Agricultural Runoff

1. Agricultural Runoff Sasha Park Max Stahl Parmis Sahrapima Period 4

2. Agricultural Runoff • Definition: The process of rainwater carrying pollutants into bodies of water. • Non-point source water pollution. • Comes from many different sources. • Delivers pollutants indirectly. • Rainwater that cannot penetrate into soil collects agricultural pollutants and carries them into bodies of water. • Largest source of water pollution that impacts the water quality of rivers and lakes. • Second largest source of destruction to wetlands. • Major contributor to the pollution of estuaries and groundwater.

3. Importance of Agricultural Runoff • Water sources are a vital part of ecosystems. • Source of drinking water and homes for water-dependent organisms. • With contaminated water, many organisms are negatively affected. • Nitrogen and Phosphorus from fertilizers help oxygen-depleting algae grow. • Why is this important? Reduces the amount of oxygen available for other sea creatures. • Red Tides: • Also known as algal blooms. • Process in which algae (phytoplankton) rapidly accumulate in water. • Why is this important? Outbreaks of life-threatening diseases and poisoning to marine animals. • Dead Zones: Areas of bodies of water that lack enough oxygen to sustain much life. • Can harm fish industry.

4. Red Tides and Dead Zones

5. Causes to Agricultural Runoff • Nitrogen and Phosphorus • Causes algae to grow in aquatic communities. • The algae breathe in too much oxygen, leaving very little for other sea creatures. • The algae also block sunlight, killing even more organisms. • This begins the process of Eutrophication. • The reduction of surface water quality from increasing nutrient concentration.

6. Eutrophication • Process by which a body of water becomes rich in dissolved nutrients. • Supports the growth and breakdown of oxygen-depleting plant life. • Begins with increased algae growth. • Water clarity reduced. • Water smells and tastes bad, costs more to filter, and poses as a threat to human health. • Less oxygen in the water, which kills sea creatures. • Toxins from cyanobacteria threaten human and animal health.

7. Eutrophication =

8. Causes to Agricultural Runoff • Pesticides • End up in agricultural runoff when: • Great amount is applied to crops. • Washed off shortly after being applied. • This kills sea creatures and contaminates the water supply. • Organic Matter • Causes a “biochemical oxygen demand” on water. • Causes a decrease of oxygen in streams. • Causes death in marine animals. • Metals and Salts • Do not appear in large amounts, usually not a problem.

9. Causes to Agricultural Runoff • Sediments • Become a part of agricultural runoff due to soil erosion. • Decrease amount of sunlight reaching water plants. • Contribute to algal blooms and depleted oxygen. • Damage marine life and decrease the amount of materials able to be stored in lakes and ponds. • Pathogens • An infectious agent or germ. • Carried by rainwater from fertilizers. • Cause diseases when humans drink the water and when sea creatures host them.

10. Causes to Agricultural Runoff • Livestock Grazing • Exposes soil • Boosts erosion • Paves way for the growth of unwanted plants. • Example: Cows produce more than 260 gallons of manure each year in Brown County, Wisconsin. • Irrigation • Excessive irrigation effects water quality. • Decreases amount of water in streams and rivers. • Carries other pollutants.

11. Solutions to Agricultural Runoff • Management practices: Practices aimed at reducing a specific cause to agricultural runoff. • Controlling volume and speed of runoff water. • Keeping soil in one area. • Minimizing movement of soil. • Management measures: A series of practices aimed at achieving a broader goal. • Minimizing nutrient losses.

12. Solutions to Agricultural Runoff • Buffer Strips • Designed to intercept pollutants and deal with other environmental issues. • Reduce soil erosion and improve soil quality. • Clean water. • Save money and save the environment. • Creation of above-ground structures to store manure and water runoff.

13. Difficulties in Stopping Agricultural Runoff • Difficult to find sources of the runoff. • Some farmers do not want to take the necessary actions to prevent it, and we can’t force them to. • So many causes that it is difficult to control.

14. Outlooks on Agricultural Runoff • Government provides money to farmers so that they can apply the aforementioned solutions to agricultural runoff. • Clean Water Act: Minimizing water pollution and agricultural runoff. • Laws require permits to use herbicides and pesticides. • Farmers are educated about agricultural runoff. • Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Techniques to reducing contamination from pests. • Water quality is checked and regulated. • Agricultural Waiver Program: Education of farmers on good practices, which reduces pollution.

15. Contacts • EPA Groundwater and Ecosystem Restoration Center: 617-918-1991 • EPA National Pesticide Information Center: 1-800-858-7378 • EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline: 1-800-426-4791 • http://www.epa.gov/epahome/hotline.htm • Call 831-646-8840 to report polluters to the Monterrey Coastkeeper.

16. Rain Rain Rain Rain Review Rain Rain Rain Fish Fish Fertilizer Fish Fish O O Body of Water O Soil O Algae Agricultural Runoff N Algae Algae P Bacteria Algae

17. Resources • http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/buffers/ • http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/dayton-news/agricultural-runoff-has-harsh-impact-on-environment-658902.html?showComments=true&page=2&more_comments=false • http://www.rivernetwork.org/rn/poor-agricultural-practices-and-runoff • http://www.epa.gov/epahome/hotline.htm • http://www.otterproject.org/site/pp.asp?c=8pIKIYMIG&b=4174831 • http://extension.missouri.edu/publications/DisplayPub.aspx?P=G9181 • http://www.epa.gov/owow/NPS/Ag_Runoff_Fact_Sheet.pdf • http://www.brighthub.com/engineering/civil/articles/74363.aspx • http://news.stanford.edu/news/2005/march16/gulf-030905.html

18. Fun Fact • One cow produces as much waste as 18 people. Moo