Graduation Year
2014
Document Type
Thesis
Degree
M.S.
Degree Name
Master of Science (M.S.)
Department
Environmental Science
Degree Granting Department
Environmental Science and Policy
Major Professor
Philip van Beynen, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Kamal Alsharif, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Mark R. Hafen, Ph.D.
Keywords
land use, nitrogen, phosphorus, urbanization
Abstract
Urbanization has taken a major toll on the water quality of Lake Tarpon. In response, there have been management strategies and legislation put in place to help improve water quality. Our objective was to identify what management strategies and other environmental factors were driving changes in Lake Tarpons water quality from 1970 - 2010. Trends in water quality were analyzed against precipitation, land use and water quality management strategies to achieve this. Results found that two water quality management strategies, the creation of the Lake Tarpon Outfall Canal and the closing of the Lake Tarpon Sink, improved water quality the most. Other management strategies that undoubtedly helped improve water quality but were not able to be quantified were regulations that have made growth more sustainable (FAC 62 - 25, FAC 10D-6) and management strategies such as converting septic to sewer and lake level fluctuation.
Scholar Commons Citation
Savio, Kristi Nichole, "Analysis of Water Quality for Lake Tarpon, Pinellas County, Florida" (2014). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/5389
