Start |Author Index | View Uploaded Presentations | Meeting Information

2006 Philadelphia Annual Meeting (22–25 October 2006)

Paper No. 24
Presentation Time: 8:00 AM-12:00 PM

EFFECTS OF TILLAGE MANAGEMENT ON AGRICULTURAL HEADWATER STREAMS OF THE EASTERN CORNBELT REGION, IN


FLORES, Edith A., Geology, Ball State University, Department of Geology, Ball State University, Muncie, IN 47306, NEUMANN, Klaus, Geological Sciences, Ball State University, Muncie, IN 47306, GRIGSBY, Jeffry D., Department of Geology, Ball State Univ, Muncie, IN 47306 and DOWLING, Carolyn B., Chemistry and Physics Department, Arkansas State University, Chemistry and Physics Department, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR 72467, eaflores@bsu.edu

Beginning in the 1970's there has been an increase in the public awareness of the quality of surface waters due to the increase of chemicals being applied to farmland and an increase in soil erosion. Nutrient losses associated with agricultural activities have an adverse effect on surface and subsurface drainage water by increasing nitrate, phosphate and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). In recent years there has been more research in comparing conventional till (CT) soil management practices to those of no till (NT) soil management practices. The results of the implementation of NT soil management practices are changes in subsurface drainage, river recharge, and nutrient fluxes. The change in nutrient fluxes associated with NT management is another important aspect of our study as there is no consensus within the scientific community. The main objective of this study is to compare those two types of soil management practices in terms of stream sediment load and water composition to determine which practice has better quality effects on headwater streams in east-central Indiana. Eleven sample sites were chosen in the Clifty Creek watershed. Five sites are located in a no-till, five in conventional till areas, and one downstream sample for a regional overview. Sampling was conducted in April and November of 2005, and April, May, and June of 2006 (during pre-planting and post-planting) to characterize high and low-flow water, suspended sediment composition and seasonal variations on the sub-watersheds. Initial data suggest that NT stream total suspended solid (TSS) values were on average half of those in CT streams (12.8 vs. 24.4 mg/L) and nitrate values in NT streams were on average 10 mg/L lower than nitrate in the CT streams (47 vs. 57 mg/L). In conclusion, our initial data indicate that in east-central Indiana NT sites there is a significant reduction in TSS (50 % based on average), and there is a noticeable decrease (17%) in nitrate compared to CT sites.

Session No. 86--Booth# 73

Hydrogeology (Posters)
Monday, 23 October 2006: 8:00 AM-12:00 PM
Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 38, No. 7, p.225
© Copyright 2006 The Geological Society of America (GSA), all rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to the author(s) of this abstract to reproduce and distribute it freely, for noncommercial purposes. Permission is hereby granted to any individual scientist to download a single copy of this electronic file and reproduce up to 20 paper copies for noncommercial purposes advancing science and education, including classroom use, providing all reproductions include the complete content shown here, including the author information. All other forms of reproduction and/or transmittal are prohibited without written permission from GSA Copyright Permissions.
Back to: Hydrogeology (Posters)
<< Previous Abstract | Next Abstract >>