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PUBLICATIONS—Water-Resources Investigations Report

Selected Nutrients and Pesticides in Streams of the Eastern Iowa Basins, 1970-95

Water-Resources Investigations Report 99-4028

By 1Douglas J. Schnoebelen, 1Kent D. Becher, 1Matthew W. Bobier, and 2Thomas Wilton

 

1U.S. Geological Survey, Iowa City, IA

2Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Des Moines, IA

 

The full report is available in pdf.  Link to the pdf.


Water-quality data from 17 surface-water monitoring sites were compiled for 1970 through 1995 and analyzed to determine historical waterquality conditions and possible trends in the Eastern Iowa Basins study unit as part of the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment Program. The Eastern Iowa Basins encompasses the Wapsipinicon, Cedar, Iowa, and Skunk River Basins and covers about 19,500 square miles. Seven of the monitoring sites were sampled by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, three sites by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, three sites by the University of Iowa Institute for Hydraulic Research, and four sites by the U.S. Geological Survey. Water-quality analyses typically consisted of nitrate, ammonia, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus, with limited analyses available for organic nitrogen, dissolved phosphorus, dissolved orthophosphate, and water-soluble pesticides. Long-term historical nutrient and pesticide data were not available for the Wapsipinicon River Basin.

 Median concentrations for total nitrogen ranged from 4.6 to 9.4 milligrams per liter, and maximum concentrations of total nitrogen ranged from 4.6 to 31 milligrams per liter. The majority of nitrogen transported in surface waters of the Eastern Iowa Basins study unit is in the form of nitrate (nitrogen). Median concentrations of total phosphorus ranged from less than 0.10 to 0.66 milligram per liter, and maximum concentrations of total phosphorus ranged from less than 0.10 to 5.4 milligrams per liter.

 Nitrate varied seasonally. Median concentrations of nitrate were largest during the spring and the winter (6.0 to 7.0 milligrams per liter) compared to the summer and fall (2.0 to 4.0 milligrams per liter). Concentrations of nitrate greater than 10 milligrams per liter typically occurred during spring runoff. Median ammonia concentrations generally were highest during the winter (approximately 0.3-0.5 milligram per liter) compared to the spring and summer when ammonia concentrations were often close to the detection limit (0.01 milligram per liter). In general, the median concentrations of total phosphorus varied less than 0.1 milligram per liter between seasons.

 The statistical analysis of the nutrient data typically indicated a strong positive correlation of nitrate with streamflow. Total phosphorus concentrations with streamflow showed greater variability than nitrate, perhaps reflecting the greater potential of transport of phosphorus on sediment rather than in the dissolved phase as with nitrate. Ammonia and ammonia plus organic nitrogen showed no correlation with streamflow or a weak positive correlation. Seasonal variations and the relations of nutrients and pesticides to streamflow generally corresponded with nonpoint‑source loadings, although possible point sources for nutrients were indicated by the data at selected monitoring sites. Statistical trend tests for concentrations and loads were computed for nitrate, ammonia, and total phosphorus. Trend analysis indicated decreases for ammonia and total phosphorus concentrations at several sites and increases for nitrate concentrations at other sites in the study unit.

Contents

Forward

Abstract

Introduction

Purpose and Scope

Acknowledgements

Description of the Eastern Iowa Basins

Geomorphology

Climate

Steamflow

Population, Land Use, and Water Use

Methods of Investigation

Sources of Nutrient, Pesticide, and Streamflow Data

Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

University of Iowa Institute of Hydraulic Research

U.S. Geological Survey

Data Compilation and Statistical Methods

Spatial and Temporal Records

Selected Nutrients and Pesticides in Streams

Nutrients

Concentrations

Relations Between Concentrations and Streamflow

Seasonal Variability

Time Trends in Concentrations and Loads

Pesticides

Concentrations

Seasonal and Annual Variability

Implications for Data Collection and Analysis

Summary

References

 

Suggested citation

Schnoebelen, D.J., Becher, K.D., Bobier, M.W., and Wilton, T., 1999, Selected nutrients and pesticides in streams of the Eastern Iowa Basins1970-95:  U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 99-4028, 65 p.

 


AVAILABILITY

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