Graduation Year

2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

Ph.D.

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Degree Granting Department

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Major Professor

Maya Trotz, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Maya Carrasquillo, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Nancy Diaz-Elsayed, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Mahmood Nachabe, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Rebecca Zarger, Ph.D.

Keywords

environmental justice, gardens, nutrient management, surface water quality, water resources

Abstract

Cultivating resilience in coastal communities such as Tampa Bay is becoming increasingly important as urbanization continues to fuel complex environmental and social challenges further exacerbated by sea level rise, habitat degradation, and more intense storm events. Food and water systems are particularly vulnerable under these circumstances, jeopardizing residents’ quality of life. This research explored the nexus of stormwater detention ponds and urban agriculture, namely community and residential gardens, this research reveals factors to consider in the colocation of these systems to build local community resilience and protect waterways.

Focusing on East Tampa, a historic Black community in Florida, and the Coalition of Community Gardens, the overall goal of this research was to explore the opportunities and barriers to the colocation of stormwater ponds with urban agriculture and co-develop knowledge products regarding nutrient and water management that reflect the lived experiences of gardeners. The study aimed to achieve four key objectives: (1) understand gardeners’ fertilization and irrigation practices and their perceptions of alternative water sources; (2) compare best management practices (BMPs) for nutrient and water management with current gardening practices; (3) assess the quality and quantity of stormwater and other potential irrigation sources; and (4) co-create educational tools on gardeners’ lived experiences.

This work employed a mixed-methods approach, which includes: 23 semi-structured interviews with community and residential gardeners and BMP experts throughout Tampa Bay, a document and literature review, a comparative review of alternative water sources (reclaimed water, municipal water, and stormwater), a focus group with 3 participants, a year-long field sampling event at the N. 22nd Street and E. Chelsea Street stormwater detention pond in Tampa, FL, and water quality analyses on total and dissolved heavy metals (i.e.,, copper, cadmium, zinc, lead, mercury, and arsenic), total coliforms and E.coli, inorganic nitrogen (Nitrate and Nitrite or NOX-N and Total Ammonia Nitrogen or TAN), total phosphorus (TP) and orthophosphate (PO3-4), and organic compounds (PAHs and BTEX).

Semi-structured interviews and participant observations highlight the intricate nature of urban agriculture where garden management reflects a complex interplay of physical elements (i.e., water, fertilizer) and broader social dynamics (i.e., food security, cultural practices, labor constraints, cost, partnerships, and land tenure). Most gardeners claimed to use a combination of inorganic and organic fertilizers, which ultimately depended on what is most easily accessible to them. Most relied on municipal water to irrigate their gardens. Many perceived rainwater as a viable alternative, but its quantity often fell short of crop needs. Regarding alternative water source perceptions, key findings emphasized that many are interested in these sources provided safety and quality concerns are addressed by professionals.

Both structural and non-structural BMPs were found to be essential for protecting waterbodies from urban pollution. Despite a noticeable gap in nutrient management guidelines for food-producing urban gardens, many gardeners interviewed already adopt Florida-friendly practices in some shape or form. However, this could be influenced by the contentious nature of fertilizer discussions. Interviews with BMP experts revealed the importance of continued education, outreach, and trust-building in communicating science with the public.

The stormwater pond on N. 22nd Street and E. Chelsea Street was analyzed over a year- long period for various water quality parameters to assess its potential impact on downstream waterbodies and suitability for irrigation. Though pH, temperature, and conductivity levels were generally acceptable for supporting aquatic life, low dissolved oxygen (DO) levels, fluctuating heavy metals (i.e., copper, zinc, and mercury), and E.coli concentrations pose potential risks to both water quality and public health. Moreover, water quantity in the pond shifted with seasonality and can also be influenced by climate variations.

Lastly, this research produced three major knowledge products: a garden manual template, infographics, and a StoryMap made with ESRI’s ArcGIS StoryMap software. While not all these products explicitly mentioned ways to improve nutrient management, as many of those participating in this co-creation activity already are adopting sustainable practices, this objective yielded important variables to consider when co-creating or co-producing work with communities. This includes having flexibility in field work, acquiring proper expertise in the research project, building trust, and having shared goals. Moreover, researchers were able to navigate alternative avenues of communicating science through art, graphics, and maps. Appointing a community leader on the project was fundamental for the development of these products and success in completing shared goals.

This research provides a solid foundation for numerous avenues of future work for urban agriculture, water management, and community engagement. This includes long-term and consistent monitoring along with risk assessments, quantifying nutrient leaching, analyzing socioenvironmental dynamics of water reuse for urban agriculture, designing and implementing long-term STEM programs with communities, and the impact of climate change on urban agriculture and water resources in coastal communities to name a few.

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