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The Effects of Nonpoint Source Pollution on Cyanobacterial Blooms in Lake Erie From Agriculturally Applied Fertilizers in Northwestern Ohio, USA, for the Years (1999-2003)

Bourne, Michael G., Jr.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1143487743

Abstract Details

2006, Master of Science (MS), Bowling Green State University, Geology.
Since the mid 1990’s, Lake Erie has experienced seasonal eutrophication. This investigation was designed to look at potential causes for eutrophication in Lake Erie, particularly the effects of agriculturally applied fertilizers in Northwestern, Ohio. This study was designed to see if any correlations exist between agriculturally applied fertilizers (including sewage sludge) and cyanobacterial blooms in the Western Basin of Lake Erie that occurred during the months of July, August, and September for the years 1999-2003. An algorithm created by Vincent et al., (2004) was used on available LANDSAT frames to monitor phycocyanin growth caused by cyanobacteria. These images were analyzed in conjunction with Maumee River water quality data, planted winter wheat, local weather data, and records of agriculturally applied sewage sludge nutrient data from the local wastewater treatment plant. The year 2003 provided the largest algal bloom in this study, which extended beyond the upper threshold of the phycocyanin algorithm of 15 micrograms per liter. The largest total acreage of high phycocyanin content occurred on September 20, 2003 which had 285,451 phycocyanin-rich acres present in the Western Basin of Lake Erie. The average acres of high phycocyanin content for the month of September in the Western Basin of Lake Erie, display strong correlations with increased Maumee River flow rate, increased Maumee River nutrients (including both nitrogen and phosphorus), as well as planted winter wheat acreage for Northwestern, Ohio. Agriculturally applied sewage sludge provides circumstantial evidence that it contributes to cyanobacterial blooms in the Western Basin of Lake Erie, but there is not enough evidence to implicate or exonerate whether sewage sludge is the main driving force promoting cyanobacterial blooms.
Robert Vincent (Advisor)
167 p.
cyanobacterial blooms; phycocyanin; sewage sludge; Maumee River; fertilizers; nonpoint source pollution; Lake Erie; Remote Sensing; LANDSAT

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Bourne, Jr., M. G. (2006). The Effects of Nonpoint Source Pollution on Cyanobacterial Blooms in Lake Erie From Agriculturally Applied Fertilizers in Northwestern Ohio, USA, for the Years (1999-2003) [Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1143487743

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Bourne, Jr., Michael. The Effects of Nonpoint Source Pollution on Cyanobacterial Blooms in Lake Erie From Agriculturally Applied Fertilizers in Northwestern Ohio, USA, for the Years (1999-2003). 2006. Bowling Green State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1143487743.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Bourne, Jr., Michael. "The Effects of Nonpoint Source Pollution on Cyanobacterial Blooms in Lake Erie From Agriculturally Applied Fertilizers in Northwestern Ohio, USA, for the Years (1999-2003)." Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University, 2006. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1143487743

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

bgsu1143487743
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© 2006, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Bowling Green State University and OhioLINK.