Albendazole as an Environmental Contaminant: Transport from Dung to Soil and Uptake to Crops

Abstract The application of livestock manure can introduce veterinary anthelmintic residues into agroecosystems, yet their transfer from manure to soil and crops under realistic conditions remains poorly understood. This study investigated the fate of albendazole and its metabolites following manure application, with a focus on their transfer within the soil–plant system. The experimental design encompassed manure storage, soil amendment, and plant cultivation under controlled conditions and field-relevant conditions. Residues were monitored using a validated UHPLC-MS/MS method in dung, manure, soil, vegetables, and selected energy crops. ABZ residues were found to persist in livestock manure for up to four months, with metabolites occurring at comparable or higher concentrations than the parent compound. Following the application of manure, the presence of ABZ metabolites was detected in both soil and the edible parts of vegetables, with concentrations reaching up to 10 μg/kg dry weight. This finding indicates the transfer of these metabolites from organic fertilizers to crop plants. The field experiments confirmed the uptake and translocation of ABZ metabolites in maize, particularly in cobs. Meanwhile, the phytoremediation experiments revealed an accumulation of these metabolites in the roots of woody species, with willow displaying a higher uptake than poplar. These findings demonstrate a previously under-explored pathway of veterinary pharmaceutical transfer from livestock manure to agricultural crops. The results of the study highlight the necessity for enhanced manure management practices and suggest that selected energy crops and woody species may contribute to phytomanagement strategies aimed at reducing pharmaceutical contamination in agroecosystems.