Dissolved Organic Carbon and Dissolved Inorganic Carbon along an Urbanization Gradient in Charlotte, North Carolina

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Kiker, T. (2018). Dissolved Organic Carbon and Dissolved Inorganic Carbon along an Urbanization Gradient in Charlotte, North Carolina. Unc Charlotte Electronic Theses And Dissertations.
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Abstract

Streams and rivers are an integral component of the freshwater carbon cycle as they provide the lateral transport of carbon from terrestrial environments to the ocean. Urbanization is one of the fastest growing land uses and it has major impacts on streams and rivers. This study examined twenty-eight watersheds varying in land uses from pre-restoration forested to urban in Charlotte, North Carolina. Their impervious cover ranged from 0.5-55%. The objective of this study was to examine alterations to freshwater carbon processes among watersheds of various land uses in multiple streams in Mecklenburg County, Charlotte, NC. Surface water was collected at each site in addition to discharge measurements. Water quality parameters were analyzed including: DOC concentration, Specific UV Absorbance of DOC, DIC concentration, alkalinity concentration, δ13C-DIC, major cations (Na+, K+, Mg2+, and Ca2+), and anions (F-, Cl-, PO43-, NO3-and SO42-). DOC concentration ranged from 1.1-18 mg/L and SUVA values ranged from 0.2-18 L/mg*m. Alkalinity concentrations ranged from 0.1-3.8 meq/L and DIC concentrations ranged from 0.2-3.8 mM. δ13C-DIC values ranged from -18.0‰ to -7.4‰. Overall, DOC concentrations and SUVA values had weak negative relationships with percent impervious cover. DIC concentrations, alkalinity concentrations, δ13C-DIC values, all cations, and F-, Cl- , and SO42- had strong positive relationships with percent impervious cover. PO43- and NO3-had weak correlations with percent impervious cover. The increase in DIC, alkalinity, δ13C-DIC, and cations with high impervious cover was largely due to the increased chemical weathering of concrete materials in urban areas.

Details
Author

Kiker, Taylor

Title

Dissolved Organic Carbon and Dissolved Inorganic Carbon along an Urbanization Gradient in Charlotte, North Carolina

Physical Description

1 online resource (134 pages) : PDF

Date

2018

Degree Granting Institution

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Abstract

Streams and rivers are an integral component of the freshwater carbon cycle as they provide the lateral transport of carbon from terrestrial environments to the ocean. Urbanization is one of the fastest growing land uses and it has major impacts on streams and rivers. This study examined twenty-eight watersheds varying in land uses from pre-restoration forested to urban in Charlotte, North Carolina. Their impervious cover ranged from 0.5-55%. The objective of this study was to examine alterations to freshwater carbon processes among watersheds of various land uses in multiple streams in Mecklenburg County, Charlotte, NC. Surface water was collected at each site in addition to discharge measurements. Water quality parameters were analyzed including: DOC concentration, Specific UV Absorbance of DOC, DIC concentration, alkalinity concentration, δ13C-DIC, major cations (Na+, K+, Mg2+, and Ca2+), and anions (F-, Cl-, PO43-, NO3-and SO42-). DOC concentration ranged from 1.1-18 mg/L and SUVA values ranged from 0.2-18 L/mg*m. Alkalinity concentrations ranged from 0.1-3.8 meq/L and DIC concentrations ranged from 0.2-3.8 mM. δ13C-DIC values ranged from -18.0‰ to -7.4‰. Overall, DOC concentrations and SUVA values had weak negative relationships with percent impervious cover. DIC concentrations, alkalinity concentrations, δ13C-DIC values, all cations, and F-, Cl- , and SO42- had strong positive relationships with percent impervious cover. PO43- and NO3-had weak correlations with percent impervious cover. The increase in DIC, alkalinity, δ13C-DIC, and cations with high impervious cover was largely due to the increased chemical weathering of concrete materials in urban areas.

Genre

masters theses

Subjects--Topics

Hydrology

Degree

M.S.

Keywords

Dissolved Carbon
Impervious Cover
Inorganic Carbon
North Carolina
Organic Carbon
Urbanization

Subject Area

Earth Sciences

Advisor(s)

Vinson, David

Committee Members

Clinton, Sandra
Allan, Craig

Degree Note

Thesis (M.S.)--University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2018.

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Rights Holder Information

Copyright is held by the author unless otherwise indicated.

Identifier

Kiker_uncc_0694N_11839

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13093/etd:1204