Persistence of the DDT pesticide in the Yakima River basin, Washington

Abstract

Established in 1879, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has provided scientific information on the Nation' s water, energy, and mineral resources for the benefit of Americans. A major part of the mission of the U.S. Geological Survey is to assess the quantity and quality of the Nation's water resources and to provide information to assist resource managers and policymakers at Federal, State, Tribal, and local levels in making sound management decisions. To a significant extent, these responsibilities are being carried out in the National Water-Quality Assessment (NA WQA) Program, whose goals include providing a sound understanding of the natural and human factors that affect water quality.