Estimation, Management, and Control of Non-Point Source Pollution from Livestock Runoff: A Literature Review

Abstract

Nutrients, like nitrogen and phosphorus generate, among other impacts, eutrophication in water bodies. These impacts are mainly caused by agricultural activities such as livestock farming, due to the application of fertilizers and/or cow manure. The nutrients transported by runoff reach water bodies and generate pollution. This issue has been addressed since the 1960s; however, little progress has been made in this area. The progress is related to estimating nutrient contributions theoretically and through simulations, due to the high costs of collecting field data. Efforts have also been made to implement Good Management Practices for the management of non-point sources, but significant efficiency for each of these practices has not been demonstrated. On the other hand, despite the lack of necessary scientific information to formulate policies, it has been shown that the regulatory route can be the best mechanism for controlling non-point source pollution. This article presents a review of these three components after a bibliometric analysis, establishing what is currently known and the information gaps. First, advances in estimating the contributions of non-point sources are addressed, second Good Management Practices are presented, and third advances in policies for controlling non-point source pollution are discussed.