Pesticides in Ground Water of the Maryland Peidmont

Objectives

The objectives of this project are: (1) to summarize the occurrence of selected pesticides in ground water of the Maryland Piedmont and (2) to relate their distribution to the properties of pesticides that promote their mobility in the environment, pesticide use, and basic geohydrologic and geochemical characteristics of Piedmont soils and rocks.

Statement of Problem

Pesticides associated with agricultural and urban land use have been detected at low levels in many parts of the surficial aquifer of the Maryland Coastal Piedmont.

Strategy and Approach

1. Work with Maryland Dept. of Agriculturae to identify compounds to be reported on based on 2004 summary of pesticide use in Maryland and available data.
2. Retrieve data from USGS NWIS database and determine appropriateness for incusion in project database. No new data will be collected.
3. Develop tables and maps of results and produce a fact sheet describing the detection, concentrations, and distribution of selected pesticides.