EUTROPHICATION RESEARCH
NEWSLETTER
July 1970
US Department of the Interior
Federal Water Quality Administration
National Eutrophication Research Program
Pacific Northwest Water Laboratory
Corvallis, Oregon
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NATIONAL EUTROPHICATION RESEARCH PROGRAM
ANNUAL NEWSLETTER
JULY 1970
United State Department of the Interior
Federal Water Quality Administration, Northwest Region
Pacific Northwest Water Laboratory
National Eutrophication Research Program
200 S. W. Thirty-Fifth Street
Corvallis, Oregon 97330
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CONTENTS
Page
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN EUTROPHICATION 1
SEMINARS, WORKSHOPS AND SYMPOSIA 3
PUBLICATIONS 4
GRANT AND CONTRACT RESEARCH 7
SERVICES AVAILABLE 12
WHO'S WHO IN THE NATIONAL EUTROPHICATION RESEARCH PROGRAM .. 12
PLANS FOR FY-71 13
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RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN EUTROPHICATION
Intramural
In 1969, under joint sponsorship of industry and government,
development of a Provisional Algal Assay Procedure (PAAP) was pro-
posed by a team of international experts. Since that time the pro-
cedure has been under intensive evaluation in order to insure that
it is a reliable, reproducible procedure. NERP has served as the
focal point for these evaluations and has used the procedure to
determine the ability of many natural lake waters to support algal
growth as well as the biostimulatory effect of various types of
waste waters. At present it appears that the "bottle test"
portion of the PAAP will become standardized within a relatively
short time.
Both laboratory and in situ studies are being conducted to deter-
mine the effects of nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) on algal growth and
on the solubilization of minerals from lake sediments. These studies
are being conducted for oligotrophic, mesotrophic and eutrophic
lakes. This is part of a broad agency program to determine whether,
from an ecological point of view, NTA is an acceptable substitute
for phosphate builders in detergents.
Laboratory and field investigations are also being conducted
to evaluate nutrient inactivation by chemical precipitation and
adsorption as a method of lake restoration. Aeration, with and with-
out induced mixing and destratification, is also being studied as a
lake restoration mechanism.
An investigation is being carried out in cooperation with the
U.S. Forest Service to study the incipient eutrophication of a pris-
tine mountain lake. The results of this study are expected to aid
in refinement of policies to maintain as nearly as possible the ultra-
oligotrophic conditions of the lake under study as well as similar
lakes elsewhere.
An evaluation is being made, both in the laboratory and in the
field, to determine relative nutrient uptake by aquatic macrophytes
from sediments and from water and to evaluate the feasibility of
removing significant quantities of nutrients from lakes by weed har-
vesting.
A field station and pilot tertiary treatment plant at Shagawa
Lake, Ely, Minnesota, has been the site of investigations to evaluate
the effects of the removal of nutrients from the municipal waste
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effluents on the recovery and restoration of a highly eutrophic lake.
On the basis of the results of laboratory and in situ algal assays on
the lake water, the waters of its tributaries, and waste effluents, it
is anticipated that a full-scale phosphorus removal plant will be con-
structed at that location in the near future.
Research to elucidate the role of sediment-water interchange in
the stimulation of algal growth is being conducted. Lake sediments,
from both deep and shallow lakes from many parts of the country, are
being studied. Lake Erie is included among them.
Studies have also shown that the occurrence of algal nutrients
in atmospheric precipitation in some regions could constitute a
significant source of nutrients for surface waters.
Extramural
The extramural grant and contract research program funded by
NERP is designed to both complement and augment the intramural pro-
gram. These research activities logically fall into five major
categories; (1) understanding eutrophication, (2) ecological control of
eutrophication, (3) biological control of eutrophication, (4) chemical
control of eutrophication, and (5) mechanical control of eutrophication.
A list of the current grants and contracts will be found in another
section of this report. They include both fundamental and applied
research studies and it will be noted that each of them will fall under
one or more of these major categories.
With NERP serving as the focal point, research to evaluate the
PAAP is also being conducted at three universities as well as industrial
laboratories. While the investigations being conducted by industry are
not funded by NERP, they are being coordinated through this laboratory.
Several studies are underway to determine the relative significance
of inorganic and organic nutrients as well as light, temperature and
other physical conditions upon the growth of algae. Limnological inves-
tigations of lakes of various trophic levels as well as studies of
tidal and coastal waters are also being conducted. The potential
significance of waste effluents and land management practices on
eutrophication make up a significant part of the research activities.
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Indian Creek Reservoir offers a unique opportunity to conduct
biological, chemical and physical studies on an impoundment receiving
only tertiary treated waste water. This reservoir was constructed to
receive all the tertiary effluent from a new waste treatment plant of
the South Tahoe Public Utility District. Indications are that it will
become a valuable recreational asset to the area. Other studies are
also underway on the effects of various phosphorus removal processes
on algal growth.
Investigations are being conducted to study the exchange of nutri-
ents between bottom sediments and the overlying waters as well as the
nutrient transformations within the sediments. These studies are not
only of value to our understanding of the eutrophication process, but
also offer valuable information relating to dredging as a means of lake
restoration.
In addition to dredging, several other methods are being investi-
gated as potential methods of lake restoration. Included in these is
a study of the effects of induced turnover via complete aeration of a
aeration of the hypolimnion only in two Michigan lakes.
An investigation is underway to find microorganismns which are patho-
genic to aquatic weeds. The microorganisms include bacteria, fungi and
viruses that will be isolated and characterized. Highly virulent strains
will subsequently be selected and evaluated as a method of biological
control. A screening of several thousand chemicals which have already
been synthesized is being conducted in order to find specific algicides1
for the chemical control of the more troublesome blue-green algae.
SEMINARS. WORKSHOPS AND SYMPOSIA
A "Eutrophication-Biostimulation Assessment Workshop," jointly spon-
sored by FWQA and the Sanitary Engineering Research Laboratory, University
of California, Berkeley was held June 19-21, 1969. Topics of discussion
included algal assay procedures, algal physiology, limnological investi-
gations, and eutrophication control and applications. The proceedings
of this workshop have been published.
A workshop dealing with modeling of the eutrophication process,
sponsored jointly by FWQA and the University of Florida, Gainesville,
was held at St. Petersburg November 19-21, 1969. Topics of discussion
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included concepts of model building, potential for modeling the
eutrophication process, the process of eutrophication and criteria
used to establish the trophic state, multivariate techniques for class-
ification of lakes and lake basins, models of aquatic ecosystems, bio-
chemical modeling of eutrophic lakes, models of algae population dynamics
based on the chemostat approach, and management models.
On March 2-3, 1970, a "Lake Restoration Workshop" was held at FWQA
Headquarters, Arlington, Virginia. The major objectives were to assess
knowledge of lake deterioration, identify and explore new ideas and con-
cepts of preserving lakes of good quality and restoring lakes already
degraded. The workshop was followed by a luncheon and public meeting
at the Statler Hilton Hotel in Washington.
PUBLICATIONS
National Eutrophication Research Program
1. Brice, R.M., and C.F. Powers. 1969. The Shagawa Lake,
Minnesota, Eutrophication Research Project. ^Q. Proceedings of the
Eutrophication-Biostimulation Workshop, Berkeley, California.
2. Gahler, A.R. 1969. Sediment-Water Nutrient Interchange.
_^N_ Proceedings of the Eutrophication-Biostimulation Workshop, Berkeley,
California.
3. Gahler, A.R. 1969. Field Studies on Sediment-Water Algal
Nutrient Interchange Processes and Water Quality of Upper Klamath
and Agency Lakes. Working Paper No. 66, U.S.D.I., F.W.P.C.A.,
Pacific Northwest Water Laboratory, Corvallis, Oregon.
4. Miller, W.E., and J.C. Tash. 1967. Interim Report, Upper
Klamath Lake, Oregon, Studies. Pub. No. WP-20-8, U.S.D.I., F.W.P.C.A.,
Pacific Northwest Water Laboratory, Corvallis, Oregon.
5. Maloney, T.E., and A.F. Bartsch. 1969. Research to Save
America's Lakes. Chemical Engineering Progress: Symposium Series,
Vol. 65, No. 97.
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Major Grant and Contract Reports
1. Brezonik, Patrick L. University of Florida. FWQA Research
Grant No. 16010 DCK, "The Chemistry of Nitrogen in Natural Waters."
Second Annual Progress Report, February 1-November 1, 1969.
2. Jackson, Daniel F. and Vladimir Sladecek. Syracuse Univer-
sity. FWQA Research Contract No. 14-12-457, "The Use of Algal Viruses
to Control Eutrophication." Final Report, March 1970.
3. University of Wisconsin, Water Resources Center. FWQA
Research Grant No. 16010 EHR. "Eutrophication of Natural Waters."
a) Armstrong, D. E. Role of Phosphorus-Sediment Inter-
actions in Eutrophication.
b) Fitzgerald, G. P. Nutrient Sources for Algae and Their
Control.
c) Hasler, A. D. Seasonal Changes in Species—Diversity
and Biomass of Phytoplankton, Zooplankton, Benthos and
Fishes in Lake Wingra, and the Productivity Index of
this Lake.
d) Huff, D. D. A Systems Analysis of Water and Nutrient
Flows in the Lake Wingra Basin.
e) Keeney, D. R. Nitrogen Transformations in Lake Sediments.
f) Lee, G. F. Chemical Investigations of Sediment Cores
From Wisconsin Lakes and Their Interpretation.
g) McCoy, E. Role of Bacteriology in the Nitrogen Cycle.
h) Rohlich, G. A. Evaluation of Provisional Algal Assay
Procedure.
4. Lake Tahoe Area Council. FWQA Demonstration Grant No. WPD-48.
"Eutrophication of Surface Waters—Lake Tahoe." Second Progress Report,
May 1969.
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5. Moore, G. H., Jr., and E. G. Fruh. The University of Texas,
Austin. FWQA Research Grant No. WP-01449-01. "Surplus Phosphorus
Uptake by Microorganisms—Algae." Technical Report No. 1, January 1969.
6. Megard, Robert 0. University of Minnesota Limnological Research
Center, Minneapolis. FWQA Research Grant No. 16010 DEG. "Effect of
Sewage Effluents on Algae in Shagawa Lake, Minnesota." Interim Report
No. 5. Algae and Photosynthesis in Shagawa Lake, Minnesota, April 1969.
7. Brezonik, P. L., Morgan, W. H., Shannen, E. E., and H. D. Put-
nam. University of Florida, Gainesville. FWQA Demonstration Grant
No. 16010 DON. "Eutrophication Factors in North Central Florida Lakes."
August 1969.
8. Welch, E. B., Buchanan, R. J., Nece, R. E. , and R. H. Bogan.
FWQA Research Grant No. WP 01391-01. "Plankton Community and Hydraulic
Characterization Preliminary to Lake Flushing." October 1969.
Other Significant Publications
1. Eutrophication: Causes, Consequences, Corrections. Proceedings
of a symposium. National Academy of Sciences, Washington, D. C. 1969.
vii +661 p.
2. Algae, Man and the Environment. Proceedings of a symposium.
D. F. Jackson, Ed. Syracuse University Press. 1968. vii + 554 p.
3. Proceedings of the Eutrophication-Biostimulation Assessment
Workshop, Berkeley, California. 1969. Sponsored by University of
California and Federal Water Pollutuion Control Administration. E. J.
Middlebrooks, T. E. Maloney, C. F. Powers, and T. M. Kaack, Eds.
iv + 281 p.
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GRANT AND CONTRACT RESEARCH
Following is a list of currently active grant and contract projects
awarded by the Federal Water Quality Administration dealing with research
and development in eutrophication control.
Grantee or Contractor
Rensselaer Polytechnic Inst.
Troy,
New York
Lake Tahoe Area Council
South Lake Tahoe,
California
Lake Tahoe Area Council
South Lake Tahoe,
California
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton,
Florida
University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill,
North Carolina
University of Wisconsin
Madison,
Wisconsin
A study of organic nutrient factors
effecting algal growth.
Project Director—Nicholas L. Clesceri
Project Officer—Thomas E. Maloney
A study of the potential significance
of effluents from waste treatment and
from land and shoreline management to
eutrophication of Lake Tahoe.
Project Director—P. H. McGauhey
Project Officer—Thomas E. Maloney
A study of the biological, chemical
and physical parameters of Indian Creek
Reservoir, an impoundment receiving only
tertiary treated sewage effluent.
Project Director—P. H. McGauhey
Project Officer—Thomas E. Maloney
A study of organisms for possible use
in the biological control of aquatic
vegetation.
Project Director—Thomas T. Sturrock
Project Officer—Thomas E. Maloney
A study to evaluate the Provisional
Algal Assay Procedure.
Project Director—Charles M. Weiss
Project Officer—Thomas E. Maloney
A study to evaluate the Provisional
Algal Assay Procedure.
Project Director—C. A. Rohlich
Project Officer—Thomas E. Maloney
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University of California
Berkeley,
California
University of Texas
Austin,
Texas
University of Connecticut
Storrs, Connecticut
University of California
Irvine,
California
Cornell University
Ithaca,
New York
University of California
San Diego,
California
Dow Chemical Company
Midland,
Michigan
Colorado State University
Fort Collins,
Colorado
A study to evaluate the Provisional
Algal Assay Procedure.
Project Director—Erman A. Pearson
Project Officer—Thomas E. Maloney
A study of the soil algae of Texas.
Project Director—Harold C. Bold
Project Officer—Thomas E. Maloney
A study of the utilization of organic
compounds by algae.
Project Director—Francis R. Trainer
Project Officer--Thomas E. Maloney
A study of the effect of phosphorus
removal processes on algal growth.
Project Directors—Jan Scherfig and
Peter Dixon
Project Officer—Thomas E. Maloney
A study of the eutrophication of
tidal waters.
Project Director--John P. Barlow
Project Officer—Thomas E. Maloney
A study of the role of nitrogen as
a controlling factor in the eutro-
phication of coastal waters.
Project Director--Richard W. Eppley
Project Officer--Thomas E. Maloney
A study to develop a selective
algicide for the control of nuisance
algal growth.
Project Director—W. F. Mcllhenny
Project Officer—Thomas E. Maloney
Refractory organic matter as an
index of eutrophication.
Project Director—Edward B. Reed
Project Officer—Leslie P. Seyb
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University of Wisconsin
Madison,
Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin
Madison,
Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin
Madison,
Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin
Madison
Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin
Madison
Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin
Madison,
Wisconsin
Michigan State University
East Lansing,
Michigan
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor,
Michigan
Nutrient sources for algae and their
growth.
Project Director—C. P. Fitzgerald
Project Officer—A. F. Bartsch
A biological investigation of Lake
Wingra.
Project Director—A. D. Hasler
Project Officer—A. F. Bartsch
Nitrogen transformations in lake sedi-
ments.
Project Director—D. R. Keeney,
G. Chesters, and
J. G. Conrad
Project Officer—A. F. Bartsch
The use of lake sediment cores to study
eutrophication of lakes.
Project Directors—G. Fred Lee, and
C. Bortleson
Project Officer—A. F. Bartsch
Role of bacteria in the nitrogen cycle
(nitrification).
Project Director—Elizabeth McCoy
Project Officer—A. F. Bartsch
Computer simulation of nutrient flows
in Lake Wingra basin.
Project Director—Donald G. Watts
Project Officer—A. F. Bartsch
Reversal of eutrophication through
artificial aeration of lakes.
Project Director—R. C. Ball
Project Officer—K. W. Malueg
An in situ evaluation of nutrient
effects on lakes.
Project Director—M.E. Bender
Project Officer—K.W. Malueg
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University of California
Berkeley,
California
World Life Research Inst.
Col ton,
California
University of Wisconsin
Madison,
Wisconsin
Battelle-Northwest
Richland,
Washington
Lake Herman Development Assoc.
Madison,
South Dakota
Dakota State College
Madison,
South Dakota
Harvard University
Cambridge,
Massachusetts
Oregon State University
Corvallis,
Oregon
Research and development on the removal
of algae from natural bodies of water.
Project Director—William J. Oswald
Project Officer—Thomas E. Maloney
Pharmacological testing of blue-green
algae for constituents having thera-
peutic value.
Project Director—Bruce W. Hal stead
Project Officer—Leslie P. Seyb
Role of phosphorus-sediment interactions
in eutrophication.
Project Director—D. E. Armstrong
Project Officer A. F. Bartsch
An investigation of the release of
phosphorus from lake sediments.
Project Director—R. E. Wildung
Project Officer—A. R. Gahler
Silt removal from a lake bottom.
Project Director—Charles S. Johnson
Project Officer—A. R. Gahler
A study to evaluate the effect of silt
and silt removal in a northern prairie
lake.
Project Director—Constance L. Churchill
and Gordon Leidahl
Project Officer—A. R. Gahler
Phosphate exchange with sediments.
Project Director—Werner Stumm
Project Officer—A. R. Gahler
Sediment water-bacteria interaction in
eutrophication.
Project Director—R. Y. Morita
Project Officer—A. R. Gahler
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Rensselaer Polytechnic Inst.
Troy,
New York
City of Detroit Lakes
Minnesota
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis,
Minnesota
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks,
North Dakota
University of Alaska
College,
Alaska
University of Florida
Gainesville,
Florida
University of Florida
Gainesville,
Florida
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis,
Minnesota
University of Toronto
Toronto,
Ontario
Metal ion complexing in lake waters.
Project Director--R. A. Bailey
Project Officer—A. R. Gahler
A study of nutrient control in a
eutrophic lake through intensive
removal of rooted macrophytes.
Project Director—Winston C. Larson
Project Officer—John R. Tilstra
Community analysis in the littoral
zone of lakes.
Project Director—H. E. Wright, Jr.
Project Officer—K. W. Malueg
Nutrient dynamics in an artificially
enriched lake.
Project Director—J. K. Neel
Project Officer—K. W. Malueg
Dynamics of the nitrogen cycle in
lakes.
Project Director--V. A. Billaud
Project Officer—C. F. Powers
Chemistry of nitrogen in natural
waters.
Project Director--?. L. Brezom'k
Project Officer=-C. F. Powers
Eutrophication factors in north
central Florida lakes.
Project Director—H. D. Putnam
Project Officer—C. F. Powers
Effect of sewage effluents on algae
in Shagawa Lake, Minnesota.
Project Director—Robert 0. Magard
Project Officer—C. F. Powers
The role of sludge worms in promoting
eutrophication.
Project Director—R. 0. Brinkhurst
Project Officer—C. F.. Powers
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WARF Institute
Madison,
Wisconsin
Washington State University
Pullman,
Washington
University of California
Davis,
California
The carbon dioxide system and eutro-
phication.
Project Director--S. D. Morton
Project Officer--C. F. Powers
Flushing of small shallow lakes.
Project Director--J. F. Orsborn
Project Officer--C. F. Powers
Limnology of Lake Tahoe emphasizing
water quality.
Project Director--C. R. Goldman
Project Officer--C. F. Powers
SERVICES AVAILABLE
The technical staff of the National Eutrophication Research Program
is available to provide consulting and/or advisory services on the
design of laboratory and field investigations, interpretation of data
and review of proposals relating to assessing the extent of eutrophication
and to the prevention, control and reversal of eutrophication. The ser-
vices are available to FWQA Headquarters, other Federal Agencies, State
Agencies, County Agencies, Municipal Agencies and private institutions.
Requests from sources outside of FWQA should be routed through the
respective FWQA Regional Director,
WHO'S WHO IN THE NATIONAL EUTROPHICATION RESEARCH PROGRAM
Dr. Alfred F. Bartsch
Mr. Thomas E. Maloney
Dr. Charles F. Powers
Mr. Arnold R. Gahler
Dr. Kenneth M. Malueg
Mr. William E. Miller
Chief, National Eutrophication Research
Program
Deputy Chief and Chief Physiological
Control Branch
Chief, Ecological Control Branch
Chief, Sediment-Water Interchange
Section
Chief, Nutrient Control Section
Chief, Assays Procedure Section
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Mr. John Tilstra Research Chemist
Mr. Donald Schults Research Chemist
Mr. William Sanville Research Aquatic Biologist
Mr. Tamotsu Shiroyama Microbiologist
PLANS FOR FY-71
Studies to evaluate the potential impact of nitrilotriacetic Acid
(NTA) will continue through December 1970. They will include short
term in situ C assays in several lakes of varying trophic levels as
well as laboratory algal assays on these lake waters. In addition, long-
term assays will be conducted in large basins in some of the lakes.
Evaluation of the Provisional Algal Assay Procedure will continue.
Indications are that a standard laboratory "bottle test" procedure will
be adopted during the fiscal year. The NTA investigations employing
the PAAP will offer an opportunity to evaluate the test procedures in
several specific field situations of varying type and allow a direct
comparison between the laboratory assay and the in situ assay.
After completion of the NJA studies, additional emphasis will be
placed'on elucidating the nutritional and environmental requirements of
blue-green algae. Also, more emphasis will be placed on the isolation
of specific viruses for the control of blue-green algae. It is antici-
pated that there will be increased efforts in studying other methods for
the biological control of eutrophication.
The cooperative studies with the U. S. Forest Service to evaluate
the impact of public development on Waldo Lake, Oregon will continue.
It is anticipated that construction of a full scale phosphorus
removal plant at Ely, Minnesota will be undertaken. In situ and labo-
ratory assays as well as chemical and physical analyses will continue
on Shagawa Lake, its tributaries and waste water influents.
Full scale demonstrations of lake restoration by nutrient inacti-
vation and aeration will be undertaken.
The weed harvesting studies at Detroit Lakes, Minnesota will con-
tinue. Emphasis will be placed on evaluating the weed harvesting as a
method of nutrient removal.
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