Publication Date
2024
Document Type
Thesis
Committee Members
Steven R. Higgins, Ph.D. (Advisor); Lindsay Starr, Ph.D. (Committee Member); Chia-Yu Wu, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Abstract
This study investigates the distribution of water pollutants in the urban and suburban watershed (Beavercreek Sub-watershed (BCS) and Little Beavercreek Sub-watershed (LBS)) of Dayton, Ohio USA focusing on the relationship between water quality and land use types based on 2021 land use maps obtained from MRLC. These watersheds are home for aquatic life and regulate the flow of surface water and recharge groundwater so, it is crucial to maintain good water quality by balancing urbanization and farmland within these two watersheds. We analyzed chloride, nitrate, and sulfate using ion chromatography (IC) and orthophosphate using UV/Vis Spectrophotometry. Additionally, three pesticides (Atrazine, Diazinon, and Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D)) were selected and identified by analytical methodology using solid-phase extraction (SPE) followed by liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (LC-MS) temporally. The chloride is dominant in both watersheds followed by sulfate, nitrate, and orthophosphate. 2,4-D was most common with higher concentrations in BCS (51%) than in LBS (35%). The impact of agricultural runoff on water quality is seen in the streams of LBS which correspond to higher levels of nitrate, sulfate, and orthophosphate. There were significant differences between BCS and LBS for 2,4-D (p-value 0.03 <0.05) and atrazine, diazinon showed no significant differences (p-value > 0.05 in both watersheds.
Page Count
123
Department or Program
Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences
Year Degree Awarded
2024
Copyright
Copyright 2024, all rights reserved. My ETD will be available under the "Fair Use" terms of copyright law.
ORCID ID
0009-0004-4070-9388
