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Ashlee Balcerzak Thesis 08_21_20.pdf (3.12 MB)

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Evaluating Long-term Nutrient Impacts within Agricultural Headwater Streams

Balcerzak, Ashlee Marie
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1598021048962491

Abstract Details

2020, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering.
In the first chapter of my thesis, I investigate the water quality improvement that can be expected from grass filter strips in agricultural headwater streams. Grass filter strips consist of herbaceous vegetation planted at the edge of agricultural fields next to a stream or river, intended to control non-point source pollution by trapping sediments, nutrients, and pesticides flowing into streams. Because they take agricultural land out of production, grass filter strips have been incentivized in the United States, and so it is important to know their effectiveness. My study objective was to understand the impacts of riparian habitat types on nutrient concentrations over time in agricultural headwater streams. Eight streams within the Upper Big Walnut Creek Watershed in central Ohio were selected, possessing unplanted riparian habitats with remnant vegetation, grass filter strips, or forested riparian habitats. Weekly water samples for the measurement of nutrient concentrations were collected from each stream reach from March 2007 to February 2017. Annual mean nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations did not differ (P > 0.05) among riparian habitat types. Dissolved organic carbon was influenced through the interaction effects of riparian habitat type and year and riparian habitat type and season. Forested riparian habitat types may be used to manage DOC levels in agricultural headwater streams. Grass filter strips were not more effective in reducing nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations than filter strips having other vegetation. In the second chapter of my thesis, I study the ability of a less rigorous estimation of stream discharge to replicate state-of-the-art discharge estimates and, when combined with water quality sampling, nutrient loads. Estimation of stream and river discharge is important for understanding its impact on water quality, habitat, living organisms present in the water, and the surrounding ecosystem. Since state-of-the-art monitoring techniques are expensive for estimating stream discharge, it is important to evaluate less rigorous methods for possible use in estimating discharge and nutrient loading. In this paper I explore the use of the Manning’s equation for use in discharge estimation in agricultural headwater streams. My goal was to predict discharge and nutrient loads in agricultural headwater streams. My objectives were to 1) evaluate the Manning’s Approach against state-of-the-art measurements for predicting discharge, and 2) explore the influence of discharge predictions from the Manning’s Approach on nutrient loading. Six sites from three streams within the Upper Big Walnut Creek Watershed in central Ohio were selected based on available discharge measurements and nutrient data. Weekly water samples for the measurement of nitrogen and phosphorus were collected from each stream from January 2007 to December 2013, along with geomorphic measurements for estimating velocity and discharge using stage and cross-sectional area of flow. The Manning’s Approach did not meet performance metrics at five of the six sites. Nutrient loads were adequately estimated at two of six sites, but at many sites loading showed considerable bias due to inaccuracies in discharge estimation. Thus, I find mixed support the Manning’s Approach will lead to an effective prediction in nutrient loads within agricultural headwater streams.
Margaret Kalcic (Advisor)
122 p.
Agricultural Engineering; Agriculture; Aquatic Sciences; Ecology; Environmental Engineering; Environmental Science; Hydrologic Sciences; Hydrology; Natural Resource Management
riparian habitat, dissolved organic carbon, water quality, nitrogen, phosphorus, streamflow estimation, Mannings Equation

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Balcerzak, A. M. (2020). Evaluating Long-term Nutrient Impacts within Agricultural Headwater Streams [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1598021048962491

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Balcerzak, Ashlee. Evaluating Long-term Nutrient Impacts within Agricultural Headwater Streams. 2020. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1598021048962491.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Balcerzak, Ashlee. "Evaluating Long-term Nutrient Impacts within Agricultural Headwater Streams." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2020. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1598021048962491

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1598021048962491
144
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