Simulation of transport through soil of E. coli derived from livestock slurry using the macro model

Abstract

Abstract. Leaching of faecal coliforms to rivers, lakes and groundwater following the spreading of animal slurry on land is of environmental and public health concern. A two‐stage approach was adopted to modelling the transport processes by which Escherichia coli passes through the soil to receiving waters via field drains. First, parameter values were selected for the dual‐porosity contaminant transport model macro to simulate through‐soil flows, sorption and die‐off of E. coli. These simulations reproduced experimental measurements showing rapid flows of the microorganisms to field drains after slurry spreading, which could be explained in terms of macropore flow in which trapping of colloids such as E. coli does not take place. Second, a series of predictive simulations was carried out to test the influence of soil and weather conditions on E. coli losses. These showed that losses are strongly influenced by soil wetness conditions at the time of spreading, and to a lesser degree by rainfall occurring soon after spreading. Selection of spreading ‘workdays’ with particular weather and soil wetness conditions is beneficial, which indicates opportunities for substantial reductions in the environmental risks of water pollution by E. coli and other faecal microorganisms.