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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Factors Controlling Circulation At The Terminus Of A Shallow Seagrass-Dominated Estuary, Fort Desoto Bay, West-Central Florida, Charles Gray Vickery
Factors Controlling Circulation At The Terminus Of A Shallow Seagrass-Dominated Estuary, Fort Desoto Bay, West-Central Florida, Charles Gray Vickery
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Fort DeSoto Bay is a shallow seagrass-dominated estuary located landward of Mullet Key that is home to the most extensive seagrass beds in all of Tampa Bay. During a period of development in the 1950s and early 1960s, the bay underwent extensive physical modifications, including the construction of earthen causeways and dredged channels, which altered the bathymetry of the seafloor and changed natural circulation patterns. The stagnation of water in the southern bay and increased estuarine residence time led to elevated summer temperatures, reduced dissolved oxygen levels, and die-offs of seagrasses. Two 40-foot circulation bridges were installed on each causeway …
Water Scarcity In The Face Of Hurricanes: Improving The Resilience Of Potable Water Supplies In Selected Florida Counties, Fautemeh Sajadi Bami
Water Scarcity In The Face Of Hurricanes: Improving The Resilience Of Potable Water Supplies In Selected Florida Counties, Fautemeh Sajadi Bami
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Severe storms can threaten the reliability and accessibility of drinking water supplies. The state of Florida is frequently impacted by hurricanes and is often struck more than once a year. An example of this can be found in 2017 when hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria caused much damage. Compromised utilities, well contamination, and shortages in bottled water and ice are just some of the problems that may threaten peoples’ drinking water.
Faced with these issues, preparation and response efforts must be effective in order to promote human health. Recent events like Hurricane Irma caused shortages in potable water which suggest …
The Ecology Of Antibiotic Resistance: Sources And Persistence Of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci And Antibiotic Resistant Genes In Aquatic Environments, Suzanne M. Young
The Ecology Of Antibiotic Resistance: Sources And Persistence Of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci And Antibiotic Resistant Genes In Aquatic Environments, Suzanne M. Young
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
The growing crisis of antibiotic resistance is a major threat to ecosystems and human health. Infections caused by known and emerging antibiotic resistant pathogens are on the rise globally, with approximately 700,000 deaths per year caused by antibiotic resistant bacteria (1). In the United States, infections from antibiotic resistant bacteria cause more than 2 million illnesses and 23,000 deaths (2). Antibiotic resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes are released into aquatic ecosystems through hospital waste, residential sewer lines and animal agricultural waste streams. Animal agriculture accounts for approximately 70% of antibiotic use in the United States (3). In agricultural ecosystems, …
Evaluating Satellite And Supercomputing Technologies For Improved Coastal Ecosystem Assessments, Matthew James Mccarthy
Evaluating Satellite And Supercomputing Technologies For Improved Coastal Ecosystem Assessments, Matthew James Mccarthy
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Water quality and wetlands represent two vital elements of a healthy coastal ecosystem. Both experienced substantial declines in the U.S. during the 20th century. Overall coastal wetland cover decreased over 50% in the 20th century due to coastal development and water pollution. Management and legislative efforts have successfully addressed some of the problems and threats, but recent research indicates that the diffuse impacts of climate change and non-point source pollution may be the primary drivers of current and future water-quality and wetland stress. In order to respond to these pervasive threats, traditional management approaches need to adopt modern …
The Ability Of An Aquatic Invader To Uptake Nutrients In An Upstream Estuarine Environment: Implications For Reducing The Intensity And Frequency Of Massive Fish Kills In Florida, Melissa L. Kerr
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this study was to assess whether nutrient absorption rates by water hyacinths are affected by low-salinity levels. In a controlled experiment, water hyacinths demonstrated the ability to absorb a significant amount of nutrients in low-saline waters while maintaining a slowed growth rate and shortened life span. Nutrient rates were reduced by an average of 36% in ammonia nitrogen and 48% in reactive phosphorus in the tanks of 4.45 parts per thousand (ppt) salinity. Growth rate in the experimental tanks of 4.45 ppt was observed at 33% slower than that of the control. The high salinity comparison tank …
Land Use, Stream Stability, And Benthic Invertebrates In A Dry Forest Watershed Of Western Costa Rica, Jacqueline Ann Demko
Land Use, Stream Stability, And Benthic Invertebrates In A Dry Forest Watershed Of Western Costa Rica, Jacqueline Ann Demko
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
There is a paucity of data on dry forests, the most threatened biome in the tropics. The Nandamojo is a tropical dry forest watershed in Western Costa Rica that has been impacted by varying degrees of human induced modifications. This research was conducted to examine the influence of land use and channel characteristics on invertebrate communities within a sub basin of the Nandamojo watershed. This study addressed three hypotheses: (1) sites with low tree cover and small riparian buffer zones will have high erosion, (2) macroinvertebrate abundance will be lower at sites with low channel stability values, and (3) benthic …
Water And Health In The Nandamojo Watershed Of Costa Rica: Community Perceptions Towards Water, Sanitation, And The Environment, James Mcknight
Water And Health In The Nandamojo Watershed Of Costa Rica: Community Perceptions Towards Water, Sanitation, And The Environment, James Mcknight
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Understanding the relationships between human health, water, sanitation, and environmental health is a requirement to understanding the challenges that face researchers when it comes to addressing global health relating to water and sanitation. Access to improved water and sanitation is not only a precondition to health, but to all aspects of daily living. Target 7.C of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) addresses worldwide disparities in access to improved water and sanitation by calling for the reduction in "half of the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and sanitation by 2015". Over 90% of the population of …
Still Waters Run Deep: Landscaping Practices, Community Perceptions, And Social Indicators For Stormwater Nonpoint Source Pollution Management In Manatee County, Florida, Ann Rebecca Persaud
Still Waters Run Deep: Landscaping Practices, Community Perceptions, And Social Indicators For Stormwater Nonpoint Source Pollution Management In Manatee County, Florida, Ann Rebecca Persaud
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Stormwater nonpoint source pollution (NPSP) is a result of diffuse sources of pollutants transported by rainfall and surface runoff into stormwater ponds and drainage systems before percolating into the ground. In particular, the nutrients found in fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides applied in excess by homeowners and landscapers can cause a range of issues in stormwater ponds from fish kills to eutrophication. As a result, Manatee County, Florida has issued a fertilizer ordinance with best management practices (BMPs) and a fertilizer black out period to reduce NPSP. This study is aimed at capturing the perceptions of residents which affect stormwater NPSP …
Impacts Of Rainfall Events On Wastewater Treamtent Processes, Erin K. Mcmahan
Impacts Of Rainfall Events On Wastewater Treamtent Processes, Erin K. Mcmahan
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Current research is revealing that stormwater can carry pathogens and that this stormwater is entering wastewater treatment facilities. During periods of intense rainfall, not only can stormwater carry higher amounts of pathogens, but it also increases the flow rate to the wastewater treatment facility. In many instances, the flow rate exceeds the facilities' treatment capacity and can impact treatment performance. The purpose of this study was to identify whether wastewater treatment is impaired during periods of increased rainfall, and to compare current policies that address this issue. The study was conducted using a case study approach to analyze historical precipitation …
Historical Overview Of Tampa Bay Water Quality And Seagrass Issues And Trends, J.O. R. Johansson
Historical Overview Of Tampa Bay Water Quality And Seagrass Issues And Trends, J.O. R. Johansson
Reports
Historical (pre-1930s) seagrass meadows in Tampa Bay are believed to have covered 31,000 ha of the shallow bay bottom. Later, impacts to the bay from increasing population and industrial development of the Tampa Bay area have resulted in large seagrass losses. By 1982, approximately 8,800 ha of seagrass remained. Since 1982, Tampa Bay seagrass monitoring programs have recorded a reversal in the trend of seagrass loss, with the baywide seagrass cover increasing from 9,420 ha in 1988 to 10,890 ha in 1997. However, between 1997 and 1999 the trend again reversed with substantial losses recorded, specifically in the Old Tampa …
Recent Improvements Of Water Quality And Biological Indicators In Hillsborough Bay, A Highly Impacted Subdivision Of Tampa Bay, Florida, J.O. R. Johansson, R. R. Lewis Iii
Recent Improvements Of Water Quality And Biological Indicators In Hillsborough Bay, A Highly Impacted Subdivision Of Tampa Bay, Florida, J.O. R. Johansson, R. R. Lewis Iii
Reports
Hillsborough Bay, the eastern uppermost section of the Tampa Bay system, is surrounded by a large metropolitan complex, supports extensive industrial activity, and serves as a major shipping port of fertilizer products. The Bay was determined to be highly eutrophic during the late 1960s. The City of Tampa's primary sewage treatment plant and runoff from fertilizer industry activities were considered as the major sources of excessive nutrient loading. Loadings form both these sources have been reduced during the last 10 years, which has probably been the leading cause of improved water quality parameters such as water clarity, dissolved oxygen, and …
Long-Term Trends Of Nitrogen Loading, Water Quality And Biological Indicators In Hillsborough Bay, Florida, J.O. R. Johansson
Long-Term Trends Of Nitrogen Loading, Water Quality And Biological Indicators In Hillsborough Bay, Florida, J.O. R. Johansson
Reports
This report addresses general background information on Hillsborough Bay water quality, compares long-term nitrogen loading trends to water quality indicators, and recommends management options for improving bay conditions.
An Ongoing Survey Of Halodule Wrightii, Ruppia Maritima And The Alga, Caulerpa Prolifera, In Hillsborough Bay, Florida, City Of Tampa Department Of Sanitary Sewers
An Ongoing Survey Of Halodule Wrightii, Ruppia Maritima And The Alga, Caulerpa Prolifera, In Hillsborough Bay, Florida, City Of Tampa Department Of Sanitary Sewers
Reports
The Bay Study Group intends to periodically monitor seagrass coverage, seagrass speciecs composition, and C. prolifera coverage within Hillsborough Bay and adjacent waters. Potential relationships between various environmental parameters and seagrass coverage will be investigated. Results should provide valuable information concerning natural seagrass renewal and rates of seagrass growth. Such information is much needed in order to make sound decisions concerning seagrass restoration and viable mitigation options.