Abstract Book - Soil and Water Conservation Society

Abstract Book - 68th International SWCS Annual Conference
Fate and Transport Mechanisms of 17Beta-Estradiol and its Conjugates
Authors: Frank Casey*, North Dakota State Univ.
Abstract: In 2012, experiments were conducted to determine how dissolve organic carbon (DOC) and
colloidal organic carbon (COC) derived from soil and manure affect the fate and transport of 17ß-estradiol
(E2). Radiolabelled (14C)-E2 was filtered with pure water and different combinations of soil and manure
derived COC/DOC solutions. Observations indicated DOC affected the solubility of E2, and that E2
can associate with the COC fractions of manure and soil, which can increase the mobility of E2 in water
moving in the environment (e.g. field runoff, subsurface transport). Additionally, models were developed
to help identify and potentially predict the fate and transport of the sulfate and glucuronide conjugates
of E2. Between 60% and 90% of all estrogens excreted from farm animals are in the forms of conjugates.
Experimental observations from soil batch experiments were used to develop fate and transport models
of E2-S and E2-G and their metabolites. The model was solved numerically and applied inversely to the
experimental observations using a global optimization method to quantify the sorption and transformation
parameters of E2-S and E2-G and their metabolites. Finally, field observations have continued on a
field where subsurface agriculture drainage is installed and where manure has been applied. Other field
observations of the E2 in the floodwaters were made.
Subject Area: Water Resources Research, Education, and Outreach (NIFA Land Grant/Sea Grant 406 and
NRI)
*denotes primary author
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