University Oral Examination Master of Science in Engineering for

Graham Bartlett

DATE:                          Friday, Sep 30, 2011

TIME:                          8:30 am

LOCATION:                 H 214, Head Hall

ABSTRACT: Increased development and the intensification of agriculture within many catchments have resulted in the degradation of groundwater quality, with subsequent negative impacts being transferred to streams and coastal waters by nutrient transport in groundwater. It is believed that nitrogen loadings from streams and groundwater discharge are major factors contributing to eutrophic conditions in two small estuaries (Trout River and McIntyre Creek) located within New London Bay, Prince Edward Island. Intertidal springs are the primary mode of direct groundwater discharge to these estuaries and this study was undertaken to better understand the temporal dynamics of such springs. Discharge monitoring results indicate a significant linear correlation (p<0.001) between stream baseflow and spring discharge during the study period. Cross correlation analysis indicates no time lag between stream baseflow and spring discharge, which suggests these two hydrologic components are responding to the same climatic drivers (e.g. infiltration of precipitation and snow melt). Nitrate loadings from intertidal springs were considerably different for the three locations that were investigated. Individual loads ranged between 40 and 651 kg NO3-N/yr and this variability is attributed to the differences in upgradient land use (primarily agriculture). Nitrate concentrations in stream and spring waters were remarkably constant during the year of monitoring. The primary reason for temporal variations in nitrate loading was related to discharge; the highest seasonal loads occurred during the spring season when groundwater recharge and discharge peaked. The findings suggest that although the magnitude of nitrogen loading from streams and intertidal springs in these catchments exhibits large spatial variations, the temporal variations are significantly correlated.

For further information, please contact Joyce Moore in the Department of Civil Engineering at 452-6127 or joycem@unb.ca.

http://www.unbf.ca/clubs/acegs/documents/GrahamBartlett-UNBDefence.pdf