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Modeling and Understanding Groundwater Contamination Caused by Cyanotoxins from Harmful Algal Blooms in Lake Erie

Abesh, Bidisha Faruque
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1562953927561716

Abstract Details

2019, Master of Science (MS), Bowling Green State University, Geology.
Cyanotoxins, which are produced and released into the surrounding water during harmful algal blooms (HABs), can severely deteriorate water quality and cause health-related issues and economic loss. HABs and cyanotoxin studies have been typically focused on the surface water domain (e.g., lakes, estuaries, and rivers), with few investigating or reporting on groundwater. This study aimed to explore whether groundwater can be contaminated by cyanotoxins (microcystins) from HABs in surface water due to surface water and groundwater interaction. Specifically, we created a 3-dimensional (3-D) MODFLOW/MT3DMS model to simulate pumping-induced reverse groundwater flow and solute transport from Lake Erie to the aquifer underneath South Bass Island in Ottawa County, Ohio. Simulation results show that, under the default setting, it took ~2 months, ~3 months and ~13 months for the water in pumping well to reach the EPA advisory levels of microcystins for detection (0.1 µg/l), infants and children (0.3 μg/l), and school-age children to adults (1.6 μg/l), respectively. Furthermore, scenario analyses showed that higher pumping rate and higher lakebed leakance would accelerate the microcystin transport to groundwater well. Higher hydraulic conductivity, interestingly, would increase the time to reach those EPA levels due to mixing and dilution effect. The 3-D model developed in this study was capable of simulating the complex surface-water and groundwater interaction and transport processes in the Great Lakes setting. As the first of its kind, this modeling study provides insight for managing coastal groundwater aquifer and resources while dealing with the threat of HABs in the Great Lakes.
Ganming Liu, Ph.D. (Committee Co-Chair)
Angélica Vázquez-Ortega, Ph.D. (Committee Co-Chair)
Enrique Gomezdelcampo, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
George Bullerjahn, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
92 p.
Geology
Groundwater and surface-water interaction; MODFLOW; MT3DMS; Microcystin; Harmful Algal Blooms; Lake Erie

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Abesh, B. F. (2019). Modeling and Understanding Groundwater Contamination Caused by Cyanotoxins from Harmful Algal Blooms in Lake Erie [Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1562953927561716

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Abesh, Bidisha Faruque. Modeling and Understanding Groundwater Contamination Caused by Cyanotoxins from Harmful Algal Blooms in Lake Erie . 2019. Bowling Green State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1562953927561716.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Abesh, Bidisha Faruque. "Modeling and Understanding Groundwater Contamination Caused by Cyanotoxins from Harmful Algal Blooms in Lake Erie ." Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1562953927561716

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

bgsu1562953927561716
811
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This open access ETD is published by Bowling Green State University and OhioLINK.