How can manure from feedlots pollute nearby water and soil?

Manure from feedlots can significantly impact the environment by polluting both water and soil through the following mechanisms:

Water Pollution

• Nutrient Runoff: Direct runoff from feedlots contains high levels of organic nutrients, such as phosphorus. When this enters streams and lakes, it can lead to eutrophication, a process where excess nutrients reduce dissolved oxygen, choking out aquatic life.1
• Nitrate Contamination: Animal waste is a potential source of nitrate in water supplies. While identifying the exact source of nitrates can be difficult due to other environmental factors, runoff from animal waste is a recognized contributor, posing serious health risks to humans.1
• Pathogen Spread: Because feedlots are dense environments, manure can contain pathogenic bacteria. Proper management, such as using collection ponds, is essential to prevent this contaminated waste from entering local water sources.2

Soil Pollution

• Antibiotic Resistance: Manure is often used as fertilizer to improve soil fertility. However, because feedlot cattle are frequently treated with antibiotics, their manure can contain antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Soils treated with this manure show significantly higher levels of these resistant bacteria compared to untreated soils, posing a threat to modern medicine.2