Piotr Koszelnik

A simple model of nitrogen retention in reservoirs

The total nitrogen mass balance was studied over a two-year period in two reservoirs located in south-eastern Poland. Theobserved nitrogen retention (Nret) inthe reservoirs ranged from 0.18 to 2.12g m-2d-1 (mean 0.83g m-2d-1) in case of theRzeszów Reservoir and from -0.02 to0.41 g m-2d-1 (mean 0.13g m-2d-1) in case of the SolinaReservoir, while the percentage retention(Nret) ranged from 7 to 42% (mean22%) and -15 to 73% (mean 35%),respectively. A good relationship betweenNret and nitrogen loads was observedfor the Solina Reservoir. The data obtainedby the author and collected from theresearches of 6 other reservoirs located insouthern Poland were used to develop anempirical model suitable to predict thenitrogen seasonal dynamics in a reservoir.The model allows for the determination ofboth the annual mean Nret value andits seasonal variation in a reservoir.

The significance of denitrification in relation to external loading and nitrogen retention in a mountain reservoir

Nitrogen retention (Nret) and denitrification were studied in the mesotrophic Solina reservoir (south-east Poland) between spring and autumn in 2002 and 2003. Nret was calculated on the basis of the input-output mass balance. The rate of denitrification was measured using the 15N isotope pairing technique in two types of areas; in deep areas, where the bottom sediment makes contacts with the hypolimnion (Dprof), and in the unstratified shallows (Dlitt). The calculated daily load of removed nitrogen (Dtot) varied somewhat from 11.0 to 19.1 mg N m–2 day–1 with a standard deviation of 3.0 mg N m–2 day–1. The limited oscillation noted for Dtot results from the major participation of the deep areas of the reservoir, which are characterised by stable Dprof, as distinct from Dlitt, which varied seasonally from 5.8 mg N m–2 day–1 in November to 109.9 mg N m–2 day–1 in August. The primary factor limiting the denitrification rate was temperature, the other being availability of substrates, mainly organic matter. Nitrogen retention ranged seasonally between –25.0 and 175.9 mg N m–2 day–1. The contribution of denitrification to Nret ranged from 9.0% to 49.8% (mean 16.4%). On average, only 4.9% of the nitrogen external load was denitrified (range 2.6–7.9%, s.d. 1.5%). After comparing obtained data with others available in the literature, we concluded that reservoirs, estuaries and highly-loaded lakes in a river system experience a more limited contribution of Dtot to Nload than is the case in natural lakes.

Carbon and nitrogen and their elemental and isotopic ratios in the bottom sediment of the Solina-Myczkowce complex of reservoirs

Carbon and nitrogen and their elemental and isotopic ratios in the bottom sediment of the Solina-Myczkowce complex of reservoirs The studies concerned the ecosystem of the Solina-Myczkowce cascade of reservoirs. While the elemental C:N ratio was higher in the Solina Reservoir branches and in the Myczkowce Reservoir (>10), the values for stations located near the Solina Dam were low (<10). Markedly, the lowest values for δ13C were noted in the Myczkowce Reservoir (-28.5‰), and these contrasted with the higher values found in the Solina Reservoir (ca. -27‰). δ15N varied from 2‰ in the upper Solina to above 3.5-4‰ downstream. While the data obtained indicate the autochthonous origin of sedimentary matter, primary production influences the properties of the bottom sediments in the lower part of the Solina reservoirs.

The use of activated carbons for removing organic matter from groundwater

Abstract The article presents research results of the introduction of powdery activated carbon to the existing technological system of the groundwater treatment stations in a laboratory, pilot plant and technical scale. The aim of the research was to reduce the content of organic compounds found in the treated water, which create toxic organic chlorine compounds (THM) after disinfection with chlorine. Nine types of powdery active carbons were tested in laboratory scale. The top two were selected for further study. Pilot plant scale research was carried out for the filter model using CWZ-30 and Norit Sa Super carbon. Reduction of the organic matter in relation to the existing content in the treated water reached about 30%. Research in technical scale using CWZ-30 carbon showed a lesser efficiency with respect to laboratory and pilot-plant scale studies. The organic matter decreased by 15%. Since filtration is the last process before the individual disinfection, an alternative solution is proposed, i.e. the second stage of filtration with a granular activated carbon bed, operating in combined sorption and biodegradation processes. The results of tests carried out in pilot scale were fully satisfactory with the effectiveness of 70–100%.

Determination of nitrate isotopic signature in waters of different sources by analysing the nitrogen and oxygen isotopic ratio

A reference study on both the nitrogen content in waters and nitrogen and oxygen isotopic signatures characterising nitrate from different sources was conducted within the San River catchment area. Three kinds of catchments were studied: (1) forested and uncultivated; (2) artificially fertilised with nitrate; and (3) fertilised with manure and sewage. Moreover, atmospheric water was studied. The obtained values were found to be similar to others in the literature, with the exception of nitrate from the atmosphere, in regard to which influence reflecting the local conditions was to be noted. The isotopic signature of nitrate in the studied water results from the biogeochemical transformation of nitrogen compounds rather than from the mixing of different sources. The obtained results were statistically distinct and can be used as end-member values in further modelling studies connected with the management of nitrate in river waters, especially under middle-eastern European conditions.

Denitrification in the sediment of a eutrophic reservoir measured with the isotope pairing technique

Denitrification in the sediment of a eutrophic reservoir measured with the isotope pairing technique Denitrification rates in the bottom sediment of the Rzeszów Reservoir (southeastern Poland) were measured using the isotope pairing technique. At the stations studied rates were reported in the range of about 26 to 610 μmol N2 m-2 h-1, with the figures generally highest in summer. Simple and multiple regression analyses of relationships with selected abiotic factors gave rise to a model that revealed a statistically significant influence on rates of denitrification in the bottom sediment of the Rzeszów Reservoir due to concentrations of nitrate in overlying water, temperature, and the organic matter content in the sediment. The present study confirms that nitrate concentration in the overlying water is the main factor controlling sedimentary denitrification.

The distribution and isotopic composition of carbon and nitrogen as indicators of organic-matter fluxes in the Solina Reservoir (south-east Poland)

The feasibility of using carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios of sediment organic matter (OM) to elucidate the source and fate of bottom sediment was studied in the Solina Reservoir (south-east Poland). Horizontal and vertical changes in OM, total organic carbon (TOC) and total nitrogen (TN) content, as well as δ15N and δ13C values, in bottom sediments were analysed to establish the extent to which these sediments are terrestrial or internal in origin. Increased proportions of TOC along with slight decreases in TN were noted in the surface layer of shallow water sediment compared with the profundal sites. Upstream shallower C : N and δ15N values amounted to ~15 and ~2‰, respectively, pointing to the allochthonous origin of the OM. In turn, profundal C : N ratios of less than 10 and δ15N values of ~4‰ indicated autochthonous sediment. Values for δ13C did not differ between stations and ranged from –27.39 to –27.66‰. It is therefore suggested that the sediment from the upper shallower stations contains more allochthonous, refractory OM, whereas the profundal stations have planktonic OM enriching the sediment. This combined with the vertical distribution observed for δ15N signalled an intensification of eutrophication over the past few years.

PRELIMINARY STUDIES ON REMOVAL OF DIBUTYL PHTHALATE FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS USING ULTRASOUND

Removal of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) from various components of the environment is an important issue, which currently much attention is paid to. Conventional methods used for their elimination are often ineffective and require additional solutions. For this reason, studies are being conducted on the possibility of using advanced methods of oxidation, which also includes ultrasonic waves. The work includes an assessment of the applicability of the sonochemical method to the oxidation of dibutyl phthalate. Presents results of tests on the effectiveness of the ultrasonic field with a fixed frequency of 20 kHz. The effect of pH, sonication time and amplitude on the process of decomposition were investigated. To the isolation of analyte was used solid phase extraction (SPE). The degree of reduction of dibutyl phthalate was determined using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Preliminary studies have shown the efficacy of the use of ultrasound to remove of dibutyl phthalate.

Production pathways for CH4 and CO2 in sediments of two freshwater ecosystems in south-eastern Poland

This paper presents the results of research into pathways leading to the production of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) in sediments of two eutrophic reservoirs (Maziarnia and Nielisz), located in south-eastern Poland. In seeking to identify the pathways in question, use was made of analysis of stable carbon isotopes in CH4 and CO2 dissolved in pore water. This determined that CH4 is mainly produced through acetate fermentation, though the hydrogenotrophic methanogenic process may also be of importance, especially in deeper layers of sediments. Both the presence of autochthonous organic matter and increased pH values are shown to favour acetate fermentation. In turn, methanogenesis in sediments is assessed as capable of accounting for the generation of a considerable amount of CO2. Indeed, the role of methanogenesis in CO2 production is increasingly important further down in the layers of sediment, where allochthonous organic matter is predominant.

Influence of Sedimentary Fe and Mn on the Oxygenation of Overlying Waters in Dam Reservoirs

This paper reports the work to determine the impact that concentrations of manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) in the bottom sediments of shallow dam reservoirs exert upon the dissolved oxygen concentrations of overlying waters. Specifically, the work was conducted in the period of 2013–2014 in six shallow artificial reservoirs located in SE Poland. The waters of all the reservoirs studied are relatively well oxygenated, though both supersaturation and anoxic conditions are observed seasonally across the 50–150% range. The reported reactions of bottom sediments were between pH 7.7 and 8.2, while the mean concentrations of Mn and Fe were found to vary widely from site to site (Mn from 0.068 to 1.48 g/kg d.w. and Fe from 2.48 to 24.0 g/kg d.w.). It was not possible to demonstrate any direct relationship between sediment Fe and Mn concentrations, the Mn/Fe ratio or pH on the one hand and the oxygenation of reservoir waters on the other. However, multiple regression analysis did allow for the identification of a significant influence of both Mn content and sediment pH on the oxygen concentration in reservoir waters. In simple terms, both an increase in Mn and a decrease in pH can be said to result in more fully aerobic conditions in waters.