Copeland, Marja
(2022)
Interruptions In Streamflow Due To Urbanization And Mining In Southwestern Pennsylvania.
Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh.
(Unpublished)
Abstract
The intersection of water, energy, and urbanization has led to a wide range of stream impacts, from loss of stream function to alteration of natural flowpaths to disruption of water and sediment fluxes. As global population continues to grow it is becoming increasingly important to clarify how human activities impact watershed form and function, especially in headwater tributaries. The impacts of urbanization and industrialization on stream connectivity are well-studied; however, the spatial patterns of these interruptions and the implications for stream function are not well understood. As these disconnections are likely to persist in urban areas, documenting the challenges posed by the energy-water-urbanization nexus is crucial to achieving sustainable growth as urban population density continues to increase.
This dissertation examines the history of urbanization and industrialization across southwestern Pennsylvania and documents the unintended consequences of urban development and underground coal mining. First, a retrospective assessment of development patterns was used to investigate the drivers of spatial patterns in urbanization. This assessment revealed that early development patterns were driven by topographic gradients. However, the spatial patterns of watershed development became decoupled from landscape patterns as infilling occurred and suitable land became more limited. Second, culverts were examined to evaluate the influence of topography on culvert spatial patterns. The culvert analysis revealed that spatial patterns of topography led to predictable arrangements of culverts and backwaters across the landscape. Third, the outcomes of stream grouting following longwall mining were examined to evaluate the grouting impacts on nitrate uptake. Literature values of nitrate uptake rates were combined with grouted stream lengths and revealed that stream grouting is likely to reduce nitrate uptake capacity by 83 kg N/yr.
This research documented interruptions to watershed processes by human activities and illustrates that disruptions to stream flow and sediment flux can have unintended consequences. Ultimately, the results of this dissertation provide a framework for advancing the spatial understanding of the energy-water-urbanization nexus and the challenges that this
intersection poses across multiple spatial and temporal scales.
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Details
| Item Type: |
University of Pittsburgh ETD
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| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
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| ETD Committee: |
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| Date: |
13 August 2022 |
| Date Type: |
Publication |
| Defense Date: |
21 July 2022 |
| Approval Date: |
11 November 2024 |
| Submission Date: |
5 August 2022 |
| Access Restriction: |
No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately. |
| Number of Pages: |
150 |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences > Geology and Environmental Science |
| Degree: |
PhD - Doctor of Philosophy |
| Thesis Type: |
Doctoral Dissertation |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
urbanization, longwall mining, watershed impacts, culverts |
| Date Deposited: |
11 Nov 2024 18:51 |
| Last Modified: |
11 Nov 2024 20:45 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/43519 |
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