Quantifying sources of fecal contamination in a coastal system with complex stormwater dynamics

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  • March 21, 2019
Creator
  • Hart, Justin
    • Affiliation: Gillings School of Global Public Health, Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering
Abstract
  • Coastal North Carolina (NC) exhibits complex meteorological and hydrological dynamics that facilitate the delivery of fecal contaminants to downstream receiving waters via stormwater runoff. A quantitative microbial assessment of stormwater in Beaufort, NC was conducted to identify trends and potential sources of fecal contamination. During wet weather, the increase in microbial contaminants in receiving waters was substantial. Short-term rainfall (i.e. less than 12 hours) was predictive of E. coli, Enterococcus spp., and human-specific marker concentrations in receiving water, and strong correlation between 12-hr antecedent rainfall and Enterococcus spp. (r=0.57, p<0.001, n=92) suggests there is potential for a predictive model to be developed that would improve management of water quality impairment. These data will be used to inform ongoing stormwater mitigation projects in this region and serve as a conceptual model for the interaction between complex stormwater dynamics and water quality impairment in coastal NC.
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  • In Copyright
Advisor
  • Piehler, Michael
  • Noble, Rachel T.
  • Whalen, Stephen
Degree
  • Master of Science
Degree granting institution
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Graduate School
Graduation year
  • 2017
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