River & Marine Applications

River & Marine Applications

River Water monitoring TOC, Up-stream and Down-stream from a chemical plant

Summary:

In the course of a four year period, analytical results were collected daily from each analyzers and then processed.

As shown in the table, data recorded by the upstream monitoring station indicate a Total Organic Carbon mean value of approximately 2.5 mg/l. TOC values recorded downstream from industrial discharge indicate an average of 5 mg/l.

The oxygen values in the river water were also monitored and evaluated : it was noticed that the O2 content downstream from the chemical plant is only lower than upstream.

 Download the full article here


 

 All clear in lake Twiste

Abstract:
A short article from Germany about inland bathing waters and the future use of the algae torch for monitoring.

 Download the full article here


Leboulanger Paper

A recently available submersible fluorescent probe was configured and used to survey the vertical distribution of the deep-living toxic and filamentous cyanobacterium Planktothrix (Oscillatoria) rubescens among the autochthonous algal communities in Lake Bourget, France. This in situ measuring spectrofluorometer, which can be used to perform chlorophyll analysis and integrated algal class determination, provides a realistic estimation of the abundance and dynamics of the cyanobacterial population that is known to produce the hepatotoxic heptapeptides microcystin RR and LR. Data provided from in-line measurements using the probe and from P. rubescens cell counts obtained by discrete sampling were closely correlated (r = 0.899, p < 0.01), as were in-line data and spectrophotometric total chlorophyll a measurements (r = 0.775, p < 0.01). A survey conducted from December 1999 to May 2001 revealed that P. rubescens exhibits a deep maximum level (typically between 10 and 15 m) in spring and summer (reaching concentrations of up to 20 µg equivalent chl a l –1 , i.e. 27 000 cells ml –1 ), whereas it spreads from the surface either to the top of the thermocline or to the bottom of the lake, in autumn and winter respectively. We propose that the probe could be used as a powerful tool for assaying the occurrence and dynamics of microalgal blooms, typically toxic cyanobacteria, that call for accurate and rapid monitoring to assess the health of the ecosystem and to alert the authorities about potential risks regarding pumping and use of the lake water for drinking-water production purposes.

 Download the full article


 

On-line toxicity monitoring on the River Ipoly, Hungary; Dr J Toth, Z Zoltan Zsilak University of Veszprém ; Labinfo

Abstract:

The water treatment plant of Salgotarjan uses the water from the River Ipoly for its drinking water supply. The bacteria Pseudomonas Putida were cultured and then fed into the bioreactor of the on-line toxicity monitor, Stipox-norm. Within one hour a stable baseline of activity is achieved. The anayser proved very sensitive to change in water quality. Simulation tests were undertaken using cyanide and phenol which demonstrated the very fast response time of the analyser. In addition the automatic protection of the biomass proved to work well. On the basis of these tests, The Stiptox-norm was shown to be well suited and recommended for similar toxicity applications.

 

MONITORING OF SURFACE WATER BY ULTRA-SENSITIVE DAPHNIA TOXIMETER Lechelt, M.1), Blohm, W. 1), Kirschneit, B. 1), Pfeiffer, M. 1), Gresens, E. 1), Liley, J. 2), Holz, R. 2), Lüring, C. 2), Moldaenke, C. 2

1. Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, State Environmental Protection Authority Office of Environmental Investigations
2. bbe Moldaenke, Schauenburgerstr. 116, 24118 Kiel; Germany

Summary:

Static biotests as Daphnia test and algae test are well introduced in the check of water quality. But although they are often called "acute" tests they are not able to signal short term accidents or time-depending variations of toxic substances. Biomonitoring systems were set up to serve as "early warning systems". Biomonitors are 24 hours a day working systems using organisms to indicate changes due to the release of toxic substances. This paper deals with the measurement of changes in the behaviour of Daphnia with the bbe Daphnia toximeter. Speed, speed distribution, height, distance between organisms, number of Daphnia and "fractal dimension" are evaluated to account for the appearance of toxic substances. By that way even low concentrations not leading to the death of Daphnia can be detected within minutes. Results of the last two years of field experience and laboratory tests are performed.

Abstract:
This note describes the use of a submersible UV spectrometer for monitoring of Nitrate & other chemicals in seawater.