Water Quality
Sedimentation - Soil erosion can cause buildup of sediments behind dams, and in streams, storm sewers, ditches, and roads. Sediment can reduce water clarity.
Incremental soil loss will eventually affect the landholder in the form of reduced yield potential and/or increased input costs.
Eutrophication - Excess nitrogen and phosphorus leached or washed from soil into surface water may enhance the growth of algae and plants and reduce the amount of oxygen available to fish.
National opinion surveys reflect the public's concern that sediment from agricultural land, pesticides, and fertilizers from animal wastes and chemical applications may be contributing to surface and ground water pollution. This publication documents the national and regional status of and trends in water quality from the early 1980s to the early 1990s relative to these agricultural substances. It sets the stage for subsequent analysis of projected resource conditions under alternative social, economic, and environmental policies.
Value of Soil:
- Water quality
- Air quality
- Greenhouse gases
- Biodiversity
- Water flow and flood control
- Sustainability
- Aesthetics
Updated: September 19, 2011
This site is a collaboration between the
NRCS East National Technology Support Center, NRCS National Soil Survey Center, ARS National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment,
NCERA-59 Scientists,
and Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
This site designed by the NRCS East National Technology Support Center.