Uranium in Ohio, USA Surface Waters: Implications for a Fertilizer Source in Waters Draining Agricultural lands

Abstract

Synthetic fertilizer is a potential source of uranium to natural waters, yet evidence is lacking. We analyzed dissolved uranium concentrations in lakes, reservoirs, and rivers in Ohio, USA during the summer of 2017. All water bodies drain areas of extensive agriculture where phosphate-rich fertilizer is applied. Uranium concentrations ranged from 0.3 to 3.9 µg L⁻¹, with the lowest concentrations observed in the most offshore Lake Erie samples. These results, especially when placed in the context of previous work on both surface and groundwater, suggest that dissolved uranium concentrations in this water emanating from agricultural lands are higher than background, and uranium should be categorized similarly to nitrate and phosphate in that it originates in part from fertilizer application.