Pesticides in Pennsylvania Groundwaters Active
Agreement with Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
Five-year program to continue 30 years of cooperation assessing groundwater quality in agricultural areas
USGS annually samples domestic groundwater wells to characterize pesticides, nutrients, and radon in agricultural areas, in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. Beginning in 2021, samples for major ions, trace elements, bacteria, and isotopes will also be collected. A subset of wells will be sampled for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), emerging industrial contaminants in Pennsylvania groundwaters.
This project began in 2003 to further the understanding of pesticide concentrations in different hydrogeologic settings. Pesticides sampling by USGS in Pennsylvania began in carbonate aquifers in the southeastern part of the state in the 1980s. Assessments of pesticides in groundwater were conducted in the Potomac, Delaware, Lower Susquehanna, Allegheny, and Monongahela River basins during the first round of the National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA ) studies. Findings are summarized in a Previous Studies Archive.
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Publications related to pesticides in Pennsylvania waters.
Water quality in the Allegheny and Monongahela River basins, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New York, and Maryland, 1996-98
Hydrogeologic framework and sampling design for an assessment of agricultural pesticides in ground water in Pennsylvania
Summary of pesticide data from streams and wells in the Potomac River Basin, 1993-96
Digital representation of a map showing the thickness and character of Quaternary sediments in the glaciated United States east of the Rocky Mountains
Metals, pesticides, and semivolatile organic compounds in sediment in Valley Forge National Historical Park, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Evaluation of agricultural best-management practices in the Conestoga River headwaters, Pennsylvania: A summary report, 1982-90
Water-quality assessment of the Lower Susquehanna River Basin, Pennsylvania and Maryland: Design and implementation of water-quality studies, 1992-95
Ground-water resources of Cambrian and Ordovician carbonate rocks in the valley and ridge physiographic province of Pennsylvania
Water resources data, Pennsylvania, water year 1992. Volume 2. Susquehanna and Potomac River basins
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- Overview
USGS annually samples domestic groundwater wells to characterize pesticides, nutrients, and radon in agricultural areas, in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. Beginning in 2021, samples for major ions, trace elements, bacteria, and isotopes will also be collected. A subset of wells will be sampled for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), emerging industrial contaminants in Pennsylvania groundwaters.
This project began in 2003 to further the understanding of pesticide concentrations in different hydrogeologic settings. Pesticides sampling by USGS in Pennsylvania began in carbonate aquifers in the southeastern part of the state in the 1980s. Assessments of pesticides in groundwater were conducted in the Potomac, Delaware, Lower Susquehanna, Allegheny, and Monongahela River basins during the first round of the National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA ) studies. Findings are summarized in a Previous Studies Archive.
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Related Science
- Data
Related data
- Publications
Publications related to pesticides in Pennsylvania waters.
Filter Total Items: 21Water quality in the Allegheny and Monongahela River basins, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New York, and Maryland, 1996-98
Major influences and findings for ground water quality, surface water quality, and biology in the Allegheny and Monongahela River basins are described and illustrated. Samples were collected in a variety of media to determine trace elements, sulfate, pesticides, nitrate, volatile organic compounds, organochlorine compounds, and radon-222. This report discusses the influences of several land-use prAuthorsRobert M. Anderson, Kevin M. Beer, Theodore F. Buckwalter, Mary E. Clark, Steven D. McAuley, James I. Sams, Donald R. WilliamsHydrogeologic framework and sampling design for an assessment of agricultural pesticides in ground water in Pennsylvania
State agencies responsible for regulating pesticides are required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to develop state management plans for specific pesticides. A key part of these management plans includes assessing the potential for contamination of ground water by pesticides throughout the state. As an example of how a statewide assessment could be implemented, a plan is presented for tAuthorsBruce D. Lindsey, Tammy M. BickfordSummary of pesticide data from streams and wells in the Potomac River Basin, 1993-96
Eighty-five water-soluble pesticides and pesticide degradation products were analyzed in 384 surface-water and ground-water samples collected from the Potomac River Basin during March 1993 through September 1996. Thirty-nine of these compounds were detected in surface-water samples and 16 were detected in ground-water samples. At least one pesticide was detected in 86 percent of the streams sampleAuthorsColleen A. Donnelly, Matthew J. FerrariDigital representation of a map showing the thickness and character of Quaternary sediments in the glaciated United States east of the Rocky Mountains
This CD-ROM contains vector-based digital geologic maps of the surficial deposits in parts of 23 states where continental glaciation occurred during the Quaternary. These maps, at 1:1,000,000-scale, include the texture of the surface sediments and the total thickness of Quaternary sediments. Map compilation was based on about 850 sources of information. These maps are also published in paper form,AuthorsD. R. Soller, Patricia H. PackardMetals, pesticides, and semivolatile organic compounds in sediment in Valley Forge National Historical Park, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
The Schuylkill River flows through Valley Forge National Historical Park in Lower Providence and West Norriton Townships in Montgomery County, Pa. The concentration of selected metals, pesticides, semivolatile organic compounds, and total carbon in stream-bottom sediments from Valley Forge National Historical Park were determined for samples collected once at 12 sites in and around the SchuylkillAuthorsAndrew G. Reif, Ronald A. SlotoEvaluation of agricultural best-management practices in the Conestoga River headwaters, Pennsylvania: A summary report, 1982-90
Pipe-outlet terracing was effective in reducing sediment losses from a field site, but total nitrogen and phosphorus losses with runoff were not significantly different before and after terracing. Median concentrations of dissolved nitrate in several ground-water sampling locations increased after terrace installation. Dissolved nitrate concentrations in ground water decreased significantly afterAuthorsPatricia L. LietmanWater-quality assessment of the Lower Susquehanna River Basin, Pennsylvania and Maryland: Design and implementation of water-quality studies, 1992-95
From 1992 through 1995, nearly 1,200 water-quality samples from about 500 sites were collected, processed, and analyzed for the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program in the Lower Susquehanna River Basin in Pennsylvania and Maryland. Sites were selected and samples were collected for 28 integrated water-quality studies designed to provide a comprehensiveAuthorsSteven F. Siwiec, Robert A. Hainly, Bruce D. Lindsey, Michael D. Bilger, Robin A. BrightbillGround-water resources of Cambrian and Ordovician carbonate rocks in the valley and ridge physiographic province of Pennsylvania
About 43 million gallons per day of ground water was used in 1985 by the 150,000 people living in the 10 valleys of central Pennsylvania that are underlain by Cambrian and Ordovician carbonate rocks. Noticeable effects on water levels from withdrawals occur in the vicinity of the Borough of State College where an average of 8.1 million gallons per day is pumped. The carbonate aquifer system is hetAuthorsA.E. BecherWater resources data, Pennsylvania, water year 1992. Volume 2. Susquehanna and Potomac River basins
Water resources data for the 1992 water year for Pennsylvania consist of records of discharge and water quality of streams; contents and elevations of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels and water quality of ground-water wells. This report, Volume 2, includes records from the Susquehanna and Potomac River basins. Specifically, it contains (1) discharge records for 85 continuous-record streamfloAuthorsR.R. Durlin, W.P. Schaffstall - News
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