Date of Award
Summer 8-1-2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Coastal Marine and Wetland Studies
Department
Coastal and Marine Systems Science
College
College of Science
First Advisor
Angelos Hannides
Second Advisor
Lindsey Bell
Third Advisor
Ryan Rezek
Additional Advisors
Richard Viso
Abstract
A common feature of the coastline of South Carolina are small, low relief, tidal creek systems. Due to their tidally dominated nature, these systems can act as conduits of land-based nutrients to the coastal ocean. As development along the coastline increases, the volume of nutrients entering tidal creeks will likely exhibit an associated increase. The focus of this research is an investigation of the input of nutrients into White Point Swash, a tidal creek located in northern South Carolina, via point and nonpoint sources, the behavior of nutrients once they enter this system, and the potential removal of nutrients by benthic macroalgae. Sampling of a transect of the tidal creek was conducted, along with sampling of a freshwater point source, sampling of groundwater, and collection of macroalgae, suspended particles, and surficial sediment for isotopic analysis. Nutrient concentrations across this setting suggest that inputs from point and nonpoint sources from the surrounding urbanized land convey nutrients into the tidal creek and raise nutrient levels within it. Management actions, such as a periodic realignment of the portion of the creek’s channel that crosses the sandy beach, influence the water quality within the system, as well as the export of nutrients to the coastal ocean. Methods typically utilized in larger systems, such as conservative mixing analysis, were not particularly informative for this system. Finally, the presence of higher amounts of benthic macroalgae coincided with lower concentrations of nutrients in samples, suggesting their presence may ameliorate nutrients during the months when they dominate the system.
Recommended Citation
Morton, Christianna R., "Tidal Creeks as Conduits of Land-Derived Nutrients to the Coastal Ocean" (2024). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 200.
https://digitalcommons.coastal.edu/etd/200