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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Miami, Florida » Subtropical Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #184602
Title: NON-POINT SOURCE GROUND WATER POLLUTANTS IN SOUTH FLORIDA

Author
item SAVABI, M
item SHINDE, D - UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
item COCKSHUTT, NICHOLAS

Submitted to: ASAE Annual International Meeting
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/17/2005
Publication Date: 7/17/2005
Citation: Savabi, M.R., Shinde, D., Cockshutt, N.R. 2005. Non-point source ground water pollutants in south Florida. ASAE Annual International Meeting.

Interpretive Summary: Non-point source water pollutants resulting from agricultural areas have been implicated as a source of water quality degradation in South Florida, USA. The nutrients loading from agricultural and urban areas have increased nutrient concentrations, particularly phosphorus, at the Everglades National Park (ENP), Florida. The results indicated that during the summer season (wet season) the quality of water in the agriculture area is correlated with the water quality in the canal. However, during the winter season (dry season) there is correlation between the nutrient content of the wells located in the agriculture area and the nutrient content of the main canal. In south Florida, the growing season and the application time of agro-chemicals for most vegetables is during the winter; therefore, the source of observed nutrients in the main canal should not be from the agricultural area in South Florida.

Technical Abstract: Non-point source water pollutants resulting from agricultural areas have been implicated as a source of water quality degradation in South Florida, USA. The nutrients loading from agricultural and urban areas have increased nutrient concentrations, particularly phosphorus, at the Everglades National Park (ENP), Florida. A farm near the Everglades National Park has been selected for this study. Ground water table fluctuation and quality have been monitored for two years in a one-mile transect. In addition, water quality of the main canal, located at the end of the transect has been monitored on a weekly basis. The result indicated that during the summer season (wet season) the quality of water in the agriculture area is correlated with the water quality in the canal. However, during the winter season (dry season) there is no correlation between the nutrient contents of the wells located in the agriculture area and the nutrients content of the main canal L31 N. Considering the fact that growing season, and the application time of agro-chemicals in the area is during the winter, the source of observed nutrients in the main canal should not be from the agricultural area in South Florida.