Paddling to Improve Water Quality

Crops need nutrients like nitrogen in order to thrive, but excess nutrients in soil have the potential to run off into nearby waterways and create water quality issues. High concentrations of nitrate have been associated with blue baby syndrome, certain cancers, and other health issues. ARS scientists in St. Paul, MN, have developed a way to make detailed maps of water quality by using inflatable rafts. These small vessels are paddled through narrow channels and ditches where they pair water quality readings with GPS coordinates to help scientists pinpoint areas in need of further study or to make recommendations for alternative land management practices.
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