Assessment of Rural Groundwater Contamination by Agricultural Chemicals in Sensitive Areas of Michigan

摘要

The vulnerability of drinking water supplies to agricultural contamination in three Michigan counties is discussed. The results of nitrate and atrazine analysis of drinking water from 38 wells in those 3 counties is described. Widespread nitrate contamination was demonstrated in agricultural areas with vulnerable aquifers. In addition, atrazine, a widely used herbicide was found in 11 of the 38 wells samples, with concentrations and patterns not conforming to findings in other mid-western states. The need for a comprehensive inventory of the groundwater quality in rural areas of Michigan is emphasized in the report, which describes results from the first year of a 2 year study.