Impact of Stream Hardening on Water Quality and Metabolic Characteristics of Waimanalo and Kane'ohe Streams, O'ahu, Hawaiian Islands
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2004-04
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Abstract
Kane'ohe and Waimanalo Streams on the windward side of the island
of O'ahu in the Hawaiian Islands have been hardened to prevent flooding. The
hardening process has involved elimination of the natural riparian habitat and
replacement of the natural stream channel with a concrete-lined conduit having
vertical walls and a broad, flat bottom. The shallow depth of the water column
and absence of shade have resulted in temperatures that average as much as
4-5°C above ambient and rise as high as 32°C during daylight hours. Unlike
most low-order streams, the hardened sections of both streams are autotrophic,
as evidenced by elevated pH values and O2 concentrations as high as 150% of
saturation. Several allochthonous inputs, one from a storm sewer and the other
from a natural spring, introduced water with anomalously low O2 concentrations
and very high nitrate concentrations. The absence of sediments in the
hardened sections of the streams precludes natural sedimentary microbial processes,
including denitrification. Nitrate concentrations in a section of Waimanalo
Stream with a natural streambed drop dramatically from values in excess of
400 11M to concentrations less than 10 11M at the head of the estuary. Although
some of this decline is due to dilution with seawater, the concentration of nitrate
at the head of the estuary is only 10% of the value that could be explained by
dilution effects. Biological processes associated with a natural streambed thus
appear very important to functionality of the streams and in particular to their
ability to process allochthonous nutrient inputs in a way that minimizes impacts
on the nearshore environment. Prevention of flooding can be accomplished by
mechanisms that do not involve elimination of riparian buffer zones and destruction
of channel habitat. To maintain water quality and stream functionality,
it is important that these alternative methods of flood control be utilized. Converting
natural streams to storm sewers is an unenlightened way to address
flooding problems.
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Laws EA, Roth L. 2004. Impact of stream hardening on water quality and metabolic characteristics of Waimanalo and Kane'ohe Streams, O'ahu, Hawaiian Islands. Pac Sci 58(2): 261-280.
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