Application of time-domain airborne electromagnetic induction to hydrogeologic investigations on the Pajarito Plateau, New Mexico, USA

Geophysics ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. B31-B45 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Scott Baldridge ◽  
Gregory L. Cole ◽  
Bruce A. Robinson ◽  
George R. Jiracek

We conducted a time-domain airborne electromagnetic (AEM) survey of part of the semiarid Pajarito Plateau of northern New Mexico to determine depths and lateral extent of perched aquifers in the vadose zone and depths and pathways of infiltration to the regional aquifer. The electrical resistivity of the plateau ranged over three orders of magnitude ([Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text]) to a depth of at least [Formula: see text]. Borehole and surface-derived data allow the correlation of resistivity images with the hydrogeology of the plateau. As expected, water exerts a significant control on resistivity. However, the presence of large amounts (up to 90%) of clay in some units, in conjunction with water, also has a significant effect, lowering resistivity (to [Formula: see text]) more than the presence of clay-free saturated zones alone. Because of the resulting low resistivity, we are able to better delineate a large,known volume of clay-altered volcaniclastic rock and postulate the presence of another. Resistivity values of [Formula: see text] cor-relate with depths to saturated zones where no clay is present, but they do not allow us to distinguish between one large or several smaller perched groundwater zones and the underlying regional zone of saturation. We imaged a region of significant infiltration related to a sewage treatment plant and to near-surface hydrogeo-logic conditions conducive to infiltration and correlated with a region of preferential transport of anthropogenic chemicals through the vadose zone. AEM data provide an important synop-tic view of the shallow (few hundred meters) resistivity structure of the plateau. Although interpretation of the data is not unique, when combined with borehole geologic, hydrologic, and geo-chemical data, it can provide relative depths to saturated zones, delineate regions of high clay content (zones of alteration), and image regions of recharge to the regional aquifer.

2008 ◽  
Vol 65 (10) ◽  
pp. 2211-2223 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. W. Schindler ◽  
Alexander P. Wolfe ◽  
Rolf Vinebrooke ◽  
Angela Crowe ◽  
Jules M. Blais ◽  
...  

A multiproxy paleoecological investigation of Lac la Biche, a large boreal lake in northeastern Alberta, Canada, revealed that the lake was eutrophic before European settlement but has undergone additional cultural eutrophication in the past 30 to 50 years. Annual fluxes to sediments of phosphorus, nitrogen, carbon, and inorganic sediments have increased with time. A declining N–P ratio has increasingly favored nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria. Increased deposition of microbial pigments and diatom frustules and a recent shift in diatom species also indicate increasing eutrophication. Biogenic silica increased with time, but there is no evidence of a near-surface decline that would indicate silica limitation. Stable isotopes suggest that an increasing proportion of carbon deposited in sediments is of in-lake origin, indicating increased productivity. In the basin nearest the town of Lac La Biche, an increase in δ15N followed the construction of the sewage treatment plant, but more recently, decreased δ15N in both basins suggests that nitrogen fixation has become a more important source of nitrogen. Despite documented damage to the fishery of the lake, zooplankton fossils do not show evidence of a strong trophic cascade. The study illustrates the power of a multiproxy approach in obtaining reliable paleolimnological conclusions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 142-151
Author(s):  
Peter Lukac ◽  
Lubos Jurik

Abstract:Phosphorus is a major substance that is needed especially for agricultural production or for the industry. At the same time it is an important component of wastewater. At present, the waste management priority is recycling and this requirement is also transferred to wastewater treatment plants. Substances in wastewater can be recovered and utilized. In Europe (in Germany and Austria already legally binding), access to phosphorus-containing sewage treatment is changing. This paper dealt with the issue of phosphorus on the sewage treatment plant in Nitra. There are several industrial areas in Nitra where record major producers in phosphorus production in sewage. The new wastewater treatment plant is built as a mechanicalbiological wastewater treatment plant with simultaneous nitrification and denitrification, sludge regeneration, an anaerobic zone for biological phosphorus removal at the beginning of the process and chemical phosphorus precipitation. The sludge management is anaerobic sludge stabilization with heating and mechanical dewatering of stabilized sludge and gas management. The aim of the work was to document the phosphorus balance in all parts of the wastewater treatment plant - from the inflow of raw water to the outflow of purified water and the production of excess sludge. Balancing quantities in the wastewater treatment plant treatment processes provide information where efficient phosphorus recovery could be possible. The mean daily value of P tot is approximately 122.3 kg/day of these two sources. The mean daily value of P tot is approximately 122.3 kg/day of these two sources. There are also two outflows - drainage of cleaned water to the recipient - the river Nitra - 9.9 kg Ptot/day and Ptot content in sewage sludge - about 120.3 kg Ptot/day - total 130.2 kg Ptot/day.


2008 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maciej Walczak

Changes of microbial indices of water quality in the Vistula and Brda rivers as a result of sewage treatment plant operationThis paper reports the results of studies of microbiological changes in the water quality of the Vistula and Brda rivers after the opening of sewage treatment plants in Bydgoszcz. The study involved determining the microbiological parameters of water quality. Based on the results obtained, it was found that the quality of the water in both rivers had improved decidedly after the opening of the plants, although an increased number of individual groups of microorganisms was found at the treated sewage outlet from one of the plants.


2000 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 161-171
Author(s):  
KENITSU KONNO ◽  
NAOKI ABE ◽  
YOSHIRO SATO ◽  
KOJI AKAMATSU ◽  
MAKOTO ABE ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Athar Hussain ◽  
Manjeeta Priyadarshi ◽  
Saif Said ◽  
Suraj Negi

Most of the industrial sewage effluents used for irrigation contains heavy metals which cause toxicity to crop plants as the soils are able to accumulate heavy metal for many years. The vegetables grown for the present study were irrigated with treated wastewater brought from a nearby full-scale sewage treatment plant at different compositions along with tap water as a control. The concentration levels of the Cd, Co, Cu, Mn and Zn in the soil were found to below the toxic limits as prescribed in literature. Daily Intake Metals (DIM) values suggest that the consumption of plants grown in treated wastewater and tap water is nearly free of risks, as the dietary intake limits of Cu, Fe, Zn and Mn. The Enrichment Factor for the treated wastewater irrigated soil was found in order Zn> Ni> Pb> Cr> Cu> Co> Mn> Cd. Thus, treated wastewater can be effectively used for irrigation. This will have twofold significant environmental advantages: (1) helpful to reduce the groundwater usage for irrigation and (2) helpful to reduce the stress on surface water resources.


1995 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 565-592 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.F. Gemza

Abstract Severn Sound continues to exhibit signs of eutrophication despite initial identification of the problem in 1969 and the construction of several sewage treatment plants since then. In general, improvements in trophic state indicators have been marginal, suggesting that the sewage treatment plants have had limited success in controlling phosphorus concentrations. These discharges likely contributed to the increased total phosphorus levels and consequently the higher phytoplankton densities of the nearshore waters. Phytoplankton biovolumes were on average one order of magnitude higher than in the open waters of Lake Huron with mean summer biovolumes as high as 8.0 mm/L. Algal biovolumes were most dense in Penetang Bay, which experienced limited exchange with the main waters of the sound. No significant long-term trends were observed. Water clarity was declining significantly, however, at a rate of -0.60 to -0.78 m/year throughout the sound except in Sturgeon Bay. Total phosphorus levels were highly variable from year to year; however, concentrations from a 20-year perspective were declining in the open waters at a rate of 0.70 µg/L/year, but response was limited in nearshore areas. In Sturgeon Bay, mean annual euphotic zone total phosphorus as well as soluble reactive phosphorus levels declined by as much as 50% following the construction of a sewage treatment plant with tertiary treatment. Phytoplankton genera typical of eutrophic waters continued to dominate the algal assemblage but members indicative of mesotrophic conditions have become apparent in some areas of the sound.


1972 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-20
Author(s):  
D.D.P. Cane ◽  
G.J. Farguhar

Abstract A case of filamentous activated sludge bulking was investigated at an extended aeration plant treating wastes from a highway service centre. The purpose of the study was to find an effective control measure for the bulking and, if possible, to determine the cause of the bulking condition. Experiments were conducted to determine the effects upon bulking of: (a) a controlled copper dosage to the mixed liquor, (b) variations in the organic loading rate, and (c) maintenance of high and low dissolved oxygen concentrations in the mixed liquor. The microorganism responsible for the bulking condition was tentatively identified as Sphaerotilus natans. Extensive growths of these bacteria occurred in the sludge when the mixed liquor dissolved oxygen concentration dropped below 0.5 mg/1. Such dissolved oxygen levels had frequently occurred at this plant due to the use of timed aeration cycles and the use of insufficient air supply during peak loading periods. Variations in organic loading rates were found to have no adverse effect on sludge settleability. When bulking was slight, the condition could be improved by increasing the dissolved oxygen level to 1.5 mg/1, or more. The rate at which the filamentous growths could be eliminated from a highly filamentous sludge by increased aeration was very slow, but could be greatly increased by the simultaneous feeding of copper to the mixed liquor at a dosage rate of 1.0 mg/1, based on the raw sewage flows.


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