Pond Volume Research Articles

The Origin and Fate of Arsenic in Coalbed Natural Gas–Produced Water Ponds

Coalbed natural gas (CBNG)-produced water contains small amounts of trace metals that can accumulate over time in produced water retention ponds. Within the Powder River Basin (PRB) of Wyoming, high concentrations of trace metals in pond water and their effect on shallow groundwater are potential concerns. A pond with a maximum As concentration of 146 microg L(-1) was studied in detail to determine the potential for groundwater pollution and to explain the cause for the high concentration of As. Infiltration characteristics, subsurface hydrology, our fall and pond water quality, isotope signatures, and trace metal balances were examined to assess the hydrology and geochemistry of the pond. The results indicated minimum or no infiltration of pond water and no measurable contamination of the shallow groundwater. The high As concentrations in the pond were determined to be the result of semi-continuous inputs of CBNG-produced water with low As concentrations (0.20-0.48 microg L(-1)), exasperated by low pond volumes during drought conditions. Because of reduced infiltration and high evaporation rates, As became concentrated over time. Reduced infiltration was most likely caused by the high sodium concentration and high sodium adsorption ratio of the CBNG-produced water, which disrupt soil structure. The findings for the pond and the techniques used may serve as a template for future impact assessments of other CBNG-produced water ponds and are relevant for the approximately 4000 ponds currently permitted in the PRB and for future ponds. Further studies are recommended in the use of playa landforms to store marginal-quality produced water.

Outlets of 2D invasion percolation and multiple-armed incipient infinite clusters

We study invasion percolation in two dimensions, focusing on properties of the outlets of the invasion and their relation to critical percolation and to incipient infinite clusters (IIC's). First we compute the exact decay rate of the distribution of both the weight of the kth outlet and the volume of the kth pond. Next we prove bounds for all moments of the distribution of the number of outlets in an annulus. This result leads to almost sure bounds for the number of outlets in a box B(2^n) and for the decay rate of the weight of the kth outlet to p_c. We then prove existence of multiple-armed IIC measures for any number of arms and for any color sequence which is alternating or monochromatic. We use these measures to study the invaded region near outlets and near edges in the invasion backbone far from the origin.

Transition from complex craters to multi‐ringed basins on terrestrial planetary bodies: Scale‐dependent role of the expanding melt cavity and progressive interaction with the displaced zone

The observed differences between complex craters and multi‐ringed basins are described and a combined “transient cavity/displaced zone/melt cavity” model is explored to account for the observations. In this “nested melt‐cavity model”, the increasing influence of the percentage of the target undergoing impact melting at the sub‐impact point with increasing size (the differential melt scaling of Cintala and Grieve [1998]) causes fundamental changes in the nature of the transient cavity, its relationship to the displaced zone, and its short‐term collapse behavior. The transition from complex craters to two‐ring basins involves expansion of the melting front into the displaced zone, formation of a two‐component excavation cavity, and a concomitant radial expansion outward of the zone of maximum elastic rebound. The short‐term modification stage is then dominated by the strength differences between the fluid melt in the inner cavity and rocks of the displaced zone; the highly shocked rocks at the outer margin of the expanded parabolic melting front rebound to form the expanded peak ring, moving upward and laterally inward, easily displacing fluid melt filling the inner depression. At larger sizes, differential melt scaling causes the peak ring diameter to expand relatively more rapidly than the basin rim, and upon collapse, the increased volume of melt ponds in the rebounded melt cavity inside the expanding peak ring. As the transient melt cavity further increases proportionally in size, it penetrates through the base of the displaced zone with significant consequences. The resulting modification stage now incorporates into the collapse process inward and upward movement along the base of the displaced zone; listric failure occurs inward into the fluid melt cavity beginning at the edge of the melt cavity and extending out along the base of the displaced zone up to the base of the rim structural uplift (at ∼1.5 crater radii). This forms an additional outer ring and a resulting megaterrace, modifying the radial ejecta on the collapsed rim to form a domical facies. At multi‐ring basin scales, the significantly deeper penetration that occurs in the expanding melt cavity accounts for the maximum crustal thickness decrease that occurs inside the peak ring in the final basin. Early onset and higher density of peak ring basins on Mercury is predicted by higher mean impact velocity and differential melt scaling.

A system-dynamic model on the competitive growth between Potamogeton malaianus Miq. and Spirogyra sp.

A system-dynamic model has been built to evaluate the competition between submerged macrophytes Potamogeton malaianus Miq. (PM) and filamentous green algae Spirogyra sp. (SP). The data background is based on a spring–summer and an autumn–winter experiment carried out in artificial field ponds. The experiments had the aim to acquire a knowledge base necessary to a successful restoration of submerged macrophyte vegetation in Lake Taihu, China by use of P. malaianus Miq. The model mainly focuses on variations in water volume; biomass dynamics of P. malaianus Miq., Spirogyra sp. and zoobenthos; nutrients cycling between water column, P. malaianus Miq., Spirogyra sp., zoobenthos, detritus and sediment. Sixteen state variables are included in the model: biomass of P. malaianus Miq., Spirogyra sp. and zoobenthos; nitrogen in sediments, detritus, in P. malaianus Miq., in Spirogyra sp. and zoobenthos; total dissolved nitrogen; phosphorus in sediments, detritus, in P. malaianus Miq., in Spirogyra sp. and in zoobenthos; total dissolved phosphorus, and water volume of the experiment pond. The calibration and validation of the model show a good accordance with the results of the spring–summer experiment and the autumn–winter experiment. Model outputs show that higher temperature, shading effect and improper nutrients would result in a decrease in biomass of P. malaianus Miq. The most crucial factor having a negative effect on the growth of P. malaianus Miq. is Spirogyra sp., which entangles the stems and leaves of P. malaianus Miq. In order to successfully restore the vegetation of P. malaianus Miq., Spirogyra sp. should be suppressed in the early phase.

Resource availability and ecosystem size predict food‐chain length in pond ecosystems

Food‐chain length (FCL) in ecosystems has been studied extensively, and numerous hypotheses to predict FCL, productivity, ecosystem size, and productive space have been proposed. For example, the productivity hypothesis suggests that resource availability limits FCL, whereas the productive‐space hypothesis predicts that per‐unit‐size resource availability and ecosystem size equally limit FCL. However, previous studies have only measured total productivity to test FCL and have never tested the impact of resource availability within a system on FCL. Therefore, we estimated FCL in 15 ponds using stable isotope techniques to test the most common hypotheses for predicting FCL. We also measured total productivity, pond volume (ecosystem size), and edible microalgal carbon (resource availability) in each pond. We found that productive‐space (edible carbon+pond volume) was the best model to predict FCL, and FCL was significantly correlated with edible carbon and pond volume. However, factors such as total productivity did not directly predict FCL of the ponds. Therefore, our results suggest that both resource availability and ecosystem size predict FCL in pond ecosystems and play significant roles in maintaining longer FCLs. Furthermore, the productive‐space hypothesis appears to be particularly important for determining the FCL of ponds.

Spreadsheet tool for computing levee pond excavation costs for developing countries

The levee pond is by far the most popular pond type for fish production. The specific object of this study was to develop a tool enabling extension, nongovernmental organization (NGO) agents, contractors and engineers in developing countries for computing levee pond excavation costs. We developed a spreadsheet-based computational tool in English and Spanish on the Microsoft Excel ® platform. Knowing the original land slope and desired pond volume, one may compute excavation amounts that provide an acceptable cut-fill estimates based on a comparison with AutoCAD Civil 3-d ®. The model computes projected costs in user-selected currency. Guidelines are provided for establishing pond bottom elevations and achieving the desired water depth. The model is relevant for small to medium sized levee ponds customarily used in aquacultural production in developing countries.

The Development of Industry-Specific Odor Impact Criteria for Feedlots Using Models

Emissions from feedlot operations are known to vary by environmental conditions and few if any techniques or models exist to predict the variability of odor emission rates from feedlots. The purpose of this paper is to outline and summarize unpublished reports that are the result of a collective effort to develop industry-specific odor impact criteria for Australian feedlots. This effort used over 250 olfactometry samples collected with a wind tunnel and past research to develop emission models for pads, sediment basins, holding ponds, and manure storage areas over a range of environmental conditions and tested using dynamic olfactometry. A process was developed to integrate these emission models into odor dispersion modeling for the development of impact criteria. The approach used a feedlot hydrology model to derive daily feedlot pad moisture, temperature, and thickness. A sub-model converted these daily data to hourly data. A feedlot pad emissions model was developed that predicts feedlot pad emissions as a function of temperature, moisture content, and pad depth. Emissions from sediment basins and holding ponds were predicted using a basin emissions model as a function of days since rain, inflow volume, inflow ratio (pond volume), and temperature. This is the first attempt to model all odor source emissions from a feedlot as variable hourly emissions on the basis of climate, management, and site-specific conditions. Results from the holding pond, sediment basin, and manure storage emission models performed well, but additional work on the pad emissions model may be warranted. This methodology mimics the variable odor emissions and odor impact expected from feedlots due to climate and management effects. The main outcome of the work is the recognition that an industry-specific odor impact criterion must be expressed in terms of all of the components of the assessment methodology.

Numerical simulation of laboratory experiments in detention pond routing with long rainfall duration

This paper establishes a numerical detention pond volume model based on the hydrological continuity equation and the Runge-Kutta numerical method. Experiments for the conditions of both steady and unsteady flow have been used to verify the model. In unsteady flow cases, the outflow hydrograph by numerical simulation are fairly consistent with experimental value. Both experimental and numerical results indicate that wider rectangular sharp-crested weirs or larger rectangular slot tend to induce greater outflow discharges, which undesirably cut down the detention volume. Experiments show that the necessary detention volume of rectangular slot is smaller than that of the rectangular sharp-crested weir for a constant flood peak reduction. That is, the rectangular slot is the recommended outflow device when flood peak reduction is the design criteria. The study also shows that necessary detention volume of the short rainfall duration is less than that of the long rainfall duration under constant allowable maximum discharge.

Graphical estimation of detention pond volume for rainfall of short duration

This study uses the hydrological continuity equation to establish a numerical model according to the detention pond routing phenomena. Then the numerical model is used to develop a series of charts using the dimensionless equation and simplification procedure. These charts can be used to calculate the maximum detention volume by giving characteristics of detention pond shapes, outflow device and triangular inflow hydrograph. A series of examples are adopted to illustrate the procedure of graphical estimation. Based on the examples presented in this paper, the detention volume difference between that estimated from the charting methodology and that generated from the numerical model is within 3%. These charts are useful for determining the needed parameters for detention pond design with inflow hydrographs, detention pond configurations, and outflow devices.

GIS-based Watershed Management Modeling for Surface Runoff Calculation in Tatara River Basin, Japan

In the past few decades when Geographical Information System (GIS) technology was not fully developed in practical use, watershed delineation work used to be conducted manually by hydrologists based on topographic maps. The work was a tedious operation, since it had to be done repeatedly in similar manner for each basin or sub‐basin of interest, and its process always left some unpredicted errors. Nowadays, GIS software is being upgraded regularly with powerful tools responding to the needs of users in different fields. In the present study, to find a simple hydrological solution for a basin (Tatara River basin), an extension tool (ArcHydro) of a well‐known GIS software (ArcGIS) was essentially used for simulations of elevation, drainage line definition, watershed delineation, drainage feature characterization and geometric network generation. With sufficient resolution of DEM interpolated from point elevation data, all water bodies extracted from topographic maps in the basin were critically characterized‐‐‐the depth and water volume of lakes, ponds, and rivers were numerically computed. The final goal of this paper is to calculate surface runoff of the study basin based on a GIS‐based watershed management approach. The work was also processed under another extension called the ArcCN‐Runoff model, which ran on the background of ArcGIS software. This extension tool was built based on a very popular model for surface runoff estimation known as the Soil Conservation Service‐Curve Number (SCS‐CN) model. A total discharge volume in the northern sub‐watershed region of the basin was consequently computed on a monthly basis throughout one year. The computed discharges were totally consistent with those observed, and each of the discharges was also confirmed to be responsible for rainfall. These indicate that SCS‐CN and ArcCN‐Runoff models used in this paper are definitely valid and can be applied to other related projects of surface runoff calculation.

Hydrology and the functioning of seasonal wetland aquaculture–agriculture systems (Fingerponds) at the shores of Lake Victoria, Kenya

Experimental seasonal wetland-based integrated aquaculture–agriculture systems called ‘Fingerponds’ were established at two sites (Nyangera and Kusa villages) at the shores of Lake Victoria in Kenya to enhance the wetland fishery potential. This paper examines the hydrological characteristics of Fingerponds. In Fingerponds’ design, the water supply is un-regulated and the water balance is maintained by natural losses and gains. At the beginning of the season, flood events are critically important for the initial water supply to the ponds. During their functional period (which lasted for about 6 months into the dry season after flood recession), precipitation accounted for nearly 90% of the total water gains while seepage and evaporation contributed an average of 30–70% of the losses, respectively. Seasonal pond water budgets indicated that the losses outweighed the gains leading to a progressive decline of water depth during the dry season. A prediction of the effect of pond volume and weather conditions on the functional period for fish production was carried out using a dynamic simulation model. The results indicated that the culture period can be extended by 2.5 months by deepening the ponds to an average depth of 1.5m: this would increase the overall fish harvest. Drier weather accelerated losses and shortened the culture period by 1–2 months.

Nitrification in bulk water and biofilms of algae wastewater stabilization ponds

Nitrogen removal in wastewater stabilization ponds is poorly understood and effluent monitoring data show a wide range of differences in ammonium. For effluent discharge into the environment, low levels of nitrogen are recommended. Nitrification is limiting in facultative wastewater stabilization ponds. The reason why nitrification is considered to be limiting is attributed to low growth rate and wash out of the nitrifiers. Therefore to maintain a population, attached growth is required. The aim of this research is to study the relative contribution of bulk water and biofilms with respect to nitrification. The hypothesis is that nitrification can be enhanced in stabilization ponds by increasing the surface area for nitrifier attachment. In order to achieve this, transparent pond reactors representing water columns in algae WSP have been used. To discriminate between bulk and biofilm activity, 5-day batch activity tests were carried out with bulk water and biofilm sampled. The observed value for Rnitrbulk was 2.7 x 10(-1) mg-N L(-1) d(-1) and for Rbiofilm was 1,495 mg-N m(-2) d(-1). During the 5 days of experiment with the biofilm, ammonia reduction was rapid on the first day. Therefore, a short-term biofilm activity test was performed to confirm this rapid decrease. Results revealed a nitrification rate, Rbiofilm, of 2,125 mg-N m(-2) d(-1) for the first 5 hours of the test, which is higher than the 1,495 mg-N m(-2) d(-1), observed on the first day of the 7-day biofilm activity test. Rbiofilm and Rnitrbulk values obtained in the batch activity tests were used as parameters in a mass balance model equation. The model was calibrated by adjusting the fraction of the pond volume and biofilm area that is active (i.e. aerobic). When assuming a depth of 0.08 m active upper layer, the model could describe well the measured effluent values for the pond reactors. The calibrated model was validated by predicting effluent Kjeldahl nitrogen of algae ponds in Palestine and Colombia. The model equation predicted well the effluent concentrations of ponds in Palestine.

Modelisation of the contribution of sediments in the treatment process case of aerated lagoons

In aerated lagoons and even more in stabilization ponds the specific power (W/m3) is not high enough to maintain all the suspended solids in suspension. Some part of the suspended solids (including biomass) settles directly into the reactor and not in the final settling pond. The gradual accumulation of those sediments on the pond bottom affects performance by reducing the pond volume and shortening the Hydraulic Residence Time. However, the role played by these deposits is not restricted to such a physical effect. Far from being inert sediments they are also an important oxygen sink that must be taken into account when designing aerator power and oxygen supply, for example. On the other hand, under aerobic conditions, the upper layer of sediments may contribute to the treatment as a biofilm compartment in the reactor. In aerated lagoon systems another process contributes to the interaction of deposits and the liquid phase: the operating (often sequencing) of aerators may induce a drastic resuspension of deposits. In a 3,000 m3 aerated lagoon we evaluated that 3 tons of deposits were resuspended when aerators were started. Due to those processes we consider that a mathematical model of an aerated lagoon or of a stabilization pond has to take into account the contribution (positive and negative aspects) of deposits in the process. In this paper we propose a model for sediments including production but also biological processes. Simulations of the aerated lagoon with or without the "sediment compartment" demonstrate the effect and the importance of this compartment on the process. Of course a similar approach could be used for facultative or even maturation ponds. The next step would be to include anaerobic activities in the bottom layer.

Evolution of melt pond volume on the surface of the Greenland Ice Sheet

The presence of surface meltwater on ice caps and ice sheets is an important glaciological and climatological characteristic. We describe an algorithm for estimating the depth and hence volume of surface melt ponds using multispectral ASTER satellite imagery. The method relies on reasonable assumptions about the albedo of the bottom surface of the ponds and the optical attenuation characteristics of the ponded meltwater. We apply the technique to sequences of satellite imagery acquired over the western margin of the Greenland Ice Sheet to derive changes in melt pond extent and volume during the period 2001–2004. Results show large intra‐ and interannual changes in ponded water volumes, and large volumes of liquid water stored in extensive slush zones.

Using mathematical modelling to inform on the ability of stormwater ponds to improve the water quality of urban runoff

This paper concerns the mathematical modelling of flow and solute transport through stormwater ponds. The model is based on appropriate lumped system conservation equations that are solved using standard numerical techniques. The model was used to route a first flush pollution scenario through a cylindrical pond for 16 combinations of elevation and diameter of a submerged pipe outlet, in conjunction with a high level weir. Higher pipe elevations and smaller pipe diameters created larger pond volumes and hence led to greater dilution of the pollutant. In contrast, lower pipe elevations created larger storage volumes, leading to better flow attenuation. Interestingly, larger pipe diameters improved peak flow attenuation, even though the storage used decreased.

Characterization and Environmental Management of Storm Water Runoff from Road Salt Storage Facilities

The Virginia Department of Transportation (DOT) is responsible for maintaining more than 57,000 mi of roadway; a major part of that responsibility is implementation of Virginia DOT's anti-icing program. In FY 2003, the agency purchased more than 570,000 tons of sodium chloride; this salt is stored at nearly 300 locations statewide. This study's objectives were to assess the quantity and quality of salt-contaminated water generated from storm water runoff at Virginia DOT's road salt storage facilities and to evaluate management and treatment alternatives to reduce costs and better protect the environment. For the first objective, data concerning detention pond surface area and volume, runoff area, and several key water quality constituents were collected from 45 randomly selected sampling sites. Chloride concentrations were significantly greater than those specified in state and federal regulatory guidelines, with values routinely exceeding 2,000 mg/L. The quantity of storm water collected was higher than anticipated, with approximately 60 megagallons (MG) of contaminated runoff water generated in an average rainfall year. For the second objective, two alternatives to Virginia DOT's disposal practices were examined: management strategies to reduce the volume of salt-contaminated storm water runoff generated at each facility, and treatment of runoff to remove salt and subsequent release of runoff back to the environment. Currently, the agency disposes of salt water by one of three methods at an average cost of $0.13 per gal. If Virginia DOT used a mobile ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis system, the cost would be cut by more than half. For a statewide annual treatment volume of 58.6 MG, an annual cost savings of $1.9 to $4.3 million would result.

Part 4: Winter Maintenance: Characterization and Environmental Management of Storm Water Runoff from Road Salt Storage Facilities

The Virginia Department of Transportation (DOT) is responsible for maintaining more than 57,000 mi of roadway; a major part of that responsibility is implementation of Virginia DOT's anti-icing program. In FY 2003, the agency purchased more than 570,000 tons of sodium chloride; this salt is stored at nearly 300 locations statewide. This study's objectives were to assess the quantity and quality of salt-contaminated water generated from storm water runoff at Virginia DOT's road salt storage facilities and to evaluate management and treatment alternatives to reduce costs and better protect the environment. For the first objective, data concerning detention pond surface area and volume, runoff area, and several key water quality constituents were collected from 45 randomly selected sampling sites. Chloride concentrations were significantly greater than those specified in state and federal regulatory guidelines, with values routinely exceeding 2,000 mg/L. The quantity of storm water collected was higher than ...

Pattern of Discharge and Mass Loading during Drainage of Excavated Ponds Used for Food Fish Production of Channel Catfish

AbstractWe evaluated the temporal pattern of solids, organic matter, and nutrient concentrations in the discharge effluent of three commercial‐size excavated ponds with two types of drainage structures used in catfish production in Mississippi. Measurements of effluent water quality and pond stage elevation were used to calculate solids, organic matter, and nutrient mass loading when ponds were drained. Solids, organic matter, and nutrient concentrations in effluent from ponds with fixed internal drains were very high during the first 10– 30 min of pond draining. Thereafter, effluent solids and nutrient concentrations were similar to those of the bulk pond water. The initial flush of effluent contained solids that settle easily. Mass discharge was directly proportional to volume discharged in two ponds. In the third pond, mass discharge increased as a function of pond volume because poorly consolidated pond sediment exposed during draining was eroded by rainfall and wind‐generated waves. Average mass discharge (kg/ha) from draining the three ponds was as follows: total suspended solids = 976, 5‐d biochemical oxygen demand = 84, total nitrogen = 46, and total phosphorus = 3.5. These mass loading values can be annualized by dividing by the interval between pond drainings. Total annual mass loading can be calculated by adding annualized mass discharge from pond draining to mass discharge from pond overflow.

Characteristics of Effluents from Central Arkansas Baitfish Ponds

AbstractScientific information on baitfish effluents is important to provide a basis for the development of appropriate and cost‐effective management practices that minimize environmental impacts. Effluents from 10 commercial golden shiner Notemigonus crysoleucas ponds in central Arkansas were sampled December 2000 through June 2001. Grab samples of the first and last 10% of pond volume were collected during intentional draining events. Effluents were sampled as they exited pond drainpipes and at the ends of drainage ditches just prior to stream discharge. Concurrent receiving stream samples were collected upstream and downstream of the discharge point. Total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), 5‐d biochemical oxygen demand (BODS), and total suspended solids (TSS) of each sample were measured. Mean whole effluent concentrations for the first 10% were 36 mg TSS/L, 9 mg/L BOD5, 2 mg TN/L, and 0.5 mg TP/L. The water quality of the first and last 10% of pond effluent were not significantly different (P < 0.05). Filtering effluents through a 5‐pm mesh screen did not significantly reduce nutrient concentrations. Serial fractionation of effluents resulted in small but significant decreases in TSS concentrations in samples filtered through the 10, 8, and 5‐μm meshes (P < 0.05). Effluent discharge through farm ditches generally did not improve effluent water quality. Effluents collected at ditch ends were significantly less than drainpipe samples in BOD, concentrations only (P < 0.05). Limited data on receiving stream water quality indicated that only TP concentrations were greater in pond effluents than in receiving streams. Overall, baitfish pond effluents are similar in composition to effluents of other phytoplankton‐based pond production systems.

Stage-Specific Cannibalism and Spontaneous Cyst Hatching in the Freshwater Fairy Shrimp Streptocephalus Proboscideus Frauenfeld

Freshwater fairy shrimp that live in episodically filled rainpools are obligate bisexual animals that produce drought-resistant, encapsulated embryos called cysts. A fraction of these hatches upon each inundation, a bet-hedging strategy, and the resulting larvae grow in a concerted manner, forming a cohort. Here, we show that in the Sudan fairy shrimp, Streptocephalus proboscideus, about one-third of the cysts hatches shortly after being released from the brood-sac, without intervening period of drought. However, as long as the adult population overshoots a density of about one specimen per litre, the emerging nauplii are cannibalized by their parents. At such a density and above it, fairy shrimp filter the whole pond volume in less than 24h and since it takes about the same amount of time for first-instar nauplii to moult to an immune size, they are all consumed. In addition to being auto-regulatory, this behaviour is adaptive: animals fed their own nauplii on top of an algal diet showed a 30% increase in reproductive output, and an increase in somatic growth rate. This allocation almost quantitatively recouped the loss of inclusive fitness to cannibalism. In contrast, hatching percentages of cysts obtained from animals fed this nauplii-supplement were the same as in algal-fed animals, such that their bet-hedging strategy remains intact and is carried forward to the next generation.