Past trophic status and hypolimnetic anoxia during eutrophicaton and remediation of Gravenhurst Bay, Ontario: comparison of diatoms, chironomids, and historical records

Quantitative paleolimnological inferences of diatom-inferred total phosphorus and chironomid-inferred hypolimnetic oxygen levels (measured as the anoxic factor) were compared along with historical records for Gravenhurst Bay, Ontario, prior to and following sewage treatment. Water quality declined dramatically following European settlement in the mid-1800s and reached its highest inferred nutrient concentrations during the first half of the twentieth century. After treatment of sewage began in 1972, surface water total phosphorus rapidly returned to near oligotrophic conditions. Diatom assemblages reflected the period of nutrient enrichment, as well as the subsequent recovery. Chironomid assemblages exhibited trends consistent with decreased availability of dissolved oxygen to deepwater habitats since ca. 1886, with profundal taxa being largely absent since ca. 1958 when deepwater anoxia became more severe. Despite remediation efforts, Gravenhurst Bay still experiences long periods of anoxia, and chironomid assemblages have shown no sign of recovery to the improved surface water quality. We suggest that chironomid assemblages responded more strongly to changes in deepwater oxygen availability than to epilimnetic nutrient concentrations, especially during periods of pronounced hypoxia. This study demonstrates the advantages of using both chironomids and diatoms in paleolimnological assessments of eutrophication, as the indicators track changes in different lake strata.

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Enhanced Prairie Wetland Effects on Surface Water Quality in Crowfoot Creek, Alberta

Water Quality Research Journal ◽

10.2166/wqrj.2003.022 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 38 (2) ◽

pp. 335-359 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Gerald R. Ontkean ◽

David S. Chanasyk ◽

Sandi Riemersma ◽

D. Rodney Bennett ◽

Jerry M. Brunen

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Surface Water ◽

Surface Water Quality ◽

Nutrient Status ◽

Nutrient Concentrations ◽

Prairie Wetland ◽

Spring Runoff ◽

Creek Watershed ◽

Decomposition Of Organic Matter ◽

Waterfowl Habitat

Abstract A three-year study was conducted to examine the effects of a prairie wetland enhanced for waterfowl habitat on surface water quality in the Crowfoot Creek watershed in southern Alberta, Canada. Monitoring was carried out at the Hilton wetland from mid-March to the end of October in 1997 to 1999 at two inflow sites and one outflow site. Data were collected on flow, total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN), total suspended solids (TSS), and fecal coliform (FC) bacteria. Nutrient concentrations were highest in the spring, and decreased during the remainder of the monitoring period each year. Nutrient concentrations did not change significantly within the wetland due to the form of nutrient, reduced retention times for nutrient uptake, and the addition of nutrients to the water through sediment release and decomposition of organic matter. The wetland acted as both a source and a sink for nutrients, depending on flow volumes. TSS concentrations decreased significantly from inflow to outflow, indicating sedimentation occurred in the wetland. FC bacteria levels were lowest in the spring and increased during the post-spring runoff (PSRO) period. FC bacteria counts decreased significantly within the wetland throughout the entire year. The Hilton wetland was effective in reducing the amounts of TSS and FC bacteria exported from the wetland; however, there was no significant change in nutrient status.

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Surface Water Quality of Intensive Farming Areas Within the Santa Lucia River Basin of Uruguay

Air Soil and Water Research ◽

10.1177/1178622117715446 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 10 ◽

pp. 117862211771544 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Patricia Barreto ◽

Santiago Dogliotti ◽

Carlos Perdomo

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Surface Water ◽

River Basin ◽

Total Phosphorus ◽

Agricultural Land ◽

Surface Water Quality ◽

Human Consumption ◽

Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽

Intensive Farming ◽

Agricultural Use

The Santa Lucia River basin provides drinking water to 60% of Uruguay population. The input of excessive amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus both from point and nonpoint sources could impair surface water quality and prevent its use for human consumption. The objective of this work was to evaluate surface water quality in small catchments under agricultural use located within this river basin. To this end, 5 streams and 4 small polders were surveyed between September 2008 and December 2009. The median concentrations of total phosphorus and total nitrogen in the streams across all sites and periods were 770 and 1659 µg L−1, respectively, exceeding in the case of total phosphorus national and international thresholds. Furthermore, soluble phosphorous, the most readily available form to algae, represented 88.3% of total phosphorus. Concentrations of phosphorous and nitrogen in polders were also high. The eutrophication process of this water bodies could be linked to the intensive agricultural land use in the area because the nutrient input from cities and industries was not relevant in these catchments.

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Characterization and variations of dissolved organic matter in the Lake Taihu area of China

Water Science & Technology Water Supply ◽

10.2166/ws.2012.007 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 12 (4) ◽

pp. 439-450

Author(s):

Yong Qiu ◽

Hanchang Shi ◽

He Jing ◽

Rui Liu ◽

Qiang Cai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Organic Matter ◽

Surface Water ◽

Dissolved Organic Matter ◽

Lake Taihu ◽

Surface Water Quality ◽

Spatial Variations ◽

Nutrient Concentrations ◽

Wet Season ◽

Seasonal And Spatial Variations

Lake Taihu in China is a eutrophicated lake surrounded by industrial and urbanized zones, thus its water quality often suffers from organic and nutrient contaminants. In this paper, a 1 year water quality survey was conducted around the lake and statistical analysis tools were used to characterize the variations of organic pollutants. Analysis of variance (ANOVA), cluster analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) confirm the seasonal and spatial variations of surface water quality in Lake Taihu. Surface water quality is better during the wet season and worse downstream during the dry season. The dissolved organic matter was further analyzed using a parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) model with three-dimensional excitation-emission fluorescence matrices. Four components were extracted from the fluorescence data, namely, two autochthonous biodegradation products (C1: amino acids, C4: protein-like materials) and two humic-like substances (C2: from microbial processing, C3: terrestrial). C1 and C4 were dominant in the chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) fluorophores; this result is similar to those of other inland water bodies in China. The CDOM fluorophores showed similar seasonal and spatial variations with common water quality indices, with the exception of the seasonal responses of C2 in winter. Bivariance correlations between the organic and nutrient concentrations and the fluorescence intensities of the CDOM fluorophores imply possible common sources of the different contaminants. This paper exemplifies advanced statistical methods as a useful tool in understanding the behavior of contaminants in inland fresh water systems.

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Groundwater impacts on surface water quality and nutrient loads in lowland polder catchments: monitoring the greater Amsterdam area

Hydrology and Earth System Sciences ◽

10.5194/hess-22-487-2018 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

pp. 487-508 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Liang Yu ◽

Joachim Rozemeijer ◽

Boris M. van Breukelen ◽

Maarten Ouboter ◽

Corné van der Vlugt ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Surface Water ◽

Surface Water Quality ◽

Anthropogenic Sources ◽

Nutrient Concentrations ◽

Nutrient Loads ◽

Surface Water Chemistry ◽

Seepage Rate ◽

Groundwater Seepage ◽

Nutrient Levels

Abstract. The Amsterdam area, a highly manipulated delta area formed by polders and reclaimed lakes, struggles with high nutrient levels in its surface water system. The polders receive spatially and temporally variable amounts of water and nutrients via surface runoff, groundwater seepage, sewer leakage, and via water inlets from upstream polders. Diffuse anthropogenic sources, such as manure and fertiliser use and atmospheric deposition, add to the water quality problems in the polders. The major nutrient sources and pathways have not yet been clarified due to the complex hydrological system in lowland catchments with both urban and agricultural areas. In this study, the spatial variability of the groundwater seepage impact was identified by exploiting the dense groundwater and surface water monitoring networks in Amsterdam and its surrounding polders. A total of 25 variables (concentrations of total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), NH4, NO3, HCO3, SO4, Ca, and Cl in surface water and groundwater, N and P agricultural inputs, seepage rate, elevation, land-use, and soil type) for 144 polders were analysed statistically and interpreted in relation to sources, transport mechanisms, and pathways. The results imply that groundwater is a large source of nutrients in the greater Amsterdam mixed urban–agricultural catchments. The groundwater nutrient concentrations exceeded the surface water environmental quality standards (EQSs) in 93 % of the polders for TP and in 91 % for TN. Groundwater outflow into the polders thus adds to nutrient levels in the surface water. High correlations (R2 up to 0.88) between solutes in groundwater and surface water, together with the close similarities in their spatial patterns, confirmed the large impact of groundwater on surface water chemistry, especially in the polders that have high seepage rates. Our analysis indicates that the elevated nutrient and bicarbonate concentrations in the groundwater seepage originate from the decomposition of organic matter in subsurface sediments coupled to sulfate reduction and possibly methanogenesis. The large loads of nutrient-rich groundwater seepage into the deepest polders indirectly affect surface water quality in the surrounding area, because excess water from the deep polders is pumped out and used to supply water to the surrounding infiltrating polders in dry periods. The study shows the importance of the connection between groundwater and surface water nutrient chemistry in the greater Amsterdam area. We expect that taking account of groundwater–surface water interaction is also important in other subsiding and urbanising deltas around the world, where water is managed intensively in order to enable agricultural productivity and achieve water-sustainable cities.

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Performance Assessment of Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plants Operating on Different Technologies

International Journal of Engineering and Advanced Technology - Regular Issue ◽

10.35940/ijeat.c5454.029320 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 1649-1653

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Surface Water ◽

Municipal Wastewater ◽

Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽

Sewage Treatment ◽

Drainage System ◽

Surface Water Quality ◽

Domestic Wastewater ◽

Effluent Quality

Delhi, the most populated city in the country, is the capital of India. The huge population, urbanization and industrial processes contribute to degradation of water quality which is further aggravated by direct disposal of untreated domestic wastewater into the river Yamuna. In Delhi, the sewerage system is badly affected by improper management of the drainage system and insufficient installation of sewers in undeveloped as well as slum areas of the city which degrade the surface water quality of Yamuna River and create unhygienic conditions for the increasing population. In this study, three sewage treatment plants (STPs) have been selected which are situated at Najafgarh, Delhi Gate and Shahdara based on different technologies like Extended Aeration (EA), Biological Filtration and Oxygenated Reactor (BIOFOR) and Phytorid in order to assess the quality of wastewater before and after treatment and determining the removal efficiencies of various parameters. The study reveals that the performance of Delhi Gate and Shahdara STPs based on BIOFOR and Phytorid technologies are more efficient for the treatment of the municipal wastewater which can be further be safely disposed off into surface water and can be used for non-domestic purposes like irrigation, agriculture, cleaning of parks and streets. The effluent quality of Najafgarh STP based on EA technology is found to be less efficient as compared to the BIOFOR and Phytorid technologies. Hence, it is required to be operated and maintained properly with close supervision so as to achieve effluent quality standards as prescribed by the Indian standards

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Steps in Planning the Expansion of the Large Sewage Treatment Plant at Buchenhofen, Operated by the Wupper Watershed Management Association

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.1990.0237 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 22 (7-8) ◽

pp. 123-129 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jörg Londong ◽

Stefan Zander

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Surface Water ◽

Activated Sludge ◽

Sewage Treatment ◽

Sewage Treatment Plant ◽

Treatment Plant ◽

Surface Water Quality ◽

Class Ii ◽

Activated Sludge Process ◽

Quality Class

Sewage from 700,000 PE, roughly half of which is discharged by industry, is treated at the Buchenhofen plant operated by the WWMA, using a conventional, activated-sludge process without specific nutrient elimination. A draft management plan has been prepared for the receiving stream of the treatment plant, the Lower Wupper. The chief forms of use for the waters are fixed in binding agreements. The use entailing the strictest limiting values is recreational fishing, which demands surface water quality class II. Very substantial demands, which must be regarded as at least equivalent to state-of-the-art technology, are imposed on the Buchenhofen facility. The Institut für Siedlungswasserbau, Wassergütewirtschaft und Abfalltechnik at the University of Stuttgart was commissioned to formulate realistic purification objectives for the treatment plant and to prepare expansion concepts. At Buchenhofen, the single-stage activated sludge process with nitrification and preliminary de-nitrification has proved to be the most effective method for eliminating nitrogen while simultaneous precipitation followed by flocculation-filtration is the best process for eliminating phosphorus. For purely scientific reasons, however, the extreme demands in terms of ammonium and nitrite rule out expansion of a treatment plant of this size. The proposed designs therefore require validation through commercial-scale testing. Only after a 6- to 12-month test series has been evaluated will a draft design be prepared for approval, ultimately enabling the plant to be expanded and to fulfil the management planning objective of achieving surface water quality class II in the Wupper.

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Groundwater impacts on surface water quality and nutrient loads in lowland polder catchments: monitoring the greater Amsterdam area

10.5194/hess-2017-99 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Liang Yu ◽

Joachim Rozemeijer ◽

Boris M. van Breukelen ◽

Maarten Ouboter ◽

Corné van der Vlugt ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Surface Water ◽

Surface Water Quality ◽

Nutrient Concentrations ◽

Nutrient Loads ◽

Monitoring Networks ◽

Total N ◽

Seepage Rate ◽

Groundwater Seepage ◽

Groundwater Surface Water Interaction

Abstract. In this study, the spatial variability of the groundwater seepage impact was identified by exploiting the dense groundwater and surface water monitoring networks in Amsterdam and its surrounding polders. Twenty-three variables (concentrations of Total-N, Total-P, NH4, NO3, HCO3, SO4, Ca, and Cl in surface water and groundwater, seepage rate, elevation, land-use, and soil type) for 144 polders were analysed. The results imply that groundwater is a large source of nutrients in these mixed urban/agricultural catchments. It is confirmed by high correlations (R2 up to 0.88) between solutes in groundwater and surface water, together with the close similarities in their spatial patterns. The groundwater nutrient concentrations exceeded the surface water Environmental Quality Standards (EQSs) in 93 % of the polders for TP and in 91 % for TN. The elevated nutrient and bicarbonate concentrations in the groundwater seepage originate from the decomposition of organic matter in subsurface sediments coupled to sulfate reduction and possibly methanogenesis. The large loads of nutrient rich groundwater seepage into the deepest polders indirectly affect surface water quality in the surrounding area, because excess water from the deep polders is pumped out and used to supply water to the surrounding infiltrating polders in dry periods. The study shows the importance of the connection between groundwater and surface water nutrient chemistry in the greater Amsterdam area. We expect that taking account of groundwater-surface water interaction is also important in other subsiding and urbanising deltas around the world, where water is managed intensively in order to enable agricultural productivity and achieve water sustainable cities.

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