Thesis--Wisconsin.

Thesis (MA) -- AUT University, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references. Also held in print (xiii, 109 leaves : col. ill. ; 30 cm.) in City Campus Theses Collection (T 333.720993 NEW)

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1972. / Typescript. Vita. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

Video summarizing Ph.D. dissertation for a non-specialist audience. / Civil and Environmental Engineering / College of Engineering

Eutrophication is a global environmental problem, which in Sweden is predominantly in the south of Sweden where there are large agricultural areas. Skellefteå is a small town on the northern coast which has eleven water bodies classified as “poor ecological status” of which Uttersjöträsket is one of them according to the water authorities. Uttersjöträsket has a requirement to achieve good ecological status by 2021. Uttersjöträsket’s agriculture land is from at least 1716 according to historical maps. To be able to restore a eutrophic lake the source of the phosphorus load must be identified.To determine the natural state for Uttersjöträsket the sediment record could be studied. For example, earlier studies have been made in Kassjön in Umeå were they conclude that the beginning of the agriculture area started in the 12th century, which means that Uttersjöträsket could have had agriculture land since before 1716. The municipality of Skellefteå made contact with residents in the area who formed a water group to work towards achieving the goal by 2021. This report will form the basis for the water group to take appropriate measures to reduce the bloom of cyanobacteria and to achieve good ecological status. The conclusions of this report are based on analysis of data and results from previous studies of eutrophic lakes. Many different methods must be done to have a long-lasting impact and to achieve good ecological status in Uttersjöträsket. The focus of the actions should be on the ditch between Yttersjön and Uttersjöträsket as the highest phosphorus load is in that catchment.

Thesis (M.Sc. Biology)--University of Waikato, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 90-101) Also available via the World Wide Web.

Lake Waikare is a large, shallow eutrophic lake devoid of submerged macrophytes. I investigated potential methods for re-establishing submerged macrophytes in the lake. Specifically, I subjected charophyte (Chara corallina) plantlets to two treatments of exposure in the lake (in areas exposed and sheltered from wind) to test for survival and growth under these conditions, and inside and outside fish exclosures to test for growth and survival in the presence of fish. While plantlets grew outside the exclosures in winter, their accumulated biomass over 21 days was less than protected plantlets. In winter, the accumulated biomass was lower outside than inside exclosures (by ~40%) at the sheltered site and was lower outside than inside exclosures (by 43%) at the exposed site. Overall, growth rates in winter were higher at the sheltered site (compared to the exposed site) by ~7%. In summer, charophyte accumulated biomass inside the exclosures increased by 85%, while at the sheltered site accumulated biomass increased by 58%. Outside the exclosures in summer the plantlets were completely removed at both sites. Overall, growth rates where higher at the exposed site than the sheltered site by 31%. Fish were responsible for the partial removal of plantlets in winter and total removal of plantlets in summer, and therefore affect the survival and growth of charophytes in Lake Waikare. The embayment at the sheltered site provides the best location in winter for re-establishment of charophytes from oospores because better growth rates were obtained there, and its sheltered location provides protection from severe wave action found at the exposed site. Oospores did not germinate after being submersed in the lake for 90 days due to heavy sedimentation. To induce an improvement in the present light climate, Alum was tested to determine its effectiveness and longevity for settling lake sediments to allow charophytes to establish and grow. Examining the settling rates of Lake Waikare sediments and water treated with Alum over a range of suspended sediment concentrations and time intervals, sediments settled faster with Alum than without for at least 15 days (at 200 g l^1 suspended sediment concentration) and it remained active to 60 days but at reduced effectiveness. At the other concentrations tested (100 g l^1 and 300 g l^1 suspended sediment concentration), Alum responses were insignificant. An improved light climate achieved by fish removal or Alum treatment will likely not be sufficient to permit the re-establishment of submerged macrophytes due to the turbid, algal-dominated state of the lake. The present nutrient and sediment levels, wave climate and fish influence must be mitigated so charophyte plantlets can be established.

Lakes in Canada's rapidly growing urban areas have reached a critical state, and decisions about the best way to protect, manage, and rehabilitate urban lakes are a planning priority. Lakes are important parts of the urban landscape that have provided local communities with a wide variety of recreational opportunities. Deer Lake is an eighty-six acre lake located in the central portion of the City of Burnaby, British Columbia. The relatively small shallow lake has provided swimming and fishing opportunities for local residents since the 1950s. For the past forty years, the aesthetic qualities of Deer Lake have progressively deteriorated to the point where aquatic, and terrestrial recreational activities are being compromised. Burnaby's urban planners have been asked to maintain the aesthetic and biological integrity of Deer Lake. At the same time, the planners are asked to accommodate the recreational needs of a growing urban population. The Deer Lake Restoration and Management Committee have relied on scientists and engineers to find the best technological alternative to restore the lake's water quality to some pre-urban condition. Despite numerous scientific reports, city planners, and politicians are undecided on a preferred technological water treatment alternative for Deer Lake. Controversial and complex environmental issues, high costs, technological uncertainty, and differences in stakeholder values have stalemated the decision making process. The current Deer Lake planning process lacks an organizational structure that can incorporate different stakeholder values and represent complex information in a clear and understandable way. Value-focused thinking and multiple account analysis offers urban lake planners an integrated planning framework that can accommodate many of the complexities involved in planning for the restoration and management of urban lakes. Multiple account analysis assumes that economic, social and environmental objectives should be explicitly considered in the decision making process. The crucial first step in a multiple account evaluation is to develop and articulate a set of objectives that can then be used to create a set of plausible alternatives. The purpose of this thesis is to conduct a policy analysis for Deer Lake restoration alternatives. The thesis employs the principles of "Value Focused Thinking" to identify, and structure the objectives of the Deer Lake Restoration Committee. Value-based objectives are used to develop a set of alternatives. The impacts of the selected lake restoration and management alternatives are assessed using a multiple account analysis. First, the problem is described, and structured with all aspects of the decision that merit consideration. Next the process assesses the impacts of the alternatives being considered by combining the best scientific, technical, environmental, and financial information that is available. This information is used to assess how well the selected alternatives achieve the desired objectives. The Deer Lake case study illustrates the benefits of using value-focused thinking and multiple account analysis as a comprehensive decision making framework for urban lake restoration projects. One new alternative has been created as a result of this process, and the impacts of all the proposed alternatives have been measured with respect to the stated objectives. On the basis of available information, this analysis predicts the probability of achieving the desired water quality standards over the short term and long term. Perhaps the greatest analytical strength of applying this combined approach to the Deer Lake issue is the ability to simplify complex information, and at the same time retain enough detail to support the decision making process. Intangible social and environmental aspects of the decision are explicitly incorporated. In the end, a compact, complete statement of objectives and alternatives is derived from this information, which in turn provides a platform for good communication and constructive stakeholder negotiation.

The Lakes of the Four Seasons, a community in Lake and Porter Counties in northwestern Indiana, contains highly eutrophic lakes. A diagnostic feasibility study of the lakes was initiated in December 1981, and continued through November 1982. Morphometric, limnological and hydrologic characteristics of the lakes were defined in order to permit the development of nutrient and hydrologic budgets for the lakes. In addition to the development of these budgets, preliminary testing of a lake restoration technique, phosphorus precipitation, was performed. These studies and the resultant budgets provided necessary information for the formulation of feasible restoration methods for the lakes. The recommended restoration methods, if implemented, could enhance and maintain water quality conducive to recreational use and aesthetic enjoyment.The Lakes of the Four Seasons system has a mass water loading of 3.596 x 106 m3 Y-1and a hydraulic residence time of 0.71 y. Mass external phosphorus loading to the lakes is 537.34 kg –1 . Mass nitrogen loading to the system is 13,457 kg y -l.Big Bass Lake has a mass water loading of 2.316 x 106 m3 y-1 and a hydraulic residence time of 0.16 y. Mass external phosphorus loading to the lake is 356.76 kg y -l. Mass nitrogen loading to Big Bass Lake is 12,260 kg y -l.Lake Holiday/Lake on the Green has a mass water loading of 3.423 x 106 m3 y 1 and a hydraulic residence time of 0.65 y. Mass external phosphorus loading to the lakes is 330.52 kg y-1. Mass nitrogen loading to the Lake Holiday/Lake on the Green is 11,980 kg y1.Both loading and in-lake nitrogen:phosphorus ratios indicated phosphorus limitation in these lakes. The eutrophic condition of the lakes was also indicated by in-lake nutrient concentrations as well as excessive algal and macrophyte growth. Rapid 02 depletion, which occurs in water overlying the sediments even though the lakes are fairly well mixed, also testifies to the extreme productivity of the lakes.Restoration options for these lakes include short term cosmetic methods, longer term options for the disruption of internal phosphorus cycling, and abatement of phosphorus loading from the watershed. The cosmetic options involve the use of herbicides and algicides to give immediate relief from excessive primary productivity. Dredging and drawdown/sediment consolidation are aired at reducing internal phosphorus loading, while methods directed at the abatement of phosphorus loading from the watershed attack the cause of the lake system's problems. The longer term options necessitate further studies before implementation.

Lakes in Canada's rapidly growing urban areas have reached a critical state, and decisions about the best way to protect, manage, and rehabilitate urban lakes are a planning priority. Lakes are important parts of the urban landscape that have provided local communities with a wide variety of recreational opportunities. Deer Lake is an eighty-six acre lake located in the central portion of the City of Burnaby, British Columbia. The relatively small shallow lake has provided swimming and fishing opportunities for local residents since the 1950s. For the past forty years, the aesthetic qualities of Deer Lake have progressively deteriorated to the point where aquatic, and terrestrial recreational activities are being compromised. Burnaby's urban planners have been asked to maintain the aesthetic and biological integrity of Deer Lake. At the same time, the planners are asked to accommodate the recreational needs of a growing urban population. The Deer Lake Restoration and Management Committee have relied on scientists and engineers to find the best technological alternative to restore the lake's water quality to some pre-urban condition. Despite numerous scientific reports, city planners, and politicians are undecided on a preferred technological water treatment alternative for Deer Lake. Controversial and complex environmental issues, high costs, technological uncertainty, and differences in stakeholder values have stalemated the decision making process. The current Deer Lake planning process lacks an organizational structure that can incorporate different stakeholder values and represent complex information in a clear and understandable way. Value-focused thinking and multiple account analysis offers urban lake planners an integrated planning framework that can accommodate many of the complexities involved in planning for the restoration and management of urban lakes. Multiple account analysis assumes that economic, social and environmental objectives should be explicitly considered in the decision making process. The crucial first step in a multiple account evaluation is to develop and articulate a set of objectives that can then be used to create a set of plausible alternatives. The purpose of this thesis is to conduct a policy analysis for Deer Lake restoration alternatives. The thesis employs the principles of "Value Focused Thinking" to identify, and structure the objectives of the Deer Lake Restoration Committee. Value-based objectives are used to develop a set of alternatives. The impacts of the selected lake restoration and management alternatives are assessed using a multiple account analysis. First, the problem is described, and structured with all aspects of the decision that merit consideration. Next the process assesses the impacts of the alternatives being considered by combining the best scientific, technical, environmental, and financial information that is available. This information is used to assess how well the selected alternatives achieve the desired objectives. The Deer Lake case study illustrates the benefits of using value-focused thinking and multiple account analysis as a comprehensive decision making framework for urban lake restoration projects. One new alternative has been created as a result of this process, and the impacts of all the proposed alternatives have been measured with respect to the stated objectives. On the basis of available information, this analysis predicts the probability of achieving the desired water quality standards over the short term and long term. Perhaps the greatest analytical strength of applying this combined approach to the Deer Lake issue is the ability to simplify complex information, and at the same time retain enough detail to support the decision making process. Intangible social and environmental aspects of the decision are explicitly incorporated. In the end, a compact, complete statement of objectives and alternatives is derived from this information, which in turn provides a platform for good communication and constructive stakeholder negotiation. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of / Graduate