Publication Date

2023

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Lenczewski, Melissa E.

Degree Name

M.S. (Master of Science)

Legacy Department

Department of Geographic and Atmospheric Sciences

Abstract

The East and Upper South Branches of the Kishwaukee River Watershed (ESBKR) are two HUC-10 watersheds that cover approximately 221.8 mi2 (574.5 km2) in north-central Illinois. Segments of the Kishwaukee River within the ESBKR are in the ILEPA’s 303(d) list of impaired waters for fish consumption and aesthetic quality. To protect and improve stream health, we must better understand the impact of diverse land use on non-point source (NPS) pollution and water quality. The primary goal of this study was to determine how different land uses impact the surface water quality within the ESBKR. To address this goal, surface water samples were taken from 20 sampling locations within the ESBKR on a monthly to biweekly basis for four years and correlated to land use, precipitation, and season. Water samples were analyzed for major ions, trace elements and minerals, heavy metals, dissolved oxygen, specific conductance, oxidation-reduction potential, total hardness, temperature, pH, and turbidity. A principal components analysis with linear regression, and marginal means examination demonstrated that urban and rural residential land uses have the predominant influence, regardless of season, through the influx of chloride concentrations. A Pearson correlation matrix suggests road salt inputs are the driver for the chloride fluctuations seen in the urban and rural residential land use areas.

Extent

557 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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