Iodinated disinfection byproducts were found at stream locations downstream from treated discharge from wastewater treatment plants that receive dairy waste and in the wastewaters directly from dairy facilities.
Disinfection byproducts form when chlorine or other oxidizing agents react with organic matter in wastewaters. Because of the specific use of iodine and iodine-containing compounds in dairies, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists theorized that such operations, in conjunction with chlorine disinfection within the dairy processing facility or at municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) that receive dairy waste, could be a potential source of iodinated disinfection byproducts (iodo-DBPs) to corresponding receiving water bodies.
Iodo-DBPs were measured in wastewaters within dairy processing facilities (five milking and three cheese manufacturing) in New York and Wisconsin, and surface waters downstream from the discharge from two WWTPs that received dairy waste in California during 2014 and 2015.
Scientists determined that iodo-DBPs constituted 15−29 percent of the total DBPs measured in stream samples near WWTP effluents that were impacted by dairy waste. Iodo-DBPs constituted from 0 to 100 percent of the total DBPs in samples from dairy processing facilities. The fraction of iodo-DBPs was greater in dairy-impacted wastewaters than treated municipal wastewaters or oil and gas produced wastewaters that were sampled previously.
The results of this study identify the occurrence and potential pathways of iodo-DBPs to aquatic environments. Iodo-DBPs have been determined to be toxic to mammals; however, the effects on exposed aquatic biota remain poorly understood.
This research was funded by the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area’s Environmental Health Program (Contaminant Biology and Toxic Substances Hydrology).
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Food Resources Lifecycle Integrated Science Team
New Study Measures Crop Bactericide, Nitrapyrin, in Iowa Streams
Swine Manure Application as a Source of Hepatitis E Virus and other Livestock-Related Pathogens
Bacterial Pathogen Genes in Streams related to Animal Type and Hydrologic Conditions
Disinfection Byproducts from Treatment of Produced Waters
- Overview
Iodinated disinfection byproducts were found at stream locations downstream from treated discharge from wastewater treatment plants that receive dairy waste and in the wastewaters directly from dairy facilities.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Wastewater from some dairy operations is discharged to wastewater treatment plants for treatment. Photo Credit: Brett Hayhurst, USGS. Disinfection byproducts form when chlorine or other oxidizing agents react with organic matter in wastewaters. Because of the specific use of iodine and iodine-containing compounds in dairies, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists theorized that such operations, in conjunction with chlorine disinfection within the dairy processing facility or at municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) that receive dairy waste, could be a potential source of iodinated disinfection byproducts (iodo-DBPs) to corresponding receiving water bodies.
Iodo-DBPs were measured in wastewaters within dairy processing facilities (five milking and three cheese manufacturing) in New York and Wisconsin, and surface waters downstream from the discharge from two WWTPs that received dairy waste in California during 2014 and 2015.
Scientists determined that iodo-DBPs constituted 15−29 percent of the total DBPs measured in stream samples near WWTP effluents that were impacted by dairy waste. Iodo-DBPs constituted from 0 to 100 percent of the total DBPs in samples from dairy processing facilities. The fraction of iodo-DBPs was greater in dairy-impacted wastewaters than treated municipal wastewaters or oil and gas produced wastewaters that were sampled previously.
The results of this study identify the occurrence and potential pathways of iodo-DBPs to aquatic environments. Iodo-DBPs have been determined to be toxic to mammals; however, the effects on exposed aquatic biota remain poorly understood.
This research was funded by the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area’s Environmental Health Program (Contaminant Biology and Toxic Substances Hydrology).
- Science
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Food Resources Lifecycle Integrated Science Team
The team studies the movement of toxicants and pathogens that could originate from the growing, raising, and processing/manufacturing of plant and animal products through the environment where exposure can occur. This information is used to understand if there are adverse effects upon exposure and to develop decision tools to protect health.New Study Measures Crop Bactericide, Nitrapyrin, in Iowa Streams
First-ever reconnaissance study documents the off-field transport of nitrapyrin — a nitrification inhibitor applied with fertilizers as a bactericide to kill natural soil bacteria for the purpose of increasing crop yields — to adjacent streams. This study is the first step in understanding the transport, occurrence, and potential effects of nitrapyrin or similar compounds on nitrogen processing in...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.Bacterial Pathogen Genes in Streams related to Animal Type and Hydrologic Conditions
A U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) study elucidates the influence of animal type and environmental variables on bacterial pathogen occurrence in streams under typical watershed conditions.Disinfection Byproducts from Treatment of Produced Waters
Waters produced as a byproduct of oil and gas development were found to yield high concentrations of disinfection byproducts (DBPs) when treated. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) sampled stream waters upstream and downstream of the outfall of Publicly Owned Wastewater Treatment Works (POTWs), POTWs that receive and treat waters produced by conventional and unconventional oil and gas development... - Publications