Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


osu1299610870.pdf (3.21 MB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Sedimentation and Erosion Patterns in Created Freshwater Riverine Wetlands

McCarthy, Sara M.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1299610870

Abstract Details

2011, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Environment and Natural Resources.
Sedimentation and erosion are important processes that partially determine the ability of a wetland to sequester pollutants. This study quantifies short term (1-year) sedimentation and erosion rates in two 1-ha experimental flow-through created wetlands in central Ohio. Gross sedimentations rates were estimated at 32 sites using feldspar horizon markers and erosion was estimated at 12 sites using a sedimentation/erosion method (SEM). Gross sedimentation for the March 2009 – May 2010 study period was 5.8 0.8 cm yr-1 (36.4 4.5 kg-dry wt m-2 yr-1), which is higher than past studies in these wetlands. Three sites from the SEM plots showed net erosion and 83% of those sites experienced seasonal erosion during the year. In the late growing season (July – October, 2009) there was a net sedimentation rate of -0.008 0.02 cm day-1 while in the early growing season (May – July, 2009) the average sedimentation rate was 0.05 0.02 cm day-1. This variation is probably due to differences in hydrology and sediment loading. Net sedimentation was estimated to be 1.3 – 1.4 cm yr-1 (3.4 kg – 9.0 kg m-2 yr-1) in the wetlands. Eight of the 32 feldspar sites were equipped with fencing to discourage large animals; preventing bioturbation increased sedimentation rates by 22 kg m-2 yr-1 or 49%. Soil cores were also analyzed for net N, P, and C accumulation rates, giving 11.3 ± 0.001 g-N m-2 yr-1, 0.3 ± 0.02 g-P m-2 yr-1, and 140.4 ± 5.7 g-C m-2 yr-1 respectively. Overall, gross sedimentation rates were found to be ten times higher than net sedimentation rates for similar freshwater, riverine wetlands.
William Mitsch, J (Advisor)
Jay Martin, F (Committee Member)
Roger Williams, A (Committee Member)
Li Zhang (Committee Member)
92 p.
Ecology; Environmental Engineering; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Natural Resource Management; Soil Sciences; Sustainability
sedimentation; erosion; wetland; nutrient; nitrogen; phosphorus; carbon

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • McCarthy, S. M. (2011). Sedimentation and Erosion Patterns in Created Freshwater Riverine Wetlands [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1299610870

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • McCarthy, Sara. Sedimentation and Erosion Patterns in Created Freshwater Riverine Wetlands. 2011. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1299610870.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • McCarthy, Sara. "Sedimentation and Erosion Patterns in Created Freshwater Riverine Wetlands." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2011. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1299610870

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1299610870
1,190
© 2011, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.