1. Lena Shapiro and Nicole Melamed
Agricultural Runoff
Lena Shapiro and Nicole Melamed

2. What is Agricultural Runoff?
Pollutants from farms are deposited into bodies of water
Nonpoint source Pollution (NPS): pollution from many different sources
Causes:
Sedimentation
Irrigation
Pesticides/fertilizers
Livestock grazing
Water from farms picking up pollution
Can deposit the pollution in lakes, rivers, oceans, and other bodies of water
Agricultural runoff is a type of NPS
(we’re going to explain the causes in detail)

3. Sedimentation Soil is washed off of fields
Rain or wind transports sediment into water sources
Too much sediment clouds water
Clouded water  reducing the amount of sunlight animals get in the water
Sediment can clog fish gills and smother fish larvae
Prevents new life from growing in the pond

4. Irrigation
Irrigating is done to supplement natural precipitation or protect crops against freezing and wilting
Excessive irrigation can cause erosion
All of this transports [bad] nutrients, pesticides, and heavy metals into bodies of water
OR it can decrease the amount of water that flows naturally in streams and rivers
Can cause selenium buildup which can kill waterfowl
The killing of waterfowl affects ecosystems and basically it messes everything up so that’s a problem (you don’t say?)

5. Pesticides/Fertilizers
Pesticides, fertilizers, and more are spread over the crops and soil
These chemicals can contaminate water) through runoff, when it rains
They poison fish, animals, food sources, and destroy animals’ habitats
Pesticides
Pesticides
Pesticides
Pesticides
Explain exactly what’s spread over the soil and why

6. Livestock Grazing Overgrazing increases erosion and exposes soil
Destroys fish habitats and stream banks because animals graze too close to other creatures
Also ruins floodplain vegetation necessary for water quality filtration
It contaminates your water

7. Why should we care?
It costs the U.S. thousands of dollars to pay for damage and water waste
Algal blooms form everywhere and it’s
bad for tourism, due to the lack of watersports
terrible for the environment, killing multiple ecosystems and disrupting the food chain
I know a lot of you guys are like, “why should we care?” well, you shouldn’t. *lena smacks nikki’s arm* kidding!

8. To stop over watering your plants
What YOU Can Do
Learn about the ways water drains into the ocean in your area and prevent your garden’s chemicals from getting into the drain
If it enters a storm sewer system, it’s left untreated, and goes into the water bodies we use for swimming, fishing and, in some cases, drinking water.
Don’t overwater your plants
Remove vegetation from areas where it can mold and affect water areas
Picture of uncle sam “PICK UP YOUR TRASH”
To stop over watering your plants

9. What is being done?
Farmers are preventing this by measuring out how much water their plants need or create efficient irrigation systems with quality equipment
They’re using less harmful pesticides and fertilizers
Farm Bill 2002  funds for conservation programs

10. Have any questions?
visit the National Service Center for Environmental Publications (NSCEP) ordering Webpage here: ml
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Water
the people from the Water Quality Program at (985) and they can help you improve your water conditions

11. THANKS FOR LISTENING/WATCHING!
Works Cited
"Protecting Water Quality from Agricultural Runoff." N.p., Mar Web. 23 Feb
"Tox Town - Agricultural Runoff - Text Version." Tox Town - Agricultural Runoff - Text Version. N.p., 18 Nov Web. 23 Feb
"Improving Water Quality in Your Neighborhood.” 0and%20restoring/what%20you%20can%20do/. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2014
"Farm Security and Rural Investments Act Of 2002." GPO. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Feb
Farm. Bill.” 2002 Farm Bill. Organic Consumers Association, n.d. Web 25 Feb. 2014
THANKS FOR LISTENING/WATCHING!