Water Science & Technology Vol 43 No 5 pp 251–260 © IWA Publishing 2001
Soil characteristics and agrichemicals in groundwater of the
Midwestern United States
M Burkart*, DW Kolpin**, R Jaquis*** and K Cole****
*
National Soil Tilth Laboratory, 2150 Pammel Drive Ames, Iowa 50011, USA
**
US Geological Survey, 400 South Clinton Street, Iowa City, Iowa 52244, USA
***
National Soil Tilth Laboratory, 2150 Pammel Drive Ames, Iowa 50011, USA
****
National Soil Tilth Laboratory, 2150 Pammel Drive Ames, Iowa 50011, USA
ABSTRACT
A comprehensive set of soil characteristics were examined to determine
the effect of soil on the transport of agrichemicals to groundwater. This
paper examines the relation of soil characteristics to concentrations and
occurrence nitrate, atrazine, and atrazine residue from 99 wells completed
in unconsolidated aquifers across the Midwestern United States. Soil
characteristics that determine the rate of water movement were directly
related to the occurrence and concentrations of nitrate and atrazine in
groundwater. The substantial differences in the relations found among
soil characteristics and nitrate and atrazine in groundwater suggest
that different processes affect the transformation, adsorption, and
transport of these contaminants. A multi-variable analysis determined
that the soil characteristics examined explained the amount of
variability in concentrations for nitrate (19%), atrazine (33%),
and atrazine residue (29%). These results document that, although
soils do affect the transport of agrichemicals to groundwater, other factors such as hydrology, land use, and climate must also be considered to
understand the occurrence of agrichemicals in groundwater.
Full article (PDF Format)
PAY-PER-VIEW: Buy this article for £20.00 (IWA MEMBER PRICE: £15.00)
|
