Application of BMP for prevention of ground-water contamination

The use of pesticides is an integral part of today\u27s agriculture. In many cases, pesticides safeguard crops from severe pest infestation, or increase yield by suppressing competing weed growth. Pesticides often make the difference between profits and losses in farming operations. However, pesticides, even in extremely low concentrations, can pose a risk to human health and to the environment. Applied to plant or soil surfaces, or injected into the soil, pesticides may leach to the ground water or may be washed off with surface water. Pesticide contaminated surface water can reach ground water, or contaminated ground water can reach the surface and contribute to surface water pollution. Once in the ground water, pesticides can persist for years, rendering the water unsuitable for human and animal consumption. Effectively treating drinking water to reduce pesticide residues to acceptable levels or to restore ground-water quality can be difficult and expensive

Pesticide movement and water management

Agricultural chemicals are essential components of agricultural production systems in the United states. Pesticides control weeds, insects, and have had an important role in increasing agricultural productivity in the last 50 years, despite diminishing crop land acreage. The benefits of chemicals use options in agriculture must be balanced against potential contamination of surface water and ground water resources. This study shows the effect of water management practices on pesticide movement and its potential pollution to ground water. It indicates that careful use of pesticides, water management practices and irrigation system design alternatives could cause a major reduction in ground water contamination potential

Simplex Algorithm for Optimizing Drainage Design

A methodology and computer model is developed to determine economically optimum closed subsurface drainage systems in irrigated areas. The model maximizes net benefits, by comparing profit driven by crop yield to drain system cost and selects an optimum drain layout. The optimization methodology used, is the SIMPLEX method, Neider and Mead. The SIMPLEX model was linked to the subsurface drainage model DRAINMOD Skaggs [10], and to the surface hydraulic model KINE, Walker and Skogerboe[14]. The selected optimum drainage system maximizes the difference between total revenue, and the total cost of installation, operation and management of a particular drainage system. The optimization sub-program provides a workable and simple procedure for optimizing water management simulation models

Pesticide use on Utah\u27s crops

Utah State University\u27s Cooperative Extension Service has placed high priority on a Water Quality Initiative for Utah. As a part of that emphasis, a research project was initiated to analyze the hazards that agricultural chemicals pose to Utah\u27s ground water. The initial phase of this research was to determine those locations in Utah that are at greatest risk of ground water contamination by pesticides. This was accomplished by interfacing data on pesticide usage with soil and hydrologic factors. The results identified specific areas in the state where potential hazards exist. This report summarizes data on the use of pesticides on Utah\u27s major crop

DRASTIC indices for selected agricultural areas in Utah

The main objective of this report is to present contour maps of DRASTIC indices for selected areas in Utah. In general, the higher the DRASTIC index value, the greater the potential for ground-water pollution. The acronym DRASTIC is derived from the following hydrogeologic factors which affect vertical movement of water through the soil, and hence affect downward movement of contaminant

Agricultural pesticide hazard to groundwater in Utah

We gratefully acknowledge the funding support of the Utah Department of Agriculture and the following offices at Utah State University. The Department of Agricultural and Irrigation Engineering, the International Irrigation Center, the Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, the Department of Soil Science and Biometerology, and the University Extension Services

Pesticide and Water management alternatives to mitigate potential ground-water contamination for selected counties in Utah

Production of adequate supplies of food and fiber currently requires that pesticides be used to limit crop losses from insects, pathogens, weeds and other pests. Although pesticides are necessary in today\u27s agriculture, they can be a serious problem if they reach and contaminate ground water, especially in places where drinking water needs are supplied from ground water. The relative reduction of potential ground-water contamination due to agricultural use of pesticides was analyzed for particular sites in Utah. The potential reduction of pesticides in ground water was considered by utilizing alternative irrigation systems, water management practices and pesticides. A one-dimensional simulation model, CMLS (Chemical Movement in Layered Soils), was utilized to simulate the movement of pesticides through soils. A hydraulic irrigation model (Kinematic-wave) was used to estimate water infiltrating through the soil profile for alternative furrow irrigation system designs and water management practices. The study indicates that a reduction in the likelihood of ground-water contamination due to agricultural use of pesticides can be achieved with careful use of pesticides, appropriate irrigation system design and water management techniques

Effects of alternative sprinkler irrigation parameters on pesticide movement

The relative reduction in potential ground-water contamination due to pesticides at several sites in Utah was determined by comparing alternative irrigation system designs, water management practices and pesticides. Alternative sprinkler irrigation distribution coefficients were used to estimate infiltration depths. The movement of pesticides through soils following sprinkler irrigations was simulated with one-dimensional model. Pesticide contamination of ground water can be reduced by careful selection of pesticides, properly designed irrigation systems and improved water management techniques. Procedures for selecting an appropriate sprinkler design and pesticide are presented

Effects of alternative furrow irrigation parameters on pesticide movement in cropped areas in Utah

Production of adequate supplies of food and fiber currently requires that pesticides be used to limit crop losses caused by insects, pathogens, weeds and other pests. Although pesticides are necessary in today\u27 s agriculture, they can be a serious problem if they reach and contaminate ground water, especially where drinking water needs are met by ground water. The relative reduction of potential ground-water contamination due to agricultural use of pesticides was analyzed for particular sites in Utah. The potential reduction of pesticides in ground water was considered by utilizing alternative irrigation systems, water management practices and pesticides. A one-dimensional simulation model, CMLS (Chemical Movement in Layered Soils), was utilized to simulate the movement of pesticides through soils. A hydraulic irrigation model (Kinematic-wave) was used to estimate water infiltration through the soil profile for alternative furrow lengths and inflow rates. The study indicates that a reduction in the likelihood of ground-water contamination due to agricultural use of pesticides can be achieved with careful use of pesticides, efficient irrigation system designs and improved water management techniques

EU-Iran Relations after the Nuclear Deal.

The signing of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action between Iran and global powers in July 2015 was a major turning point in the emerging strategic landscape of the Middle East. The ‘nuclear deal’ led to the lifting by the EU and the US of nuclear-related sanctions, and is now operational. Other sanctions remain in place, however. Nevertheless, unhindered by US competition, European trade delegations have entered into a latter-day gold rush, led by the promise of the biggest untapped market in the world. As such, the EU has both an opportunity and a responsibility to help Iran reintegrate properly into the international system. But, in the face of an opaque clerical regime that relies on internal repression and military business conglomerates, Europe stands to lose if it continues to pursue its uncalculated and uncoordinated approach towards the Islamic Republic. This report offers recommendations to guide the EU towards a comprehensive EU strategy for relations with Iran. It maintains that there is no other option but to keep universal values and the rule of law at the core of the emerging bilateral relationship. In fact, the protection of the economic rights of European traders and investors allows the EU to push for wider reforms and the normalisation of relations