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Preliminary Evaluation Of Water Quality In Tidal Creeks Of Virginia's Eastern Shore In Relation To Vegetable Cultivation, Mark W. Luckenbach, Morris H. Roberts Jr., Keith Boyd

Reports

In response to concerns raised about the impacts of vegetable cultivation using plastic ground covers on water quality, we have initiated a broad-scale, systematic study of water quality in seaside tidal creeks of Virginia' s Eastern Shore. Our objective was to determine if acute toxicity associated with heavy metals or pesticides was more prevalent in tidal creeks with drainage areas which include this agricultural practice than in those which do not. Though such correlations do not confirm cause and effect, they may serve as the basis for future, more targeted investigations and for some immediate changes in land management practices …