Research

24 pages, 11667 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Engaging Stakeholders to Solve Complex Environmental Problems Using the Example of Micropollutants

by Thomas Hillenbrand, Felix Tettenborn, Marcus Bloser, Stephan Luther, Adolf Eisenträger, Janek Kubelt and Jörg Rechenberg

Water 2023, 15(19), 3441; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15193441 - 29 Sep 2023

Viewed by 1167

Abstract

Current and future challenges such as the climate crisis, demographic change and achieving the objectives of the Water Framework Directive require holistic and precautionary approaches within the framework of national and supranational strategies. Specific measures and projects resulting from these strategic activities are [...] Read more.

Current and future challenges such as the climate crisis, demographic change and achieving the objectives of the Water Framework Directive require holistic and precautionary approaches within the framework of national and supranational strategies. Specific measures and projects resulting from these strategic activities are required to successfully meet the challenges. In 2016, the German Environment Agency (UBA) and the Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMUV) commissioned the process for the development of the Federal Government’s micropollutants strategy, which was later named the Trace Substance Strategy. The essential core instrument herein was a multi-stakeholder dialogue aimed at giving sufficient consideration to the different interests of the various stakeholders. The goal was to develop a balanced mix of measures and to initiate implementations in order to reduce emissions of micropollutants as effectively and efficiently as possible, at the source, in their application and in the downstream areas. The various measures were tested in a pilot phase, and the activities were evaluated before being transferred into the subsequent consolidation phase. This article describes the outcomes of the stakeholder dialogue as an instrument. This is complemented by the results of a stakeholder evaluation of the process itself and the results achieved. Important outcomes of the stakeholder dialogue are a Committee for the Identification of Relevant Micropollutants and the use of roundtables as an important instrument in which the manufacturers and the users of the substances can make an important contribution to reducing emissions. To address the opportunities and necessities of additional wastewater treatment, an “orientation framework” for municipal wastewater treatment plants was also established. Additionally, the German Centre for Micropollutants (SZB) was founded to continuously organize, support and accompany the various outcomes that became relevant pillars of the German government’s Trace Substance Strategy. The evaluation has shown that new approaches and new instruments have been created within the framework of the stakeholder dialogue, which enable flexible and short-term options for action and allow for the involvement of stakeholders in a manner appropriate to the polluter-pays principle. Specific emission reductions could not be expected within the time frame of the dialogue. However, stakeholders agreed that the strategic process chosen is preferable to purely regulatory steps due to the holistic approach involving all stakeholders concerned in this complex matter. It is expected that in the future, if implemented consistently, the approach could achieve a lasting and sustainable impact on a broad scale. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Monitoring, Modelling and Management of Water Quality II)

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17 pages, 2313 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modification of Disinfection Process at a Local Water Treatment Plant—Skawina (Poland)

by Bogumiła Winid, Robert Muszański and Jan Wilkosz

Water 2022, 14(18), 2924; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14182924 - 18 Sep 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2175

Abstract

This paper summarizes studies undertaken at a water treatment plant in Skawina (WTP Skawina) where the disinfection process was modified by introducing a mobile ozonation system. The application of a small-size, fully-automated ozonation installation only slightly complicates the water treatment process, without the [...] Read more.

This paper summarizes studies undertaken at a water treatment plant in Skawina (WTP Skawina) where the disinfection process was modified by introducing a mobile ozonation system. The application of a small-size, fully-automated ozonation installation only slightly complicates the water treatment process, without the need to redesign the water treatment line, and with relatively low investment costs. The aim of this study was to analyze whether the change of the disinfection method affects the final water quality. The investigated water samples were treated in the mobile ozonation system using a disinfection process with only sodium hypochlorite. Treated water was of excellent quality, and seasonal variations in raw water parameters (variable organic matter contents) did not result in elevated trihalomethanes (THM) and bromate concentrations. Despite the trace amounts of bromides in the water prior to treatment, the water in the municipal drinking water system did not contain determinable amounts of bromates. The bromine concentrations in the treated water supplied to the water distribution system were higher than in raw water, which could be attributable to the presence of bromine as a contaminant in sodium hypochlorite (the disinfection agent). Water quality tests carried out by the water treatment plant (WTP) and by the State Sanitary Inspectorate after the modification of the process line confirmed the high quality of water in the distribution network after the change of disinfection method. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Monitoring, Modelling and Management of Water Quality II)

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18 pages, 4016 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dissolved Phosphorus Concentrations in Surface Runoff from Agricultural Land Based on Calcium–Acetate–Lactate Soluble Phosphorus Soil Contents

by Lisa Kiemle and Stephan Fuchs

Water 2022, 14(11), 1742; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14111742 - 28 May 2022

Viewed by 2070

Abstract

The input of phosphorus (P) into aquatic systems can result in eutrophication that might manifest in algal blooms and oxygen deficiency and, subsequently, in a poor ecological status. Substance emission modeling on a river basin scale can help to quantify phosphorus emissions into [...] Read more.

The input of phosphorus (P) into aquatic systems can result in eutrophication that might manifest in algal blooms and oxygen deficiency and, subsequently, in a poor ecological status. Substance emission modeling on a river basin scale can help to quantify phosphorus emissions into surface water bodies and to address mitigation measures. The prerequisite is that suitable input data are available. The purpose of this study is to develop a modeling approach that allows the prediction of realistic phosphorus concentrations in surface runoff. During large-scale artificial rain experiments at 23 agricultural sites, dissolved P concentrations in surface runoff and subsurface flow were measured. The characteristics of the experimental sites were investigated by taking and analyzing soil samples and requesting information on the management from the farmers. From the data collected, two linear models were derived. The first model allows the prediction of dissolved phosphorus concentration in surface runoff from P_CAL soil content. Applying the second model, the obtained concentration in surface runoff can be transferred to a concentration in subsurface flow. The resulting approaches were derived from realistic field experiments and, for the first time, allow the direct prediction of dissolved phosphorus concentrations in surface runoff and, in a second step, also in subsurface flow from spatially distributed P_CAL soil content data. Integrating these approaches into substance emission models can improve their accuracy and, subsequently, allows a better planning of measures for the reduction in phosphorus emissions into surface water bodies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Monitoring, Modelling and Management of Water Quality II)

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19 pages, 7343 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Assessment of Phosphorus Input from Urban Areas in the Passaúna River and Reservoir

by Klajdi Sotiri, Regina T. Kishi, Stephan Hilgert, Mauricio B. Scheer, Pedro G. Gabriel, Diego A. Benatto and Stephan Fuchs

Water 2022, 14(5), 809; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14050809 - 04 Mar 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2049

Abstract

Elevated phosphorus loads play an important role in the deterioration of water quality and can subsequently pose a threat to the aquatic organisms in a river or a standing water body. The accurate assessment of total phosphorus (TP) fluxes from a catchment is [...] Read more.

Elevated phosphorus loads play an important role in the deterioration of water quality and can subsequently pose a threat to the aquatic organisms in a river or a standing water body. The accurate assessment of total phosphorus (TP) fluxes from a catchment is of high importance to the well-being of the entire river ecosystem. In this study, we assessed the yearly input of TP from the urban areas of the Passaúna catchment in southern Brazil. The catchment drains into the eponymous reservoir, which provides drinking water for more than 800,000 inhabitants of the Curitiba Metropolitan region. The protection of the water quality in the river as well as in the reservoir is of paramount importance, yet high phosphorous inputs have been detected. For adequate protection, the catchment emissions need to be accurately assessed. Initially, the TP concentration in the river sediment was determined in order to assess the relationship between the TP export of the urban areas and the TP stock of the river. It was found that in areas with a higher share of urban land cover and especially in areas with a lack of sewage treatment, the TP concentration in the sediment reached up to 6700 mg/kg. The assessment of the overall TP input from urban areas was based on a regionalized emission-modeling approach, combined with data from long-term water quality monitoring of the river. The monitoring station established upstream of the Passaúna Reservoir inflow provided an initial assessment and the necessary output for the validation and calibration of the model. From the drainage basin of the monitoring station, an overall TP input of 2501 kg/a (0.31 kg/(ha a)) was measured between 1 May 2018 and 1 May 2019 (3508 kg TP/a or 0.23 kg/(ha a) when extrapolating the overall catchment of the Passaúna Reservoir). The monitoring data indicated that the TP input increases during the wet months of the year. The sediment stock of the river also plays an important role in the interannual budget of TP. During the timespan of one year, many deposition–resuspension events happen. The resuspended material is included in the baseflow and hinders the differentiation between urban and nonurban input. After calibration, the model was able to predict the yearly input of TP from the urban areas of the Passaúna catchment. In addition, the share of inhabitants who are not connected to the sewer system was assessed. Overall, the combination of monitoring and modeling in this study offers a valuable overview of the TP dynamics of the system, while the model ensures reproducibility with high accuracy at the same time. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Monitoring, Modelling and Management of Water Quality II)

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16 pages, 4033 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Four Years of Sediment and Phosphorus Monitoring in the Kraichbach River Using Large-Volume Samplers

by Katharina Allion, Lisa Kiemle and Stephan Fuchs

Water 2022, 14(1), 120; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14010120 - 05 Jan 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1622

Abstract

Various sampling strategies come into operation to monitor water quality in rivers. Most frequently, grab samples are taken, but they are not suitable for recording the highly dynamic transport of solids and solid-bound pollutants. Composite samples reduce the influence of input and transport [...] Read more.

Various sampling strategies come into operation to monitor water quality in rivers. Most frequently, grab samples are taken, but they are not suitable for recording the highly dynamic transport of solids and solid-bound pollutants. Composite samples reduce the influence of input and transport dynamics and are better suited to determine the annual river loads. Large-volume samplers (LVSs) produce both a composite sample over a long period of time and an amount of solids which allows for further analyses. In the small sub-catchment area of the Kraichbach river in Baden-Wuerttemberg (Germany) two LVSs have been installed to sample the river flow. The concentration of solids and phosphorus in the supernatant water and the settled sediment in the sampler have been determined and mean concentrations have been derived. Annual river loads were calculated in combination with discharge data from the nearby gauging station. Two sampling strategies of the LVS were tested and compared. For the first strategy, the LVS was used to collect quasi-continuous composite samples throughout the year, whereas, with the second strategy, samples were taken specifically for different flow conditions (low, mean and high flow). This study compares the advantages and constraints of both strategies. Results indicate that the first strategy is better suited to determine annual river loads. Quasi-continuous large-volume composite sampling is recommended for further monitoring campaigns. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Monitoring, Modelling and Management of Water Quality II)

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19 pages, 4702 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Use of Monitoring Approaches to Verify the Predictive Accuracy of the Modeling of Particle-Bound Solid Inputs to Surface Waters

by Katharina Allion, Michael Gebel, Mario Uhlig, Stefan Halbfass, Stephan Bürger, Lisa Kiemle and Stephan Fuchs

Water 2021, 13(24), 3649; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13243649 - 18 Dec 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2661

Abstract

For particle-bound substances such as phosphorus, erosion is an important input pathway to surface waters. Therefore, knowledge of soil erosion by water and sediment inputs to water bodies at high spatial resolution is essential to derive mitigation measures at the regional scale. Models [...] Read more.

For particle-bound substances such as phosphorus, erosion is an important input pathway to surface waters. Therefore, knowledge of soil erosion by water and sediment inputs to water bodies at high spatial resolution is essential to derive mitigation measures at the regional scale. Models are used to calculate soil erosion and associated sediment inputs to estimate the resulting loads. However, validation of these models is often not sufficiently possible. In this study, sediment input was modeled on a 10 × 10 m grid for a subcatchment of the Kraichbach river in Baden-Wuerttemberg (Germany). In parallel, large-volume samplers (LVS) were operated at the catchment outlet, which allowed a plausibility check of the modeled sediment inputs. The LVS produced long-term composite samples (2 to 4 weeks) over a period of 4 years. The comparison shows a very good agreement between the modeled and measured sediment loads. In addition, the monitoring concept of the LVS offers the possibility to identify the sources of the sediment inputs to the water body. In the case of the Kraichbach river, it was found that around 67% of the annual sediment load in the water body is contributed by rainfall events and up to 33% represents dry-weather load. This study shows that the modeling approaches for calculating the sediment input provide good results for the test area Kraichbach and the transfer for a German wide modeling will produce plausible values. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Monitoring, Modelling and Management of Water Quality II)

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17 pages, 3920 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Large-Volume Samplers for Efficient Composite Sampling and Particle Characterization in Sewer Systems

by Jan Philip Nickel and Stephan Fuchs

Water 2021, 13(20), 2831; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13202831 - 12 Oct 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2380

Abstract

The assessment of pollution from sewer discharges requires flexible and reliable sampling methods. The characteristics of the sampling system must be known to allow comparison with other studies. Large volume samplers (LVS) are increasingly used for monitoring in sewer systems and surface waters. [...] Read more.

The assessment of pollution from sewer discharges requires flexible and reliable sampling methods. The characteristics of the sampling system must be known to allow comparison with other studies. Large volume samplers (LVS) are increasingly used for monitoring in sewer systems and surface waters. This article provides a comprehensive description of this widely applicable sampling system, gives insight into its comparability to standard methods, and provides recommendations for researchers and practitioners involved in water quality monitoring and urban water management. Two methods for subsampling from LVS are presented, i.e., collection of homogenized or sedimented samples. Results from a sampling campaign at combined sewer overflows (CSOs) were used to investigate the comparability of both subsampling methods and conventional autosamplers (AS). Event mean concentrations (EMC) of total suspended solids (TSS) derived from homogenized LVS samples and AS pollutographs were comparable. TSS-EMC of homogenized and sedimented LVS samples were also comparable. However, differences were found for particle size distribution and organic matter content. Consequently, sedimented LVS samples, which contained solids masses in the range of 3–70 g, are recommended to be used for particle characterization. The differences between homogenized and sedimented LVS samples, e.g., the quality of homogenization and the stability of samples during sedimentation in LVS, should be further investigated. Based on LVS results, average TSS concentrations of 50–60 mg/L were found for CSOs from centralized treatment facilities in Bavaria. With a median share of 84%, particles <63 µm were the dominant fraction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Monitoring, Modelling and Management of Water Quality II)

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9 pages, 1478 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Daily Variation of Lipid Regulators and Personal Care Products in a River Impacted by Domestic Effluents in Southern Brazil

by Franciane de Almeida Brehm Goulart, Gabriela Reichert, Tais Cristina Felippe, Alinne Mizukawa, Jhonatas Antonelli, Cristóvão Scapulatempo Fernandes and Júlio César Rodrigues de Azevedo

Water 2021, 13(10), 1393; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13101393 - 17 May 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1990

Abstract

In urban areas, wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) play a major role in the water quality of rivers. The removal efficiency of emerging contaminants by WWTPs is strongly correlated with the type of treatment and the hydraulic retention time (HRT) of the process, which [...] Read more.

In urban areas, wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) play a major role in the water quality of rivers. The removal efficiency of emerging contaminants by WWTPs is strongly correlated with the type of treatment and the hydraulic retention time (HRT) of the process, which can vary according to the volumetric influent flow of wastewater and occasional peak flows. This paper aims, for the first time, to assess the daily variation of lipid regulators and personal care products in an urban river impacted by domestic effluents. Samples were collected upstream and downstream of a WWTP. The concentrations downstream of the effluent discharge were higher than upstream, but they varied significantly during the day. Concentration peaks upstream of the WWTP were detected at 07:00, 15:00 and 21:00, while downstream of the effluent discharge, concentration peaks occurred between 13:00 and 19:00 and between 21:00 and 23:00. The highest downstream concentrations of triclosan and methylparaben (420 ng L⁻¹ and 460 ng L⁻¹) were 6.8 and 5.4 times higher than the lowest concentrations detected, respectively. These results show that in WWTP-impacted rivers, the time of the sampling has a great influence on the final results and conclusions of a monitoring study. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Monitoring, Modelling and Management of Water Quality II)

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