Date of Award
Spring 1996
Document Type
Thesis - Restricted
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
First Advisor
Novotny, Vladimir
Second Advisor
Zanoni, A. E.
Third Advisor
Crandall, Clifford J.
Abstract
Ambient aquatic life water quality criteria data, and water quality data for stormwater events was used to evaluate the risk to aquatic biota from urban stormwater discharges. This analysis featured in this thesis was performed for the metals copper, lead, and zinc for Lincoln Creek in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It has been a common practice to use water quality criteria to evaluate pollution of stormwater and use such evaluations of standard exceedences for development of stormwater pollution control policies. The analysis presented in this thesis indicate that simplistic application of current water quality criteria may lead to highly overprotective proposals for control. A review of the literature confirm that urban storm water runoff contributes significant loads of pollutants, especially metals, to urban streams. The source of the pollutants along with the form the pollutants take is further investigated. The components of a water quality criteria for freshwater aquatic life along with the procedures used to derive these components are explained. A method for calculating risk to aquatic biota is defined. Probability functions are calculated and used to describe the concentration of metals in storm water runoff, and the probability of genera being affected. The joint probability is used to calculate the risk. Results of the joint probability is presented along with the conclusions. Future research needs are also identified.
Recommended Citation
Witte, John W., "Evaluation of Risks to Aquatic Biota from Urban Stormwater Runoff" (1996). Master's Theses (1922-2009) Access restricted to Marquette Campus. 4349.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/theses/4349