Project Number: 5310-32000-001-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Apr 03, 2000
End Date: Apr 02, 2005

Objective:
Quantify mechanisms and processes affecting the survival and transport of pathogenic microorganisms in manure, compost, soils, surface water, irrigation water and ground water. Determine transport and survival of Salmonella, E. coli, Campylobacter, and other pathogens from animal manure and animal-waste lagoons, and when manure is applied to forage lands. Develop control strategies to prevent transmission of pathogenic microorganisms to food-producting animals, agricultural crops & the environment.

Approach:
Conduct laboratory, lysimeter and field experiments to examine how the important physical, chemical, and biological processes affecting the fate and transport of pathogenic microorganisms in manure-soil-water systems. Laboratory studies will determine the important processes and mechanisms affecting pathogen survival. Future studies will be conducted at various scales to investigate pathogen movement in surface water and soil. Measurements of pathogen concentration, soil and environmental conditions will be collected to allow the simulation of pathogen transport. As new information becomes available, existing models will be improved to enchance the prediction of pathogen transport to surface water, ground water, and the environment. Coupling laboratory and field scale experiments with simulation studies, new strategies will be developed to control the movement of pathogenic microorganisms from animal feeding operations to human food and the environment. Research will be conducted in collaboration with the Food Safety Research, WRRC, Albany, CA. 5310-42000-002-00D (5/01)