Showing papers on "Nonpoint source pollution published in 1976"

Loading functions for assessment of water pollution from nonpoint sources. Final report

Abstract: Methods for evaluating the quantity of water pollutants generated from nonpoint sources including agriculture, silviculture, construction, mining, runoff from urban areas and rural roads, and terrestrial disposal are developed and compiled for use in water quality planning. The loading functions, plus in some instances emission values, permit calculation of nonpoint source pollutants from available data and information. Natural background was considered to be a source and loading functions were presented to estimate natural or background loads of pollutants. Loading functions/values are presented for average conditions, i.e., annual average loads expressed as metric tons/hectare/year (tons/acre/year). Procedures for estimating seasonal or 30-day maximum and minimum loads are also presented. In addition, a wide variety of required data inputs to loading functions, and delineation of sources of additional information are included in the report. The report also presents an evaluation of limitations and constraints of various methodologies which will enable the user to employ the functions realistically. (GRA)

Loading functions for assessment of water pollution from nonpoint sources

Abstract: Methods for evaluating the quantity of water pollutants generated from nonpoint sources including agriculture, silviculture, construction, mining, runoff from urban areas and rural roads, and terrestrial disposal are developed and compiled for use in water quality planning The loading functions, plus in some instances emission values, permit calculation of nonpoint source pollutants from available data and information Natural background was considered to be a source and loading functions were presented to estimate natural or background loads of pollutants Loading functions/values are presented for average conditions, ie, annual average loads expressed as metric tons/hectare/year (tons/acre/year) Procedures for estimating seasonal or 30-day maximum and minimum loads are also presented In addition, a wide variety of required data inputs to loading functions, and delineation of sources of additional information are included in the report The report also presents an evaluation of limitations and constraints of various methodologies which will enable the user to employ the functions realistically

Land Use and Water Quality in New York Rivers

Abstract: The Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 require that land-use management and control of nonpoint pollution sources be included in areawide water quality planning. At the present time, few tested procedures are available to implement this policy. Statistical techniques, including correlation and regression analyses, offer a promising methodology for the study of land use and nonpoint source impacts on water quality. The methodology has been applied to water quality and land-use data from 20 river basins in New York State. The results indicated that river basin land uses could account for up to 89% of the observed variation in mean river nitrogen concentrations and 63% of the observed variation in mean total suspended solids concentrations. No relationships between phosphorus concentrations and land uses were found in the basins.

Nonpoint Source Pollution from Agricultural Runoff

Abstract: An operational procedure has been developed which is suitable for estimating nonpoint source water pollution due to runoff from agricultural land and is sensitive to regional variations in weather, soils, and crop management. Although not presently applicable to snowmelt runoff, the procedure could be extended to winter runoff by use of suitable snowmelt estimating methods. Nitrogen and phosphorus in agricultural runoff were estimated for a five-watershed area totaling 578 sq km in Broome and Tioga Counties, N.Y., for the years 1971 and 1972. Comparison was made with two other estimates which were obtained using areal loading factors (losses of nutrients per unit area). Although the three different estimates were of comparable orders of magnitude, the loading factor estimates were not sensitive to the soils, weather, and crop distributions of the study region, and may overestimate losses of nitrogen in agricultural runoff.

Nonpoint sources of pollution: a federal perspective

Abstract: The magnitude of the nonpoint source problem nationwide calls for the establishment of State, local, and Federal measures to control existing sources and to prevent future stream degradation from additional nonpoint sources. Under the EPA's regulations, State and local water quality management agencies have the major responsibility for the planning and implementation of nonpoint source programs. Emphasis to nonpoint source control programs will be on preventative techniques which are referred to as Best Management Practices in EPA regulations and guidelines. The EPA will provide guidance and technical assistance to the States and local designated agencies. Federal agencies will be encouraged to incorporate 208 objectives into their planning processes and provide technical assistance to other agencies. Coordinated planning and implementation of nonpoint source programs at all governmental levels should result in significant water quality improvements.

Elements needed in design of a ground-water quality monitoring network in the Hawaiian Islands

Abstract: The elements needed in the design of a ground-water-quality monitoring network in in the Hawaiian Islands are described and summarized. The elements are given by geohydrologic units which represent areas where there are similarities in the occurrence of ground water or in the geology pertinent to the occurrence of ground water. The goal is to establish a network of observation points to inventory and maintain surveillance of existing and potential sources of pollution of ground water. Of principal concern to Hawaii's environment is pollution of the potable ground-water supplies and of the near-shore recreational waters, the latter by the discharge of polluted ground water. Existing monitoring efforts, although intensive in many areas, are not adequate because they are geared more toward (1) the detection and surveillance of pollutants in the conveyances of ground water instead of in the sources of ground water and (2) the monitoring of extensive nonpoint sources of pollution instead of from discrete point sources.

Land Use and Nonpoint Pollution in the Sheyenne Valley

Abstract: Agriculture poetesses the greatest potential for affecting the quality of the nation's water resources. Agriculture's potential for lowering water quality appears greater than all other industries combined (1)1. Erosion by surface-runoff produces four billion tons of sediment each year (2). Three-fourths of this sediment comes from agricultural land (3). Sediment carries nutrients (and pesticides) and isa primary hazard to water quality (4* Sediment is felt to be the major agricultural pollutant.

Economic trade-offs to limit nonpoint sources of agricultural pollution

Abstract: A national model has been built which allows analysis of physical and economic trade-offs as soil loss per acre is limited to specified levels in each major land group of the nation. Crop variables with their associated conservation practices are developed for each of 1891 land groups in 223 agricultural producing regions and 51 water supply regions. The regions and soil groups are made interdependent through regional commodity demands and a transportation submodel. Hence, changes in cropping systems and erosion control practices in one region are simultaneously expressed in effects on other regions. Soil loss limits are set at 10, 5, and 3 t per acre. The 10 t limit does not have a large impact on interregional production patterns and farm comodity prices. However, the 5 and 3 t limits, either singularly or in combination with different export levels, cause rather marked increases in commodity prices. Also at limits of 5 and 3 t, considerable shifts take place among regions in the crops grown and the erosion control methods used. Regions with erosive soils sacrificed in reduced income; regions with level soils can crop more intensely and gain greater income. Conservation practices such as reduced tillage increase the amount of pesticides needed in some regions and pose special environmental problems. The South Atlantic region is affected most by soil loss limits to control nonpoint pollution. The Great Plains regions with more level land and limited rainfall are affected least.

Land use change detection with LANDSAT-2 data for monitoring and predicting regional water quality degradation

Abstract: The author has identified the following significant results. Comparison between LANDSAT 1 and 2 imagery of Arkansas provided evidence of significant land use changes during the 1972-75 time period. Analysis of Arkansas historical water quality information has shown conclusively that whereas point source pollution generally can be detected by use of water quality data collected by state and federal agencies, sampling methodologies for nonpoint source contamination attributable to surface runoff are totally inadequate. The expensive undertaking of monitoring all nonpoint sources for numerous watersheds can be lessened by implementing LANDSAT change detection analyses.

Agricultural Legislation's Potential in Reducing Discharge of Pollutants

Abstract: Agricultural lands (including most forest lands) make up almost four-fifths of the total land area of the United States and include, or are traversed by, perhaps an equal proportion of our ground and surface waters. Therefore, a very large part of our environment is directly “agriculture-related” in any consideration of the discharge of pollutants. Several important Federal and State laws relate to the control or abatement of agriculture-related pollution. Existing legislation generally mandates the control or abatement of pollution (from point or nonpoint sources) or authorizes the use use of public funds or other resources for such purposes. Some of these laws can be effective instruments in keeping pollutants from being discharged into surface or ground waters or into the air, but the degree to which some pollutants originating from agricultural lands and operations constitute a serious environmental hazard in waters remains controversial. Although most of the technology exists to reduce greatly the movement of these pollutants, investments are often required which benefit the nonfarm public without economic returns to the farmer. Whether a zero discharge is either an environmentally or economically feasible alternative to more limited or selective control, is explored. However, if the public is willing to bear its reasonable share of the cost for clean air and water, the needed basic legislation already largely exists. Under it, agricultural land holders may apply program standards and use their own and available program resources to bring about effective control or abatement of pollutants.