water quality concerns in ohio waters what has been happening in lake erie? greg labarge, field...

Water Quality Concerns in Ohio Waters

What has been Happening in Lake Erie?

Greg LaBarge, Field Specialist, Agronomic Systems

Discussion

• History of P in Lake Erie

• Key points making Lake Erie unique

• What happened on Lake Erie 2011

• Agriculture in Lake Erie Basin

• What is the Distressed Watersheds Designation

• BMP’s

Definitions

• Total Phosphorous"Total" phosphorus is largely defined on the basis of how much phosphorus in its various forms will be oxidized into orthophosphate by a

specific oxidant.

• Water soluble P–Dissolved reactive phosphorous (DRP)–Bioavailable Phosphorous The soluble form of the nutrient phosphorus, which is readily available for use by plants. consist largely of the inorganic orthophosphate (PO4) form of phosphorus.

• Particulate P Soil attached P

A little history

• 1969 total P loading was 29,000 metric tons– Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB) were concern

and Lake had dead areas

• Target was established of 11,000 metric tons– 2/3 of loading from point sources– 50% reduction in non-point

Annual Loads of Total Phosphorus to Lake Erie, 1967-2007

Target load for total phosphorus of 11,000 metric tons set in ~1978

Source: Hiedelberg University

Source: Hiedelberg University

Renewed Concerns about Lake Erie and Nutrient Loading

• Issue in 1960-1970’s was Total P Loading

• Issue in 1990-2000’s is Bioavailable or Dissolved Reactive Phosphorous

Interesting Lake Erie Facts

Interesting Lake Erie Facts

• 50/2 Rule–Superior 50% of water/2% of fish–Erie 50% of fish/2% of water

• $10.7 billion economic activity while employing 119,100 Ohio residents and generating $750 million in tax dollars

8/11/11 Image Lake Erie

July, 2011

Source:http://www.glerl.noaa.gov/res/Centers/HABS/graphics/wle_hab2_%20072211.jpg

10/09/11 Image Lake Erie

Expected Time for RecoveryExpected Time for Recovery

• Because Lake Erie is the smallest of Because Lake Erie is the smallest of the Great Lakes by volume, the the Great Lakes by volume, the retention time for water in the Lake is retention time for water in the Lake is very short compared to the other 4 very short compared to the other 4 lakes—Western Basin retention time is lakes—Western Basin retention time is 20-50 days. 20-50 days. Therefore, if reduced Therefore, if reduced loading targets are reached, recovery loading targets are reached, recovery will be almost immediate.will be almost immediate.

Source: Dr . Jeff Ruetter, Ohio Sea Grant, The Ohio State University

Agriculture in Lake Erie Basin

• 4.2 Million Acres Maumee Watershed

• 4.9 Million Total

• 59.1% cropland

• 72% cropland in Western

Source: http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/portals/12/water/watershedprograms/GLSM/Watershed_in_Distres_FactSheet.pdf

ODNR Distressed Watershed RulesGrand Lake St Marys

•Shall follow eFOTG 633 standard

•Not apply manure between 12/15 – 3/1

•Not surface apply on frozen ground or > 1” of snow (Injected or incorporated within 24hr)

• No surface application when 50% chance of ppt. >0.5in for >24h

Recommendations to Reduce Nutrient

Movement off -site

• The 4-R’s of Fertilizer material application.– ‘Right’ Time– ‘Right’ Place– ‘Right’ Amount– ‘Right’ Material

Source: DRAFT document of the Ohio Director’s Working Group on Ag Nutrients 12/19/11

Recommendations to Reduce Nutrient

Movement off -site

• The ‘Right’ Time.– Nutrients should not be applied to frozen or

snow covered ground.– Nutrients should be applied as close to crop

utilization as possible.

Source: DRAFT document of the Ohio Director’s Working Group on Ag Nutrients 12/19/11

Fertility Applications

• Frozen and snow covered applications have the greatest risk of off site movement whether manure or commercial fertilizer

Recommendations to Reduce Nutrient

Movement off -site

• The ‘Right’ Place.– Phosphorous applications should be injected

or incorporated whenever possible.– If surface applications are made, it should

have a growing crop or cover as soon as possible.

Source: DRAFT document of the Ohio Director’s Working Group on Ag Nutrients 12/19/11

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

Tilled-incorporated Tilled-surface No-till cover No-till

Dis

solv

ed P,

ppm

Control

DAP

Poultry litter

Mullen, 2011, unpublished

Rainfall simulator study, NW Ohio, Nov 2009

• P sources applied at 80 lb P2O5 per acre• Total P loss < 2% of amount applied• Rain @ 2.4”/hour; first 30 minutes runoff

Recommendations to Reduce Nutrient

Movement off -site

• The ‘Right’ Amount.– Good representative soil sample should be

the basis for fertilizer application.– Utilize Ohio State University Extension

Agronomic Recommendations for nutrient application.

– Records should be kept for all soil tests, recommendations and applications as well as crop and resulting yields.

Source: DRAFT document of the Ohio Director’s Working Group on Ag Nutrients 12/19/11

Fertility Rates

Crop P- Bray 1(PPM)

P- Bray 1 (lbs/A)

Corn 15 30

Soybeans 15 30

Wheat 25 50

Alfalfa 25 50

Crop P- Bray 1(PPM)

P- Bray 1 (lbs/A)

Corn 30 60

Soybeans 30 60

Wheat 40 80

Alfalfa 40 80

Crop P- Bray 1(PPM)

P- Bray 1 (lbs/A)

Corn 40 80

Soybeans 40 80

Wheat 50 100

Alfalfa 50 100

Recommendations to Reduce Nutrient

Movement off -site

• In addition to the 4 R’s- Improve Soil Quality.– Soil organic matter.– Soil compaction.– Water infiltration rates.– Methods to reduce runoff.

Source: DRAFT document of the Ohio Director’s Working Group on Ag Nutrients 12/19/11

Recommendations to Reduce Nutrient

Movement off-site • In addition to the 4 R’s- Improve Water Management and

Possible Treatment of Drainage Water.– Repair broken subsurface drainage.– Treating surface inlets runoff into subsurface drainage

systems.– Treating concentrated surface runoff areas.– Controlled drainage.– Constructed wetlands for treatment– Improved designed filtered areas, biofilters– Alternative drainage ditch designs

Source: DRAFT document of the Ohio Director’s Working Group on Ag Nutrients 12/19/11

Summary

• Phosphorous is the focus. but not Total P but Dissolved Reactive P (DRP)

• Agriculture has a role (not the only focus) and BMP’s can minimize impact Timing of application– 4 R’s of fertilizer application– Conservation practices – Rates based on Tri-state– Improve soil quality and crop yields