Date of Award

12-2012

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Legacy Department

Biosystems Engineering

Committee Chair/Advisor

Dr. Calvin B. Sawyer

Committee Member

Dr. Charles V. Privette, III

Committee Member

Dr. John C. Hayes

Abstract

Large construction projects are highly vulnerable to sediment removal by erosive forces. Turbidity, resulting from this excess sediment, has gained recognition as anindicator of pollution in surface runoff from construction activities. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently moving toward regulations that would establish a nationwide maximum turbidity effluent limit discharged from construction sites. Research has shown that current sediment control best management practices (BMPs) are often ineffective at controlling elevated turbidity levels in construction site discharges. Additionally, research confirms that sediment basins may act as reservoirs for bacteria, specifically Escherichia coli (E. coli). During rainfall events, resuspension within sediment basins creates outflows containing highly turbid runoff with elevated bacterial densities.

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