Date of Award
2013
Publisher
North Dakota State University
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Awarded
Master of Science (MS)
Program
Environmental Engineering
Department
Electrical and Computer Engineering
College
Engineering
Faculty Advisor
Lin, Wei
Description
The Upper Souris River was placed on the Environmental Protection Agencies (EPA) impaired waters list for low dissolved oxygen (DO). A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study was conducted to determine possible causes of DO depletion. From sampling and site visits it was determined nonpoint sources contributed the majority of organic loadings to the Upper Souris River. Through preliminary testing, it was determined that sediment oxygen demand (SOD) played a key role in depleting DO levels during winter months and required further investigation. River profile surveying, water quality sampling, and laboratory testing of SOD were carried out to determine parameters required for water quality modeling. SOD tests were conducted to determine impacts of sediment organic contents and temperature on SOD rate. Sediment oxygen demand rates ranged from 0.37 to 1.22 g O2/m2/d. The QUAL2K model was calibrated to simulate DO variations along the study reach under ice covered conditions.
Recommended Citation
Baker, Matthew Ernest, "Identifying Causes of Dissolved Oxygen Depletion and Determination of Sediment Oxygen Demand in the Souris River" (2013). Civil and Environmental Engineering. 29.
https://digitalcommons.ndsu.edu/civil-environmental-eng/29
Rights
NDSU Policy 190.6.2
Rights Link
https://www.ndsu.edu/fileadmin/policy/190.pdf
Handle Identifier
https://hdl.handle.net/10365/27188