Organic wastes are C-rich, beneficial amendments for improving soil conditions and plant growth. However, their land application is a major source of pathogenic microorganisms entering surface and groundwater systems. Persistence and transport of these microorganisms depend on interrelationships between properties of the organic amendments and seasonally variable environmental properties of the soil. Ionic and particulate components of amendments appreciably alter the physical and chemical properties of soil and microbe charged surfaces. Microbial persistence in soils determines the load of cells available for transport. Microorganism transport depends on structure-related macropore flow and their adsorption and desorption to soil and suspended particles.
