Pathogen Pollutant Loading Responses to Precipitation Dynamics and Land Cover
Abstract
The Newport River Estuary in Carteret County, North Carolina has been placed on the
state’s 303D list for its inability to meet federally mandated surface water quality
criteria. A pathogen pollutant Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study with fecal coliform
as an indicator species has therefore been undertaken by Kenneth H. Reckhow of Duke
University. Integral to the completion of this TMDL is an understanding of the terrestrial
pathogen pollutant loading responses to precipitation dynamics and land use within
the Newport River Estuary.
This masters project investigates pathogen pollutant loading by completing three primary
objectives. Through visual analysis of sampled fecal coliform and flow data, the
best available data are chosen for model fitting and creation. Geospatial analysis
tools are then developed in Python and ArcGIS to accurately delineate coastal watersheds
with Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) data. The data are then used to calibrate
a model to predict fecal coliform loading responses to precipitation dynamics within
the Newport River Estuary.
The results of the three primary objectives illustrate the complicated relationship
between fecal coliform loading and precipitation events. The geospatial analysis
tools allow for the accurate delineation of coastal watersheds at scales previously
unavailable to managers. Additionally, the calibrated model highlights problem areas
for future modelers to address when attempting to quantify fecal coliform loading
and precipitation dynamics.
Type
Master's projectPermalink
https://hdl.handle.net/10161/536Citation
O'Banion, Ryan (2008). Pathogen Pollutant Loading Responses to Precipitation Dynamics and Land Cover. Master's project, Duke University. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/536.Collections
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