TMDL 2010: Watershed Management to Improve Water Quality Proceedings, 14-17 November 2010 Hyatt Regency Baltimore on the Inner Harbor, Baltimore, Maryland USA, 2010
ABSTRACT Water quality in the Osage Creek tributary to the Illinois River was examined from fall ... more ABSTRACT Water quality in the Osage Creek tributary to the Illinois River was examined from fall 2007-2009 following US Environmental Protection Agency Rapid Bioassessment Protocols and Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) methods at two reference and eight test sites including up- and down-stream of Rogers and Springdale, Arkansas Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTPs). Study sites were in the Springfield Plateau of the Ozark Plateaus ecoregion. Comparison of test sites with reference streams indicated generally depressed environmental quality below WWTPs, but nutrient concentrations and biotic indicators improved significantly downstream. While upstream and downstream sites differed, ADEQ criteria were not violated by the WWTPs. Total phosphorus was significantly related to periphyton biomass (r2 = 0.15, p = 0.006) and grazing fish densities (r2 = 0.11, p = 0.02), but not strongly. Fish and invertebrate Indices of Biotic Integrity (IBI) compared favorably with each other (r2 = 0.28, p
Phosphorus (P) release from bottom sediments is an important source, potentially enhancing and ma... more Phosphorus (P) release from bottom sediments is an important source, potentially enhancing and maintaining algae growth in lakes and reservoirs. To date, the amount of internal P release from bottom sediments at Beaver Lake, Northwest Arkansas, has not been evaluated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of bottom sediments in Beaver Lake to release P. Specifically, sediment P flux was quantified in Beaver Lake under aerobic and anaerobic conditions at three sites in the reservoir: the lacustrine, transitional and riverine zones. Six intact sediment cores were collected from each zone during summer and fall 2003, and spring 2004. The sediment cores were incubated at room temperature (22 oC) in dark for 21 d. Soluble reactive P (SRP) release rates were measured under aerobic and anaerobic conditions for each zone. The results suggested that P release from sediments increased under anaerobic conditions. The average P flux from these three sites in Beaver Lake was 0.14 mg m-2 d-1 under aerobic conditions and was 0.57 mg m-2 d-1 under anaerobic conditions. The maximum P flux (1.79 mg m-2 d-1 for fall 2003) under anaerobic conditions was observed in the transitional zone during this investigation. Internal P load under aerobic conditions was equivalent to 3 Mg P yr-1 and was estimated equivalent to 12 Mg P yr-1 under anaerobic conditions. Hence, the average load was equivalent to 15 Mg P yr-1. Beaver Lake has a surface area of 114 km2; these estimates use average sediment P release rates and water column at the sediment-water interface was aerobic for six months and anaerobic for six months. Internal P load from Beaver Lake bottom sediments was almost 20% of the external P load (75 Mg P yr-1). The estimated internal load from this study may be overestimated, because the lacustrine zone of the Beaver Lake accounts for a majority of the surface area and has shown much less sediment P release.
A comparative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of different management strategies in the pork industry... more A comparative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of different management strategies in the pork industry was performed to evaluate the impact on global warming potential (GWP) and energy and water use. The management strategies included immunocastration, production without ractopamine, production without antimicrobials, and use of gestation pens. Impacts of each management practice were compared to a common baseline production strategy that represents current production practices. Scope of this study was from cradle through farm gate with a functional unit of 1 kg of live weight at the farm gate. Each scenario was simulated using the Pork Production Environmental Footprint Model, to populate life cycle inventory inputs for SimaPro V7.3 (Pre’ Consultants, The Netherlands). The results showed that compared to the baseline, use of gestation pens and production of immunocastrated pigs had lower GWP, energy use and water use. Production without ractopamine and antimicrobials increased GWP, energy use, and water use.
This field case study reports findings on disinfection/ammonia removal from aquaculture wastewate... more This field case study reports findings on disinfection/ammonia removal from aquaculture wastewater and disinfection of irrigation water carried out at an aquaculture farm and two irrigation locations in Hawaii. We used a flow cell incorporating PtRu/graphite anode and graphite cathode for the disinfection/ammonia removal from aquaculture wastewater, and a flow cell assembled with graphite plates as both anode and cathode for the disinfection of irrigation water. The removal of ammonia followed the indirect oxidation mechanism mediated by free chlorine electro‐generated at the PtRu/graphite anode. Ammonia removal rate increased with the increase in NaCl concentration, applied current density, or flow rate. The disinfection of aquaculture wastewater can be readily achieved due to the presence of highly germicidal free chlorine species. The disinfection of irrigation water was realized without the addition of chemicals. The disinfection mechanism was attributed to the formation of free chlorine from the anodic oxidation of chloride ions naturally occurring in the water sources. The disinfection efficiency decreased with increasing organic matter concentration. In addition to the flow cell approach, we also successfully demonstrated the disinfection of irrigation water by adding electrolyzed NaCl solution or purging with a mixture of air and chlorine gas, both of which were generated on‐site.
Ecological risk assessments provide a probabilitistic approach to analyzing and predicting ecosys... more Ecological risk assessments provide a probabilitistic approach to analyzing and predicting ecosystem responses to stress. We are evaluating the relationship between nonpoint source (NPS) phosphorus loading and the trophic status of the aquatic ecosystem. We are using SIMPLE (the Spatially Integrated Model for Phosphorus Loading and Erosion) to identify probable phosphorus sources in a watershed, simulate the phosphorus loading to
In the Ozark Plateaus, the focus of watershed mangers is often on diffuse sources of phosphorus (... more In the Ozark Plateaus, the focus of watershed mangers is often on diffuse sources of phosphorus (P), especially agricultural runoff and land application of animal manure. However, it has become apparent in the Ozarks that this shift in focus may be premature and neglect P from discrete sources, e.g. wastewater treat ment plants (WWTPs). We sampled the water column at
TMDL 2010: Watershed Management to Improve Water Quality Proceedings, 14-17 November 2010 Hyatt Regency Baltimore on the Inner Harbor, Baltimore, Maryland USA, 2010
ABSTRACT Water quality in the Osage Creek tributary to the Illinois River was examined from fall ... more ABSTRACT Water quality in the Osage Creek tributary to the Illinois River was examined from fall 2007-2009 following US Environmental Protection Agency Rapid Bioassessment Protocols and Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) methods at two reference and eight test sites including up- and down-stream of Rogers and Springdale, Arkansas Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTPs). Study sites were in the Springfield Plateau of the Ozark Plateaus ecoregion. Comparison of test sites with reference streams indicated generally depressed environmental quality below WWTPs, but nutrient concentrations and biotic indicators improved significantly downstream. While upstream and downstream sites differed, ADEQ criteria were not violated by the WWTPs. Total phosphorus was significantly related to periphyton biomass (r2 = 0.15, p = 0.006) and grazing fish densities (r2 = 0.11, p = 0.02), but not strongly. Fish and invertebrate Indices of Biotic Integrity (IBI) compared favorably with each other (r2 = 0.28, p
Phosphorus (P) release from bottom sediments is an important source, potentially enhancing and ma... more Phosphorus (P) release from bottom sediments is an important source, potentially enhancing and maintaining algae growth in lakes and reservoirs. To date, the amount of internal P release from bottom sediments at Beaver Lake, Northwest Arkansas, has not been evaluated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of bottom sediments in Beaver Lake to release P. Specifically, sediment P flux was quantified in Beaver Lake under aerobic and anaerobic conditions at three sites in the reservoir: the lacustrine, transitional and riverine zones. Six intact sediment cores were collected from each zone during summer and fall 2003, and spring 2004. The sediment cores were incubated at room temperature (22 oC) in dark for 21 d. Soluble reactive P (SRP) release rates were measured under aerobic and anaerobic conditions for each zone. The results suggested that P release from sediments increased under anaerobic conditions. The average P flux from these three sites in Beaver Lake was 0.14 mg m-2 d-1 under aerobic conditions and was 0.57 mg m-2 d-1 under anaerobic conditions. The maximum P flux (1.79 mg m-2 d-1 for fall 2003) under anaerobic conditions was observed in the transitional zone during this investigation. Internal P load under aerobic conditions was equivalent to 3 Mg P yr-1 and was estimated equivalent to 12 Mg P yr-1 under anaerobic conditions. Hence, the average load was equivalent to 15 Mg P yr-1. Beaver Lake has a surface area of 114 km2; these estimates use average sediment P release rates and water column at the sediment-water interface was aerobic for six months and anaerobic for six months. Internal P load from Beaver Lake bottom sediments was almost 20% of the external P load (75 Mg P yr-1). The estimated internal load from this study may be overestimated, because the lacustrine zone of the Beaver Lake accounts for a majority of the surface area and has shown much less sediment P release.
A comparative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of different management strategies in the pork industry... more A comparative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of different management strategies in the pork industry was performed to evaluate the impact on global warming potential (GWP) and energy and water use. The management strategies included immunocastration, production without ractopamine, production without antimicrobials, and use of gestation pens. Impacts of each management practice were compared to a common baseline production strategy that represents current production practices. Scope of this study was from cradle through farm gate with a functional unit of 1 kg of live weight at the farm gate. Each scenario was simulated using the Pork Production Environmental Footprint Model, to populate life cycle inventory inputs for SimaPro V7.3 (Pre’ Consultants, The Netherlands). The results showed that compared to the baseline, use of gestation pens and production of immunocastrated pigs had lower GWP, energy use and water use. Production without ractopamine and antimicrobials increased GWP, energy use, and water use.
This field case study reports findings on disinfection/ammonia removal from aquaculture wastewate... more This field case study reports findings on disinfection/ammonia removal from aquaculture wastewater and disinfection of irrigation water carried out at an aquaculture farm and two irrigation locations in Hawaii. We used a flow cell incorporating PtRu/graphite anode and graphite cathode for the disinfection/ammonia removal from aquaculture wastewater, and a flow cell assembled with graphite plates as both anode and cathode for the disinfection of irrigation water. The removal of ammonia followed the indirect oxidation mechanism mediated by free chlorine electro‐generated at the PtRu/graphite anode. Ammonia removal rate increased with the increase in NaCl concentration, applied current density, or flow rate. The disinfection of aquaculture wastewater can be readily achieved due to the presence of highly germicidal free chlorine species. The disinfection of irrigation water was realized without the addition of chemicals. The disinfection mechanism was attributed to the formation of free chlorine from the anodic oxidation of chloride ions naturally occurring in the water sources. The disinfection efficiency decreased with increasing organic matter concentration. In addition to the flow cell approach, we also successfully demonstrated the disinfection of irrigation water by adding electrolyzed NaCl solution or purging with a mixture of air and chlorine gas, both of which were generated on‐site.
Ecological risk assessments provide a probabilitistic approach to analyzing and predicting ecosys... more Ecological risk assessments provide a probabilitistic approach to analyzing and predicting ecosystem responses to stress. We are evaluating the relationship between nonpoint source (NPS) phosphorus loading and the trophic status of the aquatic ecosystem. We are using SIMPLE (the Spatially Integrated Model for Phosphorus Loading and Erosion) to identify probable phosphorus sources in a watershed, simulate the phosphorus loading to
In the Ozark Plateaus, the focus of watershed mangers is often on diffuse sources of phosphorus (... more In the Ozark Plateaus, the focus of watershed mangers is often on diffuse sources of phosphorus (P), especially agricultural runoff and land application of animal manure. However, it has become apparent in the Ozarks that this shift in focus may be premature and neglect P from discrete sources, e.g. wastewater treat ment plants (WWTPs). We sampled the water column at
Uploads