U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

Open-File Report 2011–1102

Prepared in cooperation with the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries

Pesticide Occurrence in Groundwater in Areas of 

High-Density Row Crop Production in Alabama, 2009
Cover photograph. Cotton field in northern Alabama by Amy C. Gill, USGS.
Pesticide Occurrence in Groundwater in Areas of 

High-Density Row Crop Production in Alabama, 2009

By Richard S. Moreland

Prepared in cooperation with the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries

Open-File Report 2011–1102

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey
U.S. Department of the Interior

KEN SALAZAR, Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey

Marcia K. McNutt, Director

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2011

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reproduce any copyrighted materials contained within this report.

Suggested citation:

Moreland, R.S., 2011, Pesticide occurrence in groundwater in areas of high-density row crop production in Alabama, 

2009: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2011–1102, 17 p.
iii

Contents

Abstract...........................................................................................................................................................1

Introduction.....................................................................................................................................................1

Purpose and Scope ..............................................................................................................................1

Methods...........................................................................................................................................................1

Results .............................................................................................................................................................2

Acknowledgments.........................................................................................................................................2

Selected References.....................................................................................................................................3

Figures

1–4. Maps showing—

 1. Cropland acreage in Alabama, 2007 ..................................................................................6

 2. Location of wells in Northern Alabama.............................................................................7

 3. Location of wells in Southeastern Alabama.....................................................................8

 4. Location of wells in Baldwin County, Alabama................................................................9

Tables

1. Selected well characteristics for study wells in Alabama..................................................10

2. List of chemical compounds and minimum reporting levels for 

U.S. Geological Survey National Water Quality Laboratory Schedule 2033.....................11

3. List of chemical compounds and minimum reporting levels for 

U.S. Geological Survey National Water Quality Laboratory Schedule 2060.....................12

4. Results of U.S. Geological Survey National Water Quality Laboratory 

schedule 2033 pesticide analyses for samples collected from groundwater 

wells in areas of high-density row crop production in Alabama, 2009..............................13

5. Results of U.S. Geological Survey National Water Quality Laboratory 

schedule 2060 pesticide analyses for samples collected from groundwater 

wells in areas of high-density row crop production in Alabama, 2009..............................17
iv

Conversion Factors and Datum

[Inch/Pound to SI]

Multiply By To obtain

Length

foot (ft) 0.3048 meter (m)

mile (mi) 1.609 kilometer (km)

Area

acre 4,047 square meter (m2

)

square foot (ft2

) 929.0 square centimeter (cm2)

square foot (ft2

) 0.09290 square meter (m2)

square inch (in2

) 6.452 square centimeter (cm2)

section (640 acres or 1 square mile) 259.0 square hectometer (hm2

) 

square mile (mi2

) 259.0 hectare (ha)

square mile (mi2

) 2.590 square kilometer (km2) 

Volume

gallon (gal) 3.785 liter (L) 

gallon (gal) 0.003785 cubic meter (m3

) 

Temperature in degrees Celsius (°C) may be converted to degrees Fahrenheit (°F) as follows:

°F =(1.8 ×°C) +32

Temperature in degrees Fahrenheit (°F) may be converted to degrees Celsius (°C) as follows:

°C=(°F –32)/ 1.8

Horizontal coordinate information is referenced to the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83).

Specific conductance is given in microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius (μS/cm at 

25 °C).

Concentrations of chemical constituents in water are given either in milligrams per liter (mg/L) 

or micrograms per liter (μg/L).
Pesticide Occurrence in Groundwater in Areas of 

High-Density Row Crop Production in Alabama, 2009

By Richard S. Moreland

Abstract

High-density row crop production occurs in three areas 

of Alabama that are underlain by productive aquifers, northern 

Alabama, southeastern Alabama, and Baldwin County in 

southwestern Alabama. The U.S. Geological Survey collected 

five groundwater samples from each of these three areas 

during 2009 for analysis of selected pesticides. Results of 

these analyses showed detections for 37 of 152 analytes. The 

three most frequently detected compounds were atrazine, 

2-Chloro-4-isopropylamino-6-amino-triazine (CIAT), and 

metolachlor. The highest concentration for any analyte was 

4.08 micrograms per liter for metolachlor. 

Introduction

Agriculture is an important part of the economy for the 

State of Alabama. In 2002, more than 8.9 million acres in 

Alabama were used for agriculture and more than $3.2 billion 

in agricultural products were sold in the State (U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2002). Field crops and miscellaneous row 

crops contributed more than $446 million in crop production. 

Agricultural pesticides, including insecticides, herbicides, 

and fungicides, improve crop production by limiting losses 

to noxious insects, weeds, and fungi. More than 2.8 million 

acres in Alabama were treated with some form of pesticide 

during 2007 (U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2007b). The 

widespread use of pesticides to support agriculture makes 

responsible management of agricultural pesticide use in the 

State of Alabama a priority, and monitoring of the occurrence 

of pesticides in groundwater is an important first step in 

management activities. 

Three areas in the State of Alabama with high-density 

row crop production that are underlain by productive aquifers 

were selected for this study: northern Alabama (Limestone, 

Madison, Colbert, Lawrence, Morgan, and Jackson Counties), 

southeastern Alabama (Houston, Henry, and Geneva Counties), and Baldwin County in southwestern Alabama (fig. 1). 

Purpose and Scope

This report describes the results from the initial 

sampling effort of a study the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 

Alabama Water Science Center is conducting, in cooperation 

with the Pesticide Management Branch of the Alabama 

Department of Agriculture and Industries, to evaluate detection 

frequencies and concentrations of pesticides in groundwater 

near areas of high-density row crop production in Alabama. 

Fifteen wells were sampled during this study; five wells 

were sampled in each of the three main agricultural areas 

(figs. 2–4; table 1). Data collected for this study will be directly 

comparable to data collected from pesticide studies across 

the nation and will increase the understanding of the relation 

between agricultural land use and groundwater quality. 

Methods

Fifteen wells, five in each of the three main agricultural 

areas, were sampled during this study (figs. 2–4; table 1). 

The wells were selected based upon several factors, including proximity to row crops, well depth, accessibility, and 

the existence of comparable pesticide data from previous 

studies. Domestic water-supply or irrigation wells were 

sampled in southeastern and southwestern Alabama. This 

study benefitted from the USGS National Water Quality 

Assessment (NAWQA) Program by utilizing 5 of the 30 wells 

that were previously installed in the Lower Tennessee River 

Basin (LTEN) to monitor water-quality trends in areas of 

high-density row-crop production in shallow groundwater for 

a variety of analytes, including pesticides (Kingsbury, 2003). 

Groundwater samples were analyzed for temperature, 

specific conductance, dissolved oxygen, pH, and pesticides. 

Sampling procedures, field methods, and equipment decontamination were consistent with standard USGS procedures 

set forth in the USGS National Field Manual (U.S. Geological 

Survey, variously dated). Wells were purged of at least three 

casing volumes of water and (or) until field measurements 
2 Pesticide Occurrence in Groundwater in Areas of High-Density Row Crop Production in Alabama, 2009

of temperature, pH, specific conductance, and dissolved 

oxygen were stable for three consecutive readings at 5-minute 

intervals prior to sample collection. 

Samples from all 15 wells were analyzed for 87 filtered 

pesticides and pesticide degradates by using capillary-column 

gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with selected-ion 

monitoring (National Water Quality Laboratory (NWQL) 

schedule 2033; Zaugg and others, 1995; Sandstrom and others, 

2001; table 2). Schedule 2033 samples were collected during 

April 2009 from wells 1, 2, 4, and 5 as part of the ongoing 

NAWQA-LTEN. Schedule 2033 samples were collected 

during June 2009 from wells, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 

and 15. In addition, samples collected from wells 1, 2, 3, 4, 

and 5, during June 2009 were analyzed for 65 polar pesticides 

and metabolites by using high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (NWQL schedule 2060; Furlong 

and others, 2001; table 3) in order to provide information on 

the occurrence of a greater number of pesticides not included 

in the 2033 schedule. Samples for both pesticide schedules 

were filtered through 0.7 micron glass fiber filters and shipped 

on ice overnight to the USGS NWQL in Denver, Colorado. 

Once at the NWQL, samples for both schedules were extracted 

onto solid-phase extraction columns prior to analysis. 

The bias and variability associated with environmental 

samples must be known to accurately interpret water-quality 

data (U.S. Geological Survey, 2006). Field blanks are used 

to verify that equipment-cleaning procedures are valid and 

that environmental bias is limited. Pesticide analytes tested in 

samples collected during the current study were not detected 

in two field equipment blanks, which were collected using the 

same equipment and sampling protocols during two separate 

studies prior to and after this study (Amy C. Gill, U.S. 

Geological Survey, written commun., 2009). Field replicates 

are collected to check for variability from both laboratory 

and field bias. Analyses of one field replicate collected for 

well 10 showed no variability for that set of samples. 

Results

Results of field measurements and pesticide analyses 

for NWQL schedule 2033 are shown in table 4. The three 

most frequently detected compounds for schedule 2033 in 

the 15 wells were the herbicides atrazine (11 of 15 wells); 

2-Chloro-4-isopropylamino-6-amino-s-triazine (CIAT), an 

atrazine degradation byproduct (11 of 15 wells); and metolachlor (8 of 15 wells). The wells with the highest numbers 

of pesticides detected for schedule 2033 were wells 3, 5, 1, 

and 6 with 17, 13, 8 and 7 compounds detected, respectively 

(table 4). The highest concentration for an NWQL schedule 

2033 analyte was 4.08 micrograms per liter (μg/L) for the 

herbicide metolachlor, which was detected in well 15 located 

in Baldwin County. 

Samples analyzed by NWQL schedule 2060 were only 

collected at the five wells in northern Alabama. Results of 

these analyses are shown in table 5. All five of the northern 

Alabama wells had detections of the herbicides fluometuron 

and norflurazon, which were not analyzed in the two southern 

areas (table 5). The highest concentration for NWQL schedule 

2060 was 0.82 μg/L for norfurazon. The wells with the 

greatest number of detections for NWQL schedule 2060 

were wells 1 and 2 with 11 and 8 detections, respectively. 

Acknowledgments

The author would like to acknowledge and thank the 

well owners for their enthusiasm, interest, and participation 

in the study. Mr. Ray Marler and Mr. Vernon Wiggins of the 

Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries were 

instrumental in locating wells in Baldwin County and southeastern Alabama. Their relationships with local farmers and 

citizens were critical for the successful selection of wells in 

these areas. 
Selected References 3

Selected References

Furlong, E.T., Anderson, B.D., Werner, S.L., Soliven, P.P., 

Coffey, L.J., and Burkhardt, M.R., 2001, Methods of 

analysis by the U.S. Geological Survey National Water 

Quality Laboratory—Determination of pesticides in water 

by graphitized carbon-based solid-phase extraction and 

high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 01–4134, 73 p.

Kingsbury, J.A., 2003, Shallow ground-water quality in 

agricultural area of northern Alabama and middle Tennessee, 2000–2001: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources 

Investigations Report 03–4181, 38 p.

Kingsbury, J.A., and Shelton, J.M., 2002, Water quality of the 

Mississippian carbonate aquifer in parts of middle Tennessee and northern Alabama, 1999: U.S. Geological Survey 

Water-Resources Investigations Report 02–4083, 36 p.

Sandstrom, M.W., Stroppel, M.E., Foreman, W.T., and 

Schroeder, M.P., 2001, Methods of analysis by the U.S. 

Geological Survey National Water Quality Laboratory—

Determination of moderate-use pesticides and selected 

degradates in water by C-18 solid-phase extraction and gas 

chromatography/mass spectrometry: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 01–4098, 70 p. 

U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2002, The census of 

agriculture, 2002 census publications, Alabama, accessed 

June 30, 2008, at http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/

Publications/2002/County_Profiles/Alabama/.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2007a, The census of 

agriculture, 2007 census publications, Alabama, Table 45. 

Fertilizers and chemicals—2007 and 2002, accessed 

February 24, 2010, at http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/

Publications/2007/Full_Report/Volume_1,_Chapter_

1_State_Level/Alabama/.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2007b, The census of 

agriculture, 2007 census publications, Desktop Data 

Query Tool 1.02, accessed August 26, 2010, at http://www.

agcensus.usda.gov/Publications/2007/Online_Highlights/

Desktop_Application/index.asp.

U.S. Geological Survey, variously dated, National field 

manual for the collection of water-quality data: U.S. 

Geological Survey Techniques of Water-Resources 

Investigations, book 9, chaps. A1–A9, available online 

at http://pubs.water.usgs.gov/twri9A.

Zaugg, S.D., Sandstrom, M.W., Smith, S.G., and 

Fehlberg, K.M., 1995, Methods of analysis by the U.S. 

Geological Survey National Water Quality Laboratory—

Determination of pesticides in water by C-18 solid-phase 

extraction and capillary-column gas chromatography/mass 

spectrometry with selected-ion monitoring: U.S. Geological 

Survey Open-File Report 95–181, 49 p.

Figures and Tables
6 Pesticide Occurrence in Groundwater in Areas of High-Density Row Crop Production in Alabama, 2009

Mobile Baldwin

Lee

Clarke

Pike

Bibb

Dallas

Hale

Clay

Jackson

Wilcox

Monroe

Sumter

Dale

Perry

Shelby Pickens Tuscaloosa

Butler

Walker

Marengo

Jefferson

Marion

Coosa

Escambia

De Kalb

Barbour

Lamar

Madison

Covington

Conecuh Coffee

Macon

Henry

Chilton

Blount

Cullman

Greene

Elmore

St Clair Fayette

Lowndes

Russell

Geneva

Winston

Bullock

Morgan

Colbert

Franklin

Autauga

Etowah

Calhoun

Houston

Lauderdale

Choctaw

Washington

Talladega

Lawrence

Tallapoosa

Marshall

Montgomery

Cherokee

Chambers

Crenshaw

Limestone

Randolph

Cleburne

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data, 1983, 1:100,000

Universal Transverse Mercator projection Zone 16

Central meridian 87°00’W 

Acreage data from USDA-NASS 2007

Census of Agriculture

89°W 88°W 87°W 86°W 85°W

35°N

34°N

33°N

32°N

31°N

30°N

0 25 50 100 MILES

0 30 60 120 KILOMETERS

EXPLANATION

Acres of cropland

< 20,000

20,001 to 40,000

40,001 to 60,000

60,001 to 80,000

80,001 to 100,000

> 100,001

Figure 1. Cropland acreage in Alabama, 2007.
Figures and Tables 7

1

2

3 5 4

1

Natchez Trace Pky

Neal Rd

SR 71

County Road91

GOVERNORS DR

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¬«279

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£¤ £¤231 43

£¤431

£¤31 £¤231

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£¤72

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Guntersville

Scottsboro

88°W 87°W 86°W

35°N

34°N

0 7.5 15 MILES

0 7.5 15 KILOMETERS

EXPLANATION

Base from U.S. Geological Survey 1:100,000-scale digital data, 1983

Universal Transverse Mercator projection, Zone 16, Central meridian 87°00'W

Well location—Number corresponds to table 3

Lauderdale

Colbert

Limestone

Lawrence Morgan

Jackson

Marshall

Location map

Florence

Tuscumbia

Moulton

Huntsville

Athens

Decatur

Madison ·

·

Figure 2. Location of wells in Northern Alabama.
8 Pesticide Occurrence in Groundwater in Areas of High-Density Row Crop Production in Alabama, 2009

Geneva

¬

«¬10

«¬95

¬«53

«¬167

«¬

27

«¬87 85 ¬«

109¬«

«¬153

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134

¬«54

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12

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52

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¤£431

¤£84

¤£231

6

6

7

8

9

10

Abbeville

Dothan

Base from U.S. Geological Survey 1:100,000-scale digital data, 1983

Universal Transverse Mercator projection, Zone 16, Central meridian 87°00'W

86°W 85°W

31°N

0 4 8 2 MILES

0 4 82 KILOMETERS

EXPLANATION

Geneva Houston

Henry

Location map

Well location—Number 

 corresponds to table 3

Figure 3. Location of wells in Southeastern Alabama.
Figures and Tables 9

Figure 4. Location of wells in Baldwin County, Alabama.

Baldwin

§ ̈¦10

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¬«59

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¬«104

¬«182

¬«287

¬«161

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")27

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£¤98

11

13 12

14

15

88°0'0"W

31°0'0"N

0 5 10 MILES

0 5 10 KILOMETERS

Location map

Base from U.S. Geological Survey 1:100,000-scale digital data, 1983

Universal Transverse Mercator projection, Zone 16, Central meridian 87°00'W

Bay Minette

6

EXPLANATION

Well location—Number 

 corresponds to table 3
10 Pesticide Occurrence in Groundwater in Areas of High-Density Row Crop Production in Alabama, 2009

Table 1. Selected well characteristics for study wells in Alabama.

[USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; °, degree; ', minute; ", second; M, monitor; D, domestic; I, irrigation; U, unused]

Map number

(figs. 2–4)

USGS 

station number Latitude Longitude County Well depth(feet)

Use of 

well

1 345822086254001 34°58'21.8" 86°25' 40.5" Madison 50 M

2 345112086313401 34°51'12.4" 86°31' 34.2" Madison 35 M

3 344124086531401 34°41'24.2" 86°53' 13.6" Limestone 24 M

4 344348086493401 34°43'48.2" 86°49' 34" Limestone 53 M

5 344131087335201 34 ̊41'30.9" 87°33' 52. 2" Colbert 53 M

6 312143085230301 31°21'43" 85°23' 03" Henry 105 D

7 311928085191101 31°19'28" 85°19' 11" Henry 231 D

8 311048085403201 31°10'48" 85°40' 32" Geneva 310 D

9 310453085383001 31°04'53" 85°38' 30" Geneva 140 D

10 310153085225901 31°01'53" 85°22' 59" Houston 95 D

11 303432087485501 30°34'32" 87°48' 55" Baldwin 110 D

12 303252087500801 30°32'52" 87°50' 08" Baldwin 140 I

13 303231087525801 30°32'31" 87°52' 58" Baldwin 130 I

14 302434087462601 30°24'34" 87°46' 26" Baldwin 65 U

15 302438087325801 30°24'38" 87°32' 58" Baldwin 45 D

Figures and Tables
Figures and Tables 11

Compound CAS number

Minimum 

reporting 

level, 

in μg/L

1-Naphthol 90-15-3 0.036

2,6-Diethylaniline 579-66-8 0.006

2-Chloro-2,6-diethylacetanilide 6967-29-9 0.01

2-Chloro-4-isopropylamino6-amino-s-triazine (CIAT)

6190-65-4 0.014

2-Ethyl-6-methylaniline 24549-06-2 0.0098

3,4-Dichloroaniline 95-76-1 0.0042

3,5-Dichloroaniline 626-43-7 0.003

4-Chloro-2-methylphenol 1570-64-5 0.0032

Acetochlor 34256-82-1 0.01

Alachlor 15972-60-8 0.008

alpha-Endosulfan 959-98-8 0.006

Atrazine 1912-24-9 0.007

Azinphos-methyl 86-50-0 0.12

Azinphos-methyl-oxon 961-22-8 0.042

Benfluralin 1861-40-1 0.014

Carbaryl 63-25-2 0.06

Carbofuran 1563-66-2 0.06

Chlorpyrifos 2921-88-2 0.01

Chlorpyrifos, oxygen analog 5598-15-2 0.05

cis-Permethrin 61949-76-6 0.014

cis-Propiconazole 60207-90-1 0.006

Cyanazine 21725-46-2 0.022

Cyfluthrin 68359-37-5 0.016

Cypermethrin 52315-07-8 0.02

Dacthal 1861-32-1 0.0076

Desulfinylfipronil — 0.012

Desulfinylfipronil amide — 0.029

Diazinon 333-41-5 0.005

Diazinon, oxygen analog 962-58-3 0.006

Dichlorvos 62-73-7 0.02

Dicrotophos 141-66-2 0.08

Dieldrin 60-57-1 0.009

Dimethoate 60-51-5 0.006

Disulfoton 298-04-4 0.04

Disulfoton sulfone 6-5-2497 0.013

Endosulfan sulfate 1031-07-8 0.014

EPTC 759-94-4 0.002

Ethion 563-12-2 0.008

Ethion monoxon 17356-42-2 0.021

Ethoprophos 13194-48-4 0.016

Fenamiphos 22224-92-6 0.03

Table 2. List of chemical compounds and minimum reporting levels for U.S. Geological Survey National Water Quality Laboratory 

Schedule 2033.

[CAS, chemical abstract service; table contains CAS Registry Numbers®, a Registered Trademark of the American Chemical Society; CAS recommends 

the verification of CASRNs through CAS Client ServicesSM; μg/L, microgram per liter; bold type indicates at least one detection; —, no CAS number]

Compound CAS number

Minimum 

reporting 

level, 

in μg/L

Fenamiphos sulfone 31972-44-8 0.053

Fenamiphos sulfoxide 31972-43-7 0.08

Fipronil 120068-37-3 0.018

Fipronil sulfide 120067-83-6 0.013

Fipronil sulfone 120068-36-2 0.024

Fonofos 944-22-9 0.0044

Hexazinone 51235-04-2 0.008

Iprodione 36734-19-7 0.014

Isofenphos 25311-71-1 0.006

lambda-Cyhalothrin 91465-08-6 0.01

Malaoxon 1634-78-2 0.08

Malathion 121-75-5 0.016

Metalaxyl 57837-19-1 0.007

Methidathion 950-37-8 0.006

Metolachlor 51218-45-2 0.014

Metribuzin 21087-64-9 0.012

Molinate 2212-67-1 0.0026

Myclobutanil 88671-89-0 0.01

Oxyfluorfen 42874-03-3 0.01

Paraoxon-methyl 950-35-6 0.01

Parathion-methyl 298-00-0 0.008

Pendimethalin 40487-42-1 0.012

Phorate 298-02-2 0.02

Phorate oxygen analog 2600-69-3 0.027

Phosmet 732-11-6 0.034

Phosmet oxon 3735-33-9 0.051

Prometon 1610-18-0 0.012

Prometryn 7287-19-6 0.006

Propanil 709-98-8 0.01

Propargite 2312-35-8 0.02

Propyzamide 23950-58-5 0.0036

Simazine 122-34-9 0.006

Tebuconazole 107534-96-3 0.02

Tebuthiuron 34014-18-1 0.028

Tefluthrin 79538-32-2 0.01

Terbufos 13071-79-9 0.018

Terbufos oxygen analog sulfone 56070-15-6 0.045

Terbuthylazine 5915-41-3 0.006

Thiobencarb 28249-77-6 0.016

trans-Propiconazole 60207-90-1 0.02

Tribufos 78-48-8 0.018

Trifluralin 1582-09-8 0.018
12 Pesticide Occurrence in Groundwater in Areas of High-Density Row Crop Production in Alabama, 2009

Table 3. List of chemical compounds and minimum reporting levels for U.S. Geological Survey National Water Quality Laboratory 

Schedule 2060.

[CAS, chemical abstract service; table contains CAS Registry Numbers®, a Registered Trademark of the American Chemical Society; CAS recommends 

the verification of CASRNs through CAS Client ServicesSM; μg/L, microgram per liter; bold type indicates at least one detection; —, no CAS number]

Compound CAS number

Minimum

reporting 

level,

in μg/L

2,4-D 94-75-7 0.06

2,4-D methyl ester 1928-38-7 0.2

2,4-D plus 2,4-D methyl ester — 0.06

2,4-DB 94-82-6 0.02

2-Chloro-4-isopropylamino6-amino-s-triazine (CIAT)

6190-65-4 0.06

2-Chloro-6-ethylamino4-amino-s-triazine (CEAT)

1007-28-9 0.06

2-Hydroxy-4-isopropylamino-6-

ethylamino-s-triazine (OIET)

2163-68-0 0.06

3(4-Chlorophenyl)-1-methyl urea 5352-88-5 0.06

3-Hydroxycarbofuran 16655-82-6 0.04

Acifluorfen 50594-66-6 0.04

Aldicarb 116-06-3 0.12

Aldicarb sulfone 1646-88-4 0.08

Aldicarb sulfoxide 1646-87-3 0.06

Atrazine 1912-24-9 0.04

Bendiocarb 22781-23-3 0.04

Benomyl 17804-35-2 0.06

Bensulfuron-methyl 83055-99-6 0.06

Bentazon 25057-89-0 0.06

Bromacil 314-40-9 0.06

Bromoxynil 1689-84-5 0.12

Caffeine 58-08-2 0.08

Carbaryl 63-25-2 0.04

Carbofuran 1563-66-2 0.04

Chloramben, methyl ester 7286-84-2 0.1

Chlorimuron-ethyl 90982-32-4 0.08

Clopyralid 1702-17-6 0.06

Cycloate 1134-23-2 0.04

Dacthal monoacid 887-54-7 0.04

Dicamba 1918-00-9 0.04

Compound CAS number

Minimum

reporting 

level,

in μg/L

Dichlorprop 120-36-5 0.04

Dinoseb 88-85-7 0.04

Diphenamid 957-51-7 0.04

Diuron 330-54-1 0.04

Fenuron 101-42-8 0.06

Flumetsulam 98967-40-9 0.06

Fluometuron 2164-17-2 0.04

Imazaquin 81335-37-7 0.06

Imazethapyr 81335-77-5 0.06

Imidacloprid 138261-41-3 0.06

Linuron 330-55-2 0.04

MCPA 94-74-6 0.04

MCPB 94-81-5 0.2

Metalaxyl 57837-19-1 0.04

Methiocarb 2032-65-7 0.04

Methomyl 16752-77-5 0.12

Metsulfuron methyl 74223-64-6 0.14

Neburon 555-37-3 0.02

Nicosulfuron 111991-09-4 0.1

Norflurazon 27314-13-2 0.04

Oryzalin 19044-88-3 0.04

Oxamyl 23135-22-0 0.12

Picloram 1918-02-1 0.12

Propham 122-42-9 0.04

Propiconazole 60207-90-1 0.04

Propoxur 114-26-1 0.06

Siduron 1982-49-6 0.04

Sulfometuron-methyl 74222-97-2 0.06

Tebuthiuron 34014-18-1 0.06

Terbacil 5902-51-2 0.04

Triclopyr 55335-06-3 0.08
Figures and Tables 13

Table 4. Results of U.S. Geological Survey National Water Quality Laboratory schedule 2033 pesticide analyses for samples 

collected from groundwater wells in areas of high-density row crop production in Alabama, 2009.

[USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; E, estimated; —, missing; <, less than]

USGS

station

number

Map

number

(figs. 2–4) 

Date

as

month,

day,

year

Sample 

start

time

Dissolved 

oxygen, water, 

unfiltered, 

milligrams 

per liter

Dissolved 

oxygen, water, 

unfiltered, 

percent of 

saturation

pH, water, 

unfiltered,

field, 

standard 

units

Specific conductance, 

water, unfiltered, 

microsiemens per 

centimeter at 

25 degrees Celsius

345822086254001 1 4/27/2009 1300 8.3 90 4.7 71

345112086313401 2 4/27/2009 1630 7.3 E82 6.8 223

344124086531401 3 6/11/2009 1645 7.7 — 6.6 146

344348086493401 4 4/28/2009 1615 7.1 — 6.9 274

344131087335201 5 4/28/2009 1330 5.3 — 7.3 291

312143085230301 6 6/10/2009 1155 8 90 4.3 154

311928085191101 7 6/10/2009 1500 2.7 31 7.9 235

311048085403201 8 6/11/2009 1355 4.2 48 7.2 201

310453085383001 9 6/11/2009 1010 9 103 4.5 100

310153085225901 10 6/12/2009 0920 7 81 7.8 206

303432087485501 11 6/16/2009 1305 9 103 4.2 170

303252087500801 12 6/16/2009 1445 8.8 100 4.7 138

303231087525801 13 6/17/2009 0930 8.5 98 5.7 27

302434087462601 14 6/17/2009 1230 8.7 98 4.4 132

302438087325801 15 6/17/2009 1555 9.1 105 4.3 164

USGS

station

number

Map

number

(figs. 2–4) 

Date

as

month,

day,

year

Sample 

start

time

Temperature, 

water, 

degrees 

Celsius

2-Chloro-2’,6’-

diethylacetanilide, 

water, filtered, 

recoverable, 

micrograms 

per liter

2-Chloro4-isopropylamino6-amino-s-triazine, 

water, filtered, 

recoverable, 

micrograms

 per liter

3,4-Dichloroaniline, water, 

filtered, 

recoverable, 

micrograms 

per liter

345822086254001 1 4/27/2009 1300 18.4 <0.01 E0.054 E0.005

345112086313401 2 4/27/2009 1630 E20.3 <0.01 E0.124 E0.004

344124086531401 3 6/11/2009 1645 20.9 <0.01 E0.213 E0.006

344348086493401 4 4/28/2009 1615 18.3 <0.01 E0.008 <0.004

344131087335201 5 4/28/2009 1330 18.7 <0.01 E0.598 E0.014

312143085230301 6 6/10/2009 1155 21.2 <0.01 E0.018 <0.004

311928085191101 7 6/10/2009 1500 21.8 <0.01 <0.014 <0.004

311048085403201 8 6/11/2009 1355 22 <0.01 <0.014 <0.004

310453085383001 9 6/11/2009 1010 21.6 E0.005 E0.004 <0.004

310153085225901 10 6/12/2009 0920 21.8 <0.01 E0.005 <0.004

303432087485501 11 6/16/2009 1305 21.9 <0.01 E0.007 E0.004

303252087500801 12 6/16/2009 1445 21.3 <0.01 E0.008 <0.004

303231087525801 13 6/17/2009 0930 22 <0.01 <0.014 <0.004

302434087462601 14 6/17/2009 1230 21 <0.01 E0.005 <0.004

302438087325801 15 6/17/2009 1555 22.5 <0.01 <0.014 <0.004
14 Pesticide Occurrence in Groundwater in Areas of High-Density Row Crop Production in Alabama, 2009

Table 4. Results of U.S. Geological Survey National Water Quality Laboratory schedule 2033 pesticide analyses for samples 

collected from groundwater wells in areas of high-density row crop production in Alabama, 2009.—Continued

[USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; E, estimated; —, missing; <, less than]

USGS

station

number

Map

number

(figs. 2–4) 

Date

as

month,

day,

year

Sample 

start

time

Alachlor, 

water, filtered, 

recoverable, 

micrograms

per liter

Atrazine, 

water, filtered, 

recoverable, 

micrograms 

per liter

Benfluralin, 

water, filtered 

(0.7 micron glass 

fiber filter), 

recoverable,

micrograms 

per liter

Carbofuran, 

water, filtered 

(0.7 micron glass 

fiber filter), 

recoverable, 

micrograms 

per liter

345822086254001 1 4/27/2009 1300 E0.007 0.085 <0.014 <0.06

345112086313401 2 4/27/2009 1630 <0.008 0.08 <0.014 <0.06

344124086531401 3 6/11/2009 1645 <0.008 0.25 <0.014 <0.06

344348086493401 4 4/28/2009 1615 <0.008 0.011 <0.014 <0.06

344131087335201 5 4/28/2009 1330 <0.008 0.225 E0.011 <0.06

312143085230301 6 6/10/2009 1155 <0.008 0.025 <0.014 E0.007

311928085191101 7 6/10/2009 1500 <0.008 <0.007 <0.014 <0.06

311048085403201 8 6/11/2009 1355 <0.008 <0.007 <0.014 <0.06

310453085383001 9 6/11/2009 1010 0.064 E0.005 <0.014 <0.06

310153085225901 10 6/12/2009 0920 <0.008 E0.006 <0.014 <0.06

303432087485501 11 6/16/2009 1305 <0.008 E0.006 <0.014 <0.06

303252087500801 12 6/16/2009 1445 <0.008 E0.005 <0.014 <0.06

303231087525801 13 6/17/2009 0930 <0.008 <0.007 <0.014 <0.06

302434087462601 14 6/17/2009 1230 <0.008 E0.004 <0.014 <0.06

302438087325801 15 6/17/2009 1555 <0.008 <0.007 <0.014 E0.005

USGS

station

number

Map

number

(figs. 2–4) 

Date

as

month,

day,

year

Sample 

start

time

Chlorpyrifos 

oxygen analog, 

water, filtered, 

recoverable, 

micrograms 

per liter

cisPropiconazole, 

water, filtered, 

recoverable, 

micrograms 

per liter

DCPA, water, 

filtered (0.7 micron 

glass fiber filter), 

recoverable, 

micrograms 

per liter

Disulfoton 

sulfone, water, 

filtered, 

recoverable, 

micrograms 

per liter

345822086254001 1 4/27/2009 1300 <0.05 <0.006 <0.006 <0.01

345112086313401 2 4/27/2009 1630 <0.05 <0.006 <0.006 <0.01

344124086531401 3 6/11/2009 1645 <0.05 <0.006 <0.006 <0.01

344348086493401 4 4/28/2009 1615 <0.05 <0.006 <0.006 <0.01

344131087335201 5 4/28/2009 1330 E0.06 <0.006 0.015 0.02

312143085230301 6 6/10/2009 1155 <0.05 E0.006 <0.006 <0.01

311928085191101 7 6/10/2009 1500 <0.05 <0.006 <0.006 <0.01

311048085403201 8 6/11/2009 1355 <0.05 <0.006 <0.006 <0.01

310453085383001 9 6/11/2009 1010 <0.05 <0.006 <0.006 <0.01

310153085225901 10 6/12/2009 0920 <0.05 <0.006 <0.006 <0.01

303432087485501 11 6/16/2009 1305 <0.05 <0.006 <0.006 <0.01

303252087500801 12 6/16/2009 1445 <0.05 <0.006 <0.006 <0.01

303231087525801 13 6/17/2009 0930 <0.05 <0.006 <0.006 <0.01

302434087462601 14 6/17/2009 1230 <0.05 <0.006 <0.006 <0.01

302438087325801 15 6/17/2009 1555 <0.05 <0.006 <0.006 <0.01
Figures and Tables 15

Table 4. Results of U.S. Geological Survey National Water Quality Laboratory schedule 2033 pesticide analyses for samples 

collected from groundwater wells in areas of high-density row crop production in Alabama, 2009.—Continued

[USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; E, estimated; —, missing; <, less than]

USGS

station

number

Map

number

(figs. 2–4) 

Date

as

month,

day,

year

Sample 

start

time

Metalaxyl, 

water, filtered, 

recoverable, 

micrograms 

per liter

Metolachlor, 

water, filtered, 

recoverable, 

micrograms 

per liter

Metribuzin, 

water, filtered, 

recoverable, 

micrograms 

per liter

Molinate, 

water, filtered 

(0.7 micron glass

fiber filter), 

recoverable, 

micrograms 

per liter

345822086254001 1 4/27/2009 1300 E0.015 0.019 <0.016 <0.002

345112086313401 2 4/27/2009 1630 <0.007 <0.014 <0.016 <0.002

344124086531401 3 6/11/2009 1645 <0.007 0.067 <0.016 <0.002

344348086493401 4 4/28/2009 1615 <0.007 E0.006 <0.016 <0.002

344131087335201 5 4/28/2009 1330 <0.007 0.06 <0.016 0.022

312143085230301 6 6/10/2009 1155 <0.007 E0.01 <0.016 <0.004

311928085191101 7 6/10/2009 1500 <0.007 <0.014 <0.016 <0.002

311048085403201 8 6/11/2009 1355 <0.007 <0.014 <0.016 <0.002

310453085383001 9 6/11/2009 1010 <0.007 E0.004 <0.016 <0.002

310153085225901 10 6/12/2009 0920 <0.007 <0.014 <0.016 <0.002

303432087485501 11 6/16/2009 1305 <0.007 0.068 <0.016 <0.002

303252087500801 12 6/16/2009 1445 <0.007 <0.014 <0.016 <0.002

303231087525801 13 6/17/2009 0930 <0.007 <0.014 <0.016 <0.002

302434087462601 14 6/17/2009 1230 <0.007 <0.014 <0.016 <0.002

302438087325801 15 6/17/2009 1555 0.03 4.08 0.023 <0.002

USGS

station

number

Map

number

(figs. 2–4) 

Date

as

month,

day,

year

Sample 

start

time

Prometon, 

water, filtered, 

recoverable, 

micrograms 

per liter

Prometryn, 

water, filtered, 

recoverable, 

micrograms 

per liter

Simazine, 

water, filtered, 

recoverable, 

micrograms 

per liter

Tebuthiuron, 

water, filtered 

(0.7 micron glass 

fiber filter), 

recoverable, 

micrograms 

per liter

345822086254001 1 4/27/2009 1300 <0.01 0.01 E0.005 <0.02

345112086313401 2 4/27/2009 1630 <0.01 <0.006 <0.01 <0.02

344124086531401 3 6/11/2009 1645 0.02 0.007 0.013 <0.02

344348086493401 4 4/28/2009 1615 <0.01 <0.006 <0.01 <0.02

344131087335201 5 4/28/2009 1330 <0.01 0.027 0.05 <0.02

312143085230301 6 6/10/2009 1155 <0.01 <0.006 <0.01 0.12

311928085191101 7 6/10/2009 1500 <0.01 <0.006 <0.01 <0.02

311048085403201 8 6/11/2009 1355 <0.01 <0.006 <0.01 <0.02

310453085383001 9 6/11/2009 1010 <0.01 <0.006 <0.01 <0.02

310153085225901 10 6/12/2009 0920 <0.01 <0.006 <0.01 <0.02

303432087485501 11 6/16/2009 1305 <0.01 <0.006 <0.01 <0.02

303252087500801 12 6/16/2009 1445 <0.01 <0.006 <0.01 <0.02

303231087525801 13 6/17/2009 0930 <0.01 <0.006 <0.01 <0.02

302434087462601 14 6/17/2009 1230 <0.01 <0.006 <0.01 <0.02

302438087325801 15 6/17/2009 1555 <0.01 <0.006 <0.01 <0.02
16 Pesticide Occurrence in Groundwater in Areas of High-Density Row Crop Production in Alabama, 2009

Table 4. Results of U.S. Geological Survey National Water Quality Laboratory schedule 2033 pesticide analyses for 

samples collected from groundwater wells in areas of high-density row crop production in Alabama, 2009.—Continued

[USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; E, estimated; —, missing; <, less than]

USGS

station

number

Map

number

(figs. 2–4) 

Date

as

month,

day,

year

Sample 

start

time

Terbuthylazine, 

water, filtered, 

recoverable, 

micrograms 

per liter

Thiobencarb, 

water, filtered 

(0.7 micron glass 

fiber filter), 

recoverable, 

micrograms 

per liter

transPropiconazole, 

water, filtered, 

recoverable, 

micrograms 

per liter

345822086254001 1 4/27/2009 1300 <0.01 <0.016 <0.02

345112086313401 2 4/27/2009 1630 <0.01 <0.016 <0.02

344124086531401 3 6/11/2009 1645 <0.01 <0.016 <0.02

344348086493401 4 4/28/2009 1615 <0.01 <0.016 <0.02

344131087335201 5 4/28/2009 1330 0.02 0.029 <0.02

312143085230301 6 6/10/2009 1155 <0.01 <0.016 E0.01

311928085191101 7 6/10/2009 1500 <0.01 <0.016 <0.02

311048085403201 8 6/11/2009 1355 <0.01 <0.016 <0.02

310453085383001 9 6/11/2009 1010 <0.01 <0.016 <0.02

310153085225901 10 6/12/2009 0920 <0.01 <0.016 <0.02

303432087485501 11 6/16/2009 1305 <0.01 <0.016 <0.02

303252087500801 12 6/16/2009 1445 <0.01 <0.016 <0.02

303231087525801 13 6/17/2009 0930 <0.01 <0.016 <0.02

302434087462601 14 6/17/2009 1230 <0.01 <0.016 <0.02

302438087325801 15 6/17/2009 1555 <0.01 <0.016 <0.02
Figures and Tables 17

Table 5. Results of U.S. Geological Survey National Water Quality Laboratory schedule 2060 pesticide analyses for samples 

collected from groundwater wells in areas of high-density row crop production in Alabama, 2009.

[USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; E, estimated; —, missing; <, less than]

USGS

station 

number

Map 

number 

(figs 2–4)

Date 

as 

month,

day,

year

Sample 

start 

time

2-Chloro-4-

isopropylamino6-amino-striazine,

water, filtered, 

recoverable, 

micrograms 

per liter

2-Chloro-6-

ethylamino4-amino-striazine,

water, filtered, 

recoverable, 

micrograms 

per liter

2-Hydroxy-4-

isopropylamino6-ethylamino-striazine, water, 

filtered, 

recoverable,

 micrograms 

per liter

Aldicarb sulfone, 

water, filtered 

(0.7 micron glass

fiber filter), 

recoverable, 

micrograms 

per liter

345822086254001 1 6/11/2009 1300 E0.04 E0.01 E0.007 E0.01

345112086313401 2 6/11/2009 0915 0.1 E0.01 E0.006 —

344124086531401 3 6/11/2009 1645 E0.213 E0.05 E0.02 <0.08

344348086493401 4 6/10/2009 1500 E0.02 <0.06 E0.014 0.13

344131087335201 5 6/12/2009 1110 E0.04 E0.02 E0.008 <0.08

USGS

station 

number

Map 

number 

(figs 2–4)

Date

as

month,

day,

year

Sample 

start 

time

Aldicarb sulfoxide, 

water, filtered 

(0.7 micron glass 

fiber filter), 

recoverable, 

micrograms 

per liter

Atrazine, 

water, filtered, 

recoverable,

 micrograms 

per liter

Diuron, water, 

filtered (0.7 

micron glass 

fiber filter), 

recoverable, 

micrograms 

per liter

Fluometuron, 

water, filtered 

(0.7 micron glass 

fiber filter), 

recoverable,

micrograms 

per liter

345822086254001 1 6/11/2009 1300 <0.06 0.111 E0.02 0.32

345112086313401 2 6/11/2009 0915 E0.006 0.107 E0.02 0.23

344124086531401 3 6/11/2009 1645 E0.002 0.25 E0.04 0.28

344348086493401 4 6/10/2009 1500 E0.021 0.352 <0.04 0.5

344131087335201 5 6/12/2009 1110 <0.06 E0.012 <0.04 0.28

USGS

station 

number

Map 

number 

(figs 2–4)

Date

as

month,

day,

year

Sample 

start 

time

Imidacloprid, 

water, filtered, 

recoverable, 

micrograms 

per liter

Metalaxyl, 

water, filtered, 

recoverable, 

micrograms 

per liter

Methomyl, 

water, filtered 

(0.7 micron glass 

fiber filter), 

recoverable, 

micrograms 

per liter

Norflurazon, 

water, filtered 

(0.7 micron glass 

fiber filter), 

recoverable, 

micrograms 

per liter

345822086254001 1 6/11/2009 1300 0.066 E0.01 E0.009 E0.03

345112086313401 2 6/11/2009 0915 <0.06 <0.04 <0.12 E0.02

344124086531401 3 6/11/2009 1645 <0.06 <0.04 <0.12 E0.02

344348086493401 4 6/10/2009 1500 <0.06 <0.04 <0.12 0.82

344131087335201 5 6/12/2009 1110 E0.024 <0.04 <0.12 E0.04
Manuscript approved for publication, April 5, 2011

Edited by Kay E. Hedrick

Layout by Caryl J. Wipperfurth

For more information concerning regarding this publication, contact

Athena Clark, Director

USGS Alabama Water Science Center

75 TechnaCenter Drive

Montgomery, AL 36117

telephone: 334–395–4120

http://al.water.usgs.gov
Moreland—Pesticide Occurrence in Groundwater in Areas of High-Density Row Crop Production in Alabama, 2009—Open-File Report 2011–1102