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Photo from U.S. Geological Circular 1225--The Quality of Our Nation's Waters--Nuttients and Pesticides

Fertilizer use and nitrate concentrations in ground water

Photo by Neil M. Dubrovsky

Fertilizer use and nitrate concentrations in ground water in the eastern San Joaquin Valley (left) generally have increased over the last four decades. Although confined animal feeding operations and manure production also have increased during this period, nitrogen fertilizer is still considered to be the largest single source of nitrate to ground water.

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