UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
FEDERAL WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ADMINISTRATION
ALASKA WATER LABORATORY
QUARTERLY RESEARCH REPORT
ALASKA WATER LABORATORY
College, Alaska 99701
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ALASKA VILLAGF. DEMONSTRATION PROJECT
PROJECT: 1610 GGR
Objectives:
To plan and construct in one or more Alaskan villages, projects to
provide a central safe water supply and waste disposal facility in conjunc-
tion with community laundry and bathing facilities and a community health
education program to help assure continued beneficial use of the projects.
Work Completed Second Quarter FY J_97JL:
Preliminary meetings on working agreements with USPHS Division of Indian
Health and State of Alaska Department of Health and Welfare have been held,
resulting in preliminary drafts of letters of agreement. A mutually ac-
ceptable draft describing working arrangements with the Indian Health Ser-
vice, Alaska Area Native Health Service, was forwarded to headquarters of
both agencies for completion and signature by appropriate officers.
With consideration of input from several sources, a description of
the project as a general conception was drafted and used in an announcement
in the "Business Commerce Daily," requesting qualifications and statement
of concept by interested bidders on an R & D contract.
Informal contracts with several field agencies and with Alaska Native
representatives have been made. Information gained in this way helped to
formulate the project concept to date. There have also been some informal
contacts with industry representatives to discuss possible approaches to
technology of the project.
The selection process for identifying probable locations for projects
has progressed to the point that there are about a dozen where a high degree
of confidence in project success can be expected. Final selections will
come from this group.
Work Plan Third Quarter FY 1971:
Project staff will attend a meeting of an association of village
presidents and will present an explanation of the project to them. It is
hoped they will concur in the present concept, recommend villages for
selection and also designate appropriate individuals for working directly
with the project staff on detailed decisions as the project moves along.
This participation by village residents and area natives is absolutely
necessary to the ultimate success of the project.
Qualified bidders will be selected from respondents to the afore-
mentioned announcement and proposals for an R & D contract will be in-
vited from a few. The usual contracting procedure will be followed in
implementing the project contract. This will be done by Headquarters
research asid procurement staff.
Field visits to villages will be made to obtain detailed informa-
tion necessary to make a final selection and provide design data to an
eventual contractor. A final selection for a first project location will
be recommended to the Director, Process Research and Development, after
that time. • r
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COLD CLIMATE RESEARCH
PROJECT: 16100 GHG - LOW TEMPERATURE DISINFECTION
Objectives:
1. Determine effectiveness of chemical disinfection of low temperature
waste water treatment plants.
2. Develop disinfection design criteria for low temperature system.
3. Demonstrate application of low temperature design criteria.
Work Completed Second Quarter FY 1971:
A chlorination system for treating effluent from the Eielson Pilot
Plant facility was installed and is being placed in operation. The
system consists of a tank, in which a hypochlorite solution is mixed,
and two pumps (one spare) for metering the solution into the extended
aeration effluent line. This line feeds into a common effluent line for
all the pilot facilities which, in turn, feeds into a holding pond.
Approximately 6 hours of contact time is provided in the pond before
draining into the receiving lake.
Work Plan Third Quarter FY 1971:
1. Complete startup of the Eielson chlorination system.
2. Continue to develop a comprehensive investigation and demonstration
program for development of low temperature disinfection design criteria.
PROJECT: 16100 GGS - APPLICATION OF ADVANCED WASTE TREATMENT TO NORTH
SLOPE
Objectives:
1. Establish water use patterns for remote location operations and
determine the feasibility of reducing water requirements.
2. Determine the effectiveness of small scale tertiary package
plants and demonstrate their capabilities under remote site operating
conditions.
Work Completed Second Quarter FY 1971:
Evaluation of the two tertiary treatment plants at Toolik Lake and
Deadhorse on the North Slope continued. The two plants consist of a
moving paper filter apparatus which filters the raw sewage and sludge
generated in the system; chemical coagulation; upflow clarification; and
two stage carbon filtration and adsorption. The two systems, which were
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supplied by Met-Pro Corporation, were designed for a population of 300-400
people but are only being loaded at 2-5% of capacity. Limited grab sample
analyses have indicated the Toclik Lake system is operating fairly well
at the low loadings with effluent EDO's end solids ranging from 46 to 78
and 69 to 111 respectively. Results from the Dsadhorsc system have been
less satisfactory. Data are from samples taken during startup, however,
and the system has been shut down occasionally with the waste going
directly to a stabilization lagoon. Because of the low level of activity
on the North Slope and the uncertainty about v:hen activity will increase,
the level of effort which will be expended on this project is not known.
A trip to the Slope during the third quarter to inspect the systems is
expected.
Work Plan Third Quarter FY 1971:
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1. Conduct field trips to existing advanced waste treatment systems
North Slope to evaluate their performance.
2. Discuss with industry problems related to advanced waste
treatment application to the North Slope and other remote sites.
PROJECT: 16100 FHC - COLD REGIONS EXTENDED AERATION DESIGN CRITERIA
Objective:
Development of adequate design criteria for application of extended
aeration in Alaska.
Work Completed Second Quarter FY 1971:
The contract for construction of two extended aeration units at the
Eielson Air Force Base pilot facility was completed and buildup of
activated sludge in the systems begun. The aeration chambers are of
approximately 15,000 gal. capacity each and are exposed to the atmosphere.
Solid separation is provided by a horizontal flow clarifier for one unit
and settling tubes (inclined at 60°) developed by the Neptune Microfloc
Co. for the other. The clarifiers are provided with air lift sludge
return and are enclosed in an insulated unheated A-frame cover. The units
will be operated under wintertime conditions to gather cold temperature
information on the extended aeration process and to demonstrate the
feasibility of using exposed aeration chambers in Alaska.
Operation of laboratory reactors for the constant temperature studies
were delayed during startup of the extended aeration systems.
Work Plan Third Quarter FY 1971:
1. Develop operation data related to extended aeration systems opera-
ted with a minimum of environmental protection.
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2. Continue constant temperature room studies to determine causes of
sludge separation problems.
3. Continue Ft. Yukon and Northway lagoon studies.
PROJECT: 16100 FHD - DESIGN CRITERIA FOR ALASKA SEWAGE LAGOONS
Objectives:
A. To establish design criteria for the aerated lagoon waste treatment
process in Alaska, and to evaluate parameters and contribution to effluent
quality, power and maintenance costs, and reliability.
B. To demonstrate the feasibility of waste stabilization lagoon
application in Alaska, particularly utilizing winter storage and summer
treatment capabilities. To develop design criteria and investigate
materials utilization and other design factors to minimize costs.
Work Completed Second Quarter FY 1971:
A. The aerated lagoon at the Eielson A.F.B. pilot facility was
changed from a 6 cell system to a 4 cell system with detention times of
6.5, 7.2, 7.3, and 9.0 days respectively in each cell. The change v/as
accomplished by cutting holes in the baffles between cells 1 and 2 and
between cells 3 and 4, under the old configuration, and mixing the
contents with pumps. The lagoon is back in operation and is being
monitored. A leak has been discovered, however, and an attempt will be
made next quarter to determine its location so that data obtained from each
of the cells may be adjusted accordingly. Evaluation of a new air gun type
diffuser system installed in the Northway aerated lagoon also began this
quarter. The diffuser provides an air lift pump type action and has had
extensive use in Canada.
B. The contract for modification of the Eielson A.F.B. pilot facility
to include a facultative lagoon system was completed. Two cells were pro-
vided with 3 day detention in the first cell and 200 day or total winter
storage in the second cell. The feed system for the lagoon, which will be
installed by Alaska Water Laboratory personnel, has not been completed.
The lagoon has also developed a leak and is not expected to be placed in
operation until spring when the system can be pumped down and repaired.
Work Plan Third Quarter FY 1971:
A. Aerated Lagoon:
1, Continue evaluation of Northway Aerated lagoon with aeration
system modifications.
: 2. Participate with the Corps of Engineers and Fort Greely Arctic
Testing Facility in modification of an existing aerated lagoon system to
demonstrate the capabilities of open aeration devices.
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B. Facultative Lagoons:
Continue evaluation of the Fort Yukon "lagoon system.
PROJECT: 16100 FHE - DISSOLVED .OXYCEN_DEPLETION AND ALASKA WATER RESOURCES
Objectives:
A. The role of microorganisms in D.O. depletion at low water temper-
atures.
1. To determine the metabolic activity of the natural population
of microorganisms in sub-Arctic river water in a system which simulates
river conditions as nearly as possible.
2. Assess the role of nutrients in metabolic activity of micro-
organisms at low temperatures.
B. D.O. sampling technique for Arctic operations.
To determine the method of collecting and transporting D.O.
samples in BOD bottles which will minimize icing problems and provide the
most valid sample.
C. Winter baseline D.O. conditions.
1. Establish baseline conditions for waters of the major drainages.
2. Determine the D.O. levels of ground water to establish the
oxygen content of the water that rivers receive under ice cover.
Work Completed Second Quarter FY 1971:
A. The effect of velocity on the rate of D.O. depletion with polluted
river water has been completed at 0° and 5°C. Similar work is in progress
with unpolluted river water at 0°C. The results thus far indicate that being
in motion significantly decreases the elapsed time to reduce the D.O. from
saturation to 0 mg/liter as compared to stationary systems with both polluted
and unpolluted river water. The velocity in the dynamic system has an effect
on the rate of depletion particularly in samples of unpolluted water. These
studies are being conducted with an amino acid mixture as the substrate and
there are significant changes in the bacterial population in the presence of
this substrate. Initially there are lO-^-lO^ bacteria present in the river
which are capable of growth on membrane filters at 0° or 5°C on the medium
being used. After the D.O. has been depleted the population has increased
to 10^ in the stationary system and 10^ in the dynamic system. Based on
gross colony morphology, only a small portion of the initial population is
capable of competing successfully and the number of morphological types present
when the D.O. is depleted is much reduced.
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B. Experimental sampling techniques for dissolved oxygen are being
investigated. Van Doren bottles, air filled BOD bottles and nitrogen
filled BOD bottles were compared under severe cold temperatures as low
as -34°F. Presently nitrogen filled BOD bottles appear to be the best
method under arctic and low dissolved oxygen conditions. Devices
utilizing tubes or spring mechanisms quickly freeze at subzero tempera-
tures resulting in air entrapment.
C. Project field work began in October with initiation of a systematic
sampling program to investigate the dissolved oxygen concentrations of the
Chatanika, Salcha and Chena Rivers. Simultaneously, samples were collected
to be analyzed for pH, conductivity and alkalinity. Air temperature also
was recorded.
Range of Values for Chemical and Physical
Parameters for October through December, 1970
Parameter Chena River Salcha River Chatanika River
Dissolved Oxygen mg/1 13.4-3.2 11.9-7.5 13.3-8.8
Conductivity umhos/cm 170-240 135-170 140-165
pH 5.1-7.6 5.8-7.4 6.6-7.5
Alkalinity mg/1 60-94 49-56 44-48
Air Temperature °C -44 to -10°
Work Plan Third Quarter FY 1971:
A. The effects of velocity on the rate of D.O. depletion will continue at
a very low pace because the major investigator will be on leave for several
weeks.
B. The methods which have given the best field results will be compared
to the standard method in a laboratory study.
C. Field work will continue next quarter with extended field trips
along the road system and into the outlying areas.
PROJECT: 16100 GHG - BASELINE CONDITIONS OF ARCTIC NORTH SLOPE
Objectives:
Provide baseline water quality information on the Sagavanirktok System
and the immediate industrial region of the developing oil field.
Work Completed Second Quarter FY 1971:
Efforts on this project were directed toward completing the final
biological analyses that have been delayed. Laboratory analyses of
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chemical, physical data and microbiological data has been finished.
Little correlation or reporting has been initiated.
Work Plan Third Quarter FY 1971:
It is hoped that all analyses will be completed in this interval.
The first draft will be completed in this period.
PROJECT: 16100 GGT - FATE AND ..EFFECT OF OIL SPILLS ON ARCTIC RIVERS
Objectives:
Develop an understanding of the rate of movement and ultimate fate of
petroleum spilled on and under the ice of ice covered rivers.
Establish the toxicity of spilled hydrocarbons to the aquatic communi-
ties of ice covered streams.
Work Completed Second Quarter FY 1971:
No activity.
Work Plan Third Quarter FY 1971:
Continue work on a master plan to develop a project defining needs and
objectives to establish the fate and effects of oil spills under cold
climates.
PROJECT: 16100 FHB - BACTERIA CONTAMINATION OF ALASKAJjATERS
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 Completed Second Quarter FY 1971:
Final write-up of the results for publication has been nearly completed.
Work Plan Third Quarter FY 1971:
Write-up of results for publication will be completed and the material
should be in the hands of the printer before the end of the quarter.
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0 OVELto : VAL PRACTICES ON ARCTIC NORTH SLOPE AND
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MATER QUALITY _CHANGES FROM RQAPlTU'lLDIHG .....
Objectives:
1. Ascertain the nature and degree of chn.age that activities associated
with gravel removal and road constrjction have on the aquatic ecosystem in
sub-Arctic and Arctic Alaska.
2. Develop guidelines to be used by operators and resource managers to
permit orderly removal of gravel and permit road construction without damage
to aquatic life and water quality.
Work Completed Second Quarter FY 1971:
An advanced draft of the manuscript entitled "Industrial Waste Guide for
Road Construction and Maintenance in Alaska" was returned by outside review-
ers and is being revised.
Two working papers were published, (1) "Land Related Problems Associated
with TAPS Construction and Operation," and (2) "Impact of Road Construction on
Water Quality Management."
Work Plan Third Quarter FY 1971:
Continue literature review and development of study plan for the gravel
removal project.
Complete revision of road construction guidelines; have it printed.
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GRANTS AND CONTRACTS
PROJECT 16100 EOM - "Baseline Water Quality,Study of the Alaskan Arctic
Esturine Developments" Institute of Marine Science, University
of Alaska, Dr. Patrick J. Kinney.
Initially efforts were made to familiarize the investigators with
the study area. Three field parties monitored the study area from the
west limit of the Colvilie delta to Beechey point to the east and from
the barrier islands inland about 125 miles up the Colville River.
Segments of the project in which data have bc-an collected include:
1. Current surveys by surface drifters and direct measurements
inside the barrier islands.
2. Temperature, salinity, nutrient and trace metal distributions
in the river, delta and lagoon complex.
3. Primary productivity from the headwaters of the Colville River
to the barrier islands.
4. Bottom and suspended sediment sampling, sizing and mineralogy
from the river delta out to the continental shelf.
5. Biological sampling, with emphasis on benthic fauna, in the
delta out to the barrier islands.
PROJECT 16100 FWQ - "Investigations on Possible Effects of Crude Oil on
Aquatic Organisms." Department of Biological Sciences,
University of Alaska, Dr. James E. Morrow.
The overall objective of this project is to investigate the physical
and physiological effects of various doses of oil pollution on salmon at
the minimum, maximum and mean water temperatures in the Central Alaskan
fisheries areas.
Equipment delivery was much slower than anticipated and some was
found to be faulty. However, delivery is now complete and the faulty
components have been repaired or replaced. Experimental work started
in late November with adaptation of Coho Parr to a salinity of approxi-
mately 30°/°°. Initial results in the oil toxicity studies indicated
that there are blood chemistry and behavioral differences between fish
exposed to the oil and the control fish.
PROJECT T61QO FXJ - "North Slope Application of Advanced Waste Treatment
and Partial Water Reuse." Wagley Inc., William A.D. Johnson.
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Wagley Inc., was awarded $71,080.00 in June 1970 for purchase of
an advanced waste treatment system, an incinerator and associated
laboratory monitoring equipment unier a dcmnr.stration grant from the
F.W.Q.A. The waste treatment system has teen 'installed at the Wagley-
Deadhorse camp on the North c:iopc dnda very limited evaluation per-
formed to date (see Application of Advanced Haste Treatment for the
North Slope project). Little effort: has been expended because of the
slow-down of activity on the North Slope. The project agreement does
include a provision for canceling the contract if active technical
evaluation is not initiated by April l, 1971. This action may become
necessary since the system is presently loaded at 2-5% of capacity
which will not permit proper evaluation. Prospects for increased
activity on the North Slope are slight at this time.
PROJECT 16100 EXH - "Water Pollution Control in Cold Climates - A
Symposium," Institute of Water Resources, University of
Alaska, Dr. R. Sage Murphy.
The Symposium, which was held July 22-24, 1970, at the University of
Alaska, attracted over 150 participants from 12 different countries. The
20 papers that were presented have been edited and are now being typed
and prepared for publication under a single hardbound volume.
PROPOSALS REVIEWED
"Unsolicited Proposal to Demonstrate the Use of Gas Turbine Waste Heat
and Sewage Treatment in Ski and Recreation Areas," Turbine Energy Company,
Bellevue, Washington.
"Preliminary Design and Preparation of Specifications for a Community
Sanitary Facility Utilizing a Catalytic Combustor," International Research
and Technology Corp., Washington, D.C.
"Sewage Disposal and Waste Water Renovation System," American Machine and
Foundry Company, AMF-CUNO Division, Men'den, Connecticut.
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CONSOLIDATED LABORATORY SERVICES
Primary emphasis this quarter has been en catching up the large backload
of analyses present at the end oT the l^st quarter (October 1). This has
been accomplished for chemical analyses; hovvever, there is still a back-
load of several months of bottom fauna sorting and classification. Since
we have only one Biological Tfcliirician, this work will proceed slowly.
Results of chemical analysis and bottom faun-:, collections were transmitted
to Alaska Operations Office in December. Although all STORET data coding
has been completed on these data, we await new and revised station coding
before transmittal and inclusion in STORET.
Chemical analysis of samples collected for the Bering River Coal Field
Study is completed; bottom fauna has yet to be sorted or identified.
Bottom mud samples collected from the Ketchikan and Sitka pulp mill areas,
and other areas in Southeast Alaska used for commercial log storage, were
analyzed for total phosphate, nitrogen, and carbon.
Analyses v,'ere completed on samples collected from the Petersburg Experi-
mental Forest Refertilization Study.
Analysis of samples collected from the Eielson experimental sewage treat-
ment plant continued throughout the quarter on a weekly basis. Beginning
in January, additional samples will be collected so that sampling frequency
becomes three times per week.
A method, of detecting leaks in the Eielson system, using potassium as a
tracer, is being developed and will be tried in early January.
During the last week of December 1970, a serious leak was detected in the
main sewer drain which drains the south side of the building. It is anti-
cipated that we will have to replace the entire 40 feet of drain line and
all fittings, which have been destroyed by continuous chemical attack
from laboratory drainage.
The glass distilled water system is being re-evaluated for possible
upgrading, since it is no longer able to provide sufficient volume for
our use. A study is being made with possible acquisition of new equipment
in mind.
Quality control in the Laboratory is undergoing serious changes. We are
developing cumulative-summation charts for all routine analyses and addi-
tional spike and sample runs are being made.
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PUBLICATIONS AND PRIISr.NV/Yi IONS
Dr. Ronald C. Gordon, Research Mici ohiolunist at the Alaska Water
Laboratory, presented a paper at the Alas!;? Water Management Association
meeting in October. It was enriiled, "Hon
logical Quality of Potable Hater Supplies.
toring the Sanitary Bacterio-
Hr. Ernst W. Mueller, Chief- Consolidated Laboratory Services, pre-
sented a seminar entitled "The Chr.;:. Riv'cr-A Study in Pollution Ecology,"
at the University of Alaska1'; Geophysical Institute on December 17, 1970.
Mr. Mueller also held a discussion of local pollution problems to the
Students for Environmental Action Club at Lathrop High School in Fairbanks.
PUBLIC RELATIONS
The following Alaska Water Laboratory reports were requested and
mailed out this quarter:
"Biological Waste Treatment in the Far North" - 97
"Ecological Changes in the Chena River" - 5
"Effects of Placer Mining on Water Quality in Alaska" - 6
"Effects of Large Scale Forest Fires on Water Quality
in Interior Alaska" - 5
There were 174 copies of "Clean Water for the 70's" mailed out.
The Laboratory mailed 1301 miscellaneous public information pamphlets
which were requested.
The FWQA movie, "The Gifts," was shown ten times by the Borough school
district and the University of Alaska.
VISITORS
The following persons visited the Alaska Water Laboratory during this
quarter:
Mr. Edmund Grant, FWQA Assistant Commissioner for Administration,
Washington, D.C.
Mr. Ray Jung, FWQA Facilities Management Office, Washington, D.C.
Mr. Patrick O'Brien, GAO Auditor, Seattle, Washington
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TRAINING
Mrs. Ruth McFadden, Chc;,Pii5 attended the Civil Service course
"Introduction to Supervision," i;>~U! in u'lrieai!, Alaska. November 16-20,
1970. • >
Mrs. Carolyn McC1intockr SPCI ::;:.ary !;o the Director, attended the
Civil Service course "Hritihn S receive Lei t:rrs5" field in Fairbanks,
Alaska, December 17-18, 197CX
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