Phytoplankton Drivers of Dissolved Organic Material Production in Colorado Reservoirs and the Formation of Disinfection By-Products

Abstract

Previous studies have shown that algal-derived dissolved organic matter (DOM) has a strong influence on the formation of disinfection byproducts (DBPs) during the treatment of drinking water. In the summer of 2010, we evaluated the role of nitrogen and phosphorus loading and phytoplankton abundance as drivers of the concentrations and quality of DOM and the associated DBP formation in 30 reservoirs in the mountains and plains of the State of Colorado. Optical properties such as Specific Ultraviolet Absorbance at 254 nm (SUVA254) and fluorescence spectroscopy were used to characterize DOM quality. Nutrient concentrations such as total nitrogen were also assessed and were associated with high concentrations of chlorophyll a (Chl-a). In turn, high total organic carbon (TOC) concentrations were associated with high concentrations of Chl-a, and the DOM in these reservoirs had a fluorescence signature indicative of contributions from phytoplankton growth. The reservoirs with TOC concentrations above 4 mgC/L were predominantly located in the plains and many are impacted by agricultural runoff and wastewater discharges, rather than in the mountains and are characterized by warm water conditions and shallow depths. For a subset of fourteen reservoirs, we characterized the composition of the phytoplankton using a rapid imaging microscopy technique and observed a dominance by filamentous Cyanobacteria in reservoirs with TOC concentrations above 4 mgC/L. The combination of high TOC concentrations with microbial characteristics resulted in high potential for production of two major classes of regulated DBPs, trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids. While fluorescence spectroscopy was useful in confirming the contribution of phytoplankton growth to high TOC concentrations, evaluation of predictive models for DBP yields found that all equally predictive models included SUVA254 and some of these models also included fluorescence indices or logTOC. These findings provide a limnological context in support of the recent guidelines that have been implemented for protection of high-quality drinking water supplies in the State of Colorado.

Disinfection By-Products Formation from Chlor(am)ination of Algal Organic Matter of Chlorella sorokiniana

“…In total, the impact of 25 different experimental conditions of a single factor on DBP formation was evaluated ( Table 1 ), encompassing a range of AOM, humic acid (HA) and bromide (Br − ) concentrations, and pH values. The selected values represent a typical range of pH [ 43 , 44 ], organic carbon concentration [ 45 , 46 ], and bromide concentration [ 20 , 47 , 48 ] found in surface waters.…”

Organic matter concentration and characteristic dynamics in surface waters post-bushfires and cyclones: fDOM sensors for environmental monitoring and control

“…The increase in Chla levels following cyclones has been described as relating to the increase in discharges of run-off water (containing nutrients) into surface waters, which can lead to the growth of phytoplankton populations. 32,60 Growth of phytoplankton populations, which consume nutrients, acts as a natural stabilising mechanism and regulates nutrient levels in water sources. 32,61 62 reported increased Chla levels in catchment stream ows following a bushre.…”

“…2 and 3). Several studies previously reported an increase in turbidity and sediments in surface waters associated with either burned catchment areas following bushres 9,25,27,60 or extreme discharge events (e.g. following cyclones, typhoons, storms and extreme rainfalls).…”