Influence of land use on total suspended solid and dissolved ion concentrations: Baton Rouge, Louisiana area

D Carlson

doi:10.5194/piahs-367-258-2015

Abstract

Abstract. Past studies in the Baton Rouge, Louisiana area considered streamwater quality during storm events but ignored water quality during low flow periods. This study includes determination of streamwater quality during low flow time periods for none watersheds in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana. These samples were collected during dry-low flow periods as indicated by water levels at USGS stream gauging sites for each stream. Chemical analysis for ions was completed using colorimeters and gravimetric analysis for total dissolved solids (TDS) and total suspended solids (TSS). Land use appears to impact concentrations of ions, TDS and TSS in a variety of ways during periods of low flow. The two most rural watersheds, which are mainly underdeveloped, have higher concentrations of Fe and Mn. By contrast the three most urban watersheds, that are mainly commercial, industrial or residential, have higher concentrations of Si, SO4 and TDS.

Highlights

All of the watersheds lie within East Baton Rouge Parish (Fig. 1), in southeastern Louisiana, USA, and have areas of less than 100 km2
The nine watersheds considered in this study range from ones with a large share of land covered by high density development such as commercial, industrial, institutions, medium and high density residential, offices and utilities, to others where the land is mainly undeveloped (Table 1)
Instead of considering urbanization impact through time for a single watershed or a few, this study considers the impact of urbanization on water quality by using a snapshot of development through a series of watersheds at different points in terms of changes from relatively natural land cover to highly altered urban landscape

Summary

Introduction

All of the watersheds lie within East Baton Rouge Parish (Fig. 1), in southeastern Louisiana, USA, and have areas of less than 100 km. For East Baton Rouge Parish there is very little past work in regards to water quality of streams. Most such works, like the discharge studies, are focused on streamwater quality during flood events (Demcheck et al, 1998; Frederick, 2003, 2011). Like the discharge studies, are focused on streamwater quality during flood events (Demcheck et al, 1998; Frederick, 2003, 2011) These studies considered only five sites that lie in the following watersheds: Beaver Bayou (1 site) Clay Cut Bayou (1 site), North Branch of Ward Creek (3 sites).

Methods

Results

Conclusion