Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Geography & Environmental Studies

Faculty/School

Faculty of Arts

First Advisor

Michael English

Advisor Role

Thesis Supervisor

Abstract

Cultural eutrophication, resulting from anthropogenic inputs of nutrients, such as phosphorus, can be detrimental to aquatic ecosystems. The effectiveness of recent phosphorus abatement programs, focused on point source inputs such as municipal and industrial effluent, has brought attention to the reduction of non-point sources, such as urban runoff. Target phosphate loads for the Great Lakes, set by the International Joint Commission, are deemed unattainable, without phosphorous reduction from non-point sources (Yaksich and Rumer, 1980), and it is with this knowledge that this thesis is undertaken. Analysis of phosphate export data from areas of different urban land uses indicates that residential land contributes the greatest phosphate yield on a per unit area basis, and should therefore be the focus of urban abatement programs. Comparison of urban and rural phosphate export data illustrates the need to consider urban runoff a major polluting factor, for any watershed abatement programs. Similarly, comparison of baseflow and stormflow phosphate export, clearly shows the necessity of monitoring stormflow export for annual phosphate assessments.

Convocation Year

1990

Convocation Season

Spring

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Hydrology Commons

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