Copano Bay currently exceeds fecal coliform Texas Surface Water Quality Standards for oyster water use. Aransas and Mission River Tidals currently exceed enterococci water quality standards for contact recreation use. The fecal coliform Copano Bay Bacterial Loadings Model will be used to support the TCEQ Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program to develop the TMDLs for the three impaired water segments. The objectives of this research are to identify the major bacterial sources in the Copano Bay watershed, to calculate the total bacterial loadings (i.e., the TMDLs) from these sources, and to estimate the load reductions needed to bring each of the impaired segments into compliance with water quality standards. The potential bacterial sources that were considered in the model were wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), waterbirds, livestock, failing septic systems, and other non-point sources that originate from different types of land uses (e.g., urban, forest, etc.). This thesis presents an analysis of the existing bacterial monitoring dataset for fecal coliform, including spatial and statistical analysis of the bacterial monitoring data, an estimation of fecal coliform loadings (the input into the models), including non-point and point source calculations, and a description of bacterial transport of fecal coliform from the sources in the watersheds, rivers, and Copano Bay using the model, including explanations for how the model parameters were determined. The main assumptions used in the model were that the fecal coliform bacteria decay (first-order reaction rate) in watersheds and along streams and channels, and Copano Bay is divided up into four Continuous Flow, Stirred Tank Reactors (CFSTRs). The results of the research include the modeled median fecal coliform concentrations throughout the watershed, the impact of different bacterial sources on each of the water segments in Copano Bay watershed, and the load reductions needed (and from what sources) to meet fecal coliform water quality standards. Cattle were determined (based on model results) to be the largest fecal coliform contributor of fecal coliform in Copano Bay. / text

This study investigated temporal changes in nutrient concentrations and other water quality parameters at one sampling location at Muncie, Indiana in the Upper White River Watershed. Baseline sampling was conducted weekly over a six-month period in 2012 and focused on the analysis of total suspended solids and different forms of nitrogen and phosphorus. Three storm events were also investigated to understand how storm water runoff affected nutrient concentrations and other water quality parameters. It was hypothesized that storm events would temporarily increase nutrient concentrations in the river. Overall, nutrient concentrations increased during the initial stages of storm events and subsequently decreased at a rate slower than discharge. Concentrations measured exceeded recommended limits suggesting that these contaminants could cause eutrophication at downstream locations. These data suggest that improved or increased best management practices should be implemented in the Upper White River Watershed to control the inputs of nutrients into the river. / Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management

The Prairie Creek Reservoir, located in east central Indiana in an agricultural watershed, serves as a secondary drinking water source as well as a recreational facility. Limited research of water quality performed at the reservoir has affected management decisions over the past years, threatening its future.. Consequently, additional investigation was necessary to examine the reservoir dynamics, and continue to provide data to determine long-term water quality trends. Basic water quality parameters were measured using a Hydrolab Sonde, nutrients were measured spectrophotometrically, and a Secchi disk was used to determine water transparency. The Prairie Creek Reservoir was categorized as an eutrophic water body. Concentrations of the measured nutrients were higher in the hypolimnion and increased as summer progressed. Concentration of ammonia and soluble reactive phosphorus exceeded the recommended water quality guidelines. Increased concentration of phosphorus has resulted in nitrogen limitation in the reservoir. Internal loading of nutrients, especially phosphorus, was found to deteriorate water quality. Dissolved oxygen concentrations varied vertically and anoxic conditions frequently reached 50% of the total reservoir depth. Reservoir restoration and watershed protection programs need to address internal P load and nitrogen limitation to prevent development of toxic algal blooms and eutrophication in the future. / Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 174 of Indiana's 428 waterbodies were listed as impaired for Escherichia coli (E. coli) in 2002. This study determined the severity of E. coli contamination and assessed the impacts of landuse on E. coli concentrations in three subwatersheds. Samples were collected and E. coli analyzed using the Coliscan Easygel method. Geographic information system analyses were used to determine impacts of spatial parameters on E. coli concentrations. Sixty-seven percent of the 162 samples exceeded the USEPA recreational water quality standard. Escherichia coli concentrations were significantly related to the ratio of five-and thirty-meter impervious surface buffer, density of septic systems, and the presence of inadequately drained soils. Confined feeding operations and combined sewer overflows also resulted in elevated E. coli concentrations. Human activity in urban areas had substantial impacts on these concentrations, impacts that can be minimized through proper management. / Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management

Prairie Creek Reservoir in east central Indiana serves as a secondary water supply for the city of Muncie and is also used as a recreational facility. Due to water quality concerns, this study was conducted to characterize spatial and temporal variability of physical and chemical parameters, specifically nutrients, in the sediment interstitial (pore) water at three reservoir locations. The pH, temperature, specific conductivity, ammonia, nitrates, total nitrogen, orthophosphates and total phosphorus, were monitored twice per month from June through September 2006. Spatial variations in the sediment interstitial water were evident for all water quality parameters, except phosphorus and orthophosphates. Variability in temporal nutrient concentrations in pore water was most likely affected by decomposition of organic matter and presence of anoxic conditions in the overlying water. The results showed high internal nutrient loading, especially from phosphorus, in the sediment interstitial water. Under anoxic conditions, these excessive nutrient concentrations within the sediment can be released into the water column and exacerbate eutrophication of the reservoir. This study provides useful assessment of internal nutrient loading in the Prairie Creek Reservoir sediment that should be considered in the implementation of land management strategies and future land development practices in the reservoir watershed. / Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2007. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on March 31, 2008) Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.E.S.)--The Evergreen State College, 2007. / Title from title screen (viewed 1/24/2008). "MES thesis." Includes bibliographical references (p. 51-54).

Thesis (M.S.)--Humboldt State University, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 24-25). Also available via Humboldt Digital Scholar.

Thesis (MSc (Paraclinical Sciences, Veterinary Science))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print format.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of North Texas, Dec., 2007. / Title from title page display. Includes bibliographical references.