Grantee Research Project Results
2009 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: North Carolina State University , Organic Geochemistry Research Laboratory , Pratt School of Engineering
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, 2009 through January 31,2010
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:
Little information is available regarding the concentration, release, fate and transport of estrogenic compounds in animal waste treatment and storage facilities. Naturally occurring estrogens in animal wastes present an emerging risk to terrestrial and aquatic environments through their potential release and action as endocrine disruptors. Given the trend in agriculture toward concentrated animal feeding operations and the extensive volume of waste generated, the potential for environmental impact “cannot be overstated”. Large data gaps include: operation specific generation, concentrations and fate of these hormones, their conjugates and metabolites throughout CAFO facilities. Specifically, little data has been generated evaluating estrogen loads from differing swine operations such as farrowing and finishing facilities. We must develop quantitative information regarding: reproductive status and estrogen excretion by individual animals, the stability of estrogens in open pit holding lagoons and mobility of estrogens to surface waters following spray field application of swine waste as fertilizer. To address these data gaps we focus on a swine farrowing CAFO based on its operational units. By creating a hierarchical structure, assessments of estrogen fate will be “parameterized” and used for input into a Bayesian network model.
Progress Summary:
Two primary aims were described in our original proposal. The objective of Aim 1 is to establish “total facility estrogen budget” based upon composite measurements of natural estrogenic compounds throughout a swine farrowing (CAFO). This aim is comprised of three tasks:
The objective of Task A is to determine total animal estrogen output from differing operational phases within the swine CAFO. In the first year of our project, we collected urine from individual gilts and sows at various stages of reproduction in the CAFO facility, and analyzed them for estrogen content using LC/MS-‐MS. Analysis of these urine samples by the yeast estrogen screen (YES) bioassay revealed estrogenic activity ranging from 0.28 to 14738.95 ng/L 17β-‐estradiol equivalents (EEQ). Average estrogenic activity was observed to increase with stage of pregnancy, reaching a peak during farrowing. There was a strong correlation between the estrogenic potencies (EPs) predicted by the LC/MS-‐MS results and the EEQs determined by the YES for each sample (R2 = 0.9962).
The objective of Task B is to thoroughly characterize the stability and fate of estrogens in the holding lagoons. In June 2009, we conducted extensive sampling of the waste lagoon. This consisted of sampling over a horizontal cross-‐section of the lagoon at 4 different depths, including both slurry and sludge. Estrogens in the aqueous and solid phases were separated and fractions analyzed separately for estrogen content and estrogenic activity. Analyses of the liquid fraction of these samples using the YES assay demonstrated relatively homogenous estrogenic activity throughout the lagoon, with an average EEQ of 417.71 ± 133.51 ng/L. There were no observable trends with depth or across horizontal distance in the lagoon, and the estrogenic activity of the sludge liquid was not significantly different than that of the slurry liquid. LC/MS-‐ MS analysis of the liquids revealed the presence of multiple forms of animal-‐derived estrogens in the holding lagoon, as well as several plant-‐derived phytoestrogens (daidzein, equol, formononetin), which presumably originated from the hogs’ diets. (Urine samples have not yet been analyzed for phytoestrogens.) As with the urine samples, estrone was found to be the most abundant form of estrogen in the lagoon; however, 17β-‐estradiol was decreased and estriol was elevated in the lagoon relative to the urine, indicating that transformation of estrogens was occurring in the lagoon. Consistent with the YES results, the LC/MS-‐MS results demonstrated that estrogen content is relatively homogeneous throughout the whole lagoon. Lagoon samples were also analyzed for total suspended solids, PO4, NH4, total dissolved N, and dissolved organic C, all of which were found to be relatively uniform throughout the lagoon. %C was measured in the solids, and was found to be higher in the slurry solids (avg. %C =42.20) than in the sludge solids (avg. %C =23.22). Additionally, measurements taken at the lagoon showed temperature, pH, salinity, and conductivity to be relatively static throughout the lagoon, whereas redox potential increased with depth and dissolved oxygen decreased with depth.
In September 2009, barn flush samples were collected from individual barns throughout the CAFO facility. As the barns are flushed using recirculated lagoon slurry, these samples represent a primary mixing of raw animal waste and lagoon slurry. Analysis of the samples by the yeast estrogen screen (YES) bioassay revealed EEQs ranging from 168.85 to 937.36 ng/L. As expected (based on the analysis of the urine samples), estrogenic activity was highest in the farrowing barn flush. There was a good correlation between the EPs predicted by the LC/MS-‐MS results and the EEQs determined by the YES for each sample (R2 = 0.9125).
Fecal solids from individual animals and separated lagoon slurry solids are currently being extracted at the USGS laboratory. We anticipate running YES and analytical analysis on these samples in late January of 2010.
The objective of Task C is to measure estrogen concentration and stability of estrogens in field plots receiving lagoon waste as fertilizer. In December 2009, an exhaustive soil sampling was conducted through a cross-‐sections of two spray fields on the CAFO facility. One of the fields chosen for sampling was covered with a perennial stand of coastal Bermuda grass, whereas the other was a fallow field that will be planted with an annual field crop. Neither of these fields had been irrigated with lagoon slurry for several months at the time of sampling. Therefore, the goal of this set of soil samples was to obtain baseline hormone levels for these fields. Soil cores were divided into top (1-‐6”) and bottom (7-‐12”) fractions, in order to measure any possible downward migration of estrogens through the soil. Soils are currently undergoing extraction and analysis.
Activity for Specific Aim 2 is on going and a preliminary model has been established representing all operational processes within the CAFO. As hormone concentration data is established we are populating the model. Data values for other parameters of the model are bing established through an exhaustive literature search and expert elicitation. When complete the Bayesian network model t will characterize causal relationships for a total facility estrogen budget in a probabilistic manner.
Future Activities:
Feces samples and lagoon solid samples (collected in 2008-‐2009) have not yet been analyzed for estrogen content and estrogenic activity, due to the need to establish extraction and clean procedures for bile and other impurities that will interfere with the YES assay. We have recently established a clean-‐up procedure, and will proceed with the analysis of these samples in early 2010.
We will re-‐sample the spray fields immediately following irrigation with lagoon slurry, which should occur in February 2010. Subsequent samplings will then occur over the following months in order to monitor any changes in estrogen content/activity following the spray event. Second rounds of urine, feces, lagoon, and barn flush sampling are also planned for March 2010.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 28 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
CAFO, estrogens, fate and transport, mass balance,Progress 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
- 2008 Progress Report
- Original Abstract
8 journal articles for this project