Transport of Bacterial Pathogen in Slaughterhouse-Residual Biopiles.

Animal and associated wastes are potential reservoirs of pathogenic micro-organisms capable of infecting humans. However, animal mortality and waste management are inevitable yet often forgotten aspects of agricultural production. The emergence of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, incidents of human infection, and changing regulations have fuelled public concerns regarding animal waste disposal and associated pathogens. A rapid, cost effective, and safe disposal method is necessary to reduce the risk of disease transmission.
     In particular, pathogenic bacteria arising from slaughterhouse-residuals (SLRs) are a threat to environmental, animal, and human health, and their fate is not well understood. Biopiles conversely provide a means for pathogen inactivation and SLR disposal. However, the potential for pathogen migration away from biopiles is a concern. Vertical and horizontal pathogen transport is governed by numerous factors, including soil characteristics, abiotic, biotic, and anthropogenic influences, topography, hydrophobicity, and weather patterns. Soil type and water dynamics tend to be considered the most important transport factors. Furthermore, preferential flow may enhance bacterial transport, while filtering and straining by physical media may impede such processes. This research aimed to quantify the transport of bacterial pathogens (i.e. indicator bacteria) in liquid or into solid media arising during active-phase SLR biopiling. Daily and cumulative loads were primary assessment tools in accordance with physical characteristics of the research facility. Findings will be highlighted.