| Site Data |
| Storm sampler: how it works |
| Site map |
| Prophecy Creek, NO3 and NH4, Ridings Subdivision |
| Prophecy Creek, NO3 and NH4, Greystone Subdivision |
| Tannery Run Creek, NO3 and NH4, Meadowbrook Rd |
| Wissahickon Creek, NO3 and NH4, Batelson Rd |
| Rose Valley Creek, NO3 and NH4, Stout Rd/Robbins Park |
| Robbins Park, NO3 and NH4, Control Site |
| Herbicide data |
| Progress Reports |
| April 2001 |
| June 2001 |
| Sept 2001 |
| Dec 2001 |
| April 2002 |
| July 2002 |
| Oct 2002 |
| Dec 2002 |
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PA
Dept of Environmental Protection Growing Greener Grant Voluntary Minimal Lawn Chemical Campaign Stormwater Data Page |
|
 Student sampling stormdrain on Prophecy Creek | Temple University Dept of Geology is responsible for sampling and analyzing storm water from drains in neighborhoods near Ambler PA that are part of the Voluntary Minimal Lawn Chemical Campaign. This project is a PA Department of Environmental Protection Growing Greener Grant (ME#350 488) awarded to the Wissahickon Valley Watershed and Alliance for a Sustainable Future. Participants at Temple University are Dr. Laura Toran, Dr. David Grandstaff, and undergraduate students Cecilia Mejias, Heather Landherr, and John Peake who collect and analyze the samples. |
| Background |
| Nonpoint source (NPS) pollution to surface water is generated when rain, snowmelt, or irrigation water travel through soil that contain pollutants and transport those pollutants to streams. In suburban/urban areas, a potential source of pollutants to streams is use of lawn care chemicals. These chemicals may contribute nutrients, pesticides, and herbicides to stream water. Few studies have tried to quantify this NPS loading, in part because identifying sources and doing stormwater sampling is difficult. The goals of this 2-year study (Jan 2001-2003) are to provide homeowners with information to help them minimize their lawn chemical use, and to assess the effect of lawn chemical use before and after the campaign on nutrient loadings in stormwater drain pipes. Currently 5 sites are being monitored using automatic samplers and lots of student field work! |
| Results to date |
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We have shown that lawn chemicals show up in discharge of the storm pipes, albeit at low concentrations. Plots are available on the side bar. The concentrations were higher in either the spring or summer, when usage would increase. We found that NH4 was a useful variable to monitor, when previously it was thought to be unstable. The variation in concentrations has been related to possible usage changes, but more study is needed to determine what the key factors are. Only a few herbicides have been detected, at low levels. The herbicide data was analyzed courtesy of the Philadelphia Water Department.
Revised: December, 2002 |