Semester
Spring
Date of Graduation
2013
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
MA
College
Eberly College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Geology and Geography
Committee Chair
J. Steven Kite
Committee Co-Chair
Doug Boyer
Committee Member
Dorothy Vesper
Abstract
Groundwater contamination is a potential major health and environmental issue in karst aquifers because of rapid surface water to groundwater connections and conduit-dominated flow that may allow contaminants to move great distances from their source in a very short amount of time. Agricultural contaminants are a significant problem in Buckeye Creek basin in Greenbrier County, West Virginia. Pasquarell and Boyer (1995) found that cattle grazing near sinking streams, sinkholes, and springs contribute to the elevated levels of fecal coliform bacteria in the groundwater. Six sites in Buckeye Creek basin were monitored for fecal coliform contamination and then analyzed in order to determine where best management practices (BMPs) could result in the most effective water quality improvement. Water quality variables including fecal coliform density and fecal coliform loading were used to develop a methodology for prioritizing the monitored sites for BMP implementation. Models using existing dye traces and GIS-based data were used to identify the key areas contributing contamination to these sites. Three sites in the basin were found to be high priority areas for BMP implementation and potential contamination source areas were identified for these sites.
Recommended Citation
Murphy, Erin D., "Spring Studies and A Decision-Making Process to Guide Groundwater Contamination Prevention in an Agricultural Karst Basin" (2013). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 231.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/231