Grantee Research Project Results
2008 Progress Report: An Integrated Approach to Developing a Total Facility Estrogen Budget at a Swine Farrowing CAFO
EPA Grant Number: R833420Title: An Integrated Approach to Developing a Total Facility Estrogen Budget at a Swine Farrowing CAFO
Investigators: Kullman, Seth W. , Linden, Karl G. , Reckhow, Kenneth H. , Meyer, M. T.
Current Investigators: Kullman, Seth W. , Meyer, M. T. , Reckhow, Kenneth H.
Institution: Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences , Organic Geochemistry Research Laboratory , Pratt School of Engineering , North Carolina State University
Current Institution: North Carolina State University , Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences , Organic Geochemistry Research Laboratory
EPA Project Officer: Aja, Hayley
Project Period: February 1, 2008 through January 31, 2013 (Extended to January 31, 2014)
Project Period Covered by this Report: February 1, 2008 through January 31,2009
Project Amount: $663,532
RFA: Fate and Effects of Hormones in Waste from Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOS) (2006) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Endocrine Disruptors , Human Health , Safer Chemicals
Objective:
Progress Summary:
The objective of Task B is to thoroughly characterize the stability and fate of estrogens in the holding lagoons. As the lagoons are the largest reservoir of estrogens at the CAFO, they represent an essential factor for a total facility estrogen budget. Preliminary lagoon samples were taken in spring of 2009. LC/MS/MS analysis of lagoon solids and liquids is currently in process. YES data of lagoon sample liquids demonstrates that lagoons contain significant estrogenic activity ~ 5.0E‐9. A full‐scale sampling of the lagoon is planned for June 15, 2009.
The intent of Task C is to measure estrogen concentration and stability of estrogens in field plots receiving lagoon waste as fertilizer. Secondly, we are also interested in determining the degree of off‐site movement of estrogens and document the potential environmental significance of these inputs. Preliminary field samples were taken in spring of 2009. Samples are being processed for analytical and YES analysis.
For Specific Aim 2 we have developed a Bayesian network (BN) model that characterizes causal relationships for a total facility estrogen budget in a probabilistic manner. There are three main tasks to develop a BN model, including construction of the model structure, parameterization of model variables, and model inference. As with our facility, we have establish three primary nodes for our model that reflect estrogen flow from animal barns, to the waste lagoon, to the spray fields, and ultimately to runoff toward ground and surface water. The preliminary structure of the BN models was constructed based on expert elicitation and has been refined by reflecting the input of other experts, such as toxicologists, chemists, soil experts, and swine facility experts in an iterative manner. Each model structure consists of relevant model elements to characterize the estrogen concentration, fate, and transport in terms of the three different types of estrogens, while also accounting for the total estrogen budget.
Future Activities:
Activities for Aims 1 and 2 will continue. Sampling for lagoon studies will commence in June of 2009, followed by sampling of field plots receiving lagoon spray applications.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 28 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
CAFO, estrogens, fate and transport, mass balanceProgress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.
Project Research Results
- Final Report
- 2012 Progress Report
- 2011 Progress Report
- 2010 Progress Report
- 2009 Progress Report
- Original Abstract
8 journal articles for this project