Karstic hydrogeologic conditions can be found in agricultural areas, especially in the midwest and southeastern United States. Under so-called "conduit karst" conditions, ground water may flow through openings such as caves. In karst areas, sinkholes can form at the surface allowing runoff water to flow into the ground water via underground routes. This provides fertilizers with a direct route to the ground water.
Methods of reducing contaminated surface runoff entry into sinkholes include:

Divert channel runoff away from the sinkhole.

Plant cover crops that do not require fertilizer around the sinkhole.

Reduce or eliminate fertilizer use in the immediate area of the sinkhole by using a buffer strip made of grass or non-crop vegetation.

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