PUBLICATIONS—Scientific Investigations Report
U.S. Department of the Interior
U.S. Geological Survey
Michigan Water Science Center
Prepared in cooperation with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
ONLINE ONLY
This report is available below as a 46-page PDF for viewing and printing.
From March through November 2005, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), did a statewide screening to aid in understanding the occurrence and distribution of selected pesticides in Michigan streams. Stream-water samples were collected from 23 sites throughout Michigan. In all, 320 water samples were analyzed by use of rapid immunoassay methods for the herbicides atrazine, metolachlor, and simazine and the insecticides chlorpyrifos and diazinon. On one occasion (June, 2005), atrazine concentrations exceeded the Michigan water-quality value (7.3 micrograms per liter) at the Black River in St. Clair County. Neither chlorpyrifos nor diazinon was detected during April through September. MDEQ detected chlorpyrifos in streams throughout the state in November. Herbicide concentrations were highest in samples influenced by intensive agriculture; however, median herbicide concentrations were similar among agricultural and urban sites. Concentrations of herbicides were very low to undetected in undeveloped areas. Seasonal patterns were also evident during the sampling period. Increased concentrations generally occurred in late spring to early summer. At 11 sites, daily sampling was done every day for 5 days following a rainfall after herbicide application in the area. Substantial changes in concentrations of herbicides—greater than tenfold from the previous day—were observed during the daily sampling. No consistent relation was found between concentration and streamflow. Results of this study may be used to aid in the development of a more comprehensive pesticide monitoring study for the State of Michigan.
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Whole report (3.48 MB) - 46 pages (8.5” by 11” paper)
Suggested Citation:
Fogarty, L.R., and Duris, J.W., 2007, Screening for the pesticides atrazine, chlorpyrifos, diazinon, metolachlor, and simazine in selected Michigan streams, March–November 2005: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2007–5077, 46 p. Date Posted: December 14, 2007: [https://pubs.water.usgs.gov/sir20075077/]
Abstract
Introduction
Purpose and Scope
Background
Herbicides
Insecticides
Previous Studies
Methods and Approach
Description of Study Sites
Sample Collection
Immunoassays
Land-Use Characterization
Statistics and Data Handling
Uncertainties and Analytical Limitations
Pesticide Detections, Effects of Land Use, and Seasonal Patterns of Concentrations
Herbicide Detection
Insecticide Detection
Effects of Land Use
Seasonal Patterns
Results of Intensive Sampling
Comparison with Previous NAWQA Data
Summary and Conclusions
References Cited
Appendix 1. Station name, sample-collection date and time, streamflow and onsite measurements for samples collected in this study
Appendix 2. Station name, sample-collection date and time, and atrazine, chlorpyrifos, diazinon, metolachlor, and simazine results for samples collected in this study
| 1. Graph showing sample-collection dates for sites sampled in selected Michigan streams, March–November 2005. | |
| 2. Map showing surface-water sampling sites and contributing drainage basin for the Water-Chemistry Monitoring Program sites (WCMP) and intensive-study sites, Michigan. |
3–6. Graphs showing: |
| 3. Standard deviation of triplicates for herbicide concentrations. | ||
| 4. Range of variation in concentration measurement in relation to pesticide concentration. | ||
| 5. Effects of holding time on atrazine concentrations. | ||
| 6. Percentage of samples with multiple pesticide detections in selected Michigan streams, March–November, 2005. |
| 7. Map showing sites sampled by Michigan Department of
Environmental Quality where chlorpyrifos was detected in July and September 2005 or November 2005. |
| 8–17. Graphs showing: |
| 8. Herbicide concentrations for samples collected in three different land-use
types: agricultural (Ag; n=208 samples), undeveloped (Und; n=71 samples), and urban (Urb; n=42 samples) from selected Michigan streams, March–November, 2005. |
|
| 9. Atrazine concentration in samples collected at each study site, with corresponding land-use percentages from selected Michigan streams, March–November, 2005. |
| 10. Metolachlor concentration in samples collected at each study site, with corresponding land-use percentages from selected Michigan streams, March–November, 2005. |
|
| 11. Simazine concentration in samples collected at each study site, with corresponding land-use percentages from selected Michigan streams, March–November, 2005. |
|
| 12. Seasonal patterns in atrazine, metolachlor, and simazine concentrations by land use from
selected Michigan streams, March–November, 2005. |
|
| 13. Herbicide concentrations and streamflow in May 2005 for Deer Creek, Grand River at Lansing
and at Ionia, and Looking Glass River intensive-study sites, Michigan. |
|
| 14. Herbicide concentrations and streamflow in May 2005 for the Shiawassee River intensive-study
sites, Fergus and Owosso, Michigan. |
|
| 15. Herbicide concentrations and streamflow in May 2005 for Mill Creek, Belle River, Pine River,
Black River, and Clinton River intensive-study sites, Michigan. |
|
| 16. Pesticide concentrations at the Black River study site (USGS station 04159492), Michigan. | |
| 17. Pesticide concentrations at the Clinton River at Sterling Heights study site (USGS station 04161820), Michigan. |
| 1. Benchmark standards for pesticides selected for this study. | |
| 2. Sample-collection site number, name, location, and watershed. | |
| 3. Land-use percentages and classification for study sites. | |
| 4. Immunoassay detection limits and cross-reactive compounds. | |
| 5. Summary statistics for atrazine concentrations. | |
| 6. Summary statistics for metolachlor concentrations. | |
| 7. Summary statistics for simazine concentrations. |
For additional information, contact:
U.S. Geological Survey
Michigan Water Science Center
6520 Mercantile Way, Suite 5
Lansing, MI 48911-5991
GS-W-MIlns_DC@usgs.gov
or for more information about USGS activities in Michigan, visit the USGS Michigan Water Science Center home page.
U.S. Department of the Interior |
U.S. Geological Survey
URL: https://pubsdata.usgs.gov/pubs/sir/2007/5077/index.html
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