Michał Łopata

Influence of restoration methods on the longevity of changes in the thermal and oxygen dynamics of a degraded lake

Abstract The study was conducted on Lake Długie, located in the city of Olsztyn, which for 20 years received raw domestic sewage (400 m3 per day). After preliminary conservation operations, the lake was restored by artificial circulation and phosphorus inactivation methods. During artificial circulation, water temperature in the whole lake volume was equalized. The disconnection of the compressor stimulated the return to typical thermal parameters in the lake. Phosphorus inactivation did not affect the thermal regime in the lake. Artificial circulation caused an increase in the oxygen content in the whole lake, lowered the oxygen-depletion rate during stagnation, and shortened the duration of anaerobic conditions in the near-bottom waters. Phosphorus inactivation did not directly affect the content of oxygen. However, after the coagulant was added to the lake, the oxygenation of the water was further improved owing to the depressed photosynthesis caused by drastically reduced availability of phosphate for primary producers.

Phosphorus immobilization in Lake Gleboczek following treatment with polyaluminum chloride

Phosphorus immobilization in Lake Głęboczek following treatment with polyaluminum chloride In 2001-2003, a survey was conducted of the effectiveness of restoration in the heavily eutrophic polymictic Lake Głęboczek, located in Tuchola. The application of the phosphorus inactivation method with polyaluminum chloride PAX 18 resulted in the complete removal of phosphates, and in a considerable (up to 50-60%) reduction of total phosphorus in the lake water. The sorptive capacity of the bottom sediments was enhanced after the restoration, particularly in the top layer (0-5 cm). An increase of the aluminum content and of mineral forms of phosphorus was observed, mainly the aluminum-bound fraction (at its greatest, by over 330%). The amount of mobile phosphorus in the sediments decreased by 40%. The evidence of the durable immobilization of phosphorus in the aquatic ecosystem was the limited phosphorus release from the bottom sediments. This was confirmed by a significant decrease of total phosphorus in the interstitial waters (from 4-6 mg dm-3 to 2-3 mg dm-3), and by a practically complete removal of phosphates from the near-bottom waters.

Durability of changes in phosphorus compounds in water of an urban lake after application of two reclamation methods.

The study was conducted on Długie Lake (area 26.8 ha, maximum depth 17.3 m), located in the town of Olsztyn, in north-eastern Poland (the Masurian Lake District). For 20 years starting in the 1950s, Długie Lake was used as a receiver of raw domestic and storm sewage in quantities oscillating between 350 and 400 m(3) day(-1). This led to complete degradation of the lake, known as saprotrophy. After some preliminary protective treatments in the catchment, the lake has been renewed by artificial aeration with thermal destratification and the phosphorus inactivation methods. Long-term reclamation of the reservoir has resulted in distinct and durable improvement of water quality. Before the restoration, the average phosphorus concentration in the surface water layer was 0.079 mg P L(-1) and in the over-bottom water it reached 2.277 mg P L(-1). The total phosphorus (TP) level also was very high, i.e. up to 3.5 mg P L(-1). After the restoration, these values have declined to 0.001-0.017 mg P L(-1) in the case of mineral P, and the current TP concentrations do not exceed 0.350 mg P L(-1).

Using the geodetic and hydroacoustic measurements to investigate the bathymetric and morphometric parameters of Lake Hańcza (Poland)

Abstract Most of the inland lakes do not have up-to-date bathymetry. However, a significant progress in surveying technologies creates a possibility to quickly and accurately describe the underwater environment. Modern geodetic and global positioning techniques integrated with hydroacoustic systems provide a great opportunity to study the bottom shape with high resolution. Our study presents a reliable methodology for investigation of bathymetry and morphometric parameters with the use of GNSS positioning techniques and single beam echosounder. The research was implemented on the deepest, glacial reservoir in the central part of European Depression - Lake Hancza. Direct hydroacoustic and geodetic measurements completed by sediment study were conducted by the authors in 2010-2013. After performing a field survey the Digital Elevation Model was constructed and the new bathymetric map and morphometric card were elaborated. The maximum depth was confirmed to be 105.55 m. The final conclusions show that the available bathymetric data and morphometric parameters of lakes are highly dependent on the research methodology used, the precision and accuracy of measurement techniques, proper water level determination, digital elevation model and bathymetric map elaboration processes.

Spatial variability of nutrients (N, P) in a deep, temperate lake with a low trophic level supported by global navigation satellite systems, geographic information system and geostatistics

We investigated changes in the spatial distribution of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) in the deep, mesotrophic Lake Hańcza. The raw data collection, supported by global navigation satellite system (GNSS) positioning, was conducted on 79 sampling points. A geostatistical method (kriging) was applied in spatial interpolation. Despite the relatively small area of the lake (3.04 km(2)), compact shape (shore development index of 2.04) and low horizontal exchange of water (retention time 11.4 years), chemical gradients in the surface waters were found. The largest variation concerns the main biogenic element - phosphorus. The average value was 0.032 at the extreme values of 0.019 to 0.265 mg L(-1) (coefficient of variation 87%). Smaller differences are related to nitrogen compounds (0.452-1.424 mg L(-1) with an average value of 0.583 mg L(-1), the coefficient of variation 20%). The parts of the lake which are fed with tributaries are the richest in phosphorus. The water quality of the oligo-mesotrophic Lake Hańcza has been deteriorating in recent years. Our results indicate that inferences about trends in the evolution of examined lake trophic status should be based on an analysis of the data, taking into account the local variation in water chemistry.

Changes in the phytoplankton community of a lake restored with phosphorus inactivation (Lake Głęboczek, northern Poland).

Changes in the phytoplankton community of a lake restored with phosphorus inactivation (Lake Głęboczek, northern Poland) The study applied qualitative and quantitative phytoplankton analysis as a tool for determining algal community characteristics and identifying the directions and general trends of changes caused by the restoration of Lake Głęboczek through phosphorous inactivation before and during its application. The method applied in the studied lake aimed at reducing phosphorous availability through the chemical precipitation of its excess mineral forms in the water body and limiting their mobility in the bottom sediments. Restoration efforts led to shifts in the phytoplankton domination structure followed by the inhibition of blue-green algae development. In consequence, a significant decrease was recorded in the growth rate of the phytoplankton community.

Comparison of coagulation behaviour and floc characteristics of polyaluminium chloride (PAX 18, PAX XL19H, ALCAT) with surface water treatment

Abstract Coagulation behaviour of polyaluminium chloride (PACl) was comparatively investigated in terms of the removal of turbidity and colour with surface water. The growth of flocs was also compared. The results show that the decrease in saturation and values of dissolved oxygen was ca. 20% for ALCAT and PAX 18 at both dosages and 15% for PAX XL 19H, respectively. The floc formation growth indicated that PACl coagulation occurred not only by charge neutralization but also by a form of sweep flocculation. Besides, flocs formed by ALCAT had better sizes than the flocs formed by PAX 18 and PAX XL19H. The rate of sedimentation was stable during coagulation with higher doses, and it was dependent on the substance used.

Bottom sediments as a potential source of phosphorus in the riverine-lacustrine system of the Kośna River (Northeastern Poland)

Abstract Sediments from hypereutrophic Lake Łajskie localized in northeastern Poland were examined on the basis of P-fraction. The sediments were collected at five sampling sites. In the investigated lake, the rank order of P-fractions was HCl-P > BD-P > NH4Cl-P > NaOH - nrP. The loosely sorbed phosphorus NH4Cl-P represented < 3% of the sedimentary inorganic phosphorus, while the reductant phosphorus (BD-P) ranged from 2 to 10%. The calcium bound phosphorus (HCl-P) showed considerable contribution (59-74%) to the sedimentary inorganic P-loads. BDP was the most reactive fraction in Lake Łajskie. Iron compounds and organic matter seem to play a significant role in regulating this labile P-budget.

The use of expanded clay aggregate for the pretreatment of surface waters on the example of a tributary of Lake Klasztorne Górne in Strzelce Krajeńskie

Abstract The paper presents a proposal for the treatment of river water based on expanded clay (ceramsite). It is a lightweight mineral aggregate containing components relative to phosphorus adsorption (calcium, iron, manganese, aluminum). A pilot plant on a fractional technical scale was built on a nutrient rich (phosphorus up to 0.4 mg dm−3, nitrogen up to 10.0 mg dm−3), small (mean annual flow about 0.04 m3 s−1), natural watercourse (Młynówka River, a tributary of the Otok Channel, Noteć basin, the municipality of Strzelce Krajeńskie). The monitoring included quantitative and qualitative measurements of the water stream in 2014-2015. On the basis of the examinations, the calculated effectiveness of ceramsite filters in removing major contaminants from water was: for total nitrogen 5-6%, phosphorus 12-16%, and for suspensions 17-29%. The effectiveness of the treatment is highly influenced by hydraulic load, so this type application on a full-scale should occupy a sufficiently large volume. Taking into account simplicity of performance, ease of operation and low cost of construction and maintenance, such pretreatment plants based on expanded clay would seem to be a promising tool for the protection of surface waters in catchments of small rivers and streams.

BOTTOM DEPOSITS OF STRATIFIED, SEEPAGE, URBAN LAKE (ON EXAMPLE OF TYRSKO LAKE, POLAND) AS A FACTOR POTENTIALLY SHAPING LAKE WATER QUALITY

The object of the study was Tyrsko Lake (area 18.6 ha, max. depth 30.4 m), located in the western part of Olsztyn (Olsztyn Lakeland). This lake is one of the clear water lakes in Olsztyn, but the progressive deterioration of water quality has been observed during recent years. The phosphorus concentration in the water-sediment interface, phosphorus fractions quantity and the amount of components which can bind this element was investigated in the upper (0–5 cm) layer of deposits. The aim of study was to analyze the potential influence of bottom sediment on the lake water quality. The obtained results revealed that the bottom sediment of Tyrsko Lake can be classified as mixed, silica-organic type, with a relatively high content of iron (over 4% Fe in d.w.). The total phosphorus content was ca. 3.5 mg P g-1 d.w. on average. Phosphorus in the bottom sediment was bound mainly with organic matter (NaOH-nrP fraction), which had over 50% share in TP. Highly mobile fractions (NH4-Cl-P and BD-P) together only included ca. 5% to 7% TP. The obtained results show that the bottom sediment of Tyrsko Lake can bind phosphorus quite effectively. The calculated internal mineral phosphorus loading during summer stagnation period was 10.9 kg and it was lower that the assessed annual external phosphorus load (22.6 kg). The assessed annual phosphorus loading from both sources was still lower than the critical load according to Vollenweider criteria. However, due to the fact that the internal loading phenomenon is occurring in the lake, it should be taken into consideration that the lake water quality can deteriorate gradually during the longer time perspective. These findings should be accounted for in the future if the potential protection and restoration procedures will be developed.