Low Herbicide Concentration Found in Streamflow After a Grass Cover is Killed

J.E. Douglass; D.R. Cochrane; G.W. Bailey; J.I. Teasley; D.W. Hill

Low Herbicide Concentration Found in Streamflow After a Grass Cover is Killed

Informally Refereed

Authors:

J.E. Douglass, D.R. Cochrane, G.W. Bailey, J.I. Teasley, D.W. Hill

Year:

1969

Type:

Research Note

Station:

Southern Research Station

Source:

Res. Note SE-108. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southeastern Forest Experiment Station. 3 p.

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Abstract

The grass cover on a steep Appalachian watershed was sprayed in 1966 with herbicides-first with atrazine and paraquat and later with atrazine and 2,4-D. Although grass growing in the stream channel was sprayed during the first treatment, atrazine and paraquat levels in water samples were low. For the second treatment, a 10-foot strip on either side of the channel was left unsprayed. No increase in atrazine concentration was noted, and no 2,4-D was detected. Thus, use of these chemicals does not appear to constitute a water pollution hazard when reasonable care is taken to protect streamside vegetation and the stream from direct contamination.

Citation

Douglass, J.E.; Cochrane, D.R.; Bailey, G.W.; Teasley, J.I.; Hill, D.W. 1969. Low Herbicide Concentration Found in Streamflow After a Grass Cover is Killed. Res. Note SE-108. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southeastern Forest Experiment Station. 3 p.