Winter Water Quality Research Articles

Seasonal Effects of Constructed Wetlands on Water Quality Characteristics in Jinshan Lake: A Gate Dam Lake (Zhenjiang City, China).

Urban lakes commonly suffer from nutrient over-enrichment, resulting in water quality deterioration and eutrophication. Constructed wetlands are widely employed for ecological restoration in such lakes but their efficacy in water purification noticeably fluctuates with the seasons. This study takes the constructed wetland of Jinshan Lake as an example. By analyzing the water quality parameters at three depths during both summer and winter, this study explores the influence of the constructed wetland on the water quality of each layer during different seasons and elucidates the potential mechanisms underlying these seasonal effects. The results indicate that the constructed wetland significantly enhances total nitrogen (TN) concentration during summer and exhibits the capacity for nitrate-nitrogen removal in winter. However, its efficacy in removing total phosphorus (TP) is limited, and may even serve as a potential phosphorus (P) source for the lake during winter. Water quality test results of different samples indicated they belong to Class III or IV. Restrictive factors varied across seasons: nitrate-nitrogen and BOD5 jointly affected water quality in winter, whereas TP predominantly constrained water quality in summer. These results could provide a reference for water quality monitoring and management strategies of constructed wetlands in different seasons in Jiangsu Province.

Water Quality of Lake Erhai in Southwest China and Its Projected Status in the near Future

The water quality of Lake Erhai has deteriorated in recent decades due to socioeconomic development in the lake basin. After the massive implementation of water environmental protection measures in Lake Erhai in 2016, the trend of water quality deterioration has been curbed and the intensity and frequency of algal blooms has decreased. However, water quality monitoring data show that pollutant concentrations in Lake Erhai still exceed acceptable values, and there is a risk of water quality standard limits being further exceeded in the future. Therefore, it is urgent to systematically study the variability characteristics of water quality in Lake Erhai to provide practical methods to predict the future evolution of water quality. Based on water quality monitoring data from 2009 to 2019, the current water quality characteristics of Lake Erhai were analyzed, and a two-dimensional hydrodynamic and water quality mathematical model was built to predict the water quality in 2025. The results showed that the total phosphorus (TP) concentration declined after 2016, mainly due to the significant reduction of TP entering the lake due to pollution interception. However, the concentrations of the potassium permanganate index (CODMn) and total nitrogen (TN) increased after 2016, demonstrating that the pollution control measures have had little effect on the improvement of CODMn and TN. The spatial and temporal distribution of pollutants showed that the water quality in winter and spring was better than in summer and autumn, and the water quality in the southern lake was better than in the northern lake. This analysis indicates that non-point source pollution remains the main source of pollution in Lake Erhai, and that rainfall is the main driving force of pollutants exceeding the water quality standard. According to the water quality predictions, without additional pollution control measures, pollutant concentrations in Lake Erhai will exceed the Class II water quality standard by 2025. This study analyzes the water quality characteristics, predicts the direction of future water quality changes, and provides a theoretical basis for the future water quality protection of Lake Erhai.

Effects of winter water quality conditions on Atlantic Salmon embryo mortality and deformity rates in the Serpentine River (New Brunswick, Canada)

In-stream incubation of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) embryos within artificial redds using Jordan/Scotty fish egg incubator boxes is an alternative to traditional hatchery-based incubation methods. Winter water quality conditions, such as temperature and dissolved oxygen vary within natural redds and influence wild embryo development and survival. The differences in landscape characteristics and in-stream habitat features at catchment-, reach-, and site spatial scales were investigated to determine how they influenced water quality conditions within the Serpentine River, New Brunswick. A total of 14,400 hatchery-fertilized salmon embryos were incubated within river substrates from November 2020 to January 2021. The proportion of embryo mortalities within our experiment was high (44.9%), but still within the range observed in the literature from other incubation experiments, and the proportion of embryo deformities between our sites was very low (2.7%). Despite variations in average water temperature, cumulative degree days, and coefficient of variation in dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration, none were statistically significant for explaining embryo mortalities or deformities. Patterns were, however, evident across sites showing trends towards a decrease in mortality with cumulative degree days, and an increase in deformities with greater variation in DO. Improving our knowledge on Atlantic Salmon incubation habitat supports future research and restoration opportunities for adaptation under a changing climate.

Spatial-temporal characteristics of inorganic anions in the Middle Route of South-North Water Diversion project in Henan province (China)

Atmospheric deposition is a vital source of nutrient input into lakes and reservoirs. Therefore, it is of great significance to study the spatial-temporal variation of inorganic anions during the dry and wet atmospheric deposition to ensure the water ecological security of the South-North Water Diversion Middle Route Project (MRP). This study investigated the spatial-temporal variation of inorganic anions (F−, Cl−, NO3−, and SO42−) concentration and its sedimentation fluxes in dry and wet deposition, and their influence on water quality through 10 automatic dust rainfall collection devices installed in the Henan section of the MRP from October 2018 to October 2020. Results indicated that the anion concentration and deposition flux in dry and wet deposition varied in space and time, and SO42− was the highest anion in dry deposition (178.88 ± 175.60 mg/L) and NO3− was the highest anion in wet deposition (52.02 ± 24.63 mg/L). Furthermore, correlation analysis showed that there was a correlation between the wet deposition of anions (F−, Cl−, NO3−, and SO42−) and water quality in winter in the Henan section of the MRP (p < 0.05), and anions dry deposition fluxes have an effect on spring and winter water quality, while the wet deposition fluxes only have an impact on summer and autumn water quality due to the abundant precipitation in summer and autumn. This study could provide new data support for management measures such as strengthening the ecological environment and water quality protection in the MRP.

Effects of liquor production wastewater discharge on water quality and health risks in the Chishui River Basin, Southwest China

Learning whether the discharge of large amounts of liquor production wastewater in China affects water quality is crucial to maintaining sustainable economic development, especially in the vulnerable eco-environment of the karst area. The present study investigated the relationship between liquor production wastewater and water quality in the Chishui River Basin for the first time and proposes several constructive suggestions. After river remediation, water quality in spring, summer, autumn, and winter in the Chishui River Basin was found to be at an excellent level, with water quality in winter being the best. Worse water quality and higher health risks were found in liquor production areas (Guling County and Renhuai City) in comparison with other areas. The developed structural equation model showed that physicochemical indexes (especially in N and P) have a higher influence on water quality in comparison with the algae community, heavy metals, and environmental factors. Because liquor being a pillar industry in the locality and these factories discharging an enormous amount of wastewater every year, our results show that liquor production wastewater have affected the water quality to some extent in the Guling County and Renhuai City sections of the Chishui River Basin, and fortunately, the health risks were acceptable in 2020. To prevent potential risks, we suggest that a related department should apply a stricter standard to wastewater discharge. Furthermore, law-enforcement departments can encourage enterprises to develop or introduce more advanced water treatment technologies to achieve as much pollution-free discharge as possible. Our other suggestion is to develop a project to cleanly produce mineral water in high-quality water-resource areas along the Chishui River Basin, contributing to the sustainable growth of the shoreside economy.

Winter Water Quality Modeling in Xiong'an New Area Supported by Hyperspectral Observation.

Xiong'an New Area is defined as the future city of China, and the regulation of water resources is an important part of the scientific development of the city. Baiyang Lake, the main supplying water for the city, is selected as the study area, and the water quality extraction of four typical river sections is taken as the research objective. The GaiaSky-mini2-VN hyperspectral imaging system was executed on the UAV to obtain the river hyperspectral data for four winter periods. Synchronously, water samples of COD, PI, AN, TP, and TN were collected on the ground, and the in situ data under the same coordinate were obtained. A total of 2 algorithms of band difference and band ratio are established, and the relatively optimal model is obtained based on 18 spectral transformations. The conclusion of the strength of water quality parameters' content along the four regions is obtained. This study revealed four types of river self-purification, namely, uniform type, enhanced type, jitter type, and weakened type, which provided the scientific basis for water source traceability evaluation, water pollution source area analysis, and water environment comprehensive treatment.

Seasonal fluctuation of water quality and ecogenomic phylogeny of novel potential microbial pollution indicators of Veshaw River Kashmir-Western Himalaya

Nearly a billion people, especially in underdeveloped nations, need safe drinking water. Indian studies suggest that most drinking water sources have high coliform levels, and quality assurance is required. This study was conducted in rural parts of South Kashmir in the Western Himalaya from February 2019 to January 2020. Standard river water sampling was done from upstream to downstream of the river. This study examined the detection, molecular identification, and chemical water quality of coliform-contaminated drinking water, which sums up river water pollution. Water quality varied significantly, indicating downstream contamination. Sangam (downstream) had the highest coliform count, showing 72.2600 cfu per litre in summer, while Kongwaton (upstream), near the Veshaw River, had no coliform count in winter. In summer, Sangam (downstream) had the highest water quality metrics (pH 6.847, Electrical conductivity (EC) 71.620 dS/m, Biological oxygen demand (BOD) 1.120 mg/L, and Chemical oxygen demand (COD) 24.637 mg/L) in all seasons. The lowest winter water quality metrics in Kongwaton were pH 8.947, EC 253.680 dS/m, BOD 4.963 mg/L, and COD 51.440 mg/L. Coliforms in water suggest faecal contamination. This study examines the water quality attributes of drinking water and associated factors to determine river pollution. Total DNA was collected and sequenced for 16 S rDNA and metagenomics. Universal primers were used to amplify the bacterial 16 S rRNA. Using BLAST, the amplified 16 S rRNA gene sequence was matched to the NCBI database. A metagenomic study revealed 27 species with different relative abundance. These species include Escherichia coli, E. fergusonii, E. albertii, Klebsiella grimontii, and Shigella dysenteriae. This study is thought to be the first to discriminate against E. fergusonii, E. albertii, K. grimontii, and S. dysenteriae from E. coli and to report on E. fergusonii and E. albertii, K. grimontii, and S. dysenteriae in the river Veshaw water sources in Kulgam, Western Himalaya.

Seasonal shift of water quality in China Yangtze River and its impacts on membrane fouling development during the drinking water supply by membrane distillation system

Membrane distillation (MD) technique is increasingly regarded as a promising process for drinking water supply and wastewater treatment owing to its great water purification and usage of renewable energy. Like other membrane separation processes, the membrane fouling issue is widely considered as the main obstacle for real applications of large-scale MD systems. Feedwater characteristics, as the predominant factors for membrane fouling layer formation, mostly determined the membrane fouling trend of MD. Thus the impacts of seasonal shifts of initial feedwater quality on the MD membrane fouling were detailedly researched in this study, and the biofilm development mechanism was especially explored. The bacterial community structure of membrane biofilms was clearly clarified in MD runs of Yangtze River waters that collected in four seasons. The results revealed that the winter run posed a quite sharp flux drop, while a relatively milder flux decline behaviour was seen for other groups despite of the higher bacteria concentration of initial feedwaters. The poorer water quality in winter induced the establishment of a rather thick biofilm on the MD membrane, in which the biofilm-forming bacteria (Gammaproteobacteria and Alphaproteobacteria) and organic matters (EPS) were remarkably observed. Comparatively, a relatively thin biofilm containing abundant live cells and fewer organics finally formed in summer and autumn runs, causing a mitigated flux decline trend. Hence, it can be inferred that the membrane flux decline of MD was likely to be more sensitive to the organic attachment on the membrane in comparison with the bacteria adhesion. Finally, a three-phase pretreatment method was suggested for MD fouling control, including heating course, sterilization course, and filtration course.

Effects of the disappearance of seasonal thermal stratification on the mobilization of iron and phosphorus in reservoirs, southern China—A case of Tianbao Reservoir, Nanning City

为了探究我国南方地区水库季节性热分层消亡前后沉积物铁和磷的迁移规律，于2019年11月-2020年1月对天雹水库多点位（浅水区和深水区）水体理化指标进行原位监测，并利用薄膜扩散梯度技术（DGT）高分辨率获取沉积物有效态铁和磷的浓度分布.结果表明：（1）天雹水库沉积物有效态Fe和P浓度分别为4.67~18.72和0.003~0.073 mg/L，其中有效态Fe浓度较太湖、鄱阳湖和洞庭湖高出一个数量级，且浅水区沉积物中有效态Fe浓度较深水区高；（2）热分层消亡过程，沉积物有效态Fe和P浓度的时空差异大，浅水区有效态Fe浓度表现为Day14>Day1>Day32>Day54，有效态P浓度表现为Day1>Day14>Day32>Day54，而深水区有效态Fe和P浓度变幅较小甚至呈增长趋势，归因于浅水区热分层结构对气象因子扰动的响应速率快，水体垂向混合加剧了沉积物中Fe和P的释放；（3）沉积物-水界面处有效态Fe和P的交换通量分别为6.58~31.59和0.008~0.086 mg/（m²·d），均自沉积物向上覆水中不断迁移，由于浅水区的热分层消亡时间早于深水区，浅水区内源Fe²⁺和PO₄^3-的释放对冬季水质恶化的贡献较大，应密切关注水库浅水区沉积物内源释放对整个库区水质的影响.;To investigate the mobilization of iron and phosphorus in the sediments of reservoirs in southern China during the disappearance of seasonal thermal stratification, physicochemical indexes were in-situ monitored from November 2019 to January 2020 in shallow and deep area of Tianbao Reservoir. Simultaneously, diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) technique were used to acquire the concentration distributions of labile Fe and P in the sediments. The results show: (1) The concentrations of labile Fe ranged from 4.67 to 18.72 mg/L, which far exceeded that of Lake Taihu, Lake Poyang and Lake Dongting, while the concentrations of labile P ranged from 0.003 to 0.073 mg/L. The concentrations of labile Fe in sediments of the shallow area were higher than those of the deep area. (2) The space-time differences between labile Fe and P in the sediments were obvious during the disappearance of thermal stratification. In the shallow area, the concentrations of labile Fe presented decline order: Day14>Day1>Day32>Day54, and labile P was Day1>Day14>Day32>Day54, while the concentrations of labile Fe and P increased in the sediments of the deep area. It was attributed to the quick response of thermal stratification in shallow area to the sudden drop in temperature, consequently increasing the release of Fe and P at the sediment-water interface. (3) The diffusion flux of labile Fe at the sediment-water interface ranged from 6.58 to 31.59 mg/(m²·d), and that of labile P ranged from 0.008 to 0.086 mg/(m²·d), which meant Fe and P diffused from the sediments to the overlying water. The mixing time in the shallow area was earlier than the deep area, resulting in the significant contribution of internal Fe and P release to deterioration of water quality in winter. Therefore, the internal release of sediments in the shallow area should be paid more attention in reservoirs of southern China.

Eutrophication and heavy metal pollution patterns in the water suppling lakes of China’s south-to-north water diversion project

This study used non-supervised machine learning self-organizing maps (SOM) in conjunction with traditional multivariate statistical techniques (e.g., hierarchical cluster analysis, principle component analysis, Pearson’s correlation analysis) to investigate spatio-temporal patterns of eutrophication and heavy metal pollution in the water supplying lakes (i.e., the Gao-Bao-Shaobo Lake, GBSL) of the eastern route of China’s South-to-North Water Diversion Project (SNWDP-ER). A total of 28 water quality parameters were seasonally monitored at 33 sampling sites in the GBSL during 2016 to 2017 (i.e., 132 water samples were collected in four seasons). The results indicated that: 1) spatially, the western and south-western GBSL was relatively more eutrophic and polluted with heavy metals; and 2) temporally, the lakes suffered from high risks of heavy metal contamination in spring, but eutrophication in summer while water quality in winter was the best among the four seasons. Two main potential sources of pollution and transport routes were identified and discussed based on the pollution patterns. These findings contributed considerably to providing in-depth understanding of water pollution patterns, as well as potential pollution sources in the water-supplying region. Such understanding is crucial for developing pollution control and management strategies for this mega inter-basin water transfer project.

Seasonal and Scale Effects of Anthropogenic Pressures on Water Quality and Ecological Integrity: A Study in the Sabor River Basin (NE Portugal) Using Partial Least Squares-Path Modeling

Interactions between pollution sources, water contamination, and ecological integrity are complex phenomena and hard to access. To comprehend this subject of study, it is crucial to use advanced statistical tools, which can unveil cause-effect relationships between pressure from surface waters, released contaminants, and damage to the ecological status. In this study, two partial least squares-path models (PLS-PM) were created and analyzed in order to understand how the cause-effect relationships can change over two seasons (summer and winter) and how the used scale (short or long) can affect the results. During the summer of 2016 and winter of 2017 surface water parameters and the North Invertebrate Portuguese Index were measured in strategic sampling sites. For each site, it two sections were delineated: the total upstream drainage area (long scale) and 250 m (short scale). For each section, data of pressures in surface waters including point source, diffuse emissions and landscape metrics were gathered. The methodology was applied to the Sabor River Basin, located in the northeast of Portugal. In this study, it was possible to determine in which season pressures affect ecological integrity and also which scale should be addressed. The models showed the influences of manganese and of potassium concentrations in stream water on the decrease in summer water quality, while arsenic’s harmful effect occurs during winter. Pastures and environmental land use conflicts were considered threats to water quality when analyzed on a long scale, whereas agricultural areas played a role when the short scale was used. The effect of landscape edge density revealed to be independent of scale or season. Effluent discharges in surface water affected the water quality during the summer season, while the effect of discharges in groundwater affected the water quality in winter. It has also been found that, to find the harmful effect of pressures, it is necessary to approach different scales and that the role of landscape metrics can also overlap contaminant sources.

Using multiple indicators to assess spatial and temporal changes in ecological condition of a drinking water reservoir in central China

Monitoring the ecological status of drinking water reservoirs is very important for assessing risks to the safety of drinking water supplies. Because of the huge number of potential organic and inorganic contaminants in water, we focused our study on common water quality variables and three ecological indices. In this study, we used the modified Carlson trophic status index, Shannon diversity index, and the phytoplankton functional group index to assess the changing ecological status of Zhushuqiao Reservoir, a drinking water source in central China. Stratified water sampling for abiotic and biotic variables was conducted bimonthly from April 2016 to February 2017. All three indices indicated that upper reservoir water quality and ecological condition were worse than those in the lower reservoir. Also, the dominant phytoplankton species in the upper reservoir differed significantly from those in the lower reservoir. The reservoir was eutrophic from June to October, especially in June. During the other months, it was mesotrophic, with the best water quality in winter. Water temperature was the main driver of seasonal changes in both biotic and abiotic indicators, although hydrological condition also affected water quality. Total phosphorus (TP) was the limiting factor for phytoplankton, but phytoplankton biomass increased greatly when both TP and total nitrogen increased. Each index had weaknesses; but applying all three together yielded a comprehensive ecological assessment of Zhushuqiao Reservoir and could do so for other similar reservoirs.

Dynamic water quality evaluation based on fuzzy matter-element model and functional data analysis, a case study in Poyang Lake.

Comprehensively evaluating water quality with a single method alone is challenging because water quality evaluation involves complex, uncertain, and fuzzy processes. Moreover, water quality evaluation is limited by finite water quality monitoring that can only represent water quality conditions at certain time points. Thus, the present study proposed a dynamic fuzzy matter-element model (D-FME) to comprehensively and continuously evaluate water quality status. D-FME was first constructed by introducing functional data analysis (FDA) theory into a fuzzy matter-element model and then validated using monthly water quality data for the Poyang Lake outlet (Hukou) from 2011 to 2012. Results showed that the finite water quality indicators were represented as dynamic functional curves despite missing values and irregular sampling time. The water quality rank feature curve was integrated by the D-FME model and revealed comprehensive and continuous variations in water quality. The water quality in Hukou showed remarkable seasonal variations, with the best water quality in summer and worst water quality in winter. These trends were significantly correlated with water level fluctuations (R=-0.71, p<0.01). Moreover, the extension weight curves of key indicators indicated that total nitrogen and total phosphorus were the most important pollutants that influence the water quality of the Poyang Lake outlet. The proposed D-FME model can obtain scientific and intuitive results. Moreover, the D-FME model is not restricted to water quality evaluation and can be readily applied to other areas with similar problems.

Decomposition of &lt;i&gt;Phragmites australis&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;Typha angustifolia&lt;/i&gt; and their effects on the water quality in winter and spring

水生植物修复已经成为水体富营养化修复的重要手段，但其周期性的衰亡也给水体带来不容忽视的负效应.以府河流域丘陵地带农业区小水系自然生长的芦苇（Phragmites australis）和狭叶香蒲（Typha angustifolia）为研究对象，通过模拟实验，研究其冬季和春季腐烂分解过程的差异以及对水体营养盐水平的影响.结果表明，2种挺水植物的剩余干物质量整体上都呈现先快速下降再缓慢下降的趋势，芦苇和狭叶香蒲春季的分解速率分别为0.0251和0.0169 d-1，分别明显高于冬季分解速率（0.0027和0.0052 d-1）；且腐烂分解速率与植物初始氮磷含量和氮磷比都有一定相关性.2种植物在冬季和春季磷的矿化速率都明显高于氮的矿化速率.实验水体的总氮和总磷浓度在腐解过程呈现初期迅速上升、中期迅速下降、后期缓慢下降的趋势.总体来看，芦苇和狭叶香蒲的腐烂分解受季节和初始氮磷浓度的影响较大，芦苇反应较香蒲更敏感且对水质的影响具有时效性.

Retrospective analysis of associations between water quality and toxic blooms of golden alga (Prymnesium parvum) in Texas reservoirs: Implications for understanding dispersal mechanisms and impacts of climate change

Toxic blooms of golden alga (GA, Prymnesium parvum) in Texas typically occur in winter or early spring. In North America, they were first reported in Texas in the 1980s, and a marked range expansion occurred in 2001. Although there is concern about the influence of climate change on the future distribution of GA, factors responsible for past dispersals remain uncertain. To better understand the factors that influence toxic bloom dispersal in reservoirs, this study characterized reservoir water quality associated with toxic GA blooms since 2001, and examined trends in water quality during a 20-year period bracketing the 2001 expansion. Archived data were analyzed for six impacted and six nonimpacted reservoirs from two major Texas basins: Brazos River and Colorado River. Data were simplified for analysis by pooling spatially (across sampling stations) and temporally (winter, December–February) within reservoirs and generating depth-corrected (1m) monthly values. Classification tree analysis [period of record (POR), 2001–2010] using salinity-associated variables (specific conductance, chloride, sulfate), dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, temperature, total hardness, potassium, nitrate+nitrite, and total phosphorus indicated that salinity best predicts the toxic bloom occurrence. Minimum estimated salinities for toxic bloom formation were 0.59 and 1.02psu in Brazos and Colorado River reservoirs, respectively. Principal component analysis (POR, 2001–2010) indicated that GA habitat is best defined by higher salinity relative to nonimpacted reservoirs, with winter DO and pH also being slightly higher and winter temperature slightly lower in impacted reservoirs. Trend analysis, however, did not reveal monotonic changes in winter water quality of GA-impacted reservoirs during the 20-year period (1991–2010) bracketing the 2001 dispersal. Therefore, whereas minimum levels of salinity are required for GA establishment and toxic blooms in Texas reservoirs, the lack of trends in water quality suggests that conditions favorable for toxic blooms pre-date the 2001 expansion. These observations are consistent with a climate change-independent scenario of past GA dispersals in Texas reservoirs driven by novel introductions into pre-existing favorable habitat. Reports of latent GA populations in certain nonimpacted reservoirs, however, provide a plausible scenario of future dispersals characterized by prolonged periods between colonization and toxic bloom development and driven by changes in water quality, natural, or anthropogenic.

Spawning Habitat Unsuitability: An Impediment to Cisco Rehabilitation in Lake Michigan?

AbstractThe cisco Coregonus artedi was one of the most important native prey fishes in Lake Michigan and in the other four Laurentian Great Lakes. Most of the cisco spawning in Lake Michigan was believed to have occurred in Green Bay. The cisco population in Lake Michigan collapsed during the 1950s, and the collapse was attributed in part to habitat degradation within Green Bay. Winter water quality surveys of lower Green Bay during the 1950s and 1960s indicated that the bottom dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration was less than 2 mg/L throughout much of the lower bay, and most cisco eggs would not successfully hatch at such low DO concentrations. To determine present‐day spawning habitat suitability in lower Green Bay, we compared cisco egg survival in lower Green Bay with survival at a reference site (St. Marys River, Michigan–Ontario) during 2009. We also conducted winter water quality surveys in lower Green Bay and the St. Marys River during 2009 and 2010. Cisco egg survival in lower Green Bay averaged 65.3%, which was remarkably similar to and not significantly different from the mean at the St. Marys River site (64.0%). Moreover, the lowest bottom DO concentrations recorded during the winter surveys were 11.2 mg/L in lower Green Bay and 12.7 mg/L in the St. Marys River. These relatively high DO concentrations would not be expected to have any negative effect on cisco egg survival. We conclude that winter water quality conditions in lower Green Bay were suitable for successful hatching of cisco eggs and that water quality during the egg incubation period did not represent an impediment to cisco rehabilitation in Lake Michigan. Our approach to determining spawning habitat suitability for coregonids would be applicable to other aquatic systems.Received May 14, 2011; accepted July 6, 2011

Impact of summer rainfall on the seasonal water quality variation (chlorophyll a) in the regulated Nakdong River

In this study, the relationship between hydrological characteristics and phytoplankton biomass (chlorophyll a concentration) was explored using long-term hydrological and limnological data (1994–2007) in a flow-regulated river system (the lower Nakdong River, South Korea). This river has four multi-purpose dams and an estuarine barrage, and river flow is extensively controlled. Dynamics of chlorophyll a concentration responded well to changes in hydrology, such as rainfall, dam discharge and river flow. The hydrological characteristics strongly affected the decrease of chlorophyll a concentration in summer to winter but not in spring (p<0.05; n=42). An application of Self-Organizing Map (SOM) model to the database returned three clusters, and strong seasonality in water quality as well as hydrological characteristics was identified. Long-term rainfall data exhibited no statistical tendencies of increase or decrease, with respect to total annual rainfall. In comparison, summer rainfall increased while that of winter (December to the following February) decreased. Summer rainfall affected total dam discharges in all seasons in a positive manner (p<0.05; n=14), corresponding to winter water quality of the lower Nakdong River likely to be dependent largely upon changes in summer rainfall. Therefore, the development of an effective management strategy for summer rainfall and dam discharge control is strongly required.

Temperature dependence of chemical and microbiological chloramine decay in bulk waters of distribution system

Chloramine decays in distribution system due to wall and bulk water reactions. In bulk water, the decay could either be due to chemical or microbiological reactions. Without such distinction it is not possible to model chloramine decay in an actual distribution system since microbiological decay depends on different factors compared with chemical decay. The dependence of chloramine decay on chemical reactions is mostly understood. Although it is widely accepted that microbiological reactions could accelerate chloramine decay, quantification had not been possible until the microbiological decay factor method was proposed. In this paper, the effect of temperature on microbial and chemical decay coefficients is presented. This was done by following the procedure of the microbiological decay factor method but by varying the temperature of incubation between 18 and 30°C. The procedure was repeated for several samples. The results indicated that it is possible to express temperature dependence of both microbiological and chemical coefficients using the Arrhenius equation within the tested temperature range. Estimated E/R values were found to be 3,551±705 K−1 and 6,924±1,700 K−1 for chemical and microbiological decay rates respectively. Traditionally, it is believed that every 10°C rise would double the decay rate coefficients. However, the E/R value estimated in this study shows that a 16–17°C temperature rise is needed to double the chemical chloramine decay rate. A possible application to predict residuals in summer using winter water quality results is demonstrated. Results indicated that microbial decay factor method could help pre-warning water utilities of possible residual loss in summer. Traditional indicators could not offer such distinction.