Fulton County M&R Activities

1. UICF Study- This study has been conducted each year since 1973. Applied annual biosolids and commercial fertilizer and planted plots May 6th and 7thand covered the plots with netting to prevent damage from birds. Will collect deep soil core samples later this summer along with corn leaf samples from each plot. Checking for metal uptake and residual affect of metals in corn plants and the soil as well as how various levels of sludge application affect yields.
2. Field 63 Phosphorous Runoff Study- First year that no biosolids was applied to the plots. Need to apply commercial fertilizer to control plots and plant before we can reinstall runoff collection divider strips. Purpose is to determine how grass buffer strips affect the amount of phosphorous runoff. Buffer strips are 0, 25 and 50 feet long.
3. Deep soil core samples were collected from 11 fields throughout the project to check organic carbon levels in the various depths.
4. Discretionary sampling of 20 fields for soil, corn leaf, and grain. Have collected soil samples from 16 of the 20 fields so far.
5. Discretionary sampling of 10 monitoring wells and 10 surface water sites- will collect water samples later this years probably in early fall.
6. The M&R lab is being reorganized to address the diminishing role of the current monitoring and research program.