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ARS Home » Midwest Area » St. Paul, Minnesota » Soil and Water Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #243707
Title: Reducing the Environmental Impact of Urban Runoff: Use of Management Practices to Mitigate Pesticide and Nutrient Transport with Runoff from Fairway Turf

Author
item Rice, Pamela
item HORGAN, BRIAN - University Of Minnesota
item Hamlin, Jennifer

Submitted to: American Chemical Society Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/16/2009
Publication Date: 8/15/2009
Citation: Rice, P.J., Horgan, B.P., Rittenhouse, J.L. 2009. Reducing the Environmental Impact of Urban Runoff: Use of Management Practices to Mitigate Pesticide and Nutrient Transport with Runoff from Fairway Turf [abstract]. American Chemical Society. 77:133.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The detection of pesticides and excess nutrients in surface waters of urban watersheds has lead to increased environmental concern and suspect of contaminant contributions from residential, urban, and recreational sources. An estimated 25% of pesticides used in the United States result from nonagricultural pest control. Highly managed biotic systems such as golf courses and commercial landscapes often require multiple applications of pesticides and fertilizers that may be transported with runoff to surrounding surface waters. Experiments were designed to measure the quantity of pesticides and nutrients transported with runoff from turf plots maintained as a golf course fairway, and to evaluate the ability of management practices to reduce chemical transport with runoff. Plots were managed with either solid tine aerification, hollow tine aerification, or hollow tine aerification with verticutting (vertical mowing). Quantification of runoff volumes and chemical concentrations revealed reductions in chemical loads from plots managed with hollow tine aerification or hollow tine aerification and verticutting. Measured edge-of-plot loads were used to calculate estimated environmental concentrations of pesticides and nutrients in surface waters receiving runoff. A comparison of water quality standards and toxicological endpoints with measured edge-of-plot runoff and estimated surface water concentrations demonstrate implementation of management practices can mitigate ecological risks of pesticides and nutrients transported with runoff from managed turf.