Factors Influencing Water Quality in a Large Riverine System
FACTORS INFLUENCING WATER QUALITY IN A LARGE RIVERINE SYSTEM A LANDSCAPE APPROACH TO EVALUATE SOURCES OF NUTRIENT AND SEDIMENT TO THE NOTTAWASAGA RIVER, A TRIBUTARY OF GEORGIAN BAY, LAKE HURON By JULIA RUTLEDGE, B.Sc. (Hons.), B.Sc. A Thesis Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Science McMaster University © Copyright by Julia Rutledge, April 2016 MASTER OF SCIENCE (2016) McMaster University Department of Biology Hamilton, Ontario, Canada TITLE: A landscape approach to evaluate sources of nutrient and sediment to the Nottawasaga River, a tributary of Georgian Bay, Lake Huron AUTHOR: Julia Rutledge, B.Sc. (Hons.), B.Sc. (McMaster University) SUPERVISOR: Professor P. Chow-Fraser NUMBER OF PAGES: xxiv, 143 ii LAY ABSTRACT Eutrophication from agricultural runoff is a global problem, often resulting in formation of anoxic zones. The Nottawasaga River Watershed is dominated by agricultural land-use, and is a major source of nutrients and sediment to Georgian Bay, Lake Huron. The objective of our study was to develop a holistic understanding of sources and processes that influence spatial variation of water quality across the Nottawasaga River. We found that landscape features (drainage area, pasture, wetland), tributary inputs, and in-stream processes (riffles, substrate) significantly influence water quality. Our results will enhance restoration initiatives to improve health of riverine systems at a watershed scale. iii GENERAL ABSTRACT Eutrophication from agricultural runoff is a global problem, often resulting in formation of anoxic zones in receiving water bodies. The Nottawasaga River Watershed (2,900 km2) is dominated by agricultural land-use, and is a major source of nutrients and sediment to Nottawasaga Bay, Georgian Bay (Lake Huron).
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