BRUNE, D. E., debrune@clemson.edu, Agriculural & Biological Engineering, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, 29634, DRAPCHO, C. M., Biological & Agricultural Engineering, Louisiana State University, RADELIFF, D. E., Dept. of Agronomy, University of Georgia, HARTER, T., Dept. of Land, Air & Water Resources, University of California, and  ZHANG, R., Dept. of Agricultural & Biological Engineering, University of California

Nitrogen and phosphorus discharges from animal loafing areas and field applied animal waste pose a threat to both surface and groundwater supplies.  Enormous effort has been targeted at developing mathematical and computer models of nutrient movement, as well as, decision support systems and GIS based techniques to provide the capability to predict the outcome of “best management practices” in preserving watershed surface and groundwater quality.  All modeling and management techniques are limited by the need for detailed, expensive data or “ground truth” as to the location or magnitude of waste enriched soils.  Researchers at Clemson University recently demonstrated that the technique of electromagnetic terrain conductivity survey (EM) can be used to rapidly quantify the impact of surface applied animal waste on groundwater quality.  Additional work, in cooperation with the University of Georgia, Louisiana State University and the University of California has demonstrated the usefulness of the technique to rapidly assess surface and groundwater quality in agricultural watersheds.