Modeling the response of eutrophication control measures in a Swedish lake

The response of a biogeochemical lake model (BIOLA) to different eutrophication management actions has been studied in a eutrophic lake. Management actions included in the study were nutrient load reduction, sediment manipulation, biomanipulation, and herbicide application. The model was used to simulate nutrient and biomass concentrations in the lake during the 1990s. During the same period, management scenarios were also simulated. Several ecological parameters were calibrated to better simulate the behavior of the chosen lake, but there were still some difficulties with phosphate. This indicated that further model development is necessary. The most favorable development within the lake was found for scenarios with nutrient load reduction and biomanipulation through planktivorous fish reduction. Reducing both the nitrogen and phosphorus loads had a greater effect on the lake's water quality than simply reducing just one of the nutrients.     

Packing material formulation for odorous emission biofiltration

In biological gas treatment, like biofiltration of volatile organic compounds or odorous substances, the microbial nutritional needs could be a key factor of the process. The aim of this work is to propose a new packing material able to provide the lacking nutrients. In the first part of this study, two kinds of material composed of calcium carbonate, an organic binder and two different nitrogen sources, ammonium phosphate and urea phosphate (UP), were compared. The new supports present bulk densities between 0.88 and 1.15g cm(-3), moisture retention capacities close to 50% and 70%, and water cohesion capacities greater than six months for the material with 20% binder. In the second part, oxygen consumption measurements in liquid experiments show that these packing materials could enhance bacterial growth compared to pine bark or pozzolan and have no inhibitory effect. The biodegradation of different substrates (sodium sulfide and ammonia) and the support colonization by the biomass were evaluated. Finally, UP 20 was chosen and tested in a hydrogen sulfide or ammoniac biofiltration process. This showed that, for H2S concentrations greater than 100mg m(-3), UP 20 has a real advantage over pine bark or pozzolan.     

Response of sediment calcium and magnesium species to the regional acid deposition in eutrophic Taihu Lake,China

Acid deposition causes carbonate dissolution in watersheds and leads to profound impacts on water chemistry of lakes. Here, we presented a detailed study on the seasonal, spatial, and vertical variations of calcium and magnesium species in the overlying water, interstitial water, and sediment profiles in eutrophic Taihu Lake under the circumstance of regional acid deposition. The result showed that both the acid deposition and biomineralization in Taihu Lake had effects on Ca and Mg species. In the lake water, calcium carbonate was saturated or over-saturated based on long-term statistical calculation of the saturation index (SI). On the sediment profiles, significant difference in Ca and Mg species existed between the surface sediment (0–10 cm) and deeper sediments (>10 cm). The interstitial water Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, ion-exchangeable Ca and Mg in the surface sediment were higher than those in the deeper sediment. In the spring, when the acid deposition is more intensive, the acid-extracted Ca and Mg in the surface sediment were lower than that in the deeper sediment in the northwest lake, due to carbonate dissolution caused by the regional acid deposition. Spatially, the higher concentration of acid-extracted Ca and Mg in the northwest surface sediment than that in the east lake was observed, indicating the pronounced carbonate biomineralization by algae bloom in the northwest lake. Statistical analysis showed that acid deposition exerted a stronger impact on the variation of acid-extracted Ca and Mg in the surface sediment than the biomineralization in Taihu Lake. For the total Ca and Mg concentration in the spring, however, no significant change between the surface and deeper sediment in the northwest lake was observed, indicating that the carbonate precipitation via biomineralization and the carbonate dissolution due to acidic deposition were in a dynamic balance. These features are of major importance for the understanding of combined effects of acid deposition and eutrophication on freshwater lakes.

     

粉煤灰合成沸石去除城市暴雨径流中氨氮

采用粉煤灰为原料,通过耦合碱熔-两步合成法制得3种合成沸石产品,并以合成沸石制备大粒径的功能填料。通过氨氮吸附速率实验和等温吸附实验探讨了合成沸石及功能填料的氨氮吸附速率和最大吸附容量(Qm),以功能填料构建模拟人工快速渗滤系统,研究其对城市暴雨径流中氨氮的去除效果。结果表明,合成沸石对氨氮的吸附速率极快,5min去除率约达到75%,氨氮最大吸附容量为11.36～16.13 mg/g;功能填料对氨氮的最大吸附容量有所下降,但氨氮吸附速率仍较快,应用于模拟人工快速渗滤系统时能在较高的水力负荷下快速去除城市暴雨径流中的氨氮。碱处理再生法更适于进行合成沸石功能填料原位再生,氨氮吸附容量一次再生率达到67%～87%。     

Evaluation of eutrophication process in Lake Sapanca (Sakarya, Turkey)

Lakes are generally subjected to wastewater discharges from various sources. Certain chemicals, such as nitrogen, phosphorus and carbon, in the right concentrations can distort and disrupt aquatic ecosystems by overfeeding. Eutrophication of inland bodies of water has become synonymous with the deterioration of water quality, which interferes with most of the beneficial uses of waters. Eutrophication is the consequence of a lake.s nutrient enrichment. In recent years, this problem has been increasingly acute due to the discharge of nutrients. The principal sources of nutrient inputs are municipal wastes, industrial wastes, agricultural runoff and atmospheric fallout. Lake Sapanca, which is located in the northern part of Marmara region of Turkey, is the subject of this paper. In this study, the eutrophication of the lake was evaluated.     

Effect of immobilized microalgal bead concentrations on wastewater nutrient removal

A unicellular green microalga, Chlorella vulgaris, entrapped in calcium alginate as algal beads were employed to remove nutrients (N and P) from simulated settled domestic wastewater. A significantly higher nutrient reduction was found in bioreactors containing algal beads (at concentrations ranging from 4 to 20 beads ml(-1) wastewater) than the blank alginate beads (without algae). A complete removal of NH(4)(+)-N and around 95% reduction of PO(4)(3-)-P was achieved within 24 h of treatment in bioreactors having the optimal algal bead concentration (12 beads ml(-1), equivalent to 1:3 algal beads:wastewater, v/v). The NH(4)(+)-N removal was significantly lower at low (around 4 beads ml(-1)) and high (>15 beads ml(-1)) algal bead concentrations. On the other hand, the effect of bead concentration on phosphate removal was less obvious, and bead concentrations ranging from 8 to 20 beads ml(-1) showed comparable percentages of phosphate reduction. Algal uptake and adsorption on alginate gels were found to be the major processes involved in the removal of N and phosphate in the present study. In addition, NH(4)(+)-N could be lost via ammonia volatilization while PO(4)(3-)-P was removed by chemical precipitation, as alkaline pH was recorded in the immobilized microalgal treatment system.     

Effects of acidic deposition on forest and aquatic ecosystems in New York State

Acidic deposition is comprised of sulfuric and nitric acids and ammonium derived from atmospheric emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and ammonia, respectively. Acidic deposition has altered soil through depletion of labile pools of nutrient cations (i.e. calcium, magnesium), accumulation of sulfur and nitrogen, and the mobilization of elevated concentrations of inorganic monomeric aluminum to soil solutions in acid-sensitive areas. Acidic deposition leaches essential calcium from needles of red spruce, making this species more susceptible to freezing injury. Mortality among sugar maples appears to result from deficiencies of nutrient cations, coupled with other stresses such as insect defoliation or drought. Acidic deposition has impaired surface water quality in the Adirondack and Catskill regions of New York by lowering pH levels, decreasing acid-neutralizing capacity, and increasing aluminum concentrations. Acidification has reduced the diversity and abundance of aquatic species in lakes and streams. There are also linkages between acidic deposition and fish mercury contamination and eutrophication of estuaries.     

太湖流域小型水源性湖泊氮、磷时空分布及营养状态评价

2009年11月至2010年10月,对太湖流域小型水源性湖泊20个采样点水体的TN、TP、NO3--N、NH4+-N、NO2--N以及PO43-等水质因子进行测定分析,讨论了氮、磷时空分布特征,并评价其富营养化程度。结果表明,TN、TP年均值分别为1.50、0.05mg/L;TN、TP的季节性变化规律具有一定差异,TN浓度为冬、春季高于夏、秋季,而TP浓度为2009年11月至2010年3月高于其他月份。由于受入湖河流的影响,TN、TP的空间分布格局较为相似,均表现为西南部高于东北部、入湖口分别高于湖中心和出湖口。NO3--N年均值为0.68mg/L,浓度变化趋势呈双峰型(2010年3、9月为峰值),基本同TN的变化趋势一致,空间分布表现为入湖口分别低于湖中心和出湖口(除冬季外),显示水体硝化过程对硝酸盐的贡献。NH4+-N年均值为0.23mg/L,从2010年4月开始浓度逐渐升高,到2010年7月达到全年最高值,其浓度空间分布特征表现为入、出湖口均高于湖中心(除秋季外)。NO2--N和PO43-的年均值都较低,均为0.01mg/L(以P计),时空差异不明显。根据CARLSON提出的营养状态指数法计算分析可知,该湖泊冬、春季处于中营养状态,夏、秋季营养状态略高,且磷是全年初级生产力的限制因子。     

Instrument development and application in studies and monitoring of ambient ammonia

During recent years, it has become clear that ammonia is an important gas in relation to different environmental issues, such as acidification, eutrophication, human health and climate change (through particle formation). Therefore, there is a growing need to develop and apply instrumentation suitable for research into emission, dispersion, conversion and deposition of ammonia and ammonium. Recently, several instruments were developed suitable for measuring concentrations in ambient conditions even at very low levels, such as ammonia sensors suitable for monitoring and research, deposition measuring systems and aerosol samplers for on-line measurement of aerosol composition. These instruments have been tested and applied in a number of field studies. These studies include dry deposition measurements, ammonium nitrate studies in relation to the (in)direct aerosol effect, emission studies and policy evaluation with concentration and deposition monitoring data. The policy evaluation study showed that the measures to reduce ammonia emissions were not as successful as projected beforehand by statistical studies.     

Changes in primary productivity associated with liming and reacidification of an Adirondack lake

The addition of calcium carbonate to a clearwater acidic lake had a significant effect on phytoplankton abundance and on the biomass-specific rate of production. Chlorophyll concentrations and productivity: biomass ratios were strongly correlated with changes in lake acidity associated with liming and reacidification (r2=0.89 and 0.73, respectively). Summer mean chlorophyll increased by 0.9 mg m(-3) for each unit increase in lake pH, whereas productivity:biomass ratios decreased from > 2 to < 1 with an increase in pH from 5.5 to 7.0. Higher phytoplankton standing crops after liming were attributed to lower grazing rates following the decline of the dominant zooplankton taxa. A model relating biomass-specific productivity to incident light levels was found to be useful in interpreting treatment effects on productivity. Incident light and biomass (based on chlorophyll) accounted for 81% of the variability in productivity at the treated site. Comparisons of photosynthesis-irradiance curves indicated that the maximum photosynthetic capacity was higher following the watershed liming, compared to data collected after lake liming and during reacidification.     

One-dimensional model for biogeochemical interactions and permeability reduction in soils during leachate permeation

This paper uses the findings from a column study to develop a reactive model for exploring the interactions occurring in leachate-contaminated soils. The changes occurring in the concentrations of acetic acid, sulphate, suspended and attached biomass, Fe(II), Mn(II), calcium, carbonate ions, and pH in the column are assessed. The mathematical model considers geochemical equilibrium, kinetic biodegradation, precipitation-dissolution reactions, bacterial and substrate transport, and permeability reduction arising from bacterial growth and gas production. A two-step sequential operator splitting method is used to solve the coupled transport and biogeochemical reaction equations. The model gives satisfactory fits to experimental data and the simulations show that the transport of metals in soil is controlled by multiple competing biotic and abiotic reactions. These findings suggest that bioaccumulation and gas formation, compared to chemical precipitation, have a larger influence on hydraulic conductivity reduction.     

玄武湖蓝藻水华应急治理成效分析

2005年9-10月间，以粘土法为主，对玄武湖蓝藻水华进行了应急治理。经监测表明，应急治理有效抑制了蓝藻水华，湖区景观明显改善。形成蓝藻水华的微囊藻，各湖区下降幅度大于95％。综合污染指数、富营养化程度均有不同程度的降低，水体透明度提高0．14m，水质化学耗氧量、高锰酸盐指数、总磷浓度大幅降低，但生态补水主要流经区域pH无明显改善，各湖区总氮超标率有所上升。浮游植物数量下降93％，浮游动物种群数量上升47％，底栖动物种类数量无显著变化。相对静止水域细菌总数持平，生态补水流经区域细菌总数下降幅度较大。治理期间未发现大型水生植物、鱼虾批量死亡。沉积物中，铜、铅、砷含量无明显差异，汞含量升高，但低于往年监测水平，有机质略有升高，总磷含量有较大幅度上升。     

Comparison of microbial community between two shallow freshwater lakes in middle Yangtze basin, East China

In order to investigate the role of the microbial community in aquatic ecology and nutrient transformations in the development of eutrophication in large shallow freshwater lakes along Yangtze River, the microbial community in the depth-related sediment in Lake Chaohu and Lake Longganhu were compared. Lake Chaohu is one of the three most polluted lakes in China. However, the neighboring Lake Longganhu, a mesotrophic lake, is relatively pristine. The total phosphorous (TP) and total nitrogen (TN) concentration in water was detected at 0.193 mgl(-1) and 3.035 mgl(-1) for Lake Chaohu, 0.051 mgl(-1) and 0.774 mgl(-1) for Lake Longganhu, respectively. The population of the microorganisms with various ecological nutrient transforming functions (e.g. phosphate solubilizing, denitrifying and cellulose decomposing) and a batch of environmental parameters concerning the nutrient accumulating and transforming (e.g. total organic carbon, total nitrogen, and total phosphorous concentrations) were assayed in the depth-related sediment samples from several defined points in both lakes. The sediment samples from Lake Chaohu showed higher density of actinomycetes (P<0.05) and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (P<0.001) and less profusion of denitrifying bacteria (P<0.05) and cellulolytic microbes (P<0.001), compared with those of Lake Longganhu. The data suggested that the current microbial community in the sediment of Lake Chaohu is in favor of sustaining or further accelerating the process of the lake eutrophication. A possible positive feedback loop which consists of sustained growth of microorganisms and gradual decline of lake eutrophic status is worth further discussing.     

Accelerated seeded precipitation pre-treatment of municipal wastewater to reduce scaling

Membrane based treatment processes are very effective in removing salt from wastewater, but are hindered by calcium scale deposit formation. This study investigates the feasibility of removing calcium from treated sewage wastewater using accelerated seeded precipitation. The rate of calcium removal was measured during bench scale batch mode seeded precipitation experiments at pH 9.5 using various quantities of calcium carbonate as seed material. The results indicate that accelerated seeded precipitation may be a feasible option for the decrease of calcium in reverse osmosis concentrate streams during the desalination of treated sewage wastewater for irrigation purposes, promising decreased incidence of scaling and the option to control the sodium adsorption ratio and nutritional properties of the desalted water. It was found that accelerated seeded precipitation of calcium from treated sewage wastewater was largely ineffective if carried out without pre-treatment of the wastewater. Evidence was presented that suggests that phosphate may be a major interfering substance for the seeded precipitation of calcium from this type of wastewater. A pH adjustment to 9.5 followed by a 1-h equilibration period was found to be an effective pre-treatment for the removal of interferences. Calcium carbonate seed addition at 10 g l⁻¹ to wastewater that had been pre-treated in this way was found to result in calcium precipitation from supersaturated level at 60 mg l⁻¹ to saturated level at 5 mg l⁻¹. Approximately 90% reduction of the calcium level occurred 5 min after seed addition. A further 10% reduction was achieved 30 min after seed addition.     

Lake eutrophication at the urban fringe,Seattle region,USA

Nutrient pollution and associated eutrophication of freshwaters threaten the ecological integrity and the services provided to humans by lakes. We examined how human residential development influenced the level of lake eutrophication in the Seattle, WA, USA, region. We surveyed 30 lakes and measured 3 indicators of eutrophication: concentrations of chlorophyll-a and phosphorus, and the proportion of algae that are inedible to zooplankton. We classified lakes based on the waste-treatment method for shoreline homes: septic, sewer, and undeveloped lakes. Septic lakes occurred along the urban-rural fringe while sewer lakes occurred near urban centers. Septic lakes were more eutrophic than sewer lakes and undeveloped lakes, as indicated by higher levels of phosphorus and chlorophyll-a. These results suggest that septic systems contribute to the high levels of eutrophication in lakes at the urban-rural fringe. Lakes at the urban-rural fringe represent an opportunity for proactive management of urban expansion to minimize lake eutrophication.     

新型填料特性及其在生物脱硫中的应用

为解决生物脱硫反应器酸化问题,研制出一种具有pH缓冲能力的生物填料。填料主要由碳酸钙﹑纯丙乳液和羟丙基纤维素制得。填料在水中浸泡6个月不会分解,吸水率大于20%。考察填料pH缓冲能力,结果表明,填料能将pH=5.0水溶液调节至pH=6.5以上。选取缓冲能力较稳定的BT50填料填充于反应器,以排硫硫杆菌(Thiobacillus thio-parus)挂膜,5个循环后反应器有效体积内的最大固定化菌体数量约为5.86×108cells/mL,并且硫代硫酸钠的消耗速率基本稳定,表明该填料可用于生物挂膜。在长达50 d脱硫实验中,H2S脱除率均在95%以上,整个脱硫阶段不再加入任何pH调节剂,反应器内pH仍能维持在6.7～7.1之间。     

Nutrients removal and recovery by crystallization of magnesium ammonium phosphate from synthetic swine wastewater

With synthetic swine wastewater, lab-scale batch experiments were carried out to investigate the effects of pH value, magnesium dosage, calcium and carbonate concentrations on magnesium ammonium phosphate (MAP) crystallization. The morphology of the precipitates obtained was observed by using scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis, and the composition of the precipitates was analyzed with X-ray diffraction. The results show that the optimum pH value for MAP crystallization is in the range of 9.5-10.5; the phosphorus removal efficiency increases with the increase of Mg/P molar ratio; the optimum Mg/P molar ratio is 1.4, and excessive Mg dosage does not show significant effect on the efficiency improvement of MAP crystallization; the co-existing of Ca in solution disturbs the morphology and purity of the MAP product, and amorphous calcium phosphate will form when Ca increases to a certain concentration; CO3(2-) can affect the P removal efficiency, but does not obviously affect the morphology and purity of MAP.     

Factors affecting the degradation of amoxicillin in composting toilet

The biological and non-biological factors that affect the degradation of amoxicillin in the composting process of feces have been investigated. The effect of living bacteria and the enzyme (beta-lactamase) on amoxicillin decay was examined, and our results indicated that the biological effects are likely to be negligible. Consequently, the effect of phosphate, ammonia and pH level as non-biological factors was investigated by monitoring the reduction rate of amoxicillin in phosphate and ammonia buffer solutions with several pH levels. Each reduction rate constant was integrated by a simulation model, and the each calculated amoxicillin reduction profile was compared to the reduction profiles of amoxicillin in the composting process of feces. The calculated results corresponded almost exactly to the experimental profiles. We therefore concluded that the degradation of amoxicillin in a toilet matrix was dependent on the concentration of ammonia, phosphate and hydroxyl ion.     

基于景区湖泊污染的多功能水域清理船设计

针对我国城市景区湖泊富营养化和垃圾污染严重,传统景区水域清理存在各种不足等问题,设计研发多功能水域清理船灭杀蓝藻和清理垃圾,恢复景区湖泊生态环境。结合景区湖泊污染实际状况,提出把臭氧灭杀蓝藻应用于景区湖泊清理的新概念,研发一艘可无线遥控、集打捞垃圾、过滤小型悬浮微粒和灭杀蓝藻功能于一体的多功能水域清理船。通过无线遥控多功能水域清理船,能全面清理湖面垃圾,过滤小型悬浮微粒,臭氧灭杀率能达到90%以上。利用多功能水域清理船能维护景区小湖泊生态环境,在各类景观水体和小型湖泊的污染治理中具有很好的应用前景。     

The effects of chemical remediation treatments on the extractability and speciation of cadmium and lead in contaminated soils

Two rural soils contaminated by cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) were used to evaluate the effect of different chemical treatments on changes in speciation and extractability of Cd and Pb, and in phytoavailability to wheat. Triplicates of seven chemical treatments were tested to compare and evaluate the remediation techniques for contaminated soils using pot experiments. Treatments applied were calcium carbonate, a high quantity of phosphate salt, hog composts, iron oxide, manganese oxide, zeolite, and unamended control. Wheat (Triticum aestivum) was planted in the different amended soils for a further one month to evaluate the effectiveness of treatments on uptake of Cd and Pb by the wheat shoots. Results indicated that addition of calcium carbonate, manganese oxide, or zeolite reduces the extractability of Cd or Pb in both soils, and significantly reduce the uptake of Cd and Pb by wheat shoots. Changes in the extractability and metal sequential fractionations indicate that the exchangeable (or available) form of Cd and Pb in two soils can be transformed into unavailable forms after these amendments.