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Jo Y, Hoyos EG, Blanco S, Kim SH, Muñoz R. Assessing nitrous oxide emissions from algal-bacterial photobioreactors devoted to biogas upgrading and digestate treatment. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 361:142528. [PMID: 38838868 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions in High Rate Algal Ponds (HRAP) can negatively affect the sustainability of algal-bacterial processes. N2O emissions from a pilot HRAP devoted to biogas upgrading and digestate treatment were herein monitored for 73 days. The influence of the pH (7.5, 8.5, and 9.5), nitrogen sources (100 mg/L of N-NO2-, N-NO3-, and N-NH4+) and illumination on N2O emissions from the algal-bacterial biomass of the HRAP was also assessed in batch tests. Significantly higher N2O gas concentrations of 311.8 ± 101.1 ppmv were recorded in the dark compared to the illuminated period (236.9 ± 82.6 ppmv) in the HRAP. The batch tests revealed that the highest N2O emission rates (49.4 mmol g-1 TSS·h-1) occurred at pH 8.5 in the presence of 100 mg N-NO2-/L under dark conditions. This study revealed significant N2O emissions in HRAPs during darkness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yura Jo
- Institute of Sustainable Processes, University of Valladolid, C/Dr. Mergelina s/n., Valladolid, CP. 47011, Spain; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Edwin G Hoyos
- Institute of Sustainable Processes, University of Valladolid, C/Dr. Mergelina s/n., Valladolid, CP. 47011, Spain; Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, University of Valladolid, C/Dr. Mergelina s/n., Valladolid, CP. 47011, Spain
| | - Saúl Blanco
- Departamento de Biodiversidad y Gestión Ambiental, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071, León, España; Laboratorio de diatomología y calidad de aguas, Instituto de Investigación de Medio Ambiente, Recursos Naturales y Biodiversidad. La Serna 58, 24007, León, España
| | - Sang-Hyoun Kim
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Raúl Muñoz
- Institute of Sustainable Processes, University of Valladolid, C/Dr. Mergelina s/n., Valladolid, CP. 47011, Spain; Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, University of Valladolid, C/Dr. Mergelina s/n., Valladolid, CP. 47011, Spain.
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2
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Deb S, Lewicka-Szczebak D, Rohe L. Microbial nitrogen transformations tracked by natural abundance isotope studies and microbiological methods: A review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 926:172073. [PMID: 38554959 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Nitrogen is an essential nutrient in the environment that exists in multiple oxidation states in nature. Numerous microbial processes are involved in its transformation. Knowledge about very complex N cycling has been growing rapidly in recent years, with new information about associated isotope effects and about the microbes involved in particular processes. Furthermore, molecular methods that are able to detect and quantify particular processes are being developed, applied and combined with other analytical approaches, which opens up new opportunities to enhance understanding of nitrogen transformation pathways. This review presents a summary of the microbial nitrogen transformation, including the respective isotope effects of nitrogen and oxygen on different nitrogen-bearing compounds (including nitrates, nitrites, ammonia and nitrous oxide), and the microbiological characteristics of these processes. It is supplemented by an overview of molecular methods applied for detecting and quantifying the activity of particular enzymes involved in N transformation pathways. This summary should help in the planning and interpretation of complex research studies applying isotope analyses of different N compounds and combining microbiological and isotopic methods in tracking complex N cycling, and in the integration of these results in modelling approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sushmita Deb
- Institute of Geological Sciences, University of Wrocław, pl. M. Borna 9, 50-204 Wrocław, Poland
| | | | - Lena Rohe
- Thünen Institute of Climate-Smart Agriculture, Bundesallee 65, 38116 Braunschweig, Germany
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3
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Qiu Y, Felix JD, Murgulet D, Wetz M, Abdulla H. Isotopic compositions of organic and inorganic nitrogen reveal processing and source dynamics at septic influenced and undeveloped estuary sites. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 925:171749. [PMID: 38494009 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Historically, dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) has not been characterized in the nitrogen profiles of most estuaries despite its significant contribution to total nitrogen and projected increase in loading. The characterization of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and DON processing from groundwater to surface water also remains unconstrained. This study attempts to fill in these knowledge gaps by quantifying the DON pool and potential sources in a semiarid, low inflow estuary (Baffin Bay, Texas) using stable isotope techniques. High NO3- and DON concentrations, and high δ15N-NH4+ (+55.0 ± 56.7 ‰), δ15N-NO3- (+23.9 ± 8.6 ‰) and δ15N-DON (+22.3 ± 6.5 ‰) were observed in groundwaters of a septic-influenced estuarine area, indicating coupled septic contamination and nitrification/denitrification. In contrast, groundwater of an undeveloped area provided evidence of inundation by bay water through high NH4+ concentrations and δ15N-NH4+ (+8.4 ± 3.0 ‰) resembling estuary porewater. NH4+ was the dominant nitrogen species in porewater of both areas and δ15N-NH4+ indicated production via organic nitrogen mineralization and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium. Surface water had similar nitrogen profiles (DON constituted ∼98 % of dissolved nitrogen pool) and potential source contributions, despite distinct nitrogen processing and profiles found in each water table. This was attributed to low nitrogen removal rates and prolonged mixing associated with long residence time. This study emphasizes the importance of DON in a low-inflow estuary and the isotopic approach to comprehensively examine both inorganic and organic N processing and sources serving as a guide to investigate N cycling in high DON estuaries globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixi Qiu
- Center for Water Supply Studies, Department of Physical and Environmental Science, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX 78412, USA; Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
| | - J David Felix
- Center for Water Supply Studies, Department of Physical and Environmental Science, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX 78412, USA
| | - Dorina Murgulet
- Center for Water Supply Studies, Department of Physical and Environmental Science, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX 78412, USA
| | - Michael Wetz
- Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX 78412, USA
| | - Hussain Abdulla
- Center for Water Supply Studies, Department of Physical and Environmental Science, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX 78412, USA
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4
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Robertson WD, Elgood RJ, Van Stempvoort DR, Brown SJ, Schiff SL. Nitrogen and Phosphorus Treatment Can Be Sustainable During on-Site Wastewater Disposal. GROUND WATER 2023; 61:586-598. [PMID: 37078097 DOI: 10.1111/gwat.13316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Monitoring of a seasonal-use, on-site wastewater disposal system (septic system) in Canada, over a 33-year period from 1988 to 2021, showed that during recent sampling the groundwater plume had TIN (total inorganic nitrogen) averaging 12.2 mg/L that was not significantly different than early values, representing 80% removal, whereas SRP (soluble reactive phosphate), although higher than early values averaging 0.08 mg/L, was still 99% lower than the effluent concentration. Evidence suggests that the anammox reaction and possibly also denitrification contribute to TIN removal, whereas SRP removal is primarily the result of mineral precipitation. Most of the removal occurs in close proximity to the drainfield infiltration pipes (within about 1 m) demonstrating that reaction rates are relatively fast in the context of typical groundwater plume residence times. This long-term consistency demonstrates that sustainable nutrient treatment can be achieved with conventional on-site wastewater disposal systems that have low capital costs and require minimal energy input and maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Richard J Elgood
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | | | - Susan J Brown
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sherry L Schiff
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
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5
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Zhang LZ, He W, Huang FY, He W, Zhou P, Chen C, Rensing C, Brandt KK, He J, Liu F, Zhao Y, Guo H. Response of microbial taxonomic and nitrogen functional attributes to elevated nitrate in suburban groundwater. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 874:162524. [PMID: 36868285 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic nitrogen (N) input has led to elevated levels of nitrate nitrogen (NO3--N) in the groundwater. However, insights into the responses of the microbial community and its N metabolic functionality to elevated NO3--N in suburban groundwater are still limited. Here, we explored the microbial taxonomy, N metabolic attributes, and their responses to NO3--N pollution in groundwaters from Chaobai River catchment (CR) and Huai River catchment (HR) in Beijing, China. Results showed that average NO3--N and NH4+-N concentrations in CR groundwater were 1.7 and 3.0 folds of those in HR. NO3--N was the dominant nitrogen specie both in HR and CR groundwater (over 80 %). Significantly different structures and compositions of the microbial communities and N cycling gene profiles were found between CR groundwater and HR groundwater (p < 0.05), with CR groundwater harboring significantly lower microbial richness and abundance of N metabolic genes. However, denitrification was the dominant microbial N cycling process in both CR and HR groundwater. Strong associations among NO3--N, NH4+-N, microbial taxonomic, and N functional attributes were found (p < 0.05), suggesting denitrifiers and Candidatus_Brocadia might serve as potential featured biomarkers for the elevated NO3--N and NH4+-N concentration in groundwater. Path analysis further revealed the significant effect of NO3--N on the overall microbial N functionality and microbial denitrification (p < 0.05). Collectively, our results provide field evidence that elevated levels of NO3--N and NH4+-N under different hydrogeologic conditions had a significant effect on the microbial taxonomic and N functional attributes in groundwater, with potential implications for improving sustainable N management and risk assessment of groundwater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling-Zhi Zhang
- School of Water Resources and Environment & Key Laboratory of Groundwater Conservation of MWR, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
| | - Wei He
- Beijing Municipal Research Institute of Eco-Environmental Protection, Beijing 100037, China
| | - Fu-Yi Huang
- Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1799 Jimei Road, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Wei He
- School of Water Resources and Environment & Key Laboratory of Groundwater Conservation of MWR, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
| | - Pengpeng Zhou
- School of Water Resources and Environment & Key Laboratory of Groundwater Conservation of MWR, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
| | - Cuibai Chen
- School of Water Resources and Environment & Key Laboratory of Groundwater Conservation of MWR, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
| | - Christopher Rensing
- College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Kristian Koefoed Brandt
- Department of Plant and Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg 1871, Denmark; Sino-Danish Center for Education and Research, Beijing, China
| | - Jiangtao He
- School of Water Resources and Environment & Key Laboratory of Groundwater Conservation of MWR, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
| | - Fei Liu
- School of Water Resources and Environment & Key Laboratory of Groundwater Conservation of MWR, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
| | - Yi Zhao
- School of Water Resources and Environment & Key Laboratory of Groundwater Conservation of MWR, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Huaming Guo
- School of Water Resources and Environment & Key Laboratory of Groundwater Conservation of MWR, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China.
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6
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Zhai Y, Han Y, Lu H, Du Q, Xia X, Teng Y, Zuo R, Wang J. Interactions between anthropogenic pollutants (biodegradable organic nitrogen and ammonia) and the primary hydrogeochemical component Mn in groundwater: Evidence from three polluted sites. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 808:152162. [PMID: 34875327 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic pollutants (organic nitrogen and ammonia) can change the dynamic balances of hydrogeochemical components of groundwater, and this can affect the fates of the pollutants and groundwater quality. The aim of this paper is to assess the long-term impact of pollutants on groundwater component concentrations and species in three sites that has been polluted with illegal discharge wastewater containing organic nitrogen and ammonia, in order to reveal the interactions between nitrogen species and Mn. We analyzed semi-monthly groundwater data from three sites in northwestern China over a long period of time (2015-2020) by using statistical analyses, correlation analyses, and a correlation co-occurrence network method. The results showed that wastewater entering groundwater from surface changed the hydrogeochemical component concentrations and species significantly. The main form of inorganic nitrogen species changed from nitrate to ammonia. The Mn concentration increased from undetectable (<0.01 mg/L) to 1.64 mg/L (the maximum), which surpassed the guideline value suggested by China and WHO. The main mechanism for Mn increase is the reductive dissolution of Mn oxide caused by the oxidation of organic nitrogen. Mn‑nitrogen species interaction complicates the transformation of nitrogen components. Chemoautotrophic denitrification and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) mediated by Mn are the major mechanisms of nitrate attenuation when dissolved oxygen is greater than 2 mg/L. Mn oxides reductive dissolution and reoxidation of Mn by nitrate reduction cause Mn to circulate in groundwater. The results provide field evidence for interactions between nitrogen species transformation and Mn cycle in groundwater. This has important implications for pollution management and groundwater remediation, particularly monitored natural attenuation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanzheng Zhai
- Engineering Research Center for Groundwater Pollution Control, Remediation of Ministry of Education of China, College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Yifan Han
- Engineering Research Center for Groundwater Pollution Control, Remediation of Ministry of Education of China, College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Hong Lu
- Engineering Research Center for Groundwater Pollution Control, Remediation of Ministry of Education of China, College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
| | - Qingqing Du
- Engineering Research Center for Groundwater Pollution Control, Remediation of Ministry of Education of China, College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Xuelian Xia
- Engineering Research Center for Groundwater Pollution Control, Remediation of Ministry of Education of China, College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Yanguo Teng
- Engineering Research Center for Groundwater Pollution Control, Remediation of Ministry of Education of China, College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Rui Zuo
- Engineering Research Center for Groundwater Pollution Control, Remediation of Ministry of Education of China, College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Jinsheng Wang
- Engineering Research Center for Groundwater Pollution Control, Remediation of Ministry of Education of China, College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
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7
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Du Y, Deng Y, Liu Z, Huang Y, Zhao X, Li Q, Ma T, Wang Y. Novel Insights into Dissolved Organic Matter Processing Pathways in a Coastal Confined Aquifer System with the Highest Known Concentration of Geogenic Ammonium. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:14676-14688. [PMID: 34677945 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c05301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
High levels of geogenic ammonium in groundwater is a highly neglected nitrogen pool in coastal aquatic systems. Although organic matter (OM) mineralization is known to significantly influence geogenic ammonium enrichment, the detailed mechanism underlying ammonium enrichment based on dissolved organic matter (DOM) characterization in coastal aquifer systems remains unclear. In this study, we characterized the optical and molecular signatures of DOM coupled with hydrogeochemistry and multiple isotopes (H/O/C/N) to elucidate in detail the mechanisms underlying the anomalously high ammonium in the coastal confined aquifer system of the Pearl River Delta, which exhibits the highest reported geogenic ammonium concentration in groundwater on the Earth. We identified three DOM fluorescent components, a marine humic-like component (C1) and two other humic-like components (C2 and C3). The autochthonous OM was first processed to the C1 component, which was further transformed to C2 and C3 components. In terms of molecular classes, the processing pathway from bacterial- or algal-derived OM to aliphatic compounds and highly unsaturated-low O compounds was identified, and highly unsaturated-low O compounds were accumulated as the main products. Compounds containing two or three N atoms were processed, and compounds with one N atom gradually accumulated, which was further degraded into CHO compounds. The ammonium (up to 179 mg/L as N) was gradually enriched due to the decomposition of CHO+3N to CHO+2N, CHO+1N, and CHO compounds. Owing to the longer residence time and less frequent fresh water flushing, the produced ammonium was retained in the aquifer as a "long-term result". The contrasting DOM characteristics, together with the differing depositional and hydrogeological conditions, give rise to the higher levels of geogenic ammonium in coastal confined aquifer systems compared with inland alluvial-lacustrine confined aquifer systems. To our knowledge, this is the first study to characterize DOM and its relationship with geogenic ammonium in coastal aquifer systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Du
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Source Apportionment and Control of Aquatic Pollution, School of Environmental Studies & State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, China
| | - Yamin Deng
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Source Apportionment and Control of Aquatic Pollution, School of Environmental Studies & State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, China
| | - Zhaohui Liu
- Geological Survey Institute, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Yanwen Huang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Source Apportionment and Control of Aquatic Pollution, School of Environmental Studies & State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, China
| | - Xinwen Zhao
- Wuhan Center of China Geological Survey, Wuhan 430205, China
| | - Qinghua Li
- Wuhan Center of China Geological Survey, Wuhan 430205, China
| | - Teng Ma
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Source Apportionment and Control of Aquatic Pollution, School of Environmental Studies & State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, China
| | - Yanxin Wang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Source Apportionment and Control of Aquatic Pollution, School of Environmental Studies & State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, China
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8
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Robertson WD, Van Stempvoort DR, Schiff SL. Nitrogen Attenuation in Septic System Plumes. GROUND WATER 2021; 59:369-380. [PMID: 33314044 DOI: 10.1111/gwat.13065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The persistence of inorganic nitrogen is assessed in a set of 21 septic system plumes located in Ontario, Canada, that were studied over a 31-year period from 1988 to 2019. In the plume zones underlying the drainfields, site mean NO3 - values averaged 34 ± 27 mg N/L and exceeded the nitrate drinking water limit (DWL) of 10 mg N/L at 16 of 21 sites. In plume zones extending up to 30 m downgradient from the drainfields, site mean NO3 - values averaged 24 ± 20 mg N/L and exceeded the DWL at 9 of 13 sites. Site mean total inorganic nitrogen (TIN; NH4 + + NO3 - - N) removal averaged 34 ± 26% in the drainfield zones and 36 ± 44% in the downgradient plume zones, indicating that much of the removal occurred within the drainfields. Removal was much higher at nine sites where drainfield TIN included >10% NH4 + (62 ± 25% removal). TIN removal was not correlated with wastewater loading rate, system age, or sediment carbonate mineral content, but was correlated with water table depth, where shallower water table sites had generally less complete wastewater oxidation. At many of these sites, both NO3 - and NH4 + were present together in the plumes and were lost concomitantly, suggesting that the anammox reaction was making an important contribution to the observed TIN loss. When groundwater nitrate contamination is a concern, considering on-site treatment system designs that lead to a lesser degree of wastewater oxidation, could be a useful approach for enhancing N removal.
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Affiliation(s)
- William D Robertson
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Dale R Van Stempvoort
- Watershed Hydrology and Ecology Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sherry L Schiff
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
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9
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Qin H, Diao M, Zhang Z, Visser PM, Zhang Y, Wang Y, Yan S. Responses of phytoremediation in urban wastewater with water hyacinths to extreme precipitation. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2020; 271:110948. [PMID: 32778268 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Climate change not only intensifies eutrophication and enhances the rainfall, but also elevates the contents of greenhouse gases, which can further increase the intensity and frequency of extreme precipitation events. The effectivity of phytoremediation of urban wastewaters by water hyacinths under an extreme rainfall event (up to 380 mm d-1) was investigated using self-designed fabrications with six flow rates (2-15 m3 d-1) in situ on pilot scale for 30 days. The results suggest that water hyacinths had high N and P removal capacities even under adverse conditions such as low dissolved oxygen concentrations (DO, <1 mg L-1) and high ammonium concentrations (NH4+-N, >7 mg L-1). Specifically, the highest removal yields of N and P were 13.14 ± 0.47 g N·m-2·d-1 and 2.12 ± 0.04 g P·m-2·d-1, respectively. The results indicate that water hyacinths can be used for water treatment to reduce the amounts of NH4+-N, dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) and phosphate (PO43-) even during extreme precipitation events. Moreover, DO increased due to wet deposition, runoff and surface flows during the extreme rainfall event, resulting in shifts between nitrification and denitrification processes which significantly altered nitrogen forms in urban wastewater. Results of this study suggest that water hyacinths could be recommended as a cost-effective and eco-friendly technology for urban wastewater phytoremediation in areas suffering from frequent extreme precipitation events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongjie Qin
- Key Laboratory for Agricultural Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100081, China; Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, 210014, China; Department of Freshwater and Marine Ecology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, 1090 GE, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; China Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory at Yangtze River Plain for Agricultural Environment, Nanjing, 210014, China.
| | - Muhe Diao
- Leibniz Institute DSMZ - German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Zhiyong Zhang
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, 210014, China; China Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory at Yangtze River Plain for Agricultural Environment, Nanjing, 210014, China
| | - Petra M Visser
- Department of Freshwater and Marine Ecology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, 1090 GE, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Yingying Zhang
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, 210014, China; China Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory at Yangtze River Plain for Agricultural Environment, Nanjing, 210014, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, 210014, China; China Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory at Yangtze River Plain for Agricultural Environment, Nanjing, 210014, China
| | - Shaohua Yan
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, 210014, China; China Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory at Yangtze River Plain for Agricultural Environment, Nanjing, 210014, China.
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10
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Van Stempvoort DR, Brown SJ, Spoelstra J, Garda D, Robertson WD, Smyth SA. Variable persistence of artificial sweeteners during wastewater treatment: Implications for future use as tracers. WATER RESEARCH 2020; 184:116124. [PMID: 32755735 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.116124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
For more than a decade the artificial sweeteners acesulfame (ACE) and sucralose (SUC) have been applied as tracers of the input of wastewater to environmental waters. Recently concerns have been raised that degradation of ACE during treatment may hinder or restrict its use as a wastewater tracer. In this study the value of ACE and SUC as tracers was reassessed based on samples of wastewater at 12 municipal wastewater treatment (MWWT) plants and from 7 septic systems and associated septic plumes in groundwater. The results indicated stability of SUC during MWWT at most plants, and variable removal of both sweeteners during some MWWT and in the septic wastewater systems. However, the residual concentrations of ACE and SUC in municipal effluent and in septic plumes indicate that both sweeteners remain valuable wastewater tracers. The mass ratio SUC/ACE was found to be a useful parameter for examining the relative persistence of these sweeteners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dale R Van Stempvoort
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, Ontario, L7S 1A1, Canada.
| | - Susan J Brown
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, Ontario, L7S 1A1, Canada
| | - John Spoelstra
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, Ontario, L7S 1A1, Canada; Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Dorothy Garda
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - William D Robertson
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Shirley Anne Smyth
- Science and Risk Assessment Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, Ontario, L7S 1A1, Canada
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11
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Nitrifying and Denitrifying Microbial Communities in Centralized and Decentralized Biological Nitrogen Removing Wastewater Treatment Systems. WATER 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/w12061688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Biological nitrogen removal (BNR) in centralized and decentralized wastewater treatment systems is assumed to be driven by the same microbial processes and to have communities with a similar composition and structure. There is, however, little information to support these assumptions, which may impact the effectiveness of decentralized systems. We used high-throughput sequencing to compare the structure and composition of the nitrifying and denitrifying bacterial communities of nine onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS) and one wastewater treatment plant (WTP) by targeting the genes coding for ammonia monooxygenase (amoA) and nitrous oxide reductase (nosZ). The amoA diversity was similar between the WTP and OWTS, but nosZ diversity was generally higher for the WTP. Beta diversity analyses showed the WTP and OWTS promoted distinct amoA and nosZ communities, although there is a core group of N-transforming bacteria common across scales of BNR treatment. Our results suggest that advanced N-removal OWTS have microbial communities that are sufficiently distinct from those of WTP with BNR, which may warrant different management approaches.
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Robertson WD, Garda DL. Pyrite Oxidation Halts Migration of a Phosphorus Plume. GROUND WATER 2020; 58:27-34. [PMID: 30843187 DOI: 10.1111/gwat.12877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Revised: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
We have established a monitoring record of phosphate (PO4 3- ) migration in the Long Point, ON campground septic system plume that now spans 26 years. Previously, at year 16 (2006), a P plume 16 m in length was documented and provided a good fit with an analytical advection dispersion model when a P migration velocity of 0.8 m/yr was used (retardation factor of 37) and when P behaved in an otherwise conservative manner (sorption only). However, between years 16 and 26 (2016), the P plume length expanded by only 2 m (0.2 m/yr) and increased in depth by only 0.5 m. The zone of abrupt P depletion at depth occurs close to the zone where SO4 2- concentrations increase in response to NO3 - oxidation of pyrite. Scanning electron microscope images of sand grains from the nose of the P plume reveal abundant authigenic mineral coatings of considerable thickness (∼5 to 20 μm), with Fe as the dominant cation and containing 1 to 3 wt % P. This evidence suggests that P is now being attenuated along a reaction front that coincides with the zone where pyrite oxidation is occurring. P migration may now be controlled by the rate of migration of the pyrite oxidation front and this is several times slower than the previously indicated rate in the shallower, sorption-controlled portion of the plume. Monitoring at Long Point has demonstrated the danger of embracing an overly simplistic conceptual model when attempting to predict wastewater P migration in groundwater and also highlights the unique insight provided by a long-term monitoring record.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dorothy L Garda
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
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Xin J, Liu Y, Chen F, Duan Y, Wei G, Zheng X, Li M. The missing nitrogen pieces: A critical review on the distribution, transformation, and budget of nitrogen in the vadose zone-groundwater system. WATER RESEARCH 2019; 165:114977. [PMID: 31446294 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2019.114977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2019] [Revised: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Intensive agriculture and urbanization have led to the excessive and repeated input of nitrogen (N) into soil and further increased the amount of nitrate (NO3-) leaching into groundwater, which has become an environmental problem of widespread concern. This review critically examines both the recent advances and remaining knowledge gaps with respect to the N cycle in the vadose zone-groundwater system. The key aspects regarding the N distribution, transformation, and budget in this system are summarized. Three major missing N pieces (N in dissolved organic form, N in the deep vadose zone, and N in the nonagricultural system), which are crucial for closing the N cycle yet has been previously assumed to be insignificant, are put forward and discussed. More work is anticipated to obtain accurate information on the chemical composition, transformation mechanism, and leaching flux of these missing N pieces in the vadose zone-groundwater system. These are essential to support the assessment of global N stocks and management of N contamination risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Xin
- Key Lab of Marine Environmental Science and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Geological Engineering, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China.
| | - Yang Liu
- Key Lab of Marine Environmental Science and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Geological Engineering, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China
| | - Fei Chen
- School of Environment, State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Yijun Duan
- School of Environment, State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Guanli Wei
- Key Lab of Marine Environmental Science and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Geological Engineering, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China
| | - Xilai Zheng
- Key Lab of Marine Environmental Science and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Geological Engineering, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China
| | - Miao Li
- School of Environment, State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
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Zhu A, Chen J, Gao L, Shimizu Y, Liang D, Yi M, Cao L. Combined microbial and isotopic signature approach to identify nitrate sources and transformation processes in groundwater. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 228:721-734. [PMID: 31071559 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.04.163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Revised: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Nitrate (NO3-) pollution is a serious problem worldwide. Identification of NO3- sources and transformation processes in aquifers is a key step in effectively controlling and mitigating NO3- contamination. In this study, hydrochemical, microbial, and dual isotopic approaches were integrated to elucidate the sources and processes influencing NO3- contamination in the Pearl River Delta, China. The results showed a severe NO3- contamination, with 75% of the samples having NO3--N concentrations above the WHO standard of 10 mg L-1. The δ15NNO3- and δ18ONO3- values and a multivariate statistical analysis of hydrochemical data both revealed that manure and sewage were mainly responsible for NO3- contamination. Biological indicators further demonstrated that, manure and sewage had greater impacts on groundwater quality during the rainy season than during the dry season. Based on the significant relationships of δ15NNO3- and δ18ONO3- with the logarithmic NO3- concentration (Ln(NO3-)), denitrification was confirmed to occur in the discharge zone during the rainy season. Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Planctomycetes were identified as the dominant phyla, and Dechloromonas, Flavobacterium, and Nitrospira were dominant among the denitrifying bacteria in groundwater. The abundance of denitrifying bacteria had significant positive correlations with δ15NNO3- and NO2--N during the rainy season, further confirming the occurrence of denitrification during the rainy season. This study showed that dual isotope techniques combined with microbial data can be a powerful tool for identifying the sources and microbial processes affecting NO3- in groundwater. Moreover, the results can provide useful insights for environmental managers to verify groundwater pollution and better apply remediation solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aiping Zhu
- School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Urbanization and Geo‑simulation, School of Geography and Planning, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, PR China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Climate Change and Natural Disaster Studies, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, PR China
| | - Jianyao Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Urbanization and Geo‑simulation, School of Geography and Planning, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, PR China
| | - Lei Gao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Urbanization and Geo‑simulation, School of Geography and Planning, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, PR China.
| | - Yuta Shimizu
- Office for Agricultural Artificial Intelligence Research, Research Center for Agricultural Information Technology, 3-5-1 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Dongmei Liang
- Bureau of Hydrology and Water Resources of Nanning City, Nanning, 530001, PR China
| | - Ming Yi
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Urbanization and Geo‑simulation, School of Geography and Planning, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, PR China
| | - Lixiang Cao
- School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, PR China.
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Wells NS, Kappelmeyer U, Knöller K. Anoxic nitrogen cycling in a hydrocarbon and ammonium contaminated aquifer. WATER RESEARCH 2018; 142:373-382. [PMID: 29908465 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2018.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Revised: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/02/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Nitrogen fate and transport through contaminated groundwater systems, where N is both ubiquitous and commonly limits pollutant attenuation, must be re-evaluated given evidence for new potential microbial N pathways. We addressed this by measuring the isotopic composition of dissolved inorganic N (DIN = NH4+, NO2-, and NO3-) and N functional gene abundances (amoA, nirK, nirS, hszA) from 20 to 38 wells across an NH4+, hydrocarbon, and SO42- contaminated aquifer. In-situ N attenuation was confirmed on three sampling dates (0, +6, +12 months) by the decreased [DIN] (4300 - 40 μM) and increased δ15N-DIN (5‰-33‰) over the flow path. However, the assumption of negligible N attenuation within the plume was complicated by the presence of alternative electron acceptors (SO42-, Fe3+), both oxidizing and reducing functional genes, and N oxides within this anoxic zone. Active plume N cycling was corroborated using an NO2- dual isotope based model, which found the fastest (∼10 day) NO2- turnover within the N and electron donor rich central plume. Findings suggest that N cycling is not always O2 limited within chemically complex contaminated aquifers, though this cycling may recycle the N species rather than attenuate N.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi S Wells
- Dept. of Catchment Hydrology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Theodor-Lieser Str. 4, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany; Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry, School of Environment, Science & Engineering, Southern Cross University, Military Rd, Lismore, 2480, NSW, Australia.
| | - Uwe Kappelmeyer
- Dept. of Environmental Biotechnology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstr. 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Kay Knöller
- Dept. of Catchment Hydrology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Theodor-Lieser Str. 4, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
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16
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Reactive and Mixing Processes Governing Ammonium and Nitrate Coexistence in a Polluted Coastal Aquifer. GEOSCIENCES 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/geosciences8060210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Caschetto M, Robertson W, Petitta M, Aravena R. Partial nitrification enhances natural attenuation of nitrogen in a septic system plume. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 625:801-808. [PMID: 29306168 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.12.329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Revised: 12/28/2017] [Accepted: 12/28/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Natural attenuation of nitrogen (N) was investigated in a well characterized septic system plume at a campground in Ontario, Canada. Total inorganic N (TIN) concentrations in deeper portions of the plume were about one third of the septic tank value of 40.7mgL-1. NH4+ and NO3- isotopic characterization were used to provide insight into potential attenuation processes. Concentrations of NH4+ and NO3- were highly variable in the plume, but approached the septic tank TIN value in some shallow zones and exhibited δ15N values like the tank value of +6‰. However, isotopic enrichment (up to +24‰ for NH4+ and +45‰ for NO3-) and declining TIN concentrations in the deeper zones indicated that anaerobic ammonium oxidation contributed to the TIN attenuation. The degree of isotopic enrichment increased at lower NH4+ concentrations and was consistent with Rayleigh-type distillation with an enrichment factor (Ɛ) of -5.1‰. Additionally, decreasing DOC values with depth and the concomitant enrichment of δ15NNO3 and δ18ONO3, suggested that denitrification was also active. The N attenuation observed in the Killarney plume was partly due to incomplete nitrification that occurred because of the shallow water table, which varied from only 0.2-0.7m below the tile bed infiltration pipes. Moreover, some of the monitoring locations with the shallowest water table distances from the infiltration pipes, had the highest degree of TIN attenuation (70-90%) in the plume. This behavior suggests that controlling water table distance from the infiltration pipes could be a useful mechanism for enhancing N attenuation in septic system plumes.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Caschetto
- Department of Earth Sciences, "La Sapienza" University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy.
| | - W Robertson
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - M Petitta
- Department of Earth Sciences, "La Sapienza" University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - R Aravena
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
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Nikolenko O, Jurado A, Borges AV, Knӧller K, Brouyѐre S. Isotopic composition of nitrogen species in groundwater under agricultural areas: A review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 621:1415-1432. [PMID: 29074237 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.10.086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2017] [Revised: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 10/10/2017] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
This work reviews applications of stable isotope analysis to the studies of transport and transformation of N species in groundwater under agricultural areas. It summarizes evidence regarding factors affecting the isotopic composition of NO3-, NH4+ and N2O in subsurface, and discusses the use of 11B, 18O, 13C, 34S, 87Sr/86Sr isotopes to support the analysis of δ15N values. The isotopic composition of NO3-, NH4+ and N2O varies depending on their sources and dynamics of N cycle processes. The reported δ15N-NO3- values for sources of NO3- are: soil organic N - +3‰-+8‰, mineral fertilizers - -8‰-+7‰; manure/household waste - +5‰ to +35‰. For NH4+ sources, the isotopic signature ranges are: organic matter - +2.4-+4.1‰, rainwater - -13.4-+2.3‰, mineral fertilizers - -7.4-+5.1‰, household waste - +5-+9‰; animal manure - +8-+11‰. For N2O, isotopic composition depends on isotopic signatures of substrate pools and reaction rates. δ15N values of NO3- are influenced by fractionation effects occurring during denitrification (ɛ=5-40‰), nitrification (ɛ=5-35‰) and DNRA (ɛ not reported). The isotopic signature of NH4+ is also affected by nitrification and DNRA as well as mineralization (ɛ=1‰), sorption (ɛ=1-8‰), anammox (ɛ=4.3-7.4‰) and volatilization (ɛ=25‰). As for the N2O, production of N2O leads to its depletion in 15N, whereas consumption - to enrichment in 15N. The magnitude of fractionation effects occurring during the considered processes depends on temperature, pH, DO, C/NO3- ratio, size of the substrate pool, availability of electron donors, water content in subsoil, residence time, land use, hydrogeology. While previous studies have accumulated rich data on isotopic composition of NO3- in groundwater, evidence remains scarce in the cases of NH4+ and N2O. Further research is required to consider variability of δ15N-NH4+ and δ15N-N2O in groundwater across agricultural ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olha Nikolenko
- University of Liѐge, ArGEnCo, Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology, Aquapôle, -B52/3 Sart-Tilman, 4000 Liѐge, Belgium.
| | - Anna Jurado
- University of Liѐge, ArGEnCo, Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology, Aquapôle, -B52/3 Sart-Tilman, 4000 Liѐge, Belgium
| | | | - Kay Knӧller
- Department of Catchment Hydrology, UFZ Helmholtz - Centre for Environmental Research, Germany
| | - Serge Brouyѐre
- University of Liѐge, ArGEnCo, Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology, Aquapôle, -B52/3 Sart-Tilman, 4000 Liѐge, Belgium
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Kumar S, Herrmann M, Thamdrup B, Schwab VF, Geesink P, Trumbore SE, Totsche KU, Küsel K. Nitrogen Loss from Pristine Carbonate-Rock Aquifers of the Hainich Critical Zone Exploratory (Germany) Is Primarily Driven by Chemolithoautotrophic Anammox Processes. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:1951. [PMID: 29067012 PMCID: PMC5641322 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2017] [Accepted: 09/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the high relevance of anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) for nitrogen loss from marine systems, its relative importance compared to denitrification has less been studied in freshwater ecosystems, and our knowledge is especially scarce for groundwater. Surprisingly, phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA)-based studies identified zones with potentially active anammox bacteria within two superimposed pristine limestone aquifer assemblages of the Hainich Critical Zone Exploratory (CZE; Germany). We found anammox to contribute an estimated 83% to total nitrogen loss in suboxic groundwaters of these aquifer assemblages at rates of 3.5–4.7 nmol L−1 d−1, presumably favored over denitrification by low organic carbon availability. Transcript abundances of hzsA genes encoding hydrazine synthase exceeded nirS and nirK transcript abundances encoding denitrifier nitrite reductase by up to two orders of magnitude, providing further support of a predominance of anammox. Anammox bacteria, dominated by groups closely related to Cand. Brocadia fulgida, constituted up to 10.6% of the groundwater microbial community and were ubiquitously present across the two aquifer assemblages with indication of active anammox bacteria even in the presence of 103 μmol L−1 oxygen. Co-occurrence of hzsA and amoA gene transcripts encoding ammonia mono-oxygenase suggested coupling between aerobic and anaerobic ammonium oxidation under suboxic conditions. These results clearly demonstrate the relevance of anammox as a key process driving nitrogen loss from oligotrophic groundwater environments, which might further be enhanced through coupling with incomplete nitrification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swatantar Kumar
- Aquatic Geomicrobiology Group, Institute of Biodiversity, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany.,Department of Biogeochemical Processes, Max-Planck-Institute for Biogeochemistry, Jena, Germany
| | - Martina Herrmann
- Aquatic Geomicrobiology Group, Institute of Biodiversity, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany.,German Center for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Bo Thamdrup
- Department of Biology, Nordic Center for Earth Evolution, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Valérie F Schwab
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Patricia Geesink
- Aquatic Geomicrobiology Group, Institute of Biodiversity, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Susan E Trumbore
- Department of Biogeochemical Processes, Max-Planck-Institute for Biogeochemistry, Jena, Germany
| | - Kai-Uwe Totsche
- Hydrogeology, Institute of Geosciences, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Kirsten Küsel
- Aquatic Geomicrobiology Group, Institute of Biodiversity, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany.,German Center for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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20
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Grimmeisen F, Lehmann MF, Liesch T, Goeppert N, Klinger J, Zopfi J, Goldscheider N. Isotopic constraints on water source mixing, network leakage and contamination in an urban groundwater system. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 583:202-213. [PMID: 28104328 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.01.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2016] [Revised: 01/07/2017] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Water supply in developing countries is prone to large water losses due to leaky distribution networks and defective sewers, which may affect groundwater quality and quantity in urban areas and result in complex subsurface mixing dynamics. In this study, a multi-stable isotope approach was used to investigate spatiotemporal fluctuations of surface and sub-surface water source partitioning and mixing, and to assess nitrogen (N) contamination in the urban water cycle of As-Salt, Jordan. Water import from the King Abdullah Canal (KAC), mains waters from the network, and wastewater are characterized by distinct isotopic signatures, which allowed us to quantify city effluents into the groundwater. Temporal variations in isotopic signatures of polluted groundwater are explained by seasonally fluctuating inflow, and dilution by water that originates from Lake Tiberias and enters the urban water cycle via the KAC. Isotopic analysis (N and O) and comparison between groundwater nitrate and nitrate from mains water, water imports and wastewater confirmed that septic waste from leaky sewers is the main contributor of nitrate contamination. The nitrate of strongly contaminated groundwater was characterized by highest δ15NNO3 values (13.3±1.8‰), whereas lowest δ15NNO3 values were measured in unpolluted groundwater (6.9‰). Analogously, nitrate concentration and isotopic ratios were used for source partitioning and qualitatively confirmed δDH2O and δ18OH2O-based estimates. Dual water isotope endmember mixing calculations suggest that city effluents from leaky networks and sewers contribute 30-64% to the heavily polluted groundwater. Ternary mixing calculations including also chloride revealed that 5-18% of the polluted groundwater is wastewater. Up to two thirds of the groundwater originates from mains, indicating excessive water loss from the network, and calling for improved water supply management.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Grimmeisen
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Institute of Applied Geosciences (AGW), Division of Hydrogeology, Kaiserstr. 12, D-76131 Karlsruhe, Germany.
| | - M F Lehmann
- University of Basel, Aquatic and Stable Isotope Biogeochemistry, Department of Environmental Sciences, Bernoullistr. 30, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - T Liesch
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Institute of Applied Geosciences (AGW), Division of Hydrogeology, Kaiserstr. 12, D-76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - N Goeppert
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Institute of Applied Geosciences (AGW), Division of Hydrogeology, Kaiserstr. 12, D-76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - J Klinger
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Institute of Applied Geosciences (AGW), Division of Hydrogeology, Kaiserstr. 12, D-76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - J Zopfi
- University of Basel, Aquatic and Stable Isotope Biogeochemistry, Department of Environmental Sciences, Bernoullistr. 30, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - N Goldscheider
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Institute of Applied Geosciences (AGW), Division of Hydrogeology, Kaiserstr. 12, D-76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
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Isotopic overprinting of nitrification on denitrification as a ubiquitous and unifying feature of environmental nitrogen cycling. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:E6391-E6400. [PMID: 27702902 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1601383113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural abundance nitrogen and oxygen isotopes of nitrate (δ15NNO3 and δ18ONO3) provide an important tool for evaluating sources and transformations of natural and contaminant nitrate (NO3-) in the environment. Nevertheless, conventional interpretations of NO3- isotope distributions appear at odds with patterns emerging from studies of nitrifying and denitrifying bacterial cultures. To resolve this conundrum, we present results from a numerical model of NO3- isotope dynamics, demonstrating that deviations in δ18ONO3 vs. δ15NNO3 from a trajectory of 1 expected for denitrification are explained by isotopic over-printing from coincident NO3- production by nitrification and/or anammox. The analysis highlights two driving parameters: (i) the δ18O of ambient water and (ii) the relative flux of NO3- production under net denitrifying conditions, whether catalyzed aerobically or anaerobically. In agreement with existing analyses, dual isotopic trajectories >1, characteristic of marine denitrifying systems, arise predominantly under elevated rates of NO2- reoxidation relative to NO3- reduction (>50%) and in association with the elevated δ18O of seawater. This result specifically implicates aerobic nitrification as the dominant NO3- producing term in marine denitrifying systems, as stoichiometric constraints indicate anammox-based NO3- production cannot account for trajectories >1. In contrast, trajectories <1 comprise the majority of model solutions, with those representative of aquifer conditions requiring lower NO2- reoxidation fluxes (<15%) and the influence of the lower δ18O of freshwater. Accordingly, we suggest that widely observed δ18ONO3 vs. δ15NNO3 trends in freshwater systems (<1) must result from concurrent NO3- production by anammox in anoxic aquifers, a process that has been largely overlooked.
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Cooper JA, Loomis GW, Amador JA. Hell and High Water: Diminished Septic System Performance in Coastal Regions Due to Climate Change. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0162104. [PMID: 27583363 PMCID: PMC5008777 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0162104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2016] [Accepted: 08/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Climate change may affect the ability of soil-based onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS) to treat wastewater in coastal regions of the Northeastern United States. Higher temperatures and water tables can affect treatment by reducing the volume of unsaturated soil and oxygen available for treatment, which may result in greater transport of pathogens, nutrients, and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) to groundwater, jeopardizing public and aquatic ecosystem health. The soil treatment area (STA) of an OWTS removes contaminants as wastewater percolates through the soil. Conventional STAs receive wastewater from the septic tank, with infiltration occurring deeper in the soil profile. In contrast, shallow narrow STAs receive pre-treated wastewater that infiltrates higher in the soil profile, which may make them more resilient to climate change. We used intact soil mesocosms to quantify the water quality functions of a conventional and two types of shallow narrow STAs under present climate (PC; 20°C) and climate change (CC; 25°C, 30 cm elevation in water table). Significantly greater removal of BOD5 was observed under CC for all STA types. Phosphorus removal decreased significantly from 75% (PC) to 66% (CC) in the conventional STA, and from 100% to 71–72% in shallow narrow STAs. No fecal coliform bacteria (FCB) were released under PC, whereas up to 17 and 20 CFU 100 mL-1 were released in conventional and shallow narrow STAs, respectively, under CC. Total N removal increased from 14% (PC) to 19% (CC) in the conventional STA, but decreased in shallow narrow STAs, from 6–7% to less than 3.0%. Differences in removal of FCB and total N were not significant. Leaching of N in excess of inputs was also observed in shallow narrow STAs under CC. Our results indicate that climate change can affect contaminant removal from wastewater, with effects dependent on the contaminant and STA type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A. Cooper
- Laboratory of Soil Ecology and Microbiology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - George W. Loomis
- New England Onsite Wastewater Training Center, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Jose A. Amador
- Laboratory of Soil Ecology and Microbiology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, United States of America
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Wells NS, Hakoun V, Brouyère S, Knöller K. Multi-species measurements of nitrogen isotopic composition reveal the spatial constraints and biological drivers of ammonium attenuation across a highly contaminated groundwater system. WATER RESEARCH 2016; 98:363-375. [PMID: 27124126 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2016.04.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2015] [Revised: 03/28/2016] [Accepted: 04/13/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Groundwater under industrial sites is characterised by heterogeneous chemical mixtures, making it difficult to assess the fate and transport of individual contaminants. Quantifying the in-situ biological removal (attenuation) of nitrogen (N) is particularly difficult due to its reactivity and ubiquity. Here a multi-isotope approach is developed to distinguish N sources and sinks within groundwater affected by complex industrial pollution. Samples were collected from 70 wells across the two aquifers underlying a historic industrial area in Belgium. Below the industrial site the groundwater contained up to 1000 mg N l(-1) ammonium (NH4(+)) and 300 mg N l(-1) nitrate (NO3(-)), while downgradient concentrations decreased to ∼1 mg l(-1) DIN ([DIN] = [NH4(+)N] + [NO3(-)N] + [NO2(-)N]). Mean δ(15)N-DIN increased from ∼2‰ to +20‰ over this flow path, broadly confirming that biological N attenuation drove the measured concentration decrease. Multi-variate analysis of water chemistry identified two distinct NH4(+) sources (δ(15)NNH4(+) from -14‰ and +5‰) within the contaminated zone of both aquifers. Nitrate dual isotopes co-varied (δ(15)N: -3‰ - +60‰; δ(18)O: 0‰ - +50‰) within the range expected for coupled nitrification and denitrification of the identified sources. The fact that δ(15)NNO2(-) values were 50‰-20‰ less than δ(15)NNH4(+) values in the majority of wells confirmed that nitrification controlled N turnover across the site. However, the fact that δ(15)NNO2(-) was greater than δ(15)NNH4(+) in wells with the highest [NH4(+)] shows that an autotrophic NO2(-) reduction pathway (anaerobic NH4(+) oxidation or nitrifier-denitrification) drove N attenuation closest to the contaminant plume. This direct empirical evidence that both autotrophic and heterotrophic biogeochemical processes drive N attenuation in contaminated aquifers demonstrates the power of multiple N isotopes to untangle N cycling in highly complex systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi S Wells
- Department of Catchment Hydrology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Theodor-Lieser Str. 4, 06112 Halle (Saale), Germany.
| | - Vivien Hakoun
- Université de Liège, Département ArGEnCo, Hydrogéologie et Géologie de l'Environnement, Bât. B52/3 - Sart-Tilman, B-4000 Liege, Belgium
| | - Serge Brouyère
- Université de Liège, Département ArGEnCo, Hydrogéologie et Géologie de l'Environnement, Bât. B52/3 - Sart-Tilman, B-4000 Liege, Belgium
| | - Kay Knöller
- Department of Catchment Hydrology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Theodor-Lieser Str. 4, 06112 Halle (Saale), Germany
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Robertson WD, Van Stempvoort DR, Roy JW, Brown SJ, Spoelstra J, Schiff SL, Rudolph DR, Danielescu S, Graham G. Use of an Artificial Sweetener to Identify Sources of Groundwater Nitrate Contamination. GROUND WATER 2016; 54:579-87. [PMID: 26729010 DOI: 10.1111/gwat.12399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2015] [Accepted: 12/01/2015] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The artificial sweetener acesulfame (ACE) is a potentially useful tracer of waste water contamination in groundwater. In this study, ACE concentrations were measured in waste water and impacted groundwater at 12 septic system sites in Ontario, Canada. All samples of septic tank effluent (n = 37) had ACE >6 µg/L, all samples of groundwater from the proximal plume zones (n = 93) had ACE >1 µg/L and, almost all samples from the distal plume zones had ACE >2 µg/L. Mean mass ratios of total inorganic nitrogen/ACE at the 12 sites ranged from 680 to 3500 for the tank and proximal plume samples. At five sites, decreasing ratio values in the distal zones indicated nitrogen attenuation. These ratios were applied to three aquifers in Canada that are nitrate-stressed and an urban stream where septic systems are present nearby to estimate the amount of waste water nitrate contamination. At the three aquifer locations that are agricultural, low ACE values (<0.02-0.15 µg/L) indicated that waste water contributed <15% of the nitrate in most samples. In groundwater discharging to the urban stream, much higher ACE values (0.2-11 µg/L) indicated that waste water was the likely source of >50% of the nitrate in most samples. This study confirms that ACE is a powerful tracer and demonstrates its use as a diagnostic tool for establishing whether waste water is a significant contributor to groundwater contamination or not.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - J W Roy
- Environment Canada, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
| | - S J Brown
- Environment Canada, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
| | - J Spoelstra
- Environment Canada, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
- Department Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - S L Schiff
- Department Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - D R Rudolph
- Department Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - S Danielescu
- Environment Canada, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - G Graham
- Environment Canada, Pacific & Yukon Region, Vancouver, British Colombia, Canada
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25
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Oshiki M, Satoh H, Okabe S. Ecology and physiology of anaerobic ammonium oxidizing bacteria. Environ Microbiol 2016; 18:2784-96. [DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.13134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 235] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2014] [Revised: 11/08/2015] [Accepted: 11/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mamoru Oshiki
- Department of Civil Engineering National Institute of Technology Nagaoka College 888 Nishikatakaimachi Nagaoka Niigata 940‐0834 Japan
| | - Hisashi Satoh
- Division of Environmental Engineering Faculty of Engineering Hokkaido University North 13, West‐8 Sapporo Hokkaido 060‐8628 Japan
| | - Satoshi Okabe
- Division of Environmental Engineering Faculty of Engineering Hokkaido University North 13, West‐8 Sapporo Hokkaido 060‐8628 Japan
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26
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Robertson WD, Van Stempvoort DR, Spoelstra J, Brown SJ, Schiff SL. Degradation of sucralose in groundwater and implications for age dating contaminated groundwater. WATER RESEARCH 2016; 88:653-660. [PMID: 26575474 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2015.10.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2015] [Revised: 10/24/2015] [Accepted: 10/26/2015] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The artificial sweetener sucralose has been in use in Canada and the US since about 2000 and in the EU since 2003, and is now ubiquitous in sanitary wastewater in many parts of the world. It persists during sewage treatment and in surface water environments and as such, has been suggested as a powerful tracer of wastewater. In this study, longer-term persistence of sucralose was examined in groundwater by undertaking a series of three sampling snapshots of a well constrained wastewater plume in Canada (Long Point septic system) over a 6-year period from 2008 to 2014. A shrinking sucralose plume in 2014, compared to earlier sampling, during this period when sucralose use was likely increasing, provides clear evidence of degradation. However, depletion of sucralose from a mean of 40 μg/L in the proximal plume zone, occurred at a relatively slow rate over a period of several months to several years. Furthermore, examination of septic tank effluent and impacted groundwater at six other sites in Canada, revealed that sucralose was present in all samples of septic tank effluent (6-98 μg/L, n = 32) and in all groundwater samples (0.7-77 μg/L, n = 64). Even though sucralose degradation is noted in the Long Point plume, its ubiquitous presence in the groundwater plumes at all seven sites implies a relatively slow rate of decay in many groundwater septic plume environments. Thus, sucralose has the potential to be used as an indicator of 'recent' wastewater contamination. The presence of sucralose identifies groundwater that was recharged after 2000 in Canada and the US and after 2003 in the EU and many Asian countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- W D Robertson
- University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G1, Canada.
| | | | - J Spoelstra
- University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G1, Canada; Environment Canada, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
| | - S J Brown
- Environment Canada, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
| | - S L Schiff
- University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G1, Canada
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27
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Smith RL, Böhlke JK, Song B, Tobias CR. Role of Anaerobic Ammonium Oxidation (Anammox) in Nitrogen Removal from a Freshwater Aquifer. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2015; 49:12169-12177. [PMID: 26401911 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5b02488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) couples the oxidation of ammonium with the reduction of nitrite, producing N2. The presence and activity of anammox bacteria in groundwater were investigated at multiple locations in an aquifer variably affected by a large, wastewater-derived contaminant plume. Anammox bacteria were detected at all locations tested using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and quantification of hydrazine oxidoreductase (hzo) gene transcripts. Anammox and denitrification activities were quantified by in situ (15)NO2(-) tracer tests along anoxic flow paths in areas of varying ammonium, nitrate, and organic carbon abundances. Rates of denitrification and anammox were determined by quantifying changes in (28)N2, (29)N2, (30)N2, (15)NO3(-), (15)NO2(-), and (15)NH4(+) with groundwater travel time. Anammox was present and active in all areas tested, including where ammonium and dissolved organic carbon concentrations were low, but decreased in proportion to denitrification when acetate was added to increase available electron supply. Anammox contributed 39-90% of potential N2 production in this aquifer, with rates on the order of 10 nmol N2-N L(-1) day(-1). Although rates of both anammox and denitrification during the tracer tests were low, they were sufficient to reduce inorganic nitrogen concentrations substantially during the overall groundwater residence times in the aquifer. These results demonstrate that anammox activity in groundwater can rival that of denitrification and may need to be considered when assessing nitrogen mass transport and permanent loss of fixed nitrogen in aquifers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard L Smith
- National Research Program, U.S. Geological Survey , 3215 Marine Street, Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
| | - J K Böhlke
- National Research Program, U.S. Geological Survey , 431 National Center, Reston, Virginia 20192, United States
| | - Bongkeun Song
- Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William and Mary , P.O. Box 1346, Gloucester Point, Virginia 23062, United States
| | - Craig R Tobias
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Connecticut , 1080 Shennecossett Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
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28
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Salminen JM, Petäjäjärvi SJ, Tuominen SM, Nystén TH. Ethanol-based in situ bioremediation of acidified, nitrate-contaminated groundwater. WATER RESEARCH 2014; 63:306-315. [PMID: 25019597 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2014.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2014] [Revised: 05/28/2014] [Accepted: 06/11/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
A novel approach for the in situ bioremediation of acidified, nitrate-contaminated groundwater was developed. Ethanol was introduced into the groundwater to enhance the activity of intrinsic denitrifying micro-organisms. Infiltration of the carbon source was made via an infiltration gallery constructed in the unsaturated zone to avoid clogging problems and to allow wider distribution of ethanol in the groundwater. The changes in the groundwater geochemistry and soil gas composition were monitored at the site to evaluate the efficiencies of the infiltration system and nitrate removal. Moreover, the impact of pH and ethanol addition on the denitrification rate was studied in laboratory. A reduction of 95% was achieved in the groundwater nitrate concentrations during the study. Neither clogging problems nor inefficient introduction of ethanol into the saturated zone were observed. Most crucial to the denitrifying communities was pH, values above 6 were required for efficient denitrification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jani M Salminen
- Centre for Sustainable Consumption and Production, Finnish Environment Institute, P.O. Box 140, FI-00251 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Sanna J Petäjäjärvi
- Centre for Sustainable Consumption and Production, Finnish Environment Institute, P.O. Box 140, FI-00251 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sirkku M Tuominen
- Centre for Sustainable Consumption and Production, Finnish Environment Institute, P.O. Box 140, FI-00251 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Taina H Nystén
- Centre for Sustainable Consumption and Production, Finnish Environment Institute, P.O. Box 140, FI-00251 Helsinki, Finland
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29
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Nyenje PM, Havik JCN, Foppen JW, Muwanga A, Kulabako R. Understanding the fate of sanitation-related nutrients in a shallow sandy aquifer below an urban slum area. JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY 2014; 164:259-274. [PMID: 25016588 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconhyd.2014.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2013] [Revised: 06/21/2014] [Accepted: 06/23/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
We hypothesized that wastewater leaching from on-site sanitation systems to alluvial aquifers underlying informal settlements (or slums) may end up contributing to high nutrient loads to surface water upon groundwater exfiltration. Hence, we conducted a hydro-geochemical study in a shallow sandy aquifer in Bwaise III parish, an urban slum area in Kampala, Uganda, to assess the geochemical processes controlling the transport and fate of dissolved nutrients (NO3, NH4 and PO4) released from on-site sanitation systems to groundwater. Groundwater was collected from 26 observation wells. The samples were analyzed for major ions (Ca, Mg, Na, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cl and SO4) and nutrients (o-PO4, NO3 and NH4). Data was also collected on soil characteristics, aquifer conductivity and hydraulic heads. Geochemical modeling using PHREEQC was used to determine the level of o-PO4 control by mineral solubility and sorption. Groundwater below the slum area was anoxic and had near neutral pH values, high values of EC (average of 1619μS/cm) and high concentrations of Cl (3.2mmol/L), HCO3 (11mmol/L) and nutrients indicating the influence from wastewater leachates especially from pit latrines. Nutrients were predominantly present as NH4 (1-3mmol/L; average of 2.23mmol/L). The concentrations of NO3 and o-PO4 were, however, low: average of 0.2mmol/L and 6μmol/L respectively. We observed a contaminant plume along the direction of groundwater flow (NE-SW) characterized by decreasing values of EC and Cl, and distinct redox zones. The redox zones transited from NO3-reducing in upper flow areas to Fe-reducing in the lower flow areas. Consequently, the concentrations of NO3 decreased downgradient of the flow path due to denitrification. Ammonium leached directly into the alluvial aquifer was also partially removed because the measured concentrations were less than the potential input from pit latrines (3.2mmol/L). We attributed this removal (about 30%) to anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) given that the cation exchange capacity of the aquifer was low (<6meq/100g) to effectively adsorb NH4. Phosphate transport was, on the other hand, greatly retarded and our results showed that this was due to the adsorption of P to calcite and the co-precipitation of P with calcite and rhodochrosite. Our findings suggest that shallow alluvial sandy aquifers underlying urban slum areas are an important sink of excessive nutrients leaching from on-site sanitation systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- P M Nyenje
- Department of Water Science and Engineering, UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, P. O. Box 3015, Delft, The Netherlands.
| | - J C N Havik
- Utrecht University, Faculty of Geosciences, P.O. Box 80125, 3508 TC Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - J W Foppen
- Department of Water Science and Engineering, UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, P. O. Box 3015, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - A Muwanga
- Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
| | - R Kulabako
- Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
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30
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Tedd KM, Coxon CE, Misstear BDR, Daly D, Craig M, Mannix A, Williams NHH. An integrated pressure and pathway approach to the spatial analysis of groundwater nitrate: a case study from the southeast of Ireland. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2014; 476-477:460-476. [PMID: 24486501 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.12.085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2013] [Revised: 12/18/2013] [Accepted: 12/18/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Excess nitrogen in soil, aquatic and atmospheric environments is an escalating global problem. Eutrophication is the principal threat to surface water quality in the Republic of Ireland. European Union Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) water quality status assessments found that 16% of Irish groundwater bodies were 'at risk' of poor status due to the potential deterioration of associated estuarine and coastal water quality by nitrate from groundwater. This paper presents a methodology for evaluating pressure and pathway parameters affecting the spatial distribution of groundwater nitrate, investigated at a regional scale using existing national spatial datasets. The potential for nitrate transfer to groundwater was rated based on the introduced concepts of Pressure Loading and Pathway Connectivity Rating, each based on a combination of selected pressure and pathway parameters respectively. In the region studied, the South Eastern River Basin District of Ireland, this methodology identified that pathway parameters were more important than pressure parameters in understanding the spatial distribution of groundwater nitrate. Statistical analyses supported these findings and further demonstrated that the proportion of poorly drained soils, arable land, karstic flow regimes, regionally important bedrock aquifers and high vulnerability groundwater within the zones of contribution of the monitoring points are statistically significantly related to groundwater nitrate concentrations. Soil type was found to be the most important parameter. Analysis of variance showed that a number of the pressure and pathway parameters are interrelated. The parameters identified by the presented methodology may provide useful insights into the best way to manage and mitigate the influence of nitrate contamination of groundwater in this region. It is suggested that the identification of critical source areas based on the identified parameters would be an appropriate management tool, enabling planning and enforcement resources to be focussed on areas which will yield most benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- K M Tedd
- Department of Geology, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland; Hydrometric & Groundwater Section, Environmental Protection Agency, Richview, Dublin 14, Ireland
| | - C E Coxon
- Department of Geology, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - B D R Misstear
- Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - D Daly
- Hydrometric & Groundwater Section, Environmental Protection Agency, Richview, Dublin 14, Ireland
| | - M Craig
- Hydrometric & Groundwater Section, Environmental Protection Agency, Richview, Dublin 14, Ireland
| | - A Mannix
- Hydrometric & Groundwater Section, Environmental Protection Agency, Richview, Dublin 14, Ireland
| | - N H Hunter Williams
- Groundwater Section, Geological Survey of Ireland, Haddington Road, Dublin 4, Ireland
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31
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Application of On-Site Wastewater Treatment in Ireland and Perspectives on Its Sustainability. SUSTAINABILITY 2014. [DOI: 10.3390/su6031623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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32
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Robertson WD, Roy JW, Brown SJ, Van Stempvoort DR, Bickerton G. Natural attenuation of perchlorate in denitrified groundwater. GROUND WATER 2014; 52:63-70. [PMID: 23448242 DOI: 10.1111/gwat.12031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2012] [Accepted: 01/07/2013] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Monitoring of a well-defined septic system groundwater plume and groundwater discharging to two urban streams located in southern Ontario, Canada, provided evidence of natural attenuation of background low level (ng/L) perchlorate (ClO4⁻) under denitrifying conditions in the field. The septic system site at Long Point contains ClO4⁻ from a mix of waste water, atmospheric deposition, and periodic use of fireworks, while the nitrate plume indicates active denitrification. Plume nitrate (NO3⁻ -N) concentrations of up to 103 mg/L declined with depth and downgradient of the tile bed due to denitrification and anammox activity, and the plume was almost completely denitrified beyond 35 m from the tile bed. The ClO4⁻ natural attenuation occurs at the site only when NO3⁻ -N concentrations are <0.3 mg/L, after which ClO4⁻ concentrations decline abruptly from 187 ± 202 to 11 ± 15 ng/L. A similar pattern between NO3⁻ -N and ClO4⁻ was found in groundwater discharging to the two urban streams. These findings suggest that natural attenuation (i.e., biodegradation) of ClO4⁻ may be commonplace in denitrified aquifers with appropriate electron donors present, and thus, should be considered as a remediation option for ClO4⁻ contaminated groundwater.
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33
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Cuthbert MO, McMillan LA, Handley-Sidhu S, Riley MS, Tobler DJ, Phoenix VR. A field and modeling study of fractured rock permeability reduction using microbially induced calcite precipitation. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2013; 47:13637-13643. [PMID: 24147737 DOI: 10.1021/es402601g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP) offers an attractive alternative to traditional grouting technologies for creating barriers to groundwater flow and containing subsurface contamination, but has only thus far been successfully demonstrated at the laboratory scale and predominantly in porous media. We present results of the first field experiments applying MICP to reduce fractured rock permeability in the subsurface. Initially, the ureolytic bacterium, Sporosarcina pasteurii, was fixed in the fractured rock. Subsequent injection of cementing fluid comprising calcium chloride and urea resulted in precipitation of large quantities (approximately 750 g) of calcite; significant reduction in the transmissivity of a single fracture over an area of several m(2) was achieved in around 17 h of treatment. A novel numerical model is also presented which simulates the field data well by coupling flow and bacterial and solute reactive transport processes including feedback due to aperture reduction via calcite precipitation. The results show that MICP can be successfully manipulated under field conditions to reduce the permeability of fractured rock and suggest that an MICP-based technique, informed by numerical models, may form the basis of viable solutions to aid pollution mitigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark O Cuthbert
- Water Sciences (Hydrogeology), School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham , Birmingham, B15 2TT, U.K.
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Wastewater effluent impacts ammonia-oxidizing prokaryotes of the Grand River, Canada. Appl Environ Microbiol 2013; 79:7454-65. [PMID: 24056472 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02202-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The Grand River (Ontario, Canada) is impacted by wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) that release ammonia (NH3 and NH4+) into the river. In-river microbial communities help transform this ammonia into more oxidized compounds (e.g., NO3- or N2), although the spatial distribution and relative abundance of freshwater autotrophic ammonia-oxidizing prokaryotes (AOP) are not well characterized. This study investigated freshwater N cycling within the Grand River, focusing on sediment and water columns, both inside and outside a WWTP effluent plume. The diversity, relative abundance, and nitrification activity of AOP were investigated by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), and reverse transcriptase qPCR (RT-qPCR), targeting both 16S rRNA and functional genes, together with activity assays. The analysis of bacterial 16S rRNA gene fingerprints showed that the WWTP effluent strongly affected autochthonous bacterial patterns in the water column but not those associated with sediment nucleic acids. Molecular and activity data demonstrated that ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) were numerically and metabolically dominant in samples taken from outside the WWTP plume, whereas ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) dominated numerically within the WWTP effluent plume. Potential nitrification rate measurements supported the dominance of AOB activity in downstream sediment. Anaerobic ammonia-oxidizing (anammox) bacteria were detected primarily in sediment nucleic acids. In-river AOA patterns were completely distinct from effluent AOA patterns. This study demonstrates the importance of combined molecular and activity-based studies for disentangling molecular signatures of wastewater effluent from autochthonous prokaryotic communities.
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