Year-end Sale % OFF 
Abstract
This research deals with the impact of aluminum coagulants, used as a tool for the rehabilitation of water bodies, on changes in the phosphorus content in lakes with low alkalinity of water. Mesocosm scale experimental investigations in situ using polyaluminium chloride were carried out, based on five lakes with different levels of water buffering capacity (<1.0–2.5 meq L−1). The research was accomplished using three coagulant doses (half a dose, a whole dose, and a double dose calculated for phosphorus inactivation in a lake ecosystem). The results were compared with the ones from the control mesocosms. The study was carried out in two consecutive years. It was shown that the effectiveness of phosphorus removal from a water column was related to the dose of the coagulant, pH value, and the content of organic compounds. The lowest treatment effectiveness was found for lakes, with the most severe symptoms for dystrophy, which were abundant with humic compounds. As the water alkalinity increased, so did the ability of the coagulant to adsorb phosphorus, while the ecosystem’s load of aluminum in toxic forms decreased. Doubling the standard dose did not result in a noticeable improvement in the water quality. The results allow us to evaluate the chances of successful lake restoration by applying aluminum coagulants to natural water bodies which are susceptible to acidification.
Highlights
The protection and restoration of lakes is increasingly important in countries with limited water resources
The specific chemical composition of water was caused by the conditions in the drainage basin. These lakes, located close to one another, are surrounded mostly by forests and peat bogs. This makes the export of mineral nutrients from the catchment to the lake water much more difficult, and in consequence the water of these lakes has low alkalinity and slightly acidic pH
In this study, conducted in mesocosms, an analysis was made to explore the effects of using different doses of an aluminium coagulant in five lakes with alkalinity below 2.5 meq L−1
Summary
The protection and restoration of lakes is increasingly important in countries with limited water resources. The first response to excessive accumulation of nutrients in a lake ( phosphorus and nitrogen salts) is an increased rate of primary production processes. A more intensive influx of nutrient salts is conducive to the expansion of phytoplankton. It is estimated that a supply of 1 mg of phosphorus can induce a growth of algal fresh biomass of about 1000–2000 mg [4]. The biomass of phytoplankton settles down on the lake bed, where it undergoes mineralization, which in turn leads to oxygen deficits. When the mineralization of organic matter is incomplete, the rate of accumulation of bottom sediments increases. This aggravates the problem of maintaining oxygen balance and favors
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
