Agricultural chemicals in near-surface aquifers in the mid-continental United States, 1991
- Geological Survey, Iowa City, IA (United States)
- Dept. of Agricultural, Ames, IA (United States)
The occurrence and distribution of selected herbicides, atrazine metabolites, and nitrate were determined for unconsolidated and bedrock aquifers within 50 feet of land surface (near-surface) in the corn and soybean producing region of the mid-continental US. At least one herbicide or atrazine metabolite was detected (reporting limit, 0.05 micrograms per liter) in 24 percent of 579 water samples collected during the spring and summer of 1991. No herbicide exceeded maximum contaminant levels or health advisories. Most frequently detected was desethylatrazine (18.1 percent) followed by atrazine (17.4 percent), deisopropylatrazine (5.7 percent) and prometon (5.0 percent). Metolachlor, alachlor, metribuzin, simazine, and cyanazine were found in fewer than 3 percent of the samples. Excess nitrate (more than 3.0 mg/L) was found in 29 percent of the samples; 6 percent exceeded 10 mg/L. Few herbicide detections or excess nitrate concentrations occurred in the eastern part of the study region even though this area had an intense use of herbicides and nitrogen-fertilizer. The source of prometon, the second most frequently detected herbicide, may be associated with nonagricultural land use such as golf courses and residential areas. Significant seasonal differences between the spring and summer sampling periods were found in herbicide detections, but not in excess nitrate. The frequency of herbicide detections and excess nitrate were greater in near-surface unconsolidated aquifers than found in near-surface bedrock aquifers. Depth to the top of the aquifer was inversely related to the frequency of both herbicide detection and excess nitrate. The proximity of sampling sites to streams affected the frequency of herbicide detection.
- OSTI ID:
- 5080923
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9303210-; CODEN: GAAPBC
- Journal Information:
- Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs; (United States), Vol. 25:3; Conference: 27. annual Geological Society of America (GSA) North-Central Section meeting, Rolla, MO (United States), 29-30 Mar 1993; ISSN 0016-7592
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
AQUIFERS
WATER POLLUTION
HERBICIDES
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
NITRATES
AGRICULTURAL WASTES
GROUND WATER
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC WASTES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PESTICIDES
POLLUTION
WASTES
WATER
540320* - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)