Pollutant Types and Sources

Transcription

1 Pollutant Types and Sources FSA STORMWATER BMP SEMINAR SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

2 Prevailing thoughts about nutrient pollution and stormwater 1. Nutrient pollutant load estimates are commonly represented by a measure of TN and TP-If I know these sources I can develop an effective BMP-This is too easy! 2. I can rely on literature sources for EMC s, accepted engineering practices, spreadsheets, models to estimate TN and TP loading, and rely on equipment claims to design an effective BMP- Many times this is the only data or course of action available! Fact: Unless we truly understand nutrient pollution characteristics and environmental transformations of these ions, compounds, and biology, we may not achieve the results that we expect!

3 Today s Agenda Overview of goals and objectives-session 1 Pollutants occur naturally-why worry about stormwater? The misinterpretation of total in managing nutrient pollution What is organic vs. inorganic nutrient pollution? What does biologically available mean? The life and history of phosphorus (The P cycle) The life story of nitrogen (The N cycle) What pollution sources can we really manage? Yes there will be a group test!

4 Overview of session goals and objectives Understand nutrient sources and forms of nutrients Develop a more complete understanding of complex nutrient pollution Understand what total really means Understand how nutrient cycles impact treatment effectiveness We will explore what fundamental forms of nutrients can be managed effectively

5 Pollutants occur naturally-why worry about stormwater? Nutrients are required for both terrestrial and aquatic life function-primary production is necessary in any ecosystem Fish are major aquatic sources of ammonia through gills; animals excrete waste which recycles nutrients Runoff from impervious areas occurs quickly with little opportunity to complete the natural nutrient cycle conversion to organic forms-until the stormwater enters wet detention Nutrients undergo natural transformations in stormwater ponds

6 Pollutants occur naturally-why worry about stormwater? Consider stormwater runoff as it is first generated and moves through the watershed Upper reaches may have low concentrations Time and water chemistry will impact the transformation of the fundamental pollutant forms

7 Pollutants occur naturally-why worry about stormwater? This is what happens if we design a very big pond and store stormwater for over 300 days The total nitrogen in this stormwater exceeds 3mg/l and the total phosphorus is 0.2mg/l Total suspended solids are 40mg/l

8 The misinterpretation of total in managing nutrient pollution Most BMP Processes refer to performance based on TP or TN removals-what exactly does that Mean? TN = All forms of dissolved and particulate nitrogen. Some of the particulate nitrogen is organic, some of the dissolved is organic. From water quality data: TN =Total Kjeldahl N + Nitrite +NO3 +NO4 in unfiltered sample

9 ATMOSPHERIC NITROGEN The misinterpretation of total in managing nutrient pollution FORMS OF TOTAL NITROGEN ORGANIC NITROGEN INORGANIC NITROGEN BIOMASS DISSOVED ORGANIC NITROGEN ALGAL CELLS, FUNGI AND BACTERIA EMERGENT PLANTS "AMIDE" GROUPS, AMINO ACIDS, PROTEINS NH4 NH3 NO3 NO2

10 What is organic vs. inorganic nutrient pollution? Inorganic nutrient pollution: Gaseous forms of nitrogen (N2 or NH3) Certain nutrients and complexes that are unreacted and dissolved Particulate forms of phosphorus (suspended solids) Organic forms Suspended solid matter (algae and macrophytic plant materials) By-products of biological assimilation

11 What does biologically available pollution mean? Bio-available pollution means that the pollutant (in mass) may be assimilated into organic form, or dissimilated (as a by product) of biological activity Bioavailable nitrogen forms are: Nitrogen Gas (by certain N2 fixing organisms) Unionized Ammonia Nitrogen (NH3) Nitrous Oxide (NO) an intermediate of nitrification Nitrite (NO2--) Nitrate (NO3-) Bioavailable Phosphorus Orthophosphate (PO4)

12 What does biologically available pollution mean? Biologically available Phosphorus: PO 4 3-, HPO 4 2 and certain P compounds in respiration Other inorganic forms of Phosphorus: Apatite (mineral form) Bioavailable Phosphorus Orthophosphate (PO4) Other organic forms of Phosphorus: Complex dissolved compounds (i.e. polyphosphates, compounds in Krebs Cycle and particulate forms (detrital materials, suspended solids.

13 What does biologically available pollution mean? Phosphorus can be assimilated into biological mass-it does not evaporate! Part of metabolic processes of aerobic respiration-atp is fundamental source of energy transfer (electron transfer) in all respiration.

14 What does biologically available pollution mean? Inorganic Nitrogen (un-ionized ammonia) is converted to Nitrate through Nitrification-primarily with Nitrosomas. Ammonia is not assimilated into biomass in this process-it provides energy-the carbon source is bicarbonate (alkalinity). There are two key species in Biological Nitrification: Nitrate-NO3: Nitrate is formed in the water environment through microbiological Activity-This is known as Nitrification Nitrite-NO2: Nitrite (also Nitrogen Dioxide) is Intermediate form that occurs in Biological Reaction known as Nitrification Nitrous Oxide-NO: Another intermediate

15 The life and history of phosphorus (The P cycle) When compared to nitrogen, phosphorus has a long life in the aquatic environment! P occurs in mineral forms from deposits (i.e. apatite) and makes its way into water bodies as solids, and then into the food chain. Florida has an abundance of phosphorus! Phosphorus transforms from inorganic forms and becomes organic in very complex compounds. ATP is fundamental in ALL respiration-adp releases energy and forms ATP.

16 The life and history of phosphorus (The P cycle)

17 The life story of nitrogen (The N cycle) Unlike phosphorus, the life cycle of nitrogen is much shorter-nitrogen cycles from inorganic to organic forms to the atmosphere, and can return to aquatic systems by many meansincluding direct atmospheric fallout Nitrogen ion may hap

18 What pollution sources can we really manage? Solid inorganic materials-sediment Solid gross organic matter-vegetation Biological solids-algae (this one is tough!) Vegetation-both dead and alive Higher organisms (fish)-yes this has been considered Fertilizers? Stormwater pond discharges? Other organically reacted compounds

19 What pollution sources can we really manage? Suspended solids can create significant nutrient loads-and other conveyance problems Solids management can be by channel maintenance or another BMP

20 What pollution sources can we really manage? Vegetation in drainage ways is often managed by herbicides What happens to the dead vegetation? Dead vegetation undergoes decomposition phase that generates complex organic nutrient compounds

21 What pollution sources can we really manage? What about algal management? Estimates of 72,500 species of algae! Freshwater algae fall into two main groups: Blue-Green Algae (Cyanobacteria) Green Algae Algae can be animated They can move and shake Algae can be single or multi-celled, eukaryotic or prokaryotic, planktonic or periphytic All true algae species require light for Photosynthesis

22 What pollution sources can we really manage? Blue Green Algae A More Primitive Algal Form Not Pretty at all-like bacteria Toxic to Animals and Humans Most Famous Blue Green is Lyngbia Some can fix (uptake) N2 Green Algae Spirogyra-Also a Jazz Band True Algae with Real Organs Other Forms (Brown & Red)

23 Yes there will be a group test! Question 1: What is the predominant form of nitrogen pollution found in stormwater runoff? A. Organic solids B. Ammonia nitrogen C. Nitrate nitrogen D. Cannot determine the predominant form

24 Yes there will be a group test! Question 1: The answer is D. Nitrogen contributions to stormwater depend on the characteristics of the watershed (e.g. agricultural, urban or commercial). See NURP data A good idea would be to understand your nutrients to design the best BMP

25 Yes there will be a group test! Question 2: The TKN test measures the following: A. Total Nitrogen B. Ammonia nitrogen + Organic Nitrogen C. Nitrate Nitrogen + Ammonia D. NO3 + NO4

26 Yes there will be a group test! Question 2: The correct answer is B. TKN stands for Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen. The TKN test involves digestion and cooking the sample to convert the organic and ammonia to ammonium-then uses colorimetric means to determine concentration.

27 Yes there will be a group test! Question 3: How do I determine total nitrogen (TN) if I have a complete raw laboratory data report delivered to my desk at work? A. Add the unfiltered TKN value to unfiltered NO3-NO2 sample result B. Add the filtered TKN to filtered NO3-NO2 sample result C. Use a HACH kit in the field D. Call the lab and ask for the answer?

28 Yes there will be a group test! Question 3: The correct answer is answer is A. Total means all inclusive, and we get all when we DO NOT FILTER the sample. We said the lab work had already been completed. HACH is a manufacture of colorimetric field testing that can be used to determine total nitrogen and can be useful in estimating total nitrogen quickly in the field.

29 Yes there will be a group test! Question 4: What best describes total biologically available phosphorus? A. Filtered PO4 (orthophosphate) analysis B. Non-filtered sample with Phosphate Test C. Non-filtered +Filtered PO4 D. Total Chlorophyll best describes total available phosphorus because it is

30 Yes there will be a group test! Question 4: The correct answer is answer is A. By the way, this chlorophyll level is above 50ug/l. Total available phosphorus does not include biologically bound phosphorus, as this has already reacted- in this case about 98% reacted. Only PO4 and inorganic derivatives (i.e. HPO3) are available for biological growth.

31 Yes there will be a group test! Question 5: This picture is a good example of: A. A bass B. A natural source of ammonia nitrogen C. An expensive fish D. Dinner E. B, C, and D

32 Yes there will be a group test! Question 5: The correct answer is D. It is a snook, not a bass. It is a natural source of nitrogen by gill excretion of ammonia, and by a fact of the digestion of organics and release into the nitrogen cycle. No, it is not dinner-it was released back to Florida Bay. And yes it is an expensive fish because that is my son..he is a college student that has an addiction to fish!