Abstract

Poorly managed livestock waste is a major environmental concern in modern animal production because it can degrade river water quality and disrupt aquatic ecosystems. Livestock waste, including feces, urine, uneaten feed, and wastewater, contains nutrients, pathogenic microorganisms, and bioactive substances such as antibiotics and hormones. Recent evidence further identifies livestock waste as an environmental reservoir of emerging contaminants and determinants of antimicrobial resistance, extending environmental risks beyond conventional nutrient pollution. Veterinary antibiotic residues have been detected in aquatic environments, with persistence influenced by organic matter adsorption, repeated manure application, and environmental degradation conditions. These contaminants may trigger eutrophication, oxygen depletion, microbial contamination, endocrine disruption, ecological imbalance, and public health risks when released without adequate treatment. Although previous studies have addressed pollution pathways, treatment technologies, or environmental impacts separately, integrated evaluations connecting livestock waste characteristics, transport mechanisms, ecological and socioeconomic consequences, and implementation challenges remain limited. This review provides an integrated source–pathway–impact–intervention framework that critically synthesizes contaminant transport, ecological and socioeconomic impacts, antimicrobial resistance, treatment performance, implementation barriers, and circular bioeconomy opportunities within a single analytical perspective, thereby extending beyond conventional descriptive reviews to address this knowledge gap. This review was conducted using published studies, government reports, and relevant literature on livestock waste management and water quality. The synthesis demonstrates that river pollution results from complex interactions among contaminant properties, hydrological processes, production intensity, and management practices, while the effectiveness of mitigation strategies depends on climate conditions, farm scale, economic feasibility, institutional capacity, and farmer adoption rather than technological performance alone. This review also identifies critical research gaps, particularly regarding long-term
monitoring of emerging contaminants and antimicrobial resistance, standardized evaluation of treatment technologies, and integrated policy approaches that combine technological innovation, environmental governance, and stakeholder participation to support sustainable livestock production systems.

Key words: Environmental management; Livestock waste; Nutrient runoff; River pollution; Treatment strategies.