Assessing Water Quality and Nitrogen Dynamics in Bahia Grande, Texas Using Field and Remote Sensing Data

Author

• SK Taufiqul Islam, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Date of Award

5-1-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Ocean, Coastal, and Earth Sciences

First Advisor

Jongsun Kim

Second Advisor

Tian Y. Dong

Third Advisor

Jude Benavides

Abstract

An 8,220-acre estuary in South Texas, Bahia Grande has recently been restored from a disconnected hypersaline basin to a tidal estuary. A spatially explicit water quality index (WQI) was developed and in situ physicochemical data coupled with remote sensing data from Sentinel-2 were used to determine ecological integrity. A WQI from 29.45-53.20 yielded a spatial distribution of water quality that displayed a non-linear spatial trend throughout the estuary. Water quality close to the Brownsville Ship Channel inlet yielded values of 'Moderate/Stressed' water quality (> 50). These areas represent local zones of disturbance where ammonium concentrations were more than 11 µmol/L. The isolated interior basins that yield water quality parameters of 'Good' (30) under minimal turbidity and no algae-driven stress. Tidal restoration was successful for ending historical hyper salinity, and inflow water quality must be managed appropriately during adaptive management.

Comments

Copyright© 2026 SK Taufiqul Islam. All Rights Reserved. https://proquest.com/docview/3371274619

Recommended Citation

Islam, S.(2026). Assessing Water Quality and Nitrogen Dynamics in Bahia Grande, Texas Using Field and Remote Sensing Data [Master's thesis, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley]. ScholarWorks @ UTRGV. https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/etd/1897