Theses and Dissertations
ORCID
https://orcid.org/0009-0000-9602-6237
Issuing Body
Mississippi State University
Advisor
Baker, Beth
Committee Member
Evans, Kristine O.
Committee Member
Ramirez-Avila, John J.
Date of Degree
8-8-2023
Document Type
Graduate Thesis - Open Access
Major
Wildlife, Fisheries, & Aquaculture
Degree Name
Master of Science (M.S.)
College
College of Forest Resources
Department
Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture
Abstract
This study investigates the impact on water quality of combined agricultural best management practices cover crop and minimum tillage, alongside an examination of techniques used to collect those samples. Edge-of-field (EOF) water quality samples were collected from 11 working farms during a two-year paired field experiment. Results showed significant reductions in nutrient concentrations, increased discharge, and mixed findings regarding nutrient mass transport post-treatment. A suite of EOF collection techniques were compared using in-situ automated water sampling systems sampling the same runoff events. Sampling protocols influenced nutrient concentrations in composite samples, but unexpected variance in velocity sensors affected measured discharge, making it challenging to confidently attribute differences in nutrient loading estimates to sampling protocol. The findings provide regionally specific evidence for mitigating on-farm nutrient enrichment in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley and enhancing monitoring techniques.
Recommended Citation
Hill, Mark, "Optimizing edge-of-field water quality monitoring methods to determine the effects of best management practices on nutrient and sediment runoff" (2023). Theses and Dissertations. 5932.
https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/td/5932
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