Ground-water flow, geochemistry, and effects of agricultural practices on nitrogen transport at study sites in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain physiographic provinces, Patuxent River basin, Maryland

Randolph E. McFarland

doi:10.3133/wsp2449

Ground-water flow, geochemistry, and effects of agricultural practices on nitrogen transport at study sites in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain physiographic provinces, Patuxent River basin, Maryland

Water Supply Paper 2449

By: Randolph E. McFarland

https://doi.org/10.3133/wsp2449

Metrics

Web analytics dashboard Metrics definitions

Links

Document: Report (pdf)
NGMDB Index Page: National Geologic Map Database Index Page (html)
Superseded Publications:

Ground-water flow, geochemistry, and effects of agricultural practices on nitrogen transport at study sites in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain physiographic provinces, Patuxent River Basin, Maryland(1995)

Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core

Abstract

In an effort to improve water quality in Chesapeake Bay, agricultural practices are being promoted that are intended to reduce contaminant transport to the Bay. The effects of agricultural practices on nitrogen transport were assessed at two 10-acre study sites in the Patuxent River basin, Maryland, during 1986-92. Nitrogen load was larger in ground water than in surface runoff at both sites. At the study site in the Piedmont Province, nitrogen load in ground water decreased from 12 to 6 (lb/acre)/yr (pound per acre per year) as corn under no-till cultivation was replaced by no-till soybeans, continuous alfalfa, and contoured strip crops alternated among corn, alfalfa, and soybeans. At the study site in the Coastal Plain Province, no-till soybeans resulted in a nitrogen load in ground water of 12.55 (lb/acre)/yr, whereas conventional-till soybeans resulted in a nitrogen load in ground water of 11.51 (lb/acre)/yr.

Suggested Citation

McFarland, R.E., 1997, Ground-water flow, geochemistry, and effects of agricultural practices on nitrogen transport at study sites in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain physiographic provinces, Patuxent River basin, Maryland: U.S. Geological Survey Water Supply Paper 2449, v, 72 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/wsp2449.

Study Area

Additional publication details
Publication type	Report
Publication Subtype	USGS Numbered Series
Title	Ground-water flow, geochemistry, and effects of agricultural practices on nitrogen transport at study sites in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain physiographic provinces, Patuxent River basin, Maryland
Series title	Water Supply Paper
Series number	2449
DOI	10.3133/wsp2449
Year Published	1997
Language	English
Publisher	U.S. Geological Survey
Description	v, 72 p.
Country	United States
State	Maryland
Other Geospatial	Piedmont and the Coast Plain physiographic provinces, Patuxent River basin