Water Analysis and Environmental Management - Coursework Example

Name Professor Subject Date Water Analysis and Environmental Management Water quality is a function of some parameters along the fields of chemical, physical, biological, and radiological. According to Ismail et al. physio-chemical properties of water is the primary determiner of water quality in natural water systems such as the stream (357). The stream as an ecosystem involves a series of the interaction of the living things and their surrounding environment. Therefore, in response to the view of a stream as an ecosystem, it is important to analyze the biological communities to determine the health of the water (Ismail et al. 357). The particular interesting group is the macrophytes informing of the availability of heavy metals and other pollutants in the water (Ismail et al. 358). Certain species of the macrophytes indicate various ecological conditions of the surroundings leading to the development of Biological Macrophyte index (BMI). Physical properties of water significantly contribute to the water quality analysis. According to Ismail et al. the measurement of the physical parameters occurs at the site which provides a general understanding of the condition of the water at the particular sampling site (359). The on-site measurement of the water considers its particular natural characteristics and equilibrium to the surroundings. Therefore, following the argument by Ismail et al. the specific important physical parameters include temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), conductivity, pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), and turbidity (359). The degree of turbidity indicates the presence of inflows such as silt, organic and inorganic compounds. Consequently, the elements cause pollution and reduce light penetration. Similarly, pH indicates the presence or absence of pollutants of either acidic or alkali properties. Moreover, the presence of these inorganic compounds determines the performance of conductivity. Having determined the physical properties, it is important to perform a chemical analysis which covers factors such as Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), dissolved gasses, mineral, and organic suspension matter (Ismail et al. 359). The level of pollution indicated by any of the three analyses involves particular scales developed with specific ranges. An example is the scale of 0-20 for biological sampling of the water, where a range of 10-12 indicates an acceptable water quality (Ismail et al. 361). Similarly, Ismail et al. (359) identify a scale of 0-100 relative to the physical and chemical properties of water. The scale includes 5 quality classes, with the value of 40-60 failing at the acceptable range. A typical example involves the 1-14 scale in measuring pH where normal water reads the values of 6-9 with values below or above the range indicating of pollution. Having identified the presence of pollution in the water, it is important to report the finding to the Environment Agency (EA), which is the body responsible for ensuring environmental sustainability in the UK (GOV.UK, 1). Algae Bloom Algae blooms today raise a global concern following its devastating effects on aquatic life and productivity (Han et al. 329). The occurrence of algae blooms follows a typical pattern of nutrient cyclic and nutrient load from pollution on sediments that generate water eutrophication. According to Han et al., sediments provide a natural environment for nutrient exchange occurring along the sediment-water interface (329). However, the natural exchange of nutrients from and in the water faces a challenge of three particular nutrients including phosphorus, iron, and sulfur. Based on Han et al. these nutrients are essential for aquatic life and generate significant effects on the aquatic ecosystem (329). Examining phosphorus, the nutrient contributes to eutrophication which is more enhanced when agriculture activities occur close to a water system. Phosphorus being vital in the agriculture makes a vital component in fertilizer. However, during a rainy season, surface run-off directs the surplus fertilizer to the water body leading to nutrient overload. Han et al. introduce the relationship between the nutrients where their interactions influence the magnitude of eutrophication (330). Based on Han et al. the increased nutrient level in water encourages the growth of algae in exceeding levels (330). Moreover, the high algae bloom increases the rate of decompositions leading to low dissolved oxygen levels. Consequently, the deficiencies in dissolved oxygen generate eutrophication which results in ecological destruction. In particular, ecological destruction involves the decomposition process of algae where after settling on the floor of the lake, it releases nutrients to the surroundings (Han et al. 330). Of interest is the release of the nutrients phosphorus, sulfur and iron which continues the nutrient cycle in the aquatic system. Moreover, Han et al. identify the process as a contributor to changes in both the biological and physical properties of water including altering the pH, DO, and turbidity. Consequently, the altering of the natural environment affects aquatic life fueling more ecologic challenges such as “black-bloom”. It is for these reasons and the lethal effects of algae bloom to aquatic systems that it is necessary to inform the local government which works with agencies such as the Department of Environmental Regulation (DER). Based on Department of Environment Regulation, DER investigates pollution incidence with an aim to minimize harm to the environment and health (1). Hard Water Based on Brastad and Zhen, hard water contains positively charged ions with the common examples of calcium and magnesium (32). The ions occur naturally in the aquatic system through the sediments, although ecological destruction may influence their abundance. Classification of hard water includes the presence of the multivalent ions of a greater concentration than 260 mg/l in the form of calcium carbonate (Brastad & Zhen, 32). Following the effects of these ions of water including infrastructure, engineers develop water softening techniques that function in ion removal. In particular, Brastad and Zhen identify ion exchange model including charged polymer resin beads, chemical precipitation, and nanofiltration (32). These methods effectively reduce the positive ions however, they generate adverse effects such as introduce contamination; apply the use of chemicals, and high operation and maintenance cost. As a result of the negative input of previous water softening techniques, Brastad and Zhen presents microbial desalination cells (MDC) an effective solution in the de-hardening process. The model setup requires a biochemical reactor with three chambers separated by a heterogeneous ion-exchange- membrane, an anion exchange, and cation-exchange membrane (33). Moreover, the device includes a carbon brush added to both the anode and cathode chambers functioning as the electrode (Brastad & Zhen, 33). For effective functioning, sodium chloride solution acts the standardizing agent. The mechanism of the device works with an external resistance of 1Ω applied to the closed circuit to generate enough power for ion-exchange (Brastad & Zhen, 33). Once powered, the positively charged ions such as calcium and magnesium move to the cathode chamber, whereas the negative ions such as chlorine move into the anode chamber. The separation of the ions follows the particular ion-exchange membranes where the positive ions move along the cation-exchange membrane and negative ions move along the anion-exchange membrane. The diagram below illustrates the particular device with the arrows indicating the direction of movement of the particular charges (Brastad & Zhen, 33). British Petroleum Oil Disaster Michel et al. outline the magnitude of the oil disaster in the Mexican Gulf following an oil spillage lasting for 87 days (1). As a response to the disaster, measures to contain the situation and prevent the spread of the oil to the ecosystem included containment, direct recovery begin at the wellhead, controlled in-situ burning, offshore skimming, standing on the shoreline, and application of both natural and chemical dispersion techniques (Michel et al. 1). The application of these oil treatments involved a careful study of the disaster by the Shore Cleanup and Assessment Techniques (SCAT) program. According to Michel et al. the characteristic of the onshore oil strands necessitated the application of dispersants to manage the oil spill at both the surface and subsea levels (1). Dispersants emulsify hydrophobic oil-derived molecules and allow the biodegradation to occur. The aim of the chemicals is to prevent the formation of thick surface oil layers by enhancing the oil-water solubility (Michel et al. 1). Michel et al. present a four-stage process applied to the cleanup process (1). In stage I & II, the main treatment focused on preventing further shoreline oiling, especially following the continued oil spill from the wellhead. Therefore, the SCAT acted to remove floating oil close to the shoreline and bulk oil removal from the shoreline with the application of dispersants. Placing of floating booms managed to prevent oil spread to the marshes, harbors, and beaches as evident by the low volume of oil in these regions (Michel et al.1). The prevention of spread on these targeted areas aimed at preventing oil contact with biological factors such as aquatic life and humans. Stage III involved the continued containment of the spread including the application of skimmers to skim the contained surface oil. Comparatively, stage IV included the removal of containment measures causing more harm to the environment (Michel et al.1). Moreover, the stage involved a maintenance process in preventing re-oiling and the re-exposure of subsurface oils to the contained areas. Natural Oil Treatment Natural oil-spill treatment involves the biodegradation process of the oil, where biological agents break down the oil components into less-harmful substances. According to Wahi et al. the application of adsorbent such as the natural fibrous sorbents through an adsorption of coalescence mechanism is a natural process that enhances the biodegradability of the oil spill (53). The adsorption process includes three steps of diffusion of oil into the sorbent surface, entrapping of the oil within the sorbent, and agglomeration of the oil (Wahi et al. 53). These sorbent materials originate from a biodegradable material such as kapok fiber, rice husk, sugarcane bagasse, and wood residue. The diagram below illustrates the mechanism of adsorption. Oil removal through the coalescence technique occurs in two ways involving an in-depth filtration process or a surface filtration (Wahi et al. 54). The difference in the models is the level of filtration of the oil, where surface filtration allows an on-the-surface loading of the oil which is less effective compared to the in-depth filtration. The coalescence mechanism has the advantage of influencing the size of the oil droplet. The application of an effective medium generates a larger oil-drop which reduces the buoyancy of the oil. Consequently, reduced buoyancy interprets to an increased oil-water separation (Wahi et al. 57). According to Wahi et al. the process proceeds in four steps including filtration, separation, displacement, and equilibrium (57). The illustration in the figure below provides the mechanism of coalescence process. The imperative is the characteristic of the natural sorbets relative to the areas of application. Based on Wahi et al. factors such as sorbent dosage, flow rate, sorbent bed height, ph, temperature and contact time (60). Examining the case of North Sea, the application of adsorption techniques is less beneficial owing to the physical and hydrological conditions of the aquatic system. Works Cited Brastad, Kristen S., and Zhen He. “Water softening using microbial desalination cell technology.” Desalination 309 (2013): 32-37. Department of Environment Regulation. Your Environment, n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2017. GOV.UK. Environmental Agency, n.d. Web. 27Apr. 2017. Han, Chao, et al. "Dynamics of phosphorus–iron–sulfur at the sediment–water interface influenced by algae blooms decomposition." Journal of hazardous materials 300 (2015): 329-337. Ismail, Hanadi, et al. “Comparative Analysis of Two Indices (SEQ-Eau and IBMR) to Assess Water Quality of the Ghouzaiel, A Mediterranean Stream at Beqaa Region-Lebanon.” (2016). Michel, Jacqueline, et al. “Extent and degree of shoreline oiling: Deepwater Horizon oil spill, Gulf of Mexico, USA.” PloS one 8.6 (2013). Wahi, Rafeah, et al. "Oil removal from aqueous state by natural fibrous sorbent: an overview." Separation and Purification Technology 113 (2013): 51-63. Read More

Algae Bloom Algae blooms today raise a global concern following its devastating effects on aquatic life and productivity (Han et al. 329). The occurrence of algae blooms follows a typical pattern of nutrient cyclic and nutrient load from pollution on sediments that generate water eutrophication. According to Han et al., sediments provide a natural environment for nutrient exchange occurring along the sediment-water interface (329). However, the natural exchange of nutrients from and in the water faces a challenge of three particular nutrients including phosphorus, iron, and sulfur.

Based on Han et al. these nutrients are essential for aquatic life and generate significant effects on the aquatic ecosystem (329). Examining phosphorus, the nutrient contributes to eutrophication which is more enhanced when agriculture activities occur close to a water system. Phosphorus being vital in the agriculture makes a vital component in fertilizer. However, during a rainy season, surface run-off directs the surplus fertilizer to the water body leading to nutrient overload. Han et al.

introduce the relationship between the nutrients where their interactions influence the magnitude of eutrophication (330). Based on Han et al. the increased nutrient level in water encourages the growth of algae in exceeding levels (330). Moreover, the high algae bloom increases the rate of decompositions leading to low dissolved oxygen levels. Consequently, the deficiencies in dissolved oxygen generate eutrophication which results in ecological destruction. In particular, ecological destruction involves the decomposition process of algae where after settling on the floor of the lake, it releases nutrients to the surroundings (Han et al. 330). Of interest is the release of the nutrients phosphorus, sulfur and iron which continues the nutrient cycle in the aquatic system.

Moreover, Han et al. identify the process as a contributor to changes in both the biological and physical properties of water including altering the pH, DO, and turbidity. Consequently, the altering of the natural environment affects aquatic life fueling more ecologic challenges such as “black-bloom”. It is for these reasons and the lethal effects of algae bloom to aquatic systems that it is necessary to inform the local government which works with agencies such as the Department of Environmental Regulation (DER).

Based on Department of Environment Regulation, DER investigates pollution incidence with an aim to minimize harm to the environment and health (1). Hard Water Based on Brastad and Zhen, hard water contains positively charged ions with the common examples of calcium and magnesium (32). The ions occur naturally in the aquatic system through the sediments, although ecological destruction may influence their abundance. Classification of hard water includes the presence of the multivalent ions of a greater concentration than 260 mg/l in the form of calcium carbonate (Brastad & Zhen, 32).

Following the effects of these ions of water including infrastructure, engineers develop water softening techniques that function in ion removal. In particular, Brastad and Zhen identify ion exchange model including charged polymer resin beads, chemical precipitation, and nanofiltration (32). These methods effectively reduce the positive ions however, they generate adverse effects such as introduce contamination; apply the use of chemicals, and high operation and maintenance cost. As a result of the negative input of previous water softening techniques, Brastad and Zhen presents microbial desalination cells (MDC) an effective solution in the de-hardening process.

The model setup requires a biochemical reactor with three chambers separated by a heterogeneous ion-exchange- membrane, an anion exchange, and cation-exchange membrane (33). Moreover, the device includes a carbon brush added to both the anode and cathode chambers functioning as the electrode (Brastad & Zhen, 33). For effective functioning, sodium chloride solution acts the standardizing agent.

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