Comparison of Measured to Predicted Estimations of Nonpoint Source Contaminants Using Conservation Practices in an Agriculturally-Dominated Watershed in Northeast Arkansas, USA

• Published in: Bulletin of environmental contamination and toxicology Vol. 96; no. 6; pp. 762 - 766
• Main Authors: Frasher, Sarah K., Woodruff, Tracy M., Bouldin, Jennifer L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01-06-2016; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Agricultural land; Agricultural management; Agricultural runoff; Agriculture - methods; Aquatic Pollution; Arkansas; Comparative studies; Conservation practices; Contaminants; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Estimating techniques; Farmers; Nonpoint source pollution; Phosphorus - analysis; Pollution; Soil Science & Conservation; Total suspended solids; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollution Control; Water Quality; Water quality measurements; Watersheds; USA, Arkansas; Sediment loading; Agricultural best management practices; Water quality; BMP Tool
• ISSN: 0007-4861; 1432-0800
• DOI: 10.1007/s00128-016-1823-6

In efforts to reduce nonpoint source runoff and improve water quality, Best Management Practices (BMPs) were implemented in the Outlet Larkin Creek Watershed. Farmers need to make scientifically informed decisions concerning BMPs addressing contaminants from agricultural fields. The
BMP Tool
was developed from previous studies to estimate BMP effectiveness at reducing nonpoint source contaminants. The purpose of this study was to compare the measured percent reduction of dissolved phosphorus (DP) and total suspended solids to the reported percent reductions from the
BMP Tool
for validation. Similarities were measured between the
BMP Tool
and the measured water quality parameters. Construction of a sedimentation pond resulted in 74 %–76 % reduction in DP as compared to 80 % as predicted with the
BMP Tool
. However, further research is needed to validate the tool for additional water quality parameters. The
BMP Tool
is recommended for future BMP implementation as a useful predictor for farmers.