Degree Name
MS (Master of Science)
Program
Geosciences
Date of Award
5-2020
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Ingrid Luffman
Committee Members
Andrew Joyner, Kurt Maier
Abstract
Escherichia coli changes in Sinking Creek, an impaired water body in the Watauga watershed of northeast Tennessee, were assessed during storm events using water samples collected with ISCO automated samplers during eight storms at two locations. Turbidity and electrical conductivity (EC) data loggers were deployed in the creek, and dissolved oxygen (DO) was measured in situ to test the stream’s water quality and reaction to inclement weather. Cotton fabric was deployed at both locations and sent to an external lab to test for the presence of Optical Brighteners (OB), which are indicators of residential wastewater. E. coli and turbidity at the creek generally increased within 2.5 hours of a rain event, remaining above the single sample standard for several hours during the storm. At the spring, E. coli became elevated within 30 minutes of precipitation onset, but generally decreased below the standard during the event.
Document Type
Thesis - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
McCurdy, Porcha, "Storm Sampling to Assess Inclement Weather Impacts on Water Quality in a Karst Watershed: Sinking Creek, Watauga Watershed, East Tennessee" (2020). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 3724. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/3724
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.
Included in
Environmental Indicators and Impact Assessment Commons, Environmental Monitoring Commons, Geology Commons, Hydrology Commons