Fecal coliform and streptococcus concentrations in runoff from grazed pastures in northwest Arkansas
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Authors: D. R. Edwards, M. S. Coyne, P. F. Vendrell, T. C. Daniel, P. A. Moore, Jr., and J. F. Murdoch
Date: 1997
Journal: Journal of the American Water Resources Association
Volume: 33
Number: 2
Pages: 413-422
Summary of Methods: Over nearly three years runoff from four Northwest Arkansas (36˚ 00’ N; 94˚ 25’ W) pasture fields was collected and analyzed for fecal coliform (FC) and fecal streptococcus (FS), to determine the effects of grazing, fertilizing, timing and amount of runoff events. The fields were grazed and fertilized during the study, with two fields receiving animal manure and the other two receiving inorganic fertilizer. The sites were grazed by dairy cattle during the study with varied grazing densities. Samples of runoff were collected within 24 hours of each runoff event.
Article Summary / Main Points: Regardless of treatment FC concentrations exceeded the primary standard during 89% of runoff events and the secondary standard during 70% of events. FC and FS concentrations were not were not affected by runoff volume. Concentrations of FC and FS were not directly related to animal manure or presence of grazing cattle. Higher concentrations of both FC and FS concentrations occurred during the warmer months of the year, possibly resulting from regrowth conditions in environments that are relatively protected from sunlight and desiccation. Ratios of FC to FS concentrations varied widely, and the data confirm that FC/FS ratios are not a reliable indicator of the source of FC and FS in the runoff.
Vegetation Types: Riparian and Wetlands
MLRA Ecoregions: 117 Boston Mountains
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Grazing Runoff water
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: cattle, runoff, water quality, manure, fecal coliform, fecal streptococcus
Annotation: These findings illustrated just how unreliable FC/FS ratios are as indicators of the source of pollutants. The application of these findings should be done with caution as there was only a small rest period between the grazing periods indicating the need for additional research. The Journal of the American Water Resources Association (formerly Water Resources Bulletin).
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