Occurrence and Fate of Steroid Estrogens in a Chinese Typical Concentrated Dairy Farm and Slurry Irrigated Soil

Animal husbandry is the second largest source of steroid estrogen (SE) pollutants in the environment, and it is significant to investigate the occurrence and fate of SEs discharged from concentrated animal feeding operations. In this research, with a Chinese typical concentrated dairy farm as the object, the concentrations of SEs (E1, 17 alpha-E2, 17 beta-E2, E3, and E1-S3) in slurry, lagoon water, and slurry-irrigated soil samples in summer, autumn, and winter were determined. The total concentrations of SEs (mainly E1, 17 alpha-E2, and 17 beta-E2) in slurry were very high in the range of 263.1-2475.08 ng.L-1. In the lagoon water, the removal efficiencies of the aerobic tank could reach up to 89.53%, with significant fluctuation in different seasons. In the slurry-irrigated soil, the maximum concentrations of SEs in the topsoil and subsoil were 21.54 ng.g(-1) to 6.82 g.g(-1), respectively. Most of the SEs tended to transport downward and accumulate in the soil accompanied with the complex mutual conversion. Correlations and hierarchical clustering analysis showed a variety of intertransformation among SEs, and the concentrations of SEs were correlated with various physicochemical indexes, such as TN and NO3--N of the slurry, chemical oxygen demand of the lagoon water, and the heavy metals of soil. In addition, 17 beta-estradiol equivalency assessment and risk quotients indicated that the slurry irrigation and discharge of the lagoon water would cause potential estrogenic risks to the environment. Consequently, reasonable slurry irrigation and lagoon water discharge are essential to efficiently control SE pollution in the environment.

Automated summary

Animal husbandry is the second largest source of steroid estrogen pollutants in the environment, and investigating the occurrence and fate of SEs discharged from concentrated animal feeding operations is significant. This research focused on a typical concentrated dairy farm in China and found high concentrations of SEs in slurry, lagoon water, and slurry-irrigated soil, with complex transport and accumulation patterns. Correlations and hierarchical clustering analysis revealed intertransformation among SEs and their correlation with various physicochemical indexes, highlighting the potential estrogenic risks posed by slurry irrigation and lagoon water discharge. Proper management practices are essential to control SE pollution effectively.