Attenuation of ultraviolet radiation in a large lake with low dissolved organic matter concentrations

1999 ◽  
Vol 56 (8) ◽  
pp. 1351-1361 ◽  
Author(s):  
REH Smith ◽  
J A Furgal ◽  
M N Charlton ◽  
B M Greenberg ◽  
V Hiriart ◽  
...  

Solar radiation spectra were measured in mesotrophic Lake Erie in 1997 to determine the principal factors influencing ultraviolet radiation (UVR) attenuation. Water clarity ranged widely, with the diffuse vertical attenuation coefficient for photosynthetically active radiation (KdIPAR) varying from 0.26 to 17.2 m-1, and UVR attenuation varied positively and significantly with KdIPAR. Particle concentration (total suspended solids, TSS) was the single most useful water quality characteristic for predicting broadband UVB (305-320 nm) and UVA (320-400 nm) attenuation. Dissolved organic carbon concentration (DOC) and fluorescence were much less important than TSS in predicting UVR attenuation over the typical range of water clarity (KdIPAR < 2 m-1). The predominant role of TSS in UVR attenuation could not be explained by phytoplankton or other absorbing organic matter in the particulate phase, suggesting instead an important role for scattering. Attenuation spectra through the UV region were not monotonic at the higher particle concentrations and could not be modelled solely as a function of DOC as previously reported for other lakes. Attenuation at 310 and 320 nm confirmed the conclusion from spectrally integrated measurements that particles are the dominant agents of variable UVR attenuation in Lake Erie.

1999 ◽  
Vol 40 (9) ◽  
pp. 47-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.R. O’Melia ◽  
W.C. Becker ◽  
K.-K. Au

Measurements and modeling of the adsorption of natural organic matter (NOM) on oxide surfaces are presented and compared. Agreement is good and supports the view that the adsorption of NOM on oxides depends significantly on complex formation reactions between specific sites on oxide surfaces and functional groups on the NOM. Coagulant requirements can and often are set by the total organic carbon (TOC) concentration in a water source. Frequently there is a stoichiometric relationship between the required coagulant dosage and the TOC of the water to be treated. Other important factors include pH and the concentration of divalent cations. Ozone may benefit or retard coagulation, depending on coagulant type and the water quality characteristic that is dominant in setting the optimum coagulant dose.


2001 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 81-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
W.C. Becker ◽  
C.R. O'Melia

The interest in ozone for drinking water treatment in the United States has increased dramatically in recent years due to new regulations and concern over Cryptosporidium. Ozone has many benefits, however, its expense is significant and its placement in the treatment train should be chosen with a sound understanding of its effect on other unit processes. The goal of this paper is to provide an overview of the effect of ozone on the coagulation and filtration processes. This is important given the enhanced coagulation requirements of the disinfection by-product rule and the filtered water quality goals of the Partnership for Safe Water. The effect of ozone on coagulation is shown to be dependent on the coagulant type and on the water quality characteristic that is setting the optimum coagulant dose. For waters with moderate to high dissolved organic carbon (DOC) levels, the coagulant dose is set by the DOC. Ozonation converts NOM into smaller, more oxygenated compounds, e.g. oxalic acid, that exert a greater metal salt coagulant demand than the parent compounds. In this case, higher dosages of alum or ferric chloride are needed. For low DOC waters, the coagulant dose is set by the particle and the adsorbed organic matter. Ozone may react with adsorbed DOC and alter the amount and conformation of adsorbed organic matter, which can lead to a decrease in the optimum coagulant dose. Finally, because cationic polymers react with particles and large organic matter (and not the smaller compounds formed after ozonation), the optimum polyelectrolyte coagulant dose after ozonation is reduced. Ozonation prior to filtration (intermediate ozonation) is shown to be beneficial for significantly reducing filtered water particle counts by as much as an order of magnitude.


1984 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alena Mudroch

Abstract Surface sediment samples obtained at the offshore and nearshore area of Lake Erie were separated into eight different size fractions ranging from &lt;2 µm to 250 µm. The concentration of major elements (Si, Al, Ca, Mg, K, Na, Fe, Mn and P), metals (Zn, Cu, Cr, Ni, V, Co and Pb) and organic matter was determined together with the mineralogical composition and morphology of the particles in each size fraction. The distribution of the metals in the offshore sediment was bimodal with the majority of the metals divided between the 63 to 250 um size fraction which also contained the highest concentration of organic matter (about 20%) and the &lt;4 µm fraction containing up to 60% of clay minerals. However, the metals in the nearshore sediment were associated mainly with the clay minerals.


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