The Effect of Surface Runoff on the Water Quality of a Creek located on the campus of Kennesaw State University
Disciplines
Environmental Indicators and Impact Assessment | Environmental Monitoring | Environmental Sciences | Fresh Water Studies | Hydrology | Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology
Abstract (300 words maximum)
This study investigated the water quality of a creek that runs through the campus of Kennesaw State University. The goal was to assess the effects of surface runoff from the surrounding environment on the creek by measuring conductivity and turbidity values. YSI 600R and YSI ProDSS handheld water quality instruments were used to measure conductivity and turbidity levels at three different locations along the creek. Precipitation levels were collected within 48 hours of sampling times in order to assess the effect of surface runoff on conductivity and turbidity values. Notably higher turbidity and conductance levels were observed at one of the sampled locations that were attributed to its proximity to campus parking, thus receiving more contaminated runoff than the other sites. A general trend observed was an increase in turbidity levels with recent rainfall. This investigation will help us better understand how water quality is affected by surface runoff in an urban setting and hopefully improve the general health of the natural campus environment.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
CSM - Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Lisa Adams
The Effect of Surface Runoff on the Water Quality of a Creek located on the campus of Kennesaw State University
This study investigated the water quality of a creek that runs through the campus of Kennesaw State University. The goal was to assess the effects of surface runoff from the surrounding environment on the creek by measuring conductivity and turbidity values. YSI 600R and YSI ProDSS handheld water quality instruments were used to measure conductivity and turbidity levels at three different locations along the creek. Precipitation levels were collected within 48 hours of sampling times in order to assess the effect of surface runoff on conductivity and turbidity values. Notably higher turbidity and conductance levels were observed at one of the sampled locations that were attributed to its proximity to campus parking, thus receiving more contaminated runoff than the other sites. A general trend observed was an increase in turbidity levels with recent rainfall. This investigation will help us better understand how water quality is affected by surface runoff in an urban setting and hopefully improve the general health of the natural campus environment.