Diffuse pollutant load and environmental impacts of animal waste in Türkiye

The rapidly increasing population and the resulting demand for animal products have accelerated the growth of the animal husbandry sector in Türkiye, but this has also brought environmental problems. When wastes originating from animal husbandry enterprises are not managed with appropriate methods, they cause severe deterioration in the quality of surface and groundwater resources by creating a diffuse pollutant load. This study aims to quantitatively evaluate Türkiye's diffuse pollutant load (total nitrogen and total phosphorus) and environmental impacts of animal wastes originating from cattle, sheep, and poultry. Considering the data on animal population in Türkiye as of 2024, the annual dry manure amounts and total nitrogen and phosphorus loads originating from these animals were calculated. The results show that the nitrogen and phosphorus load caused by animal wastes threatens biodiversity by causing eutrophication on underground and surface water resources and seriously negatively affects aquatic ecosystems. Therefore, animal waste management should be considered a national priority, not only to mitigate nutrient-driven water pollution and eutrophication, but also to protect diminishing freshwater resources and reduce the long-term risks of water scarcity under changing climatic conditions.