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Effects of land use on the concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus in streams in northwestern PA

Persistent URL
Author(s)
Frase, Leah
Date Issued
March 30, 2025
Abstract
Excess nitrogen and phosphorus in the stream ecosystem has caused eutrophication leading to hypoxia, especially in Lake Erie. Although there are policies and practices that have been implemented over the years to mitigate the excess nutrients seeping from the land into watersheds surrounding Lake Erie, concentrations are still on the rise; with increased eutrophication as a result. The differing land covers in North Western Pennsylvania have led to different amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus concentration in its surrounding watersheds.The land cover responsible for the most increase in phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations in Pennsylvania is said to be farming. This is due to the use of fertilizers and manure in crop fields however, the results comparing farming land cover percentage to nitrogen and phosphorus concentration showed a decline in both as farming land percentage in the watershed increased. Nitrogen and phosphorus, as well as other pollutants, in Pennsylvania also come from urban areas in septic waste, and stormwater which accumulate on the impermeable surfaces that dominate these urban areas. While the average concentration of nitrogen increased with larger areas of development, the average phosphorus concentration decreased. The phosphorus concentration was expected to increase as well due to the fact that most of the N and P in the developed environment is believed to come from fertilizers. The forested watershed results were also inconclusive; as phosphorus concentrations increased with increased forested area and nitrogen concentrations decreased slightly.
Major
Environmental Science and Sustainability
Honors
Environmental Science and Sustainability, 2025
First Reader(s)
Bowden, Richard D.
Other Reader(s)
Griffin, Claire
Department
Environmental Science and Sustainability
Type of Publication
Senior Project Paper
File(s)
Thumbnail Image
Name

Comp writting.pdf

Size

1.18 MB

Format

Adobe PDF

Checksum (MD5)

2bab0ef6bd9f10d972bb2271456a49ef