Course

Work for Water and wastewater Treatment

Name : Asad Jamil

Question 3

Here we shall be discussing effects of Nitrogen and phosphorus to

humans receiving water after highly concentrated effluents released
from wastewater treatment plants contain these. We shall discuss
possible removal strategies too.

Introduction

Effluents discharged by wastewater treatment plants are major
culprits for spreading pollution in the whole world. Living organisms
are severely effected by these contaminations. Such effects could be
death of water species, destruction of habitats, toxicity which can
short or long term. Addition of chemicals to food chain at higher
level is also resulted. (Akpor O. B, IPCBEE Vol. 20 (2011), P.1)

Aquatic plants need two important nutrients, Nitrogen and
phosphorus. Plant growth is restricted due to limited amount of such
nutrients present in system. Due to human greed to get more
production, tendencies are there that by artificial means, amount of
nutrients is increased by a phenomenon called Cultural
eutrophication using fertilizers, effluents of untreated water. It
results in acceleration of eutrophication and creates dangerous
changes to natural ecosystem.

Land used by human for agricultural, residential or industrial purpose
results cultural eutrophication.

(refer figure 1)

Figure 1 - Nutrients in manure and fertilizers are transported to

lakes, rivers, and oceans. Excessive nutrient inputs result in
degradation of water quality, causing the disruption of aquatic
ecosystems (Source: Stephen Carpenter et. Al, p.3)

Dangerous consequence of Eutrophication

Source: Stephen Carpenter et. Al, Non-point Pollution of Surface
Waters with Phosphorus and Nitrogen, p.6
Microalgae increased biomass
Toxic or inedible microalgae as a result of increased biomass
Gelatinous zooplankton increases
Epiphytic and benthic algaes biomass increases
Changes in the color of receiving water river or lake
Resulting in bad taste and smell
Composition and biomass of macrophyte species changes
Dissolved oxygen quantity decreases

Aquatic animals such as fish dies

Esthetic value of the water body decreases
Reduction in fish supply
Less fish species in the system

Adverse Effects

Source: Michael F. Chislocket. al, 2013, p.1
Foul smelling phytoplankton are densely developed in water sources
and are major contributors for Eutrophication. It also results in
reduction of water quality and clarity. (Figure 2). In these littoral
zones, as light penetration is reduced due to dense development of
algae on surface of water, growth of aquatic plants is reduced. pH
levels increase during day time as inorganic carbon, which is
dissolved in water, is used for photosynthesis related with
eutrophication. As algal blooms die, dissolved oxygen is consumed by
microbial decomposition. Hence anoxic or hypoxic condition prevail.
This would results in lesser supply of oxygen available for
consumption to living bodies in water and resulting in their deaths.


Figure 2
Further Effects and Impacts.
Source: Conrad C. Lautenbacher et. Al, 2003, p.9

Direct or indirect goods and services provided by ecosystems are
severely effected by eutrophication and possible subsequent hypoxia
on the health. Here are some side effects
Sever impacts on ecosystem productivity occur due to limited
amount of light penetrating in water source, algal dominance
changes and increase organic matter production. This alters
migration patterns, habitat degradation and less fishery products.
Due to excessive and ugly blooms of algae, beauty of natural sites
decreases which results in lesser tourism activities such as
swimming, booting etc. Seriously effect the growth of such areas

who are directly depending on the income coming through tourism

means.
Chemical which are toxic to marine life are resultants of anoxia
induced shifts in biogeochemical reactions, such as reduction of
sulfate to sulfide in bottom sediments and resulting in release of
hydrogen sulfide. Chemosynthetic processes turn hydrogen sulfide
into food source for some bacteria.

Removal of Nutrient from Wastewater

Municipal and Industrial Treatment plants
Source: Conrad C. Lautenbacher et. Al, 2003, p.40
Normally, secondary treatment does not eliminate food particles
effectively. High quality treatments technologies can remove up to to
90% or more with used of wide range of chemicals and biological
processes which involves very high level of machines and
maintenance. Multiple recycling of effluents can also increase
effectivity of such plants. Systems with controlled input proved very
effective using physical/ chemical and biological treatments using
mechanical energy. Although these systems are quite expensive due
to higher labor and energy cost. Over 90% of phosphorus is
successfully removed from wastewater by addition of chemicals in
primary clarification and by biological nutrient removal. Nitrification
and denitrification processes remove nitrogen effectively while
phosphorus needs chemical addition and biological treatment for
successful removal. Treatment of resultant sewage sludge is used to
fill lands. It is also used as bio-solids to produce bio gases. Due to
regulations introduced by governing bodies over the use of
phosphorus in detergents, levels of phosphorus are significantly
reduced and hence resulting lower treatment costs.

Storm Sewers and Combined Sewer Overflows

Source: Conrad C. Lautenbacher et. Al, 2003, p.41

During rainstorms, surface and storm waters, flowing over
impervious surfaces such as rooftops, roads and parking lots, adds
nitrogen and later become part of local waterways. Such nitrogen
can only be removed by treatment or by educating people about
source reduction which is most effective and cheap way. Regular
cleaning of roads can reduce induction of loads of phosphorus in
storm water, as by sweeping it is collected and used a land fill
instead of being washed by rain and resulting in polluting waterways.
Discharges of nitrogen and phosphorus can be reduced effectively by
adopting structural techniques such as bio-retention and constructed
wetlands. Mobilization of soils containing phosphorus can be
significantly reduced by introducing use of retention or holding
ponds which result in reduction of flow speeds which help in
reducing stream channel bank cutting and detachments. Permeable
membranes can be used in the construction of parking lots and road
instead of impermeable asphalt and concrete. It would result water
to penetrate in localized channels instead of storm water drainage.
Despite involvement of high cost, separation of domestic sewer from
storm water sewer is most effective way of reducing untreated
discharges. A less expensive option is increase capacity of combined
treatment plants overflow lines so that in times of huge flow,
excessive flow can be stored and treated later instead of overflow
going directly into waterways. This would also reduce dry spells in
treatment plants and maximum output can be generated.
Alternative Strategies
Source: Conrad C. Lautenbacher et. Al, 2003, p.10

a) Domestic Sources
Reducing nutrients intakes to storm sewers and overflows
Lawn and landscape areas to use fewer fertilizers and runoffs.

Wildlife and pet waste to be disposed properly.

Effective treatment strategies from municipal and industrial
treatments plants by introducing recycled removals.
b) Agricultural
Optimal use of fertilizers by reducing application rates
Enhanced use of tilling methods by alternative and innovative
techniques
Usage of animal waste to produce bio gases
Conservation buffers such as field borders, wetlands or any
other areas which could be effect in limiting nitrogen and
physical mechanisms to reduce introduction of agricultural
wastes to water bodies.
c) Atmospheric Sources
Implementation of regulation to enhance air quality
Use of hybrid technologies in day to day transportation means
Treatment of atmospheric effluents from power and industrial
plants
Usage of green technologies to produce electricity
Reduction in NOx emissions

Minimizing Agricultural Inputs
Source: Conrad C. Lautenbacher et. Al, 2003, p.42
Human has gain a lot of success in the field of agriculture and been
able to produce much huge quantities of agricultural product by
innovating and developing additional nutrients required for the quick
and heavy growth. Multiple type of nutrients is invented to help crop
growth and have been very successful. This is very essential as with
increasing world population, food requirements are also increasing.
Having developed so, excessive usage of nutrients has adversely

effected the environment due to heavy delivery to surface water and

ground water from agricultural fields. Organic food demands are
increasing as people are realizing the sever environmental effects of
nutrients.

Reducing Atmospheric Loads
Source: Conrad C. Lautenbacher et. Al, 2003, p.46
NOx emissions to environments has been primary contributor to
damage ozone and pollution in the atmosphere and causing acid
rains across the countries. Fortunately, thinking heads have started
looking into it very seriously and continuous legislations are made to
reduce nitrogen deposits and safe guarding ozone. Introduction of
hybrid engines with less emission, development of public transport
system, industries transferring to solar electricity and high taxation
on higher emissions are few steps to help reducing Nitrogen.

Organic Farming
Source: B. ZANOU and A. KOPKE, 2001, p.7
Organic farming involves production of edibles with added nutrients
in form of fertilizers and avoiding pesticides. These poisoned
products once reach humans, become reason for many kinds of
diseases. Also during farming, a lot of Nitrates and phosphorus are
added to waterways and ground water which result in polluting the
waters and environment. Efforts are being taken to facilitate organic
farming. Conferences are arranged to educate people how could
they benefit from organic farming, both by preserving the
environment and by adopting healthy life styles. By increasing
awareness in society, organic farming would become a very
profitable business yet serving the cause of environmental
preservation. If emission of nitrates and phosphates is to be reduced
in gulf, half of the farming to be converted to organic farming.

Use of Aquatic Macrophytes 'The Green Liver Concept'

Source: Pindihama, G. K et. al, 2011, p.4
Plants growing in lakes, ponds and streams are called macrophytes.
These aquatic plants appear in many shapes and sizes. Some have
leaves that float on the water surface, while others grow completely
under water. Any of these macrophytes are potential candidates for
in-situ bioremediation of cyanobacterial toxins found in freshwater
bodies. Aquatic macrophytes have mainly been employed in
remediation of (removal) of heavy metals. Nymphaea nouchalia
(blue water lilly) and Persicaria decipiens (slender knotweed) have
been identified as possible candidates as these are dominant and
well adapted for the environment. They have also been used in
removal of nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorous) in nutrient rich
freshwater. Organic pollutants can also be de-graded chemically and
ultimately mineralized into harmless biological compounds by plants.
Numerous endogenous activities in plants give them the ability to
synthesize, rearrange and detoxify the most complex array of
biochemical and biopolymers of any living organisms.
THE FUTURE
Source: Conrad C. Lautenbacher et. Al, 2003, p.14

Any response to the ecological and economic dangers of
eutrophication and hypoxia must include continued research and
monitoring. These include research on the characteristics that
govern estuary susceptibility and adaptability, the factors that
determine nutrient loading from various land areas, the
quantification of economic and social impacts of nutrient pollution,
the development of better monitoring systems, the evaluation of
existing mitigation strategy effectiveness, and the development of
new mitigation strategies.
Response strategies should be undertaken through an adaptive
management structure, focused on watersheds and based on
comprehensive site-specific and national monitoring and

assessments. Such an approach should be focused on protecting

healthy ecosystems and restoring those that have been damaged,
rather than a national goal of nitrogen reduction per se. This
approach requires active participation of state, local, and regional
managers leveraged by support and coordination from the Federal
government.
CONCLUSION
Nutrients, particularly nitrogen, pose the largest pollution threat to
the estuaries. There are a variety of sources of nitrogen, including
natural sources, runoff from agricultural fields, concentrated animal
feeding operations, and atmospheric deposition of NOx from fossil
fuel combustion, and sewage and septic wastes. Negative effects of
excessive nutrients, such as algal blooms and hypoxia, have been
observed in a significant number of the estuaries. The most effective
approach to managing this issue is one that targets the protection of
healthy ecosystems and restoration of damaged ones. Three key
areas requiring attention are: developing a more comprehensive
monitoring program to take advantage of existing programs and
explore real-time data acquisition and remote sensing monitoring
approaches, improving models of the movement of nutrients
through watersheds in response to natural and human activities, and
developing estuarine susceptibility models capable of forecasting the
impact of changes in nutrient loads.

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