A Systems Analysis of Trace Element Cycling in the Great Lakes
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Authors
Bentley, Colton
Date
Type
thesis
Language
eng
Keyword
Great Lakes , Water Quality , Hydrodynamics , Trace Elements , Mass-Balance , Environmental System
Alternative Title
Abstract
The Great Lakes are a globally unique freshwater resource, comprising six lakes (Ontario, Erie, Huron, Superior, Michigan, Lake St. Clair) containing 20% of global surface freshwater resources. The region is known for manufacturing and agriculture; anthropogenic waste steams (industrial effluents, agriculture runoff) impact occurrence patterns and natural cycles of various chemical elements, however current baseline concentrations remain unknown and biogeochemical controls underlying their sources, mobility, and fate remain unknown. This thesis utilizes an environmental systems approach to investigate three topics: 1) accumulation dynamics in trace element loads across the hydrological components of the Great Lakes system, 2) investigating the Great Lakes system as a ‘black-box‘ system for analyzing conservative and more biogeochemically reactive element budgets, and 3) anthropogenic controls on trace element budgets via geospatial and speciation analysis. Quantitative long-term mass-balances were constructed for a selection of important metals (Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb) and conservative elements (Na, Cl), the latter of which achieved >90% closure. Dynamic simulations and potential element sources/sinks were assessed, and historical water quality trends reproduced. Future water quality trends were simulated to year 2100 under varying environmental scenarios, and differing degrees of accumulation or reduction were observed. Novel trace element data was subsequently interpreted using mass-balance assessments. Different trace elements displayed significant accumulation upstream-to downstream, however trace elements Li, As, Se, V, Cr, Ce, and Gd displayed varying patterns of accumulation. These elements displayed differing sources and transport: connecting channels dominate trace elements budgets of the lower lakes, whereas atmospheric inputs are significant in the upper lakes. Spatial heterogeneity in trace element concentrations was observed, and speciation analysis revealed consistent proportions of trace element species upstream-to-downstream. Overall trace elements dynamics across the basin are spatiotemporally variable, accumulation patterns vary between elemental groups, and elemental controls differ in the upper versus lower lakes. The ‘black-box’ methodology proved effective for determining quantitative mass-balance dynamics for conservative trace elements, and high uncertainty in concentrations for other trace elements produced higher spatiotemporally variability and mass-imbalances. As such, further long-term basin-scale monitoring is required to properly constrain the relative magnitudes of the factors affecting these trace element budgets (e.g., tributaries, sedimentation).
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This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.
Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 United States
ProQuest PhD and Master's Theses International Dissemination Agreement
Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University
Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.
Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 United States