ARS | Publication request: FATE AND TRANSPORT OF MANURE-BORNE PATHOGENS: MULTI-SCALE ASSESSMENT

Submitted to: Regional Science Workshop on Animal Feeding Operations
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: November 1, 2004
Publication Date: December 8, 2004
Citation: Pachepsky, Y.A., Sadeghi, A.M., Shelton, D.R., Starr, D.O. 2004. Fate and Transport of Manure-borne Pathogens: Multi-scale Assessment. Regional Science Workshop on Animal Feeding Operations. p. 2.

Technical Abstract: Development of best management practices (BMPs) requires assessment of fate and transport of manure-borne pathogens at several scales. Small-scale assessment is needed to evaluate the efficiency of vegetated filter strips (VFS); field scale assessment is needed to time manure applications; while watershed-scale assessments are needed to evaluate the efficiency of BMPs with respect to the water quality. Development and comparison of predictive models is needed to provide decision support in BMP efficiency evaluation. We are collecting data for model development and testing at the Patuxent lysimeter site, at the Beltsville OPE3 experimental watershed, and at the Cove Mountain Creek watershed. Manure particulates serve as carriers, abode, and food source for pathogens. Relatively high survival rates are found for manure-borne coliforms under Maryland conditions. The VFS efficiency depends on infiltration capacity, status of vegetation, and contributing area. The pathogen input from wildlife and survival of pathogens in stream and lake sediments remain the substantial sources of uncertainty. We developed a bacteria transport submodel for the USDA-ARS Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) for the watershed scale. Currently a program is in place to develop and test the VSF-scale and the field-scale models.