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- Info
An integrated ecological-economic framework for assessing agricultural nonpoint source pollution in a watershed system
| Author: |
Brusven, M.A., D.J. Walker and A.T. Trent |
| Date: |
1991 |
| Periodical: |
In: Nonpoint Source Pollution: The Unfinished Agenda for the Protection of our Water Quality: Proceedings from theTechnical Session of the Regional Conference; 1991 March 20-21; Tacoma Washington. Pullman, WA: State of Whashington Water Research Center |
| Abstract: |
Today, I want to explore this water quality/nonpoint source (NPS) topic from three perspectives: First, I want to characterize the NPS pollution problem. Second, I want to discuss the State Board's NPS Program strategy to address NPS pollution. Finally, I'm going to discuss what we've accomplished and where we are going. The phrase "watersheds at the urban interface" really generates a good mental picture as a backdrop for my topic today, NPS Pollution. It is at almost every point that urban activity touches the watershed that NPS pollution is created. Trace metals such as cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc are found in sediments washed from the urban landscape and deposited in our waterbodies (Field and Pitt 1990; Montoya 1987). Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are synthetic organic chemicals that come from our cars' gasoline and oil that leaks onto roads and parking lots (Water Resources Control Boar 1990c). PAHs, together with pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers used on our landscape, contaminate drainage waters. Suspended sediments, although not necessarily a pollutant, cause our waterbodies to become turbid, concentrate toxic pollutants, and destroy fisheries. |
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