Impact/Purpose:

GENERIC RARE OBJECTIVE: The Regional Applied Research Effort (RARE) provides the Regions with a mechanism to address near term research needs through an ORD Laboratory/Center. Any applied research project that a Region identifies and that an ORD laboratory has the expertise to carry out will be considered if the three following conditions are met: 1) projects must be funded through an ORD Laboratory or Center, 2) the project must fall within with defined mission of the selected ORD Laboratory/Center, and 3) proposals must be research-oriented.

Description:

The goal of this project is to lay the basis for a qualitative assessment of the environmental risks posed by anitmicrobials which are used for growth and feed efficiency in concentrated animal feedlot operations (CAFOs). The investigators will conduct an extensive literature search on the physical, chemical and pharmacological characteristics of these growth promotors and develop an information system on the use of growth promotors that takes into account geographical differences. Concentrated animal feedlot operations (CAFO) produce large volumes of animal waste. Human health and environmental issues arise from the accumulation and disposal of these wastes. Regarding human health, antimicrobials are extensively and perhaps injudiciously used in animal husbandry. An accumulation of untreated antimicrobialcontaining animal wastes may create an favorable environment for the development of antibiotic resistant pathogens. Infections caused by antibiotic resistant bacteria are difficult to treat. Ecological issues would include the direct and indirect effects of increased nutrients and antimicrobials on aquatic organisms that may, in turn, contribute to overt ecological alterations such as hazardous algal blooms or changes in the microbial ecology of receiving waters. Flow cytometry is a powerful state-of-the-art analytical instrument that has become an essential technology in the aquatic sciences. Optical properties of individual cells are analyzed by this instrument. These properties can be used to enumerate, identify, measure metabolic activity, and monitor life history stages of aquatic microbes. Our objective is to use the technology of flow-cytometry to develop methods to assess potential environmental impacts of CAFOs with poorly managed practices of animal waste disposal. Various approaches will be taken. The effect of coccidiostats (antiprotozoal compounds extensively used swine and poultry operations) on food web dynamics will be investigated by setting up assemblages of planktonic species and measuring grazing rates in the presence and absence of these feed additives. An attempt will be made to detect and monitor antibiotic resistant bacteria by flow cytometry. This will have to be accomplished through the combined use of molecular biological techniques coupled with analyses by flow cytometry. Lastly, we hope to investigate the effect of animal wastes on grow dynamics of harmful algae. Specifically, the effects of increased nutrient loading, altered nutrient ratios on harmful algal growth, and toxicity will be investigated.

Record Details: