Abstract
The effects of nutrient overloading have been well identified in areas such as the Gulf of Mexico, where agricultural drainage from the Midwest is considered a main contributor to the hypoxic zone. Amongst the suite of agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs), managed wetlands may present a more cost effective approach to assimilate pollutants and improve water quality at the scale of small watersheds. However, previous research has yielded varying results. Mathematical models have become a tool used to characterize components and predict behaviors of a given process. Model results can then be used to analyze multiple management options, improve decision making, and potentially reduce costs. This research evaluates multiple management options at a natural wetland by developing and implementing a wetland water quality algorithm within the Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) model.
Keywords
Management Options, Nitrate, Orthophosphate, Simulating, Variable Infiltration Capacity Model, Wetland Processes
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Agronomy
First Advisor
Laura C Bowling
Committee Member 1
Phillip R Owens
Committee Member 2
Ronald F Turco
Date of Award
January 2015
Recommended Citation
Smith, Stuart David, "Evaluating Management Options: Simulating Wetland Processes and Performance of Nutrient Reduction by Use of a Water Quality Algorithm" (2015). Open Access Theses. 1160.
https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/open_access_theses/1160