A Test of the Effects of Lime on Algal Biomass and Total Phosphorus Concentrations in Edmonton Stormwater Retention Lakes

1989 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 129-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Babin ◽  
E. E. Prepas ◽  
T. P. Murphy ◽  
H. R. Hamilton
Keyword(s):  
Total Phosphorus ◽  
Algal Biomass ◽  
Stormwater Retention

scholarly journals Impacts of drying and reflooding on water quality of a tropical semi-arid reservoir during an extended drought event

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jéssica Nayara de Carvalho Leite ◽  
Vanessa Becker
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Electrical Conductivity ◽  
Chlorophyll A ◽  
Total Phosphorus ◽  
Algal Biomass ◽  
Soluble Reactive Phosphorus ◽  
Drought Event ◽  
Reactive Phosphorus ◽  
Semi Arid

Abstract Aim The aim of this study was to analyze the water quality of a tropical, semi-arid reservoir after a reflooding. In terms of impact on water quality after a drought event, it is expected that there will be improvements with the reflooding. Less algal biomass, increased water transparency, decreased turbidity and low nutrient concentration. Methods This study was performed in a tropical, semi-arid man-made lake (Dourado Reservoir), during an extended drought period. This study consisted of a comparison of three distinct periods determined by water accumulation. The limnological variables, including water transparency, turbidity, electrical conductivity, pH, total phosphorus, soluble reactive phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a were analyzed. A principal component analysis (PCA) was also performed to verify the patterns of the variables in relation to the sample units in the studied periods. Results After water renewal, there was an expressive reduction in chlorophyll-a. Electrical conductivity, pH, and turbidity variables also reduced after the reflooding, indicating an improvement in water quality. There was no reduction in total phosphorus and soluble reactive phosphorus after the reflooding compared to the previous periods. Conclusions The significant reduction in algal biomass after reflooding in Dourado indicates water quality improvement in terms of eutrophication due to the change of the trophic state from eutrophic to mesotrophic.

scholarly journals Performance Assessment of a Laboratory Scale Prototype Biofiltration System in Tropical Region

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1947 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Hermawan ◽  
Amin Talei ◽  
Janet Leong ◽  
Mayuran Jayatharan ◽  
Hui Goh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Total Phosphorus ◽  
Phosphorus Removal ◽  
Temperate Climate ◽  
Root Penetration ◽  
Filter Media ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Tropical Conditions ◽  
Urban Catchments ◽  
Stormwater Retention

Biofiltration systems, as one of the best management practices, have good potentials to improve stormwater quality and hydrology of urban catchments. While biofiltration systems are well-studied in developed countries, the majority of those studies are conducted for temperate climate and there is a lack of lab-scale and field-scale studies on such systems under tropical conditions. This paper focuses on the performance of a lab-scale prototype biofiltration systems in stormwater retention efficiency as well as pollutants removal (including heavy metals and nutrients) from synthetic stormwater reproducing tropical rainfall events. A three-layer sand-based filter media with two different native plants including Pedilanthus tithymaloides and Cyperus alternifolius was selected for this study. Results showed that the system with Cyperus has a better stormwater retention capacity compared to the one with Pedilanthus. In addition, the observed infiltration rate in Cyperus and Pedilanthus were 338 mm/h and 267 mm/h, respectively. The better hydraulic performance in the system with Cyperus was attributed to the deeper and more extensive root penetration of this plant (as deep as 800 mm) compared to Pedilanthus (as deep as 250 mm). While both systems failed to perform well in removing total nitrogen, they performed significantly better in removing total phosphorus (Cyperus and Pedilanthus removed 67.3% and 62.5% of total phosphorus, respectively). The statistical analysis of results showed that the top 100 mm layer of filter media is the main contributor to total phosphorus removal. However, no major differences were observed between the two systems in phosphorus removal. Moreover, both systems were also capable of removing the available heavy metals (i.e., Fe, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) as the removal efficiencies exceeded 90%, except for Fe (76%). Similar to phosphorus, it was concluded that the top layer is the major contributor to the heavy metals removal. Overall, the biofiltration system using Cyperus was found to be a successful system for operating under tropical conditions.

Relationships among nutrients, algae, and land use in urbanized southern California streams

2006 ◽  
Vol 63 (12) ◽  
pp. 2621-2638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lilian B Busse ◽  
Juliet C Simpson ◽  
Scott D Cooper
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Total Phosphorus ◽  
Algal Biomass ◽  
Southern California ◽  
Stream Water ◽  
Algal Growth ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Total Chlorophyll ◽  
Impervious Surfaces ◽  
High Nutrient

We surveyed algal cover, algal biomass, and physical and chemical factors at 14 sites representing a range of land use types in the Malibu Creek watershed in southern California, USA. We also conducted nutrient diffuser substrate experiments to identify the nutrient limiting algal growth. Algal biomass increased with urbanization, reaching very high levels in the most urbanized streams (up to 322.4 mg chlorophyll a·m-2). Total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and benthic and total chlorophyll concentrations were positively correlated with the proportion of upstream land covered by impervious surfaces. Relationships between land use and algal biomass or nutrient concentrations were evaluated at 100 m, 500 m, and whole subwatershed scales. The closest relationships were found at the 500 m scale, where 56% of the variation in total chlorophyll could be explained by the proportion of land within a 500 m radius upstream covered by impervious surfaces. Floating macroalgae were observed in the summer in pools with high nutrient and light levels, whereas benthic algal biomass was positively related to total phosphorus concentrations and current speed. Other methods of determining nutrient limitation (nutrient diffuser substrate experiment, molar N/P ratios in stream water) produced conflicting results, possibly because algal growth was saturated by high nutrient levels at some of the study sites.

Application of Lime and Alum to Stormwater Retention Lakes to Improve Water Quality

1992 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 365-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Babin ◽  
E. E. Prepas ◽  
Y. Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Algal Biomass ◽  
Algal Growth ◽  
Open Water ◽  
Buffering Capacity ◽  
Point Sources ◽  
Filamentous Algae ◽  
Chemical Treatments ◽  
Improve Water Quality ◽  
Stormwater Retention

Abstract Urban stormwater retention lakes receive enormous amounts of nutrients from point (sewers) and non-point (domestic runoff) sources. Water quality in these lakes is poor and characterized by: 1) high phosphorus concentrations and algal biomass, 2) poor buffering capacity (alkalinity as low as 60 mg/L as CaCO3); and 3) high pH (often greater than 9). Thus chemical treatments which alter pH will have to be carefully considered. Recently, we used lime (Ca(OH)2) and/or alum (Al2(SO4)3·14H2O) to reduce phosphorus concentrations in the water column and precipitate out particulate matter. Of the two chemical treatments, we found that a lime/alum mixture was better at controlling macrophytes and shoreline filamentous algae, but alum was better at controlling planktonic algal growth and turbidity. A combination of both chemicals, lime which elevates pH and alum which lowers pH, is used to maintain pH within a desirable range (6-10). Overall water quality can be improved through the application of alum/lime mixtures, however, these applications will have to be applied routinely throughout the open-water season due to continuous inputs of nutrients from point- and non-point sources.

Relationships between Nannoplankton and Lake Trophic Status

1981 ◽  
Vol 38 (8) ◽  
pp. 960-967 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Watson ◽  
Jaap Kalff
Keyword(s):  
Total Phosphorus ◽  
Algal Biomass ◽  
Trophic Status ◽  
Relative Proportion ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Alternative Measure ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
Empirical Relationships ◽  
General Scale ◽  
Generally True

The hypotheses that with increasing eutrophication (1) nannoplankton biomass increases and (2) the relative proportion (percent) of nannoplankton biomass decreases were tested with data from Lake Memphremagog, a lake exhibiting a nutrient gradient, and on a more general scale using published data from a number of lakes. Both hypotheses were supported within and among lakes if trophic status was defined by total algal biomass. This was also generally true if total phosphorus (TP) was used as an alternative measure of trophy, although percent nannoplankton biomass showed no relationship to TP among lakes. Empirical relationships that allow a first prediction of total nannoplankton biomass from total algal biomass or TP were calculated. The data suggest that among lakes, net plankton will show a more variable relationship with TP than nannoplankton.Key words: nannoplankton, net plankton, trophic status, total biomass, total phosphorus

Response of Lake Ontario to Reductions in Phosphorus Load, 1967–82

1987 ◽  
Vol 44 (12) ◽  
pp. 2059-2068 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. J. Stevens ◽  
M. A. Neilson
Keyword(s):  
Response Time ◽  
Multiple Regression ◽  
Total Phosphorus ◽  
Algal Biomass ◽  
Soluble Reactive Phosphorus ◽  
Lake Ontario ◽  
Multiple Regression Equation ◽  
Phosphorus Load ◽  
N:P Ratios ◽  
Reactive Phosphorus

Total phosphorus (TP) loading to Lake Ontario has declined from 14 600 t∙yr−1 in 1969 to 8900 t∙yr−1 in 1982. Midlake spring TP has responded rapidly to these reductions, decreasing at the rate of 1.09 μg∙L−1∙yr−1 from a maximum of 30.6 μg∙L−1 in 1973 to 12.8 μg∙L−1 in 1982. Spring soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) exhibited a proportionally larger decrease than TP such that 1982 SRP was 33% of 1973 levels, compared with 42% for TP. A multiple regression equation indicated an 80% response time of spring TP within 2 yr and a 90% response time within 4 yr. Spring nitrate plus nitrite has increased since 1969 at the rate of 9.5 μg∙L−1∙yr−1 causing N:P ratios to increase from 10 to 32. Mean summer epilimnetic TP declined at the rate of only 0.3 μg∙L−1∙yr−1 from 1977 to 1982 so that mean summer TP levels now exceed spring TP by 1–2 μg∙L−1. This suggests that loading to the lake during the stratified period has not shown a similar decline and may be responsible for the lack of a trend in algal biomass indicators during this period.

Assessment of Stormwater Retention Basin Water Quality in Winnipeg, Canada

2003 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 433-450 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah C. Wakelin ◽  
Panagiotis Elefsiniotis ◽  
David G. Wareham
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Dissolved Oxygen ◽  
Total Phosphorus ◽  
Algal Growth ◽  
Fecal Coliforms ◽  
Coliform Bacteria ◽  
Canada Geese ◽  
Dead Biomass ◽  
Retention Basin ◽  
Stormwater Retention

Abstract The water quality behaviour of 58 stormwater retention basins in Winnipeg, Canada, was intensively studied during a 5-month summer period (May to September). Dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature, turbidity, transparency and depth were measured onsite. Samples analyzed in the laboratory included: total suspended solids (TSS), pH, chlorophyll α, fecal coliforms (FC), total kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), ammonia, nitrate, total phosphorus (TP) and orthophosphate. Results showed that increases in TSS and turbidity resulted from increased chlorophyll α concentrations associated with algal growth. TKN increases were partly the result of nitrogen incorporation into proteinaceous material in the algal cells. Ammonia concentrations showed a maximum attributed to chemoheterotrophic degradation of dead biomass. Orthophosphate made up 30% to 50% of the total phosphorus present and the two followed the same general trends. Temperature increased and then decreased over the summer months with no apparent thermal stratification. After starting the summer with no dissolved oxygen gradient between top and bottom, depletion of the dissolved oxygen at the bottom of the basins during the latter half of the summer was attributed to chemoheterotrophic degradation of dead biomass. Finally, substantial counts of fecal coliform bacteria occurred in the basins in response to Canada geese migration.

Contrasting Patterns of Net- and Nanoplankton Production and Biomass among Lakes

1988 ◽  
Vol 45 (5) ◽  
pp. 915-920 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Watson ◽  
Edward McCauley
Keyword(s):  
Total Phosphorus ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Algal Biomass ◽  
Net Primary Production ◽  
Relative Growth ◽  
Relative Growth Rates ◽  
Size Fractions ◽  
Relative Contribution ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The World

The relative contribution of nanoplankton to total algal biomass was shown to be negatively correlated with total phosphorus during summer over a wide range of lakes. We hypothesize that this pattern can be explained either by changes in the relative growth rates of net- or nanoplankton with increased nutrient levels, or through the regulation of the nanoplankton biomass by herbivores, allowing disproportionate increases in netplankton biomass in more eutrophic systems. These explanations were tested by examining the relationships between net primary production (grams of carbon per cubic metre per year) and biomass (micrograms per litre) of these size fractions and total phosphorus concentrations (micrograms per litre) using literature data from lakes through-out the world. The production of the net- and nanoplankton vary similarly with total phosphorus, while the biomasses (and thus the ratios of production to biomass) of the two groups show significantly different relationships. Our results support the hypothesis that changes in the size distribution of summer phytoplankton with enrichment seem to be influenced more by herbivores than by changes in the relative growth rates of the two size fractions.

Evaluation of Total Phosphorus as a Predictor of the Relative Biomass of Blue-green Algae with Emphasis on Alberta Lakes

1987 ◽  
Vol 44 (7) ◽  
pp. 1337-1342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annette M. Trimbee ◽  
E. E. Prepas
Keyword(s):  
Green Algae ◽  
Total Phosphorus ◽  
Algal Biomass ◽  
Dynamic Equilibrium ◽  
Empirical Models ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
New Model ◽  
Blue Green Algae ◽  
Model Based ◽  
Green Algal

The relative biomass of blue-green algae in freshwater (total dissolved solids < 500 mg∙L−1) Alberta lakes was consistently underestimated by two recent empirical models based on total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), Secchi disc depth (SD), and depth of the mixed layer (Zm). We regrouped the data used in these empirical models to eliminate the potential biases introduced by including data from lakes not in dynamic equilibrium and generated a new model based on TP. This new model accounted for 11% more of the variation in relative blue-green algal biomass than the original model based on TN, TP, SD, and Zm and 21% more than the model based on TN to TP ratios and SD to Zm ratios. This new model was also a much better predictor of the relative biomass of blue-green algae in Alberta lakes than the original models. In addition, for lakes in Alberta, TP was a much better predictor of total blue-green algal biomass than TN or the TN to TP ratio. Our analyses suggest that for large numbers of lakes, TP may be as good or better an indicator of relative and total biomass of blue-green algae than TN or TN to TP ratios.

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