Abstract
Nonpoint source nitrogen pollution is difficult to effectively model in groundwater systems. This study aims to elucidate anthropogenic nonpoint source pollution discharging into Potowomut Pond and ultimately Narragansett Bay. Hydrologic modeling with Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) and SWAT Calibration and Uncertainty Program (SWAT-CUP) was used to simulate streamflow and nitrogen levels in the Hunt River with and without onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS). The objective of this study was to determine how input of OWTS data impacts nitrogen loading into the Hunt River Watershed in Rhode Island, USA. The model was simulated from 2006 to 2014, calibrated from 2007 to 2011 and validated from 2012 to 2014. Observed streamflow data was sourced from a US Geological Survey gauge and nitrogen loading data from University of Rhode Island Watershed Watch (URIWW). From the results, adding OWTS data to the SWAT simulation produced a better calibration and validation fit for total fit (Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) = 0.50 calibration, 0.78 validation) when compared with SWAT simulation without OWTS data (NSE = −1.3 calibration, −6.95) validation.
Highlights
Eutrophication poses a severe threat to coastal waters on local, regional, and global scales.Coastal ecosystems are naturally nitrogen limited and runoff from terrestrial systems from agriculture, wastewater, and industrial practices contributes to eutrophic areas of low dissolved oxygen, known as dead zones [1]
Nitrogen nonpoint source pollution from onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS) was modeled within the Hunt
Given that the waterbodies associated with the Hunt River
Summary
Eutrophication poses a severe threat to coastal waters on local, regional, and global scales.Coastal ecosystems are naturally nitrogen limited and runoff from terrestrial systems from agriculture, wastewater, and industrial practices contributes to eutrophic areas of low dissolved oxygen, known as dead zones [1]. Eutrophication poses a severe threat to coastal waters on local, regional, and global scales. Dead zones have been documented as doubling in occurrence every decade since the mid 1900s and have been increasing in areal extent. Factors such as rising ocean temperatures, increasing ocean acidification, sea-level rise, and changing climate variables are acting synergistically to exacerbate the eutrophication problem [2]. Eutrophication, leading to conditions of hypoxia and anoxia in coastal waters, is overlooked until broad scale detrimental effects are obvious [3]. The breakdown of coastal fisheries and large fish kills garner the most attention to eutrophic conditions
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