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Basin delineation and identification of nitrogen sources in an urban watershed
Citation:
Rackley, J., R. Devereux, Johne Rogers, M. Machavaram, AND M. Mills. Basin delineation and identification of nitrogen sources in an urban watershed. Gulf Estuarine Research Society (GERS) Fall 2016 Meeting, Pensacola Beach, FL, November 03 - 05, 2016.
Impact/Purpose:
This work is to develop approaches to track water flows and nutrients in urban watersheds to guide implementation of green infrastructure.
Description:
Nutrient pollution in stormwater runoff from urbanized areas contributes to water quality degradation in streams and receiving waterbodies. Increased nitrogen loading from human activities stimulates eutrophication through algal blooms, which leads to an overall decrease in drinking water and aquatic habitat quality. Bayou Chico, a highly urbanized watershed in the Pensacola Bay system in northwest Florida, is a nutrient-impaired waterbody under management to reduce bacteria and nutrient loadings, in accordance with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Basin Management Action Plan. This project investigated and delineated the bayou’s watershed size and shape using recent LiDAR data with the EPA’s BASINS (Better Assessment Science Integrating Point and Nonpoint Sources) software model. The refined delineation was ground-truthed to verify the accuracy of the model output, particularly for small and transient streams. This project will also address two issues relating to the presence of nitrogen in the Bayou Chico watershed: 1) the identification of specific nitrogen sources within urbanized areas, and 2) differentiation of groundwater vs. surface flows in the transport of nitrogen to the bayou. Stable isotope techniques are being used to identify nitrogen inputs and distinguish water sources. This research will provide regional support for conservation and nutrient management efforts, as well as provide a general model for future projects addressing nutrient pollution management and green infrastructure implementation within the Bayou Chico watershed.