In the environment, estrogen conjugates can be precursors to the endocrine-disrupting free estrogens, 17 beta-estradiol (E2) and estrone (E1). Compared to other estrogen conjugates, 17 beta-estradiol-17-sulfate (E2-17S) is detected at relatively high concentrations and frequencies in animal manure and surface runoff from fields receiving manure. To elucidate the lifecycle of manure-borne estrogens and their conjugates in the environment, the fate of radiolabelled E2-17S in agricultural soils was investigated using laboratory batch studies with soils of different organic carbon (OC) content (1.29% for topsoil versus 0.26% for subsoil). E2-17S was found relatively persistent in the aqueous phase throughout the duration of the 14 d experiment. The aqueous E2-17S persisted longer in the subsoil (half-lives (DT50)= 64-173 h) than the topsoil (DT50 = 4.9-26 h), and the aqueous persistence of E2-17S depended on its initial concentration. The major transformation pathway was hydroxylation, yielding mono- and di-hydroxy-E2-17S (OH-E2-17S and diOH-E2-17S). Free estrogens, E2 and El, were only observed in the sorbed phase of the soil at low concentrations (similar to 1% of applied dose), which demonstrated that deconjugation and subsequent oxidation had occurred. Although deconjugation was not a major pathway, E2-17S could be a precursor of free estrogens in the environment. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.