Urbanization in the Etowah River Basin: Effects on Stream Temperature and Chemistry
Author(s)
Paul, Michael J.
Leigh, David S.
Lo, C. P.
Advisor(s)
Editor(s)
Hatcher, Kathryn J.
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Abstract
Urbanization represents one of the fastest land cover transformations in Georgia and around the world. Conversion of previously forested or agricultural watersheds to residential and industrial/commercial land use affects the hydrology
and geomorphology of receiving streams. These changes may contribute to alteration in stream
chemistry and temperature as well. We measured
monthly baseflow water chemistry and took hourly
temperature data for 1 yr in 30 tributaries to the Etowah
River. The thirty watersheds had variable land cover
from 5 to 61% urban (27 to 80% forested). We used a combination of multivariate and regression analysis to analyze relationships between chemistry, temperature,
and land use. Watersheds with greater urban land use had higher mean soluble reactive phosphorus, nitrate,
and ammonium concentrations, as well as greater
specific conductance, and turbidity. Urban land use was the best predictor of phosphorus, whereas
agricultural land use was the best predictor of
ammonium. Nitrate concentration and conductance
were best predicted using a combination of urban and
agricultural land use. Increases in non-forested land
use also affected stream temperature: annual mean
daily temperature increased with deforestation, daily
mean temperatures in summer increased with urban
land use; and winter mean daily temperature increased
with riparian agriculture. The changes in chemistry and
temperature indicate that land use change affects the physical and chemical habitat of streams. Such
changes have serious implications for native stream
biota.
Sponsor
Sponsored and Organized by: U.S. Geological Survey, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Natural Resources Conservation Service, The University of Georgia, Georgia State University, Georgia Institute of Technology
Date
2001-03
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Resource Type
Text
Resource Subtype
Proceedings