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Solid Manure As a Source of Fecal Indicator Microorganisms: Release under Simulated Rainfall.
Ryan A Blaustein1,2, Yakov A Pachepsky2, Robert L Hill1
1†Department of Environmental Science and Technology, University of Maryland at College Park, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States.
Environmental Science & Technology
|May 27, 2015
Summary
Rainfall intensity and slope affect microbial release from manure, with bacteria partitioning into runoff and leachate. The Bradford-Schijven model best simulates this release for improved water quality management.
Area of Science:
- Environmental microbiology
- Water quality science
- Agricultural science
Background:
- Microbial release from manure impacts water quality.
- Quantifying microbial release is crucial for risk assessment.
- Understanding release mechanisms aids in developing mitigation strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of rainfall intensity and surface slope on microbial release (Escherichia coli, enterococci, total coliforms) and dissolved chloride from solid dairy manure.
- To evaluate the performance of the exponential and Bradford-Schijven models in simulating observed microbial release.
- To provide data for better microbial water quality management.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a rainfall simulator to induce runoff and leachate from solid dairy manure under controlled rainfall intensities (30-90 mm/h) and slopes (5%, 20%).
- Measured concentrations of Escherichia coli, enterococci, total coliforms, and dissolved chloride in runoff and leachate.
- Applied one-parametric exponential and two-parametric Bradford-Schijven models to simulate bacterial release and assessed model performance.
Main Results:
- Bacterial concentrations in initial release were significantly lower than in the source manure.
- Bacteria were released in two distinct stages, linked to manure liquid and solid phases.
- Rainfall intensity and slope influenced the partitioning of bacteria into runoff and leachate volumes, but not significantly the model parameters.
- The Bradford-Schijven model demonstrated superior performance in simulating bacterial release compared to the exponential model.
Conclusions:
- Rainfall characteristics and surface topography play a role in the dynamics of microbial release from solid manure.
- The Bradford-Schijven model is recommended for accurately simulating bacterial release from solid manure.
- Findings contribute to improved estimation and management of microbial contamination in water resources.
