Journal Facts

Journal
Journal of Environmental Systems
ISSN
0047-2433 (print) 1541-3802 (electronic)
Volume
13
Issue
2
Date
1/1/1983

Article Facts

Title
Nonpoint Water Quality Contributions from Land Use
DOI
10.2190/Q5PY-UDCY-65RY-U4L1
Authors
  • Donovan C. Wilkin
  • Randall W. Jackson
Pages
127-136
Online Date
05/09/2002

Article Links

Nonpoint Water Quality Contributions from Land Use

Donovan C. Wilkin
Randall W. Jackson

DOI: 10.2190/Q5PY-UDCY-65RY-U4L1

Abstract

Stream loads of total phosphorus and nitrate-nitrogen were studied as a function of land use in a midwestern watershed of 5,853 square kilometers by means of ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analysis. The purpose was to test the general hypothesis that the variance in chemical water quality from undefined sources is a function of land use within the watershed, and to begin to study the hypothesis that land use near the stream is more important than land use far from the stream in affecting water quality from nonpoint sources. Results support both hypotheses. Further, these results suggest the importance of considering the means by which chemicals are delivered to the stream. Nitrate-nitrogen and phosphorus can apparently both be purposely intercepted, but by different means because of their different delivery systems. Nitrate-nitrogen can be intercepted by removal of fast-growing floodplain crops, and phosphorus by sediment barriers outside the floodplain. Evidence also suggests trap efficiency in reservoirs is important in improving downstream water quality.

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