Dean B. Radtke | Geology Reports

USGS1998

Chapter A8. Bottom-material samples

The National Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data(National Field Manual) describes protocols (requirements and recommendations) and provides guidelines for U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) personnel who collect data used to assess the quality of the Nation's surface-water and ground-water resources. This release of Chapter A8 provides guidelines for the equipment and procedures needed to collect and process samples of bottom material for the evaluation of surface-water quality. Each chapter of the National Field Manual is published separately and revised periodically. Newly published and revised chapters are posted on the World Wide Web on the USGS page 'National Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data.' The URL for this page is http://pubs.water.usgs.gov/twri9A/ (accessed April 2005).

Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations↗

USGS1980

A preliminary appraisal of the effects of agriculture on stream quality in southwest Georgia

Water—quality and suspended—sediment samples were collected in two basins in southwest Georgia to determine whether water—quality problems have resulted from agricultural practices. Samples were collected monthly and during periods of storm runoff from December 1976 through July 1978. Concentrations of chemical constituents relevant to agricultural practices were found to be low, even during periods of storm runoff. Concentrations of total nitrogen and total phosphorus ranged from 0.30 to 1.60 and 0.01 to 0.42 milligrams per liter, respectively. Copper, arsenic, lead, mercury, and zinc concentrations were low and did not exceed Georgia Department of Natural Resources (1977) or U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (1977) standards for safe drinking water. Concentrations of suspended sediment and total nitrogen were found to remain relatively constant over a wide range of water discharge. Concentrations of total phosphorus showed a better relation to water discharge at Little River near Lenox than at Spring Creek near Iron City. Dissolved—solids concentrations in both streams generally decreased with an increase in water discharge. Average annual yields of selected constituents were low. Total nitrogen and total phosphorus yields were 0.60 to 0.63 and 0.04 to 0.06 tons per year per square mile in Little River and Spring Creek basins. Atrazine, butylate, and ethroprop pesticides were detected in concentrations up to 0.91 micrograms per liter in storm— runoff samples collected during the active farming season.

Georgia↗