Stable isotope method for tracing the poultry farm environment

Abstract

In this work, we examined the applicability of the stable isotope (δ13C and δ15N) method to describe the poultry farm environment in terms of source materials and their impact on isotope distribution. Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios were measured in airborne bacteria and fungi extracted from the air filters, aerosol particles as well as feed, litter, dust from the ventilation system, feathers and eggs. The chicken tissues were investigated during the sampling campaign on 3 July, 2014. Great consideration was given to aerosol particles as they can transfer microorganisms and make a huge impact on health of both animals and their caretakers. Samples were collected from two poultry farms in southeastern Lithuania. The pilot study showed the contribution of the main sources – feed and litter ─ to aerosol formation processes as well as the impact of the feed isotope ratio on chicken and the distribution of stable isotopes in its different tissues. A separate study was carried out to identify fractionation between microorganisms and their matrix in order to test the applicability of the stable isotope method in bulk samples for the source material assimilation. Stable isotope distribution revealed the fates of the source materials in the poultry farm environment. These data are of great importance in understanding the poultry farm environment along with their biology and ecology and serve as a basis for the further studies.