A Longitudinal Analysis of Water Quality Variations and the Impact on Community Perceptions and Resource Management: A Data-Driven Approach

The research investigates the influence of variations in water quality parameters, such as turbidity, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), salinity, and temperature, on community perceptions and management practices regarding water resources in the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States. Utilizing longitudinal water quality data collected biweekly from designated sites, we employed quantitative methodologies including time series analysis, correlation coefficients, ANOVA, and seasonal decomposition to analyze trends and relationships among the key parameters. Our findings revealed a significant decline in DO levels post-1997, highlighting local environmental impacts and seasonal fluctuations that affected water quality perceptions. Notably, spatial analyses demonstrated substantial differences found in water quality across various sites, with two sites (the Bay Area and Site-D) found to exhibit the highest levels of instability, suggesting potential pollution and land use challenges. In addition, salinity and temperature were shown to be weakly correlated, indicating the influence of external factors on water quality dynamics. Outlier detection in pH levels raises concerns about possible pollution events, underscoring the necessity for targeted regulatory action. This study’s findings emphasize the importance of continuous monitoring and adaptive management strategies as a means to enhancing community engagement and ensuring sustainable water resource management. The research’s results provide valuable insight for both policymakers and environmental agencies to maintain aquatic ecosystem health and public confidence in water safety.