Effects of solid-liquid separation and storage on monensin attenuation in dairy waste management systems

Journal of Environmental Management
By: , and 

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Abstract

Environmental release of veterinary pharmaceuticals has been of regulatory concern for more than a decade. Monensin is a feed additive antibiotic that is prevalent throughout the dairy industry and is excreted in dairy waste. This study investigates the potential of dairy waste management practices to alter the amount of monensin available for release into the environment. Analysis of wastewater and groundwater from two dairy farms in California consistently concluded that monensin is most present in lagoon water and groundwater downgradient of lagoons. Since the lagoons represent a direct source of monensin to groundwater, the effect of waste management, by mechanical screen separation and lagoon aeration, on aqueous monensin concentration was investigated through construction of lagoon microcosms. The results indicate that monensin attenuation is not improved by increased solid-liquid separation prior to storage in lagoons, as monensin is rapidly desorbed after dilution with water. Monensin is also shown to be easily degraded in lagoon microcosms receiving aeration, but is relatively stable and available for leaching under typical anaerobic lagoon conditions.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Effects of solid-liquid separation and storage on monensin attenuation in dairy waste management systems
Series title Journal of Environmental Management
DOI 10.1016/j.jenvman.2016.12.024
Volume 190
Year Published 2017
Language English
Publisher Academic Press
Publisher location New York, NY
Contributing office(s) California Water Science Center
Description 7 p.
First page 28
Last page 34
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