Accession Number:

ADA172873

Title:

Environmental and Water Quality Operational Studies: Experimental Manipulations of Phytoplankton in Eau Galle Reservoir.

Descriptive Note:

Final rept.,

Corporate Author:

ARMY ENGINEER WATERWAYS EXPERIMENT STATION VICKSBURG MS ENVIRONMENTAL LAB

Personal Author(s):

• Barko,John W.
• Klemer,Andrew R.
• McFarland,Dwilette G.
• Hennington,M. S.

Report Date:

1986-08-01

Pagination or Media Count:

22.0

Abstract:

In an attempt to improve water quality, a variety of experiments was conducted over a 2-year period in large 10-m-diameter enclosed water columns. Specific objectives of these experiments were to reduce phytoplankton standing crop and to promote favorable changes in species composition, i.e., away from nuisance algae cyanophytes and dinoflagellates towards more desirable algae diatoms and chlorophytes. Experimental treatments, implemented singly and in combination, included destratification by mixing, addition of soluble silica, sediment sealing with sand, and precipitation of phosphorus with block aluminum sulfate. Mixing, alone or in combination with silica addition, extended the presence of vernal diatom populations into the summer in one investigation. In contrast, addition of silica to the water column without mixing had no effect on diatom production. In general mixing stimulated phytoplankton production by increasing phosphorus availability. However, phosphorus inactivation with block aluminum sulfate suspended in the water was sufficient to overcome this effect. Individual effects of phosphorus precipitation and sediment sealing were similar both decreased phytoplankton standing crop in association with decreased total phosphorus concentrations. Since most of the phosphorus contributed to the phytoplankton in Eau Galle reservoir derives from the sediment, complexation of sediment phosphorus is recommended to improve water quality.

Descriptors:

• *PHYTOPLANKTON
• SILICON DIOXIDE
• REDUCTION
• VARIATIONS
• WATER TREATMENT
• PHOSPHORUS
• SEDIMENTS
• SEALING COMPOUNDS
• RESERVOIRS
• ALUMINUM SULFATE
• WISCONSIN

Subject Categories:

• Water Pollution and Control

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE