The spatial and temporal variation of soil properties was evaluated on three sites in close proximity to Bayou Wikoff, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana. A total of 1,068 surface (0-5 cm) samples were collected, geo-located, and transported to Louisiana State University for physical and chemical analyses. Physical and chemical properties were spatially and temporally displayed using ArcGIS. Interpolation techniques such as spline, kriging, and inverse distance weighting were evaluated to determine the best fit model for the project. Spline and inverse distance weighting were found to be the least accurate interpolation models. Kriging provided the most accurate model of spatial and temporal data distribution. Clay content (for total suspended solid control), P levels, and organic C % were a primary focus for this study, as potential non-point source pollution threats to water quality in Bayou Wikoff. All three sites were evaluated individually, as each had unique management practices. Pasture Site 1 exhibited larger concentrations of nutrient deposition proportional to increasing organic C % and clay content in areas of lower elevation. These areas were nearest to the bayou and potentially allowed for runoff, reducing water quality. Pasture Site 2 has artificial swale formations that affected the distribution of the evaluated properties. Extensive research at this site exhibited patterns of nutrient distribution that correlated with the swale formations. In the low portion of the swale, clay content, organic C %, and corresponding nutrient concentrations increased. The Pristine Site, used as a control site, showed evidence that the surface soil (0-5cm) was heavily altered from natural deposition as a result of being turned, moved, or replaced. Overall, spatial and temporal assessments revealed that while the three sites have unique distribution patterns of clay and organic C %, the soils are not hazardous for water quality. However, best management programs should focus on swales and low lying areas to determine the affect of spatial variability.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LSU/oai:etd.lsu.edu:etd-07062010-132958 |
| Date | 07 July 2010 |
| Creators | Johnson, Stephanie Lynn |
| Contributors | Selim, Magdi, Weindorf, David, Wang, Jim, Hiscox, April |
| Publisher | LSU |
| Source Sets | Louisiana State University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | http://etd.lsu.edu/docs/available/etd-07062010-132958/ |
| Rights | unrestricted, I hereby certify that, if appropriate, I have obtained and attached herein a written permission statement from the owner(s) of each third party copyrighted matter to be included in my thesis, dissertation, or project report, allowing distribution as specified below. I certify that the version I submitted is the same as that approved by my advisory committee. I hereby grant to LSU or its agents the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible, under the conditions specified below and in appropriate University policies, my thesis, dissertation, or project report in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. I retain all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis, dissertation or project report. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis, dissertation, or project report. |
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