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Georgia Water Resources Conference

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Author: Gaskin, Julia W. × Author: Risse, L. Mark ×

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Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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Field evaluation of compost and mulches for erosion control

2005-04 , Risse, L. Mark , Faucette, L. Britt , Gaskin, Julia W. , Jordan, Carl F. , Cabrera, Miguel L. , West, Larry T.

Soil erosion is one of the largest contributors to nonpoint source pollution in Georgia. The use of surface applied organic amendments has been shown to reduce runoff and erosion and improve vegetative establishment on degraded soils such as those common to Georgia. In this study, four types of compost blankets, hydroseed, silt fence, and a bare soil (control) were applied in field test plots. Treatments were seeded with common bermuda grass. Simulated rainfall was applied at an average rate equivalent to a 50 yr one-hour storm event, and runoff samples were collected and analyzed for solids as well as runoff quantity. Three simulated rain events were conducted: immediately after treatment application, at vegetation establishment, and at vegetation maturity. In the short term, compost treatments produced significantly less runoff than the hydroseeded and bare soil plots. All treatments proved better than the control at reducing solids loss. Total solids loads were as much as 350% greater from the hydroseeded plots compared to the composts during the first storm and as much as 36 times greater during the second storm. Vegetative growth and nutrient loss data were also evaluated.

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Beef Cattle Production Impacts on Water Quality

2001-03 , Gaskin, Julia W. , Risse, L. Mark , Faucette, L. Britt , Segars, William I. , Worley, Phil C.

Water quality monitoring was begun in March of 1999 on the Redbud Farm near Calhoun, Georgia to evaluate the effects of beef cattle production on water quality. The monitoring network includes streamwater entering and leaving the farm, and sites comparing areas where the cattle have no access to the stream and unrestricted access. Overall water quality during baseflow is good. Average nutrient and sediment concentrations increase where cattle have stream access. Average stormflow concentrations of nutrients and sediment are five to 15 times higher than baseflow concentrations. Preliminary data indicate water quality can be maintained by restricting cattle access to the stream.

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Using the Georgia P-Index to identify high risk management of poultry litter

2005-04 , Gaskin, Julia W. , Harris, Keith , Cabrera, Miguel L. , Risse, L. Mark

The Georgia P Index was developed as a tool to evaluate the risk of bioavailable P loss in fields under various management practices. We compared the results of the P Index with four years of data from 1.5 m by 4.6 m bermudagrass plots fertilized with poultry litter at 8.9 Mg ha-1 (recommended rate); poultry litter at 17.9 Mg ha-1; composted poultry litter, poultry litter with alum, commercial fertilizer; and a control (no amendments). P Index ratings above 75 indicate high risk where management should be changed. The P Index indicated management changes would be needed for the 17.9 Mg ha-1 treatment during all 4 years, for composted PL during year 4, and for PL with alum during years 3 and 4. The P Index did not indicate management changes were necessary using the recommended rate of 8.9 Mg ha-1 after 4 years of application; however, volume-weighted P concentrations in the 8.9 Mg ha-1 treatment were double the control concentrations during years 3 and 4. The comparison indicates that the P Index does identify high risk management practices under the conditions of this study.

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Seeing is believing: hands-on tools for education on non-point source pollution

2003-04 , Gaskin, Julia W. , Hawkins, Gary L. , Pagan, Tina W. , Risse, L. Mark

It is sometimes difficult for people to understand that they are contributing to non-point source pollution because it is by definition diffuse and it is difficult to visualize. Over the past several years, the Agricultural Pollution Prevention program of the University of Georgia, College of Agricultural and Environmental Science, Cooperative Extension Service has used hands-on educational tools to show people the connections between everyday activities and water quality problems. These tools include: groundwater models illustrating the connections between septic tanks, wells, lakes, and groundwater; a table-top rainfall simulator comparing erosion on soils with different amounts of cover; in-stream water quality monitoring with high school and community groups; and on-farm workshops demonstrating wholefarm management practices to reduce non-point source pollution. These tools have been effective in helping people identify sources of non-point source pollution and understand practices they can use to reduce impacts. A demonstration during the exhibits will showcase several of these tools as a companion to this paper. The Agricultural Pollution Prevention program has these tools available for people to use in educational programs.

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