1856 Absract Loss of metals from agricultural felds to surface water bodies causes deterioration of surface water quality. Method of application of broiler litter can afect loss of metals in surface runof. Subsurface banding of broiler litter can decrease loss of P and N in surface runof relative to surface application of broiler litter. However, limited research has been done to evaluate the impact of litter application method on loss of metals in surface runof. Therefore, the objective of this research was to quantify diferences in loss of metals in surface runof from a tall fescue pasture as a function of method of application of broiler litter (i.e., surface vs. subsurface application). A rainfall simulation study was conducted in the Sand Mountain region of north Alabama. Results indicate that concentration and loadings of Cu, K, Mg, and Zn decreased in surface runof as a result of application of broiler litter in subsurface bands and were similar between the subsurface-banded broiler litter and control (no litter applied) treatments. Greater than 90% of the applied rainfall infltrated, indicating that losses of metals via lateral and subsurface fows can be substantial. Overall, results of this study show that application of broiler litter in subsurface bands can reduce loss of metals in surface runof. Future research studies should investigate the impact of method of application of broiler litter on the metal losses in leachate and subsurface fows. Efect of Broiler Litter Application Method on Metal Runof from Pastures Jasmeet Lamba,* Puneet Srivastava, Thomas R. Way, and Kritika Malhotra I n Alabama, nearly 1.09 billion broilers are produced every year, which is almost 12.3% of the broilers produced in the United States (USDA, 2018). Broiler litter gener- ated from the production facilities is a rich source of nutrients (i.e., phosphorus [P] and nitrogen [N]) for crops. In addition to macronutrients, broiler litter contains appreciable quantities of trace (e.g., magnesium [Mg], sodium [Na], and aluminum [Al]) and heavy metals (e.g., zinc [Zn], arsenic [As], and copper [Cu]) (Bolan et al., 2004). Poultry feeds are ofen supplemented with metals, such as Zn and Cu, because of their antimicrobial and growth-stimulating efects (Gerber et al., 2007; Moore et al., 1998; Tuf and Nockels, 1991). Typically, the metal concentra- tion in the manure correlates with the metal concentration in the feed (Nicholson et al., 1999). Broiler litter generated from the production facilities is com- monly used to fertilize pasture felds (Lamba et al., 2012). Because of the cost associated with transportation of broiler litter, it is ofen repeatedly applied to the same pasture felds near the production facilities (Lamba et al., 2012). Long-term application of broiler litter to the same pasture felds results in buildup of metals in soils. For example, Kingery et al. (1994) conducted a research study in the Sand Mountain region of northern Alabama and reported that repeated application of broiler litter to pastures has increased the concentration of metals (e.g., Mg and potassium [K]) in soils. Te high levels of metals in soils fertilized with broiler litter increase the loss of metals from agricultural landscapes to surface waters via surface runof (Wood et al., 1999). High levels of metals in surface waters result in water quality impairment and threaten aquatic organisms. For example, Cu is documented as a threat to the aquatic organisms, and even if present at moderate levels, it is toxic to algae (Clearwater et al., 2002; Moore et al., 1998). Furthermore, among heavy metals, Cu and Zn are the major contaminants with a potential efect on the environment and human health (Ojekunle et al., 2016). Te potential efects of heavy metals on surface and groundwater qual- ity are well documented by Tumuklu et al. (2007). Based on the USEPA Aquatic Life Criteria standards, the concentration of Zn in fresh water should not exceed 0.12 mg L −1 (USEPA, 2017). A combined concentration of K and Na >50 mg L −1 may result in foaming of waters that contains suspended solids (Van der Leeden Abbreviations: BMP, best management practice; SMREC, Sand Mountain Research and Extension Center. J. Lamba (ORCID iD 0000-0002-4953-1369), P. Srivastava, and K. Malhotra, Biosystems Engineering Dep., Auburn Univ., Auburn, AL 36849; T.R. Way, USDA- ARS, National Soil Dynamics Lab., Auburn, AL 36832. Assigned to Associate Editor David Tarkalson. © 2019 The Author(s). Re-use requires permission from the publisher. J. Environ. Qual. 48:1856–1862 (2019) doi:10.2134/jeq2018.08.0318 Received 5 Sept. 2018. Accepted 8 July 2019. *Corresponding author (jsl0005@auburn.edu). Journal of Environmental Quality WASTE MANAGEMENT TECHNICAL REPORTS Core Ideas • Broiler litter application method afects loss of metals in runof. • Subsurface banding of broiler litter reduced concentrations of metals in runof. • Loss of metals via lateral fow pathways could be signifcant in this region.