fredmad@wisc.edu - 608.263.4004
Professor
B.A. Geology, 1961; M.S. Soil Science, 1963; Ph.D. Soil Science, 1972, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Degradation of groundwater by contaminants resulting from a variety
of land-use activities is an issue of concern, particularly in rural
areas. The soil offers important protection for the groundwater
resource because of its ability to attenuate land-applied contaminants.
Many of my Extension and research activities focus on the interactions
between potential soil pollutants and ground and surface water.
My appointment is split between the Department of Soil Science and
the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey. At the Survey,
my attention is directed toward interpreting soils information,
primarily soil survey reports for use by local officials. For example,
maps of various counties at a scale of 1:100000 have been produced
to show the attenuation potential of soils. Interpretive materials
have been developed and a good deal of time and effort is devoted
to working with local officials to help them understand the role
that soils can play in protecting groundwater, the nature and distribution
with soils in their particular area and the use of soils information
in land-use decision making.
My research is closely related to my Extension work, and has been
directed mainly toward assessing the impacts of animal waste and
its management on surface and groundwater. Work on barnyard/feedlot
areas and on earthen waste storage facilities has led to the development
of several, widely used Best Management Practices.
In addition, mine process wastes and their environmental impacts
have been evaluated at several different in-state locations. Currently,
my research focuses on the examination of soil moisture regimes
and associated soil morphological characteristics; the use of ground-
penetrating radar to identify lamellae and/or banding in coarse-textured
soils; and on the nature, characteristics and functions of Histosols.
I also spend time on soil survey, mapping, and classification here
and abroad.
Much of my work is interdisciplinary and requires coordination with
colleagues, other University departments, state and federal agencies,
and local units of government. It continues to be an important challenge
to translate research results into usable information for a variety
of people with different interests and responsibilities.
Publications
Madison, F.W. 1986. Soil and water conservation programs in the
Gambia. UW-Madison, International Agricultural Programs and the
Republic of The Gambia, Ministry of Agriculture. Report No. 3. 9
p.
Madison, F.W. 1986. Soils of Rock County and their ability to attenuate pollutants. Plate no. 1. In Groundwater protection principles and alternative for Rock County, Wisconsin. Special Report No. 8. 73 p.
Balogh, J.I., and F.W. Madison. 1985. Runoff treatment from a turkey production facility. Trans. of the ASAE 28:1476-1481.
McSweeney, K., and F.W. Madison. 1985. Soil development in mine process wastes. Proc. 7th Int. Working Meeting on Soil Micromorphology, July 1985, Paris, France.
Persson, L.A., J.O. Peterson, and F.W. Madison. 1983. Evaluation of sediment and phosphorus management practices in the White Clay Lake Watershed. Water Resour. Bull. 19:753-762.
