The occurrence, movement, flux, fate, and effects of agricultural chemicals in the U.S. are studied by the U.S. Geological Survey's Research on Pesticides in the Environment (RPE) group. Project researchers are identifying the sources of agricultural chemicals (insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, fertilizers, and others) to the environment and the factors that affect their dispersal from point of application to groundwater, small streams, large rivers, reservoirs, precipitation, and the atmosphere. The overall goal of this research is to collect and synthesize agricultural chemical related water-quality information to help resource managers, policy makers, and the public develop agricultural management practices that protect the region's water resources. This project is part of the U.S. Geological Survey's Toxic Substances Hydrology program, the recent activities of which are described in a USGS fact sheet.


(Click on image for a larger version)