U.S. Geological Survey
Open-File Report 98-181

A Reconnaissance For Selected Herbicides, Metabolites, and Nutrients in Streams of Nine Midwestern States, 1994-95

Abstract

Water-quality data were collected from 53 Midwestern streams during 1994-95 as part of a study to determine if changes in herbicide use resulted in an overall decrease in herbicide concentrations since a previous reconnaissance study in 1989-90. This report includes a description of sampling-site selection, sample-collection and processing methods, laboratory methods, quality-assurance procedures, and a compilation of data on herbicide and nutrient concentrations. Sites were sampled in 1994 prior to application of herbicides in March or early April and during the first runoff period after application of herbicides. In 1995, sites were sampled during the first runoff period after the application of herbicides. Samples were analyzed for 13 herbicides, two atrazine metabolites, three cyanazine metabolites, and one alachlor metabolite. Samples also were analyzed for dissolved nutrients. These data have been useful in determining trends in herbicide concentrations in Midwestern streams and in determining the geographic distribution of alachlor, atrazine, and cyanazine metabolites.

Additional information about the Organic Geochemistry Research Laboratory can be found at: http://ks.water.usgs.gov/studies/reslab/

Scribner, E.A., Goolsby, D.A., Thurman, E.M., and Battaglin, W.A., 1998, A reconnaissance for selected herbicides, metabolites, and nutrients in streams of nine Midwestern States, 1994-95: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 98-181, 44 p.

To request a paper copy of this publication, email: scribner@usgs.gov