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Patterns of watershed urbanization and impacts on water quality

Publication ,  Journal Article
Carle, MV; Halpin, PN; Stow, CA
Published in: Journal of the American Water Resources Association
January 1, 2005

Urban runoff contributes to nonpoint source pollution, but there is little understanding of the way that pattern and extent of urbanization contributes to this problem. Indicators of type and density of urbanization and access to municipal services were examined in six urban watersheds in Durham, North Carolina. Principal components analysis (PCA) was used to identify patterns in the distribution of these variables across the urban landscape. While spatial variation in urban environments is not perfectly captured by any one variable, the results suggest that most of the variation can be explained using several variables related to the extent and distribution of urban development. Multiple linear regression models were fit to relate these urbanization indicators to total phosphorus, total kjeldahl nitrogen, total suspended solids, and fecal coliforms. Development density was correlated to decreased water quality in each of the models. Indicators of urbanization type such as the house age, amount of contiguous impervious surface, and stormwater connectivity explained additional variation. In the nutrient models, access to city services was also an important factor. The results indicate that while urbanization density is important in predicting water quality, indicators of urbanization type and access to city services help explain additional variation in the models.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Journal of the American Water Resources Association

DOI

ISSN

1093-474X

Publication Date

January 1, 2005

Volume

41

Issue

3

Start / End Page

693 / 708

Related Subject Headings

  • Environmental Engineering
  • 40 Engineering
  • 37 Earth sciences
  • 0907 Environmental Engineering
  • 0905 Civil Engineering
  • 0406 Physical Geography and Environmental Geoscience
 

Citation

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Carle, M. V., Halpin, P. N., & Stow, C. A. (2005). Patterns of watershed urbanization and impacts on water quality. Journal of the American Water Resources Association, 41(3), 693–708. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-1688.2005.tb03764.x
Carle, M. V., P. N. Halpin, and C. A. Stow. “Patterns of watershed urbanization and impacts on water quality.” Journal of the American Water Resources Association 41, no. 3 (January 1, 2005): 693–708. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-1688.2005.tb03764.x.
Carle MV, Halpin PN, Stow CA. Patterns of watershed urbanization and impacts on water quality. Journal of the American Water Resources Association. 2005 Jan 1;41(3):693–708.
Carle, M. V., et al. “Patterns of watershed urbanization and impacts on water quality.” Journal of the American Water Resources Association, vol. 41, no. 3, Jan. 2005, pp. 693–708. Scopus, doi:10.1111/j.1752-1688.2005.tb03764.x.
Carle MV, Halpin PN, Stow CA. Patterns of watershed urbanization and impacts on water quality. Journal of the American Water Resources Association. 2005 Jan 1;41(3):693–708.
Journal cover image

Published In

Journal of the American Water Resources Association

DOI

ISSN

1093-474X

Publication Date

January 1, 2005

Volume

41

Issue

3

Start / End Page

693 / 708

Related Subject Headings

  • Environmental Engineering
  • 40 Engineering
  • 37 Earth sciences
  • 0907 Environmental Engineering
  • 0905 Civil Engineering
  • 0406 Physical Geography and Environmental Geoscience