Effect of Irrigated Agriculture on Ground-Water Quality in the Appalachian and Northeastern States

by W. F. Ritter, Univ of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA,
F. J. Humenik, Univ of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA,
R. W. Skaggs, Univ of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Water Forum '86: World Water Issues in Evolution

Abstract:

Irrigation acreage has more than doubled in Virginia, North Carolina, Delaware and Maryland in the last 10 years. Ground-water studies have been conducted in Delaware, Maryland and New York in irrigated regions. Nitrate and aldicarb leaching has occurred on Long Island in New York where potatoes are grown. Poultry manure is the largest source of nitrate contamination of the water-table aquifer on the Delmarva Peninsula in Maryland. Both pesticide and nitrate leaching under irrigation has been studied in Delaware. A total water management system that can be used for both drainage and subsurface irrigation has been developed in North Carolina. The system will increase crop yields and has the potential for reducing nitrates by water table control.

Subject Headings: Irrigation | Water management | Groundwater quality | Agricultural wastes | Water quality | Nitrates | Water table | United States | Appalachian | Delaware | Maryland | North Carolina | New York | Virginia

Services: Buy this book/Buy this article

 

Return to search