UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
FEDERAL WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ADMINISTRATION
ALASKA WATER LABORATORY
QUARTERLY RESEARCH REPORT
October 1 - December 31, 1969
ALASKA WATER LABORATORY
College, Alaska 99701
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WASTE TREATMENT SECTION
PROJECT: ALASKA EXTENDED AERATION
Objectives:
Development of adequate design criteria for application
of extended aeration in Alaska.
Work Completed Second Quarter FY 1970:
Modifications initiated at the Eielson extended aeration pilot
facility were completed in November. Operation of the system was then
resumed in mid-November shortly before a cold spell began. Primary
settled domestic sewage sludge from the existing Eielson treatment
plant was pumped into the basin, along with seed that had been stored
while the basin was out of use, to bring the aeration basin solids
concentration up to 4000 mg/1. The system was then allowed to operate
with a minimum of hydraulic loading. In late December the effluent
lines from the tube settlers were connected and operation at a minimum
hydraulic flow rate was begun. Organic loading was maintained through
enrichment of the raw sewage with primary sewage sludge.
Our observations to date demonstrate that there are several
critical design considerations unique to the application of systems
exposed to the environment and to the application of tube settlers.
1. Although the utilization of earthen basins appears to be
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completely feasible, extreme care must be exercised in the location
of tube settler modules to provide absolutely positive flow
control through the hopper zone below the tubes.
2. Stabilized heavy sludge will be produced or introduced into
the system and careful consideration must be given to zones
where it will settle out and the "settling zones's" relationship
to location of and depth under tube settler modules.
3. Tube settler modules should not be placed in a basin unless
combined with a diffused air system as a complete and isolated
module to guarantee that a flushing current will be maintained
through the bottom hopper zone.
Our preliminary observation of the influence of surface ice brings
up an important research question. We have noted a definite mixed
liquor separation and suspended solids collecting effect as surface
ice forms. The condition was not expected and we are not positive
that it will result in a healthy activated sludge biomass or that it
will continue to happen after a major ice layer has formed.
Our constant temperature studies are showing that a stable system
can be operated at 1°C and a high level of BOD and solids removal
maintained. Operation at 6.5 to 7°C creates a biological system that
is much more susceptible to upset. Temperature changes and operation
in the 2 to 7°C temperature range seem to have more adverse effects than
operating consistently at 0.5 to 2°C.
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Third Quarter FY 1970 Work Plan:
1. Complete hydraulic tests for determination of required
tube settler modifications.
2. Conduct laboratory tests to define the settling characteristics
of tube settlers of various sizes.
3. .Conduct laboratory tests to determine the influences of temperature
changes on a 12-hour detention time extended aeration system for the
temperature range of 0.5°C to 8°C. <
4. When the weather permits, complete necessary modifications to
the tube settler modules at the Eielson pilot facility and re-establish
a process.
5. Monitor operating efficiencies of the Eielson pilot facility.
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PROJECT: COLD REGIONS AERATED LAGOON
Objectives:
To establish design criteria for the aerated lagoon waste
treatment process in Alaska. Design criteria will include operational
efficiency versus loading, evaluation of construction methods, evaluation
of types of feasible equipment, and process modifications to provide
more efficient plant utilization.
To evaluate parameters and contribution to effluent quality, power
and maintenance costs, and reliability.
Work Completed Second Quarter FY 1970:
Modifications have been completed at the Eielson pilot facility
to allow studies to determine the reduction in efficiency when the
number of cells in the series is reduced and to evaluate stainless
steel coarse bubble aerators as an alternate mechanical system.
Laboratory results this winter tend to confirm the results of
last winter and indicate that winter start-up is completely feasible
with a high level of removal efficiency to be expected within 60
days after start-up.
Third Quarter FY 1970 Work Plan:
1. Monitor the system with the coarse bubble diffusers operating.
2. Provide intermixing in cells 1, 2, 3 and 4 in combinations
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that will allow us to develop relationships between numbers of cells,
relative length of detention times for a given number of cells, and
reduction in efficiency created by reducing the number of cells in
a system.
3. Initiate the writing of a major progress report for application
of aerated lagoons in Alaska.
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PROJECT: ALASKA APPLICATION OF WASTE STABILIZATION LAGOON
Objectives:
To demonstrate the feasibility of waste stabilization lagoon
application in Alaska, particularly utilizing winter storage and
summer treatment capabilities. To develop design criteria for setting
loadings, for operational schemes, etc. To investigate materials
utilization and other design factors to minimize costs.
Work Completed Second Quarter FY 1970:
Modifications of the Eielson pilot facility lagoon have been
completed and the system was placed in operation in early November.
The 29l x 29' lagoon is fed approximately 500 gallons per day of
domestic sewage, which raises the level 5 inches per week. The feed
has been overflowing the ice layer, which has built up to five feet
in thickness.
Third Quarter FY 1970 Work Plan:
1. Monitoring to establish winter removal efficiency for the
single cell system will be initiated.
2. A field trip to an existing lagoon at Fort Yukon will be
conducted in February to determine its operating characteristics and
to obtain bottom sludge for analytical analysis. The Fort Yukon lagoon
has been in operation for 13 years.
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WATER QUALITY SECTION
PROJECT: SIGNIFICANCE OF WINTER DISSOLVED OXYGEN IN ALASKA:
Objecti ves:
1. To determine the extent of the dissolved oxygen reduction
in arctic and subarctic streams under winter conditions.
2. To determine the effects of the lowered dissolved oxygen
levels on the aquatic organisms while under simulated arctic or subarctic
conditions.
Work Accomplished Second Quarter FY 1970:
The field season was begun with dissolved oxygen data being
collected on each field trip from the Chena River, Chatanika River,
and Salcha River. The dissolved oxygen in the Chatanika and Salcha
rivers was 9-11 parts per million and the Chena River 6-8 ppm.
Work was begun on objective #2 by gathering, modifying and erecting
the living stream system in which arctic and subarctic stream conditions
will be simulated. The basic tank and refrigeration unit was assembled.
Modifications were made to adapt a larger cooling system to the tank.
This unit is now being tested to determine the reliability, the charac-
teristics, and the limitations of the system.
Third Quarter FY 1970 Work Plan:
Continue the field work to observe the extent of the oxygen
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depression in the winter. .
Continue to modify and test the living stream system until
simulated arctic and subarctic conditions can be reliably maintained.
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PROJECT: SAGAVANIRKTOK RIVER SYSTEM BASIN STUDY
Objectives:
To provide baseline water quality information on the Sagavanirktok
River system and the immediate industrial region of the developing
oil field.
Work Accomplished Second Quarter FY 1970:
The samples for the late summer conditions were taken in mid-August,
and the chemical analysis and microbiological tabulation was completed
by the end of December. The aquatic biology collections have been
completed except for the nymph forms of some of the highly specialized
groups such as Diptera. The diatoms are a specialized group requiring
treatment to clean, clear and prepare permanent slide mounts for the
taxonomic classification of the organisms. Permanent slides have been
made of material from all of the collection sites and some of the
preliminary taxonomic identification of the group has been completed.
Preliminary reports of the study have been forwarded to the Regional
Office for use by the various agencies working on the pipeline project.
Third Quarter FY 1970 Work Plan:
To obtain information of the changes in water chemistry and
microbiology that occur in the river system during the ice covered
winter period, the third and last collection of data is planned for
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the last of March or the first of April.
The identification of the diatoms and the problem species of
aquatic insects requires both time and a high order of technical
specialization. This will be accomplished by the use of FWPCA
consultants.
The Sagavanirktok River system basin study is one of the topics
that have been selected for presentation at the Symposium on Water
Pollution Control in Cold Climate at the University of Alaska on
July 22, 23 and 24, 1970.
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PROJECT: BACTERIAL QUALITY OF ALASKA WATER I. COLIFORM CONTENT OF
ALASKA WATER
Objectives:
1. To obtain from all sources the accumulated coliform data for
the past three years.
2. To separate the information into surface water data and
groundwater data.
3. To sort the data into geographical categories, particularly
with reference to streams and centers of population and compile the
information in a usable form.
4. To prepare a summary and evaluation of the data and the
information it presents.
Work Accomplished Second Quarter FY 1970:
The scattered laboratory data on the coliform content of Alaska
water has been collected and sorted into surface and groundwater
categories. This data has now been separated into geographical
divisions with special reference to streams and centers of population,
The tabulated report is being prepared and will be completed
by the end of the quarter.
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PROJECT: BACTERIAL QUALITY OF ALASKA WATER II. DIE-OFF RATE OF
ENTERIC INDICATOR BACTERIA IN A SUBARCTIC ALASKAN RIVER
Objectives:
The objectives of this study of the Tanana River from its
confluence with the Chena River to its confluence with the Yukon River
are as follows:
1. To determine the rate of reduction in numbers of fecal
indicator bacteria.
2. To determine changes in the chemical parameters which are
associated with domestic wastes.
3. To establish the time required for a water mass to travel
from the mouth of the Chena River to the mouth of the Tanana River.
Work Accomplished During Second Quarter FY 1970:
Planning for the study of the winter survival of enteric indicator
bacteria in the Tanana River has been completed.
Third Quarter FY 1970 Work Plan:
The study will be carried out during the last part of February and
the first part of March. The acquisition of materials and equipment
will be started immediately to insure their arrival before the planned
starting date. Analysis and write-up of the data will begin immediately
after completion of the field work and should be ready for publication
during the last quarter of FY 1970.
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PROJECT: THE ROLE OF MICROORGANISMS AT LOW TEMPERATURES IN ALASKAN RIVERS
Objectives:
1. Determine the rate and extent of oxygen consumption by the
mixed bacterial population in a subarctic stream at 0°, 5°, 10°,
15° and 20°C, using laboratory substrates.
2. Determine the rate and extent of oxygen consumption by the
mixed bacterial population in a subarctic stream at 0°, 5°, 10°,
15° and 20°C, using domestic sewage effluent which has received
various degrees of treatment as the substrate»
3. Determine if there is a relationship between (2) size and
composition of the bacterial population, (b) type and amount of
substrate available, (c) natural environmental characteristics, and
oxygen consumption at each temperature.
Work Accomplished During Second Quarter FY 1970:
Work has progressed on the selection of a complex medium for plate
counts. Two temperatures were used for selection of media, 10°C for low
temperature counts and 35°C for high temperature counts. M-Plate
Count Broth made up at half strength from laboratory components and
adjusted to pH 7.0 gave far superior results over any other medium
tested at 10°C. There appears to be a difference in some aspect
of nutrition between the bacteria grown at 10°C and those grown at
35°C. The medium which gave the highest count at 35°C was m-Enrichment
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Broth (Difco) made up at half strength and adjusted to pH 7.0. Work
is now under way to determine the optimum pH and concentration for
each of the two media previously giving the highest counts.
.Work is continuing on the metabolic activity of the bacteria
found in a subarctic stream. Four laboratory substrates are being
used to study the rate of oxygen depletion by the natural flora.
Samples were obtained from an unpolluted sample station. The substrates
were added in amounts to contain the same carbon content, and the
samples were then placed in BOD bottles and incubated at 0°, 5°,
10°, 15° and 20°C. The dissolved oxygen content was determined at
24- or 48-hour intervals to establish the rate and extent of oxygen
depletion. The initial lag phase decreased with each increase in
temperature up to 15°C with the 20°C lag phase being the same as
found at 15°C. The rate and extent of oxygen depletion was similar
at all temperatures after the initial lag phase. A mixture of amino
acids was found to give the most rapid oxygen depletion and glucose
was found to give the least. In fact, there was very little depletion
with glucose as the substrate.
A similar study of metabolic activity is being conducted on
samples from a sample station polluted with domestic sewage effluent.
Work has been completed at 5° and 10°C. Again, the amino acid mixture
gave the most rapid oxygen depletion. The rate and extent was similar
to that found at the unpolluted station, but the lag phase was significantly
shortened. Glucose was found to give the same rate and extent of
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oxygen depletion as the ami no acid mixture, but had a somewhat longer
lag phase. This is in contrast to the low level of oxygen depletion
with glucose at the unpolluted station. Since glucose is deficient
in both nitrogen and phosphorus, it is possible that one or the other
or both is the limiting factor in oxygen depletion using glucose
as the substrate.
Third Quarter FY 1970 Work Plan:
Work will continue on the selection of complex media for plate
counts. The optimum pH and concentration will be determined for
high and low temperature counts from an unpolluted station. As time
permits, a similar examination of the media will be conducted on
samples from a polluted sample station.
Work will continue on the metabolic activity of the natural
flora in a subarctic stream. Laboratory substrates will be studied
for their effect on oxygen depletion in samples from a polluted sample
station at 0°, 15°, and 20°C. A more carefully controlled study
will be done to compare the rate and extent of oxygen depletion at
all temperatures using samples from both the polluted and unpolluted
sample stations with the ami no acid mixture as the substrate.
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CONSOLIDATED LABORATORY SERVICES
Work Accomplished Second Quarter FY 1970:
To improve the efficiency of the work of chemical and biological
analysis, a consolidated laboratory service was established at the
Alaska Water Laboratory. The following items summarize the work
accomplished during the quarter.
1. Analysis for chemistry and aquatic biology of the North
Slope, South Slope, and pipeline studies was completed and data cards
punched for storage in STORET. The first STORET printout for edit
purposes has not yet been received.
2. Laboratory space utilization has been altered to increase
effectiveness and to eliminate duplication of areas so that other
branches may have more space available for their use.
3. Work continues on demand analysis, physical analysis, and
nutrient analysis of samples from the waste treatment pilot plant
at Eielson and the bench scale pilot plant work at the laboratory.
4. Progress is encouraging on the data handling system for
laboratory analyses and quality control standard forms for reporting
of data are in common use and planning systems are being developed.
5. A series of water samples from Alaska Department of Fish
and Game representing possible fish hatchery sites was analyzed.
From these data, fish hatchery sites will be selected on the basis
of water quality.
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6. Samples from a fish kill in August in the Kenai National
Moose Range on the Swanson River were analyzed for possible connection
between fire retardants used on the forest fire at the time of the
fish kill. There appeared to be no connection between the use of
retardants and the fish kill.
Third Quarter FY 1970 Work Plan;
1. Sample analysis from the Bering River coal field.
2. North Slope water quality analysis to complete the Sagavanirktok
River study.
3. Tanana River chemical analysis for winter water quality data.
4. Waste treatment pilot plant and bench scale sample analysis.
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PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS
Papers Submitted For Clearance:
Dr. Frederick Lotspeich, Effects of Large Scale Forest Fires on
Water Quality in Interior Alaska.
Stephen Provant, The Effects of Pulp Mill Wastes on the Receiving
Waters at Ward Cove, Alaska.
*
Presentations:
Sidney Clark participated in the A.S.C.E. meeting October 3-4 in
Anchorage and presented a discussion on "Biological Waste Treatment in
the Far North."
Sidney Clark participated in the FWPCA training course (173) in
Anchorage on October 13 and presented a lecture on "Arctic Applications
of Waste Treatment Processes."
Eldor Schallock participated in the FWPCA training course (173) in
Anchorage on October 13 and presented a lecture on "Arctic Aquatic
Environment."
Sidney Clark participated in the FWPCA seminar on Waste Treatment
,in Arctic Alaska November 19-20, held in Dallas, Texas, and presented
"Current FWPCA Research on Arctic Waste Disposal Problems."
Alaska Water Laboratory Seminar
November 7 Dr. Patrick Kinney, Research Concerning Crude Oil in
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Natural Waters
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November 14 Richard Latimer, FWPCA Support Grant Procedures
November 28 Robert 0. Straughn, Solid Waste Disposal, Murphy
Dome Project
December 19 Sidney E. Clark, Biological Waste Treatment in the Far
North
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STAFF TRAINING
Don Budbill attended the FWPCA course "Basic Principles of
Wastewater Treatment Operations" in Anchorage October 13-17.
Harold J. Coutts attended the Pacific Northwest Pollution Control
Association meeting in Seattle.
Virginia Sohn completed the first semester of the course "Organic
Chemistry" at the University of Alaska.
El dor Schallock completed the course "Oceanography 650" at the
University of Alaska.
Conrad Christiansen completed the course "Sanitary Engineering
CE-441" at the University of Alaska.
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VISITORS TO THE ALASKA WATER LABORATORY
OCTOBER
Mr. George Wirth, Research & Development, FWPCA Headquarters,
Washington, D.C.
Mr. William Clothier, Research & Development, NW Regional
Office, Portland
NOVEMBER
Mr. Edmund Grant, Assistant Commissioner for Administration,
FWPCA Headquarters, Washington, D.C.
Mr. Douglas Shape, Administrative Officer, FWPCA Headquarters,
Washington, D.C.
Mr. Russell DeGrief, Operations, FWPCA Headquarters, Washington, D.C.
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PUBLIC RELATIONS
Thirty-nine copies of the Alaska Water Laboratory's report,
"Ecological Changes in the Chena River," were requested and sent.
Seven copies of the Alaska Water Laboratory's report, "Effects
of Placer Mining on Water Quality in Alaska," were requested and sent.
There were 1129 copies of general information pamphlets sent out
by the laboratory during this quarter.
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