-Odor Causing Compounds in 23 Midwestern Lakes
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists studying the effects of harmful algal blooms on lake water quality found that blooms of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) in Midwestern lakes produced mixtures of cyanotoxins and taste-and-odor causing compounds, which co-occurred in lake water samples. Cyanotoxins can cause allergic and/or respiratory issues, attack the liver and kidneys, or affect the...Hormones Degrade in the Environment!
In two separate studies, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists demonstrated that hormones such as estrogen can biodegrade in stream and groundwater environments. This is an important finding because the science, regulatory, and environmental communities have concerns about the environmental fate of endocrine-disrupting chemicals, such as hormones, in the human wastewaters discharged to the...Glyphosate Herbicide Found in Many Midwestern Streams, Antibiotics Not Common
Researchers with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recently investigated 51 streams in nine Midwestern States to determine the presence of a wide range of herbicides, their degradation byproducts and antibiotics. Herbicides were detected in most water samples, which were collected to coincide with runoff events following herbicide application, but antibiotics were detected in only 1 percent of the... - Publications
Related publications listed below.
Bioaccumulation of pharmaceuticals and other anthropogenic waste indicators in earthworms from agricultural soil amended with biosolid or swine manure
Analysis of earthworms offers potential for assessing the transfer of organic anthropogenic waste indicators (AWIs) derived from land-applied biosolid or manure to biota. Earthworms and soil samples were collected from three Midwest agricultural fields to measure the presence and potential for transfer of 77 AWIs from land-applied biosolids and livestock manure to earthworms. The sites consisted oAuthorsC.A. Kinney, E. T. Furlong, D.W. Kolpin, M.R. Burkhardt, S.D. Zaugg, S.L. Werner, J.P. Bossio, M.J. BenottiSurvey of organic wastewater contaminants in biosolids destined for land application
In this study, the presence, composition, and concentrations of organic wastewater contaminants (OWCs) were determined in solid materials produced during wastewater treatment. This study was undertaken to evaluate the potential of these solids, collectively referred to as biosolids, as a source of OWCs to soil and water in contact with soil. Nine different biosolid products, produced by municipalAuthorsC.A. Kinney, E. T. Furlong, S.D. Zaugg, M.R. Burkhardt, S.L. Werner, J.D. Cahill, G.R. JorgensenTransport of chemical and microbial compounds from known wastewater discharges: Potential for use as indicators of human fecal contamination
The quality of drinking and recreational water is currently (2005) determined using indicator bacteria. However, the culture tests used to analyze for these bacteria require a long time to complete and do not discriminate between human and animal fecal material sources. One complementary approach is to use chemicals found in human wastewater, which would have the advantages of (1) potentially shorAuthorsS.T. Glassmeyer, E. T. Furlong, D.W. Kolpin, J.D. Cahill, S.D. Zaugg, S.L. Werner, M. T. Meyer, D.D. Kryak - News
Related news stories listed below.