ISSN:
1752-1688
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Architecture, Civil Engineering, Surveying
,
Geography
Notes:
: Inputs of copper-based crop protectants from tomato fields grown under plastic mulch agriculture (plasticulture) to an estuarine creek were investigated. Copper was measured in runoff from diverse land-uses including conventional agriculture, plasticulture, residences, and natural areas. Water column and sediment copper concentrations were measured in plasticulture and control (nonagriculture) watersheds. Copper concentrations in plasticulture-impacted creeks exceeded background levels episodically. High concentrations occurred during or immediately after runoff-producing rains. Concentrations of 263 μg/L total copper and 126 μg/L dissolved copper were measured in a tidal creek affected by plasticulture; concentrations exceeded the shellfish LC50 values and the water quality criteria of 2.9 μg/L dissolved copper. Control watersheds indicated background water column levels of ≤ 4 μg/L dissolved copper with similar copper levels during periods with and without rain. The copper concentrations in tomato plasticulture field runoff itself contained up to 238 μg/L dissolved copper. Copper concentrations in runoff from other land-uses were less than 5 μg/L dissolved copper. Creek sediment samples adjacent to a plasticulture field contained significantly higher copper concentrations than sediments taken from nonplasticulture watersheds.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-1688.2001.tb00968.x
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