Development of an Automated Digital System for Delivery of Aquatic Herbicides
Abstract
The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) requires that aquatic herbicide applicators revise treatment strategies to achieve high precision delivery of products and detailed reporting of treatments. A unique three-dimensional (3-D) technology was developed to meet these requirements using a new system that accounts for depth variation within a treatment area. Adaptations to a 3-D aquatic environment must account for variable depth, boat speed, difficult to see treatment plot boundaries, prevention of overtreatment by unintended crossing of treatment lines, and effects of horizontal and vertical dilution of the applied chemical. A test was conducted in Lake Underhill, FL, during which dye was delivered by the new system using the existing techniques and using the new 3-D technique. Results showed that a computer could automate a liquid herbicide treatment process and account for depth variations within a plot. Testing of the delivery system was a successful phase in developing and refining precision application techniques for submersed aquatic herbicide applications.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 06, 2019
- Accession Number
- AD1079946
Entities
People
- Brett Bultemeier
- Bruce M. Sabol
- Kurt D. Getsinger
- Michael D. Netherland
- R. Eddie Jr Melton