HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Spruill, T. B. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Spruill, T. B. Agricola Articles by Spruill, T. B.

Statistical Evaluation of Effects of Riparian Buffers on Nitrate and Ground Water Quality

United States Geological Survey, 3916 Sunset Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC 27607.

^* Corresponding author (tspruill{at}usgs.gov).

ABSTRACT

A study was conducted to statistically evaluate the effectiveness of riparian buffers for decreasing nitrate concentrations in ground water and for affecting other chemical constituents. Values for pH, specific conductance, alkalinity, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), silica, ammonium, phosphorus, iron, and manganese at 28 sites in the Contentnea Creek Basin were significantly higher (p < 0.10) in old (>20 yr) discharging ground water draining areas with riparian buffers compared with areas without riparian buffers. No differences in chloride, nitrate nitrogen, calcium, sodium, and dissolved oxygen concentrations in old ground water between buffer and nonbuffer areas were detected. Comparison of samples of young (<20 yr) discharging ground water samples from buffer and nonbuffer areas indicated significantly higher specific conductance, calcium, chloride, and nitrate nitrogen in nonbuffer areas. Riparian buffers along streams can affect the composition of the hyporheic zone by providing a source of organic carbon to the streambed, which creates reducing geochemical conditions that consequently can affect the chemical quality of old ground water discharging through it. Buffer zones between agricultural fields and streams facilitate dilution of conservative chemical constituents in young ground water that originate from fertilizer applications and also allow denitrification in ground water by providing an adequate source of organic carbon generated by vegetation in the buffer zone. Based on the median chloride and nitrate values for young ground water in the Contentnea Creek Basin, nitrate was 95% lower in buffer areas compared with nonbuffer areas, with a 30 to 35% reduction estimated to be due to dilution and 65 to 70% due to reduction and/or denitrification.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				D. W. Israel, W. J. Showers, M. Fountain, and J. Fountain Nitrate Movement in Shallow Ground Water from Swine-Lagoon-Effluent Spray Fields Managed under Current Application Regulations J. Environ. Qual., September 8, 2005; 34(5): 1828 - 1842. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. D. Tomer and M. R. Burkart Long-Term Effects of Nitrogen Fertilizer Use on Ground Water Nitrate in Two Small Watersheds J. Environ. Qual., November 1, 2003; 32(6): 2158 - 2171. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. W. Golladay and J. Battle Effects of Flooding and Drought on Water Quality in Gulf Coastal Plain Streams in Georgia J. Environ. Qual., July 1, 2002; 31(4): 1266 - 1272. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. L. Dinnes, D. L. Karlen, D. B. Jaynes, T. C. Kaspar, J. L. Hatfield, T. S. Colvin, and C. A. Cambardella Nitrogen Management Strategies to Reduce Nitrate Leaching in Tile-Drained Midwestern Soils Agron. J., January 1, 2002; 94(1): 153 - 171. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]