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Early Warning Pesticide Monitoring in Nevada’s Surface Waters

Fact Sheet 2020-3070
Prepared in cooperation with the Nevada Department of Agriculture
By: , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/fs20203070

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Abstract

A pesticide is a substance, or mixture of substances, used to kill or control insects, weeds, plant diseases, and other pest organisms. Commercial pesticide applicators, farmers, and homeowners apply about 1.1 billion pounds of pesticides annually to agricultural land, non-crop land, and urban areas throughout the United States. Although intended for beneficial uses, there are also risks associated with pesticide applications, including contamination of groundwater and surface-water resources, which can adversely affect aquatic life and water supplies. Pesticides can contaminate groundwater and surface water directly through point sources (spills, disposal sites, or pesticide drift during an application). The main avenue of contamination, however, is indirect by non-point sources, which include agricultural and urban runoff, erosion, leaching from application sites, and precipitation that has become contaminated by upwind applications.

Suggested Citation

Huntington, J.M., Entz, D.C., and Thodal, C.E., 2020, Early warning pesticide monitoring in Nevada’s surface waters: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2020–3070, 6 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/fs20203070.

ISSN: 2327-6932 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Introduction
  • Nevada Pesticide Monitoring and Early Warning Program
  • Results and Discussion
  • Summary
  • Acknowledgments
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Early warning pesticide monitoring in Nevada’s surface waters
Series title Fact Sheet
Series number 2020-3070
DOI 10.3133/fs20203070
Year Published 2020
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Nevada Water Science Center
Description 6 p.
Country United States
State Nevada
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details