LAND USE AND SOILS AFFECT
NUTRIENT AND SEDIMENT LEVELS IN WESTERN LAKE MICHIGAN DRAINAGES (Map Area
17)
Land use was the primary factor influencing the distribution of nutrient
and sediment concentrations in streams. Concentrations were directly
related to the input from atmospheric deposition and fertilizer and manure
use. Concentrations in stream runoff
were highest from agricultural areas and urban areas and were lowest in
streams draining forested areas. The amount of clay in soils affects the
occurrence of some constituents, particularly in agricultural areas and in
ground water. Significantly hig her concentrations of nitrates were found
in water draining agricultural areas with sandy soils than from those with
clayey soils. Trends in water-quality and sediment discharge from 1971 to
1990 were also identified.
Return to main document about
USGS National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program
||
USGS National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program home page
The URL for this page is
<http://water.usgs.gov/nawqa/overview.docs/wlake.html>.
Last modified: Tue Oct 31 15:36:56 1995