Date of Award
January 2015
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
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.
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