Role of sediment oxygen demand on the oxygen balance in the North Shore Channel of Chicago

Terrell, Aaron Thomas

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/113102 Copy

Description

Title

Role of sediment oxygen demand on the oxygen balance in the North Shore Channel of Chicago

Author(s)

Terrell, Aaron Thomas

Issue Date

2021-07-23

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Garcia, Marcelo H

Department of Study

Civil & Environmental Eng

Discipline

Environ Engr in Civil Engr

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

• sediment oxygen demand
• aaron
• terrell
• oxygen deficit
• dissolved oxygen
• SOD
• chamber
• North Shore Channel
• Chicago
• oxygen
• bottom sampler

Abstract

When dissolved oxygen (DO) levels fall below a certain point, fish and wildlife are at risk. While many factors contribute directly to the oxygen sink, sediment oxygen demand (SOD) is suspected of being a significant factor along slower-moving channels with substantial organic sediment accumulation. The North Shore Channel of Chicago is of particular interest due to the conditions of this waterway. The channel is blocked off from Lake Michigan to protect the lake from an aquatic nuisance species, the Asian carp. The channel also has Combined Sewer Overflows (CSO) that release pollution from the city during larger storm events. By understanding the role of SOD in the North Shore Channel, engineers may be able to make decisions about intermittent pumping that would allow for reaeration of the channel and thus improve water quality. A bottom sampler used to measure SOD was designed and constructed at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The SOD chamber encloses a controlled volume of water over a specific surface area and measures the DO within the water column over time. The chamber is lowered from a boat and sealed to the bed of the channel. A closed loop system enables flow to enter and exit the controlled volume: enough to create mixing, but not to the point of sediment resuspension. Measurements were taken at two locations downstream of CSOs to look at higher SOD values. These measurements are analyzed using a Streeter-Phelps model so the role of SOD can be evaluated. The results show how SOD may be a root cause for the oxygen sink to reach a dangerous level, and therefore could impact engineers’ decisions on how to oxygenate the water when considering invasive species mitigation alternatives or control of flow under certain conditions.

Graduation Semester

2021-08

Type of Resource

Thesis

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/113102

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2021 Aaron Terrell

Owning Collections