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Nageen Thesis Final.pdf (2.29 MB)

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Prediction of Anthropogenic Macro-Debris and its Association with Geomorphology in US Urban Streams

Farooq, Nageen
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1715084026726722

Abstract Details

2024, MS, Kent State University, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Earth Sciences.
Anthropogenic macro debris, otherwise known as trash, in urban streams is a persistent environmental problem throughout the world. The factors influencing trash accumulation within US urban stream channels has not been thoroughly investigated, with previous studies focusing largely on surrounding land use. I hypothesized that fluvial geomorphology is a better predictor of trash concentration than GIS-derived variables and that increased geomorphic complexity of stream reaches is associated with higher trash concentrations in urban streams. To test these hypotheses, I examined the relationships between in-stream trash concentrations and different geomorphologic characteristics, catchment characteristics, and catchment and riparian land cover in Cleveland (Ohio) and Charlotte (North Carolina) streams. I collected data on trash (>5 cm), large wood, cross-section and longitudinal profiles, and sediment sizes in 24 urban stream reaches, and calculated 19 geomorphic complexity metrics. Catchment characteristics and land cover variables were derived using ArcGIS Pro. Single and multiple regression approach have been used to find relationships between trash concentration and predictor variables. Trash concentrations ranged from 0.18 to 4.7 pieces/m bankfull width, with an average of 1.55 pieces/m. 71.8% of the collected trash was plastic. More variation in trash concentrations across stream reaches was explained through geomorphologic variables as compared to GIS variables when city-specific multiple linear regression models were made. When data from the two cities were combined, the opposite was true. Cross-section characteristics, especially bankfull width, were amongst the strongest predictors of trash concentration in both cities. Longitudinal profile and sediment characteristics were not predictive of trash concentration for Cleveland streams, and these data were not collected in Charlotte. Therefore, my hypothesis that more trash will be found in streams with more geomorphic complexity was not supported; instead, cross section variables were found to be more important in predicting trash concentrations. Specifically, our analysis suggests that roughness associated with stream banks plays an important role in trash accumulation. Our findings also suggested that there is no generalizable relationship across US cities between trash concentrations and specific predictors, possibly as a result of cross-city variation in development patterns and geologic setting.
Timothy Gallagher (Advisor)
Anne Jefferson (Committee Member)
Christie Bahlai (Committee Member)
56 p.
Geomorphology; Hydrology; Water Resource Management
debris; anthropogenic litter; trash; geomorphology; urban stream; riparian buffer; geomorphic complexity

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Farooq, N. (2024). Prediction of Anthropogenic Macro-Debris and its Association with Geomorphology in US Urban Streams [Master's thesis, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1715084026726722

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Farooq, Nageen. Prediction of Anthropogenic Macro-Debris and its Association with Geomorphology in US Urban Streams . 2024. Kent State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1715084026726722.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Farooq, Nageen. "Prediction of Anthropogenic Macro-Debris and its Association with Geomorphology in US Urban Streams ." Master's thesis, Kent State University, 2024. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1715084026726722

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

kent1715084026726722
88
© 2024, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Kent State University and OhioLINK.