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A Design for Low-Cost Nutrient Runoff Monitoring Technology

Teas, Sebastian E.
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1692-5887
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1493218785022913

Abstract Details

2017, Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, Environmental Studies (Voinovich).
The goal of this study was two-fold: to further develop the Stream-to-Cloud project, an innovation in water monitoring technology that utilizes low-cost equipment and to determine the applicability of the Stream-to-Cloud unit for detecting nutrient runoff. Over the past year, several key changes were made to the Stream-to-Cloud unit and documentation on its design and application was compiled as a part of this thesis. Furthermore, overuse of fertilizer is one of the principle drivers of eutrophication but farmers do not have a low-cost, real-time method for monitoring nutrient runoff from their fields. Nitrate and phosphate sensors are expensive, so the practicality of alternative parameters (conductivity, dissolved oxygen, oxidation-reduction potential, and turbidity) was analyzed in this study by testing the effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on each parameter in the lab and by recording changes in each parameter during a one month field test where a sonde was deployed on the edge of a cow farm. Concentrations of nutrients were plotted against changes in each parameter and the results were analyzed using linear regression and multivariate regression analysis. It was found that conductivity was the most suitable parameter for nutrient runoff monitoring, though there were many factors that may have influenced the data, especially in the field. Once the Stream-to-Cloud unit is fully optimized, applying it on agricultural fields may be appropriate though more conclusive testing would be necessary.
Natalie Kruse, Dr. (Advisor)
Hans Kruse, Dr. (Committee Member)
Dina Lopez, Dr. (Committee Member)
128 p.
Environmental Studies; Water Resource Management
water quality; monitoring technology; nutrient runoff

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Teas, S. E. (2017). A Design for Low-Cost Nutrient Runoff Monitoring Technology [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1493218785022913

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Teas, Sebastian. A Design for Low-Cost Nutrient Runoff Monitoring Technology. 2017. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1493218785022913.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Teas, Sebastian. "A Design for Low-Cost Nutrient Runoff Monitoring Technology." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1493218785022913

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.