U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT July 1-September 30, 1972 PACIFIC NORTHWEST ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LABORATORY An Associate Laboratory of National Environmental Research Center—Corvallis ------- QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT July 1-September 30, 1972 N. A. Jaworski, Director L. P. Seyb, Assistant Director PACIFIC NORTHWEST ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LABORATORY 200 S.W. 35th St. Corvallis, Oregon 97330 ------- INTRODUCTION The purpose of this report is to present a quarterly view of the activities, both intramural and extramural, of the Pacific Northwest Environmental Research Laboratory (PNERL). The research programs at PNERL include: — National Coastal Pollution Research Program (NCPRP), involving research on the behavior of pollutants in the marine environment. — National Eutrophication Research Program (NERP), involving research on the eutrophication (premature aging) process in polluted water and development of methods and technology for the control and restoration of eutrophi c waters. — National Eutrophication Survey Program (NESP) , a study to identify and analyze more than 1 ,200 bodies of water in the United States with potential or actual eutrophi cati on problems brought on by the discharge of excessive amounts of nutrients into them. — National Thermal Pollution Research Program (NTPRP) , involving the study of causes, effects, controls, and prevention of thermal pollution in streams, lakes, reservoirs, estuaries, and coastal waterS. — National Waste Treatment Research Program (NWTRP), involving research on treatment of wastes from the pulp and paper industry, wood products industry, forestry and logging, and the food processing industry. In addition, a review of the activities of the Consolidated Laboratory Service (CLS) is also presented. The reporting of the research activities focus around the Research Objective Achievement Plan (ROAP). Included in the presentation are the ROAP approach, intramural activities, and extramural activities. ------- TABLE OF CONTENTS Item Page National Coastal Pollution Research Program 1 National Eutrophication Research Program 11 National Eutrophication Survey Program 29 National Thermal Pollution Research Program 35 National Waste Treatment Research Program 43 Consolidated Laboratory Services 67 v ------- NATIONAL COASTAL POLLUTION RESEARCH PROGRAM Program Element 1B1025 GENERAL FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT The National Coastal Pollution Research Program has the responsibility for directing and implementing field, laboratory, and extramural research activities of Program Element 1B1025, Fate of Pollutants in Marine Waters, and is organizationally allied with the Transport Processes Branch, Processes and Effects Research Division in the Office of Research and Monitoring of the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. The main goals of the Program are to improve scientific understanding of pollutant behavior in the marine environment and to provide a rational basis for marine water quality criteria and waste discharge decisions. Major research areas are related to (1) evaluating acceptability of materials proposed for marine disposal, (2) identifying allowable discharge sites for acceptable materials, (3) monitoring and assessing damage to marine water quality, (4) restoring water quality in polluted coastal regions, (5) finding beneficial marine uses for materials wasted to the environment, and (6) developing predictive techniques to describe the time-space distribution of pollutants as influenced by physical transport and dispersion, chemical interactions and transformations, and biological interactions and transformations. Major research efforts in FY 73 are concentrated in four geographically important coastal areas: (1) effects of digested municipal sewage sludge dumped in the New York Bight, (2) effects of treated municipal sewage discharges in the Los Angeles Bight, (3) heavy metal transport and accumulation in Southeast coastal ecosystems, and (4) persistent organics and other pollutant accumulations in Puget Sound. The research involves a mix of physical, chemical, and biological interactions and the development of predictive models for applications to other coastal areas. Technical assistance in the areas of oceanography, coastal engineering, and coastal pollution is provided to other research programs and regulatory sections of the Agency, to State and municipal governments, and to universities and private firms. The Program maintains an abstracting and indexing service and supports other awareness activities concerning coastal pollution problems on a global basis. 1 ------- PERSONNEL D. J. Baumgartner Chief and Program Element Director L. C. Bentsen Oceanographer J. N. Blazevich Chemi st R. J. Callaway Oceanographer D. E. Cawlfield Chemi st A. M. Childears Secretary F. A. Cole Microbiologist W. A. DeBen Oceanographer G. R. Ditsworth Oceanographer M. H. Feldman Research Chemist D. T. Martin Sanitary Engineer W. F. Rittall Civil Engineer A. M. Teeter Oceanographer R. C. Swartz Oceanographer W. P. Muellenhoff Graduate Associate J. L. Goodell Part-time, Stay-in-School F. G. Thrall Part-time, Stay-in-School RESEARCH OBJECTIVE ACHIEVEMENT PLANS AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE BENEFICIAL MARINE USES BY CONTROLLED INTRODUCTION OF POLLUTANTS—01 ACG Approach General: Take cognizance of certain empirical attempts by other agencies; evaluate available source waste materials; determine possible uses and requirements; demonstrate full-scale commercial beneficial use of a significant waste resource. Specific: Maintain cognizance of pertinent projects, and establish literature file (bibliography). Intramural Activities Assembling material for re-evaluation of tasks to be initiated in FY 74. Extramural Activities None programmed. SCIENTIFIC CRITERIA FOR OCEAN DISP0SAL--21 AIS Approach General: Determine behavior of pollutants in the marine environment and the ecosystem responses they elicit, singly and in combination, through controlled laboratory and field experiments and through analytical measurement and observations in polluted natural environments. Field 2 ------- experiments in controlled tidal ponds will be correlated with laboratory simulator studies and full-scale observational and'demonstration programs. Studies of a more generally applicable nature will be conducted in-house, while specific location-oriented studies will make extensive use of grants and contracts. Specific: Study the following: (1) uptake of mercury in Dungeness crabs, (2) PCB's in Puget Sound, Los Angeles Bight, and New York Bight, and in laboratory simulators, (3) nature and significance of surface films near municipal ocean outfalls (California Coast), (4) dynamical response of ecosystems to environmental stresses (New York and Los Angeles Bights), (5) mechanisms of heavy metal accumulation in Southeastern Atlantic and Gulf Coast coastal ecosystems, (6) behavior of microbial pollutions in marine systems, and (7) relationship of particulate pollutants in dredge spoil and treated wastewater discharges on marine water quality. Intramural Activities Prior to an experimental study of the fate of sludge dumped in the New York Bight, samples of sludge from New York City treatment plants were analyzed for PCB's and other chlorinated hydrocarbons. Values ranged from 2-7 ppm, about the range found in other sludges from cities with little industrial contributions to the sewer system. Grant awarded to Southern California Coastal Water Research Project to initiate a study of PCB and other persistent organic inputs to Southern California Bight. The experimental design for the study of the effects of sewage sludge on the benthic microfaunal communities of an experimental dumping site in New York Bight is nearly completed. Extramural Activities Dr. Phillips at the Hopkins Marine Station has initiated studies on rates of decay of chlorinated hydrocarbons in marine sediments. He completed analysis of Monterey sediment samples to be used in the study. He is currently determining the best experimental procedures, i.e., stationary preparations, percolation preparations, and analytical techniques, to use in the study. 3 ------- Research has been continued at the University of California to assess the significance and causes of ocean surface films resulting from treated municipal waste discharges. Dr. Ralph Mitchell of Harvard University has initiated research on a three- year grant entitled "Biological Control of Microbial Pollutants in Natural Waters." This is a study of the fate of foreign microorganisms in the aquatic environment with special emphasis on the capacity of the native microflora to destroy viruses, bacteria, and algae. Dr. Pavlou has initiated chemostat work to study preferential inhibition of persistent organics on phytoplankton. The first quarter of his grant was used to set up facilities and conduct some preliminary experiments. PREDICTIVE MODELS FOR POLLUTANTS IN THE OCEAN ENVIR0NMENT--21 AIT Approach General: To develop and test predictive models which quantitatively describe the physical, chemical, and ecological interactions of added polluting substances and pathogenic organisms. Such models describe and predict the pollution sources, their routes and rates of movement, the storage points and rates of accumulation, the transformations and their rates, and the ecological interactions which occur in climatologically and geographically distinct regions. Specific: A series of predictive models for categories of pollutants in ecologically-distinct ocean reaches. These models would be built from the physical aspects — circulation, mixing, and di ffusion--and extended to include geological and geochemical processes and finally to incorporate the biological and ecological relationships with extension to management models. Intramural Activities A field program relating to prediction of continental shelf flushing in open coastal waters was completed in August. Data were collected and analysis begun in conjunction with an intensive field program operating under the Coastal Upwelling Experiment of the International Decade of Ocean Exploration. The main emphasis of this first phase of the IDOE program is a study of the physics of the circulation off the Oregon coast; this process is being studied by the Coastal Upwelling Ecosystems Analysis group of IDOE. An extensive network of current meters and hydrographic stations was installed by members from Oregon State University, Florida State, NOAA, etc., and will be used as verification basic data for numerical models of coastal circulation and flushing. The EPA study was designed to gather boundary value data from internally recording tide meters placed at distances up to 10 miles offshore. These data will be reduced to a form for inserting in an existing mathematical model which computes horizontal currents and tidal heights. 4 ------- Work to date has consisted, in addition to the field investigation, in reducing the data to a form for an initial look at the effect of irregularities in the offshore tidal regime on the local current structure. Extramural Activities "Studies of the effects of the disposal of concentrated wastes on the ocean environment." 16070 FBY: A draft final report was received in late July. The report describes a mathematical model developed by Dr. Koh to describe the dispersion of wastes discharged from a barge to an aquatic environment. The model was designed to allow a maximum of nine distinct waste inputs, one liquid and eight solid fractions, described by individual densities and settling velocities. The output describes the temporal and spatial distribution of the individual waste elements for one of three discharge methods: (a) bottom dump, (b) pumped vertical discharge, and (c) a pumped discharge (horizontal) into the wake of a barge. The program is being tested and the report is expected to be accepted within the next several months. When final acceptance of the model has been made the program will be stored at a computer facility available to EPA regional offices and should prove to be a useful and beneficial tool and add significantly to their ability to evaluate proposed barging operations. Field verification will be conducted by in-house personnel in connection with an experimental sludge dumping program in the New York Bight. An interagency Agreement between the National Coastal Pollution Research Program and the Environmental Prediction Research Facility, U. S. Navy, Monterey, California, was initiated. The work will consist primarily of developing three two-dimensional (in the horizontal plane) models covering different areas of the New York Bight and at different resolutions, i.e., grid sizes. Three dimensional conditions will be approached by utilizing two-layer models in the Bight area. Past oceanographic work indicates a rather stratified water column at times which suggests that the vertically integrated approximation would not be strictly applicable. The model will also be used to guide and interpret results from planned in-house activities in the New York Bight to be initiated in the next quarter. August-September work at EPRF was limited to acquisition of bathymetric data, extraction and conversion of input data, and writing of boundary extropolation subroutines for use with fine grid submodels. 5 ------- SCIENTIFIC CRITERIA FOR OIL DISCHARGED INTO MARINE ENVIR0NMENTS--21 AIV Approach General: Initially, to participate in defining RFP Program Element B12041 and in technical consultations and contract monitoring until the Program Element 1B1025 approach to the long-term scientific criteria problem can be adequately defined. Specific: Detailed specification in accessible tabular form: chemical fates of various oil fractions in various anticipated situations and a prediction capability useful for regulatory purposes will be by reference to the tabular data. Intramural Activities Dr. Feldman attended interagency briefing on the current status of research on fate, effects, and control of oil pollution. Extramural Activities None programmed. SCIENTIFIC BASIS FOR MARINE POLLUTION MEASUREMENTS—21 AIW Approach General: To examine existing marine methods of field sampling, in situ senors, remote sensing instrumentation, and devise standardized procedures for sampling estuarine and coastal waters insofar as possible. Specific: Minimal effort approved will be devoted solely to the area of greatest need, review, documentation, and suggested approaches to measurement and techniques applicable to marine biological communities. Intramural Activities A preliminary manuscript concerning biological methods for assessing coastal discharge site conditions will be revised after completion of the first benthic survey in the New York Bight. The plankton section of the Biological Methods Manual prepared by the National Coastal Pollution Research Program and other EPA scientists is under final review. Extramural Activities None programmed. 6 ------- PREDICTIVE MODEL FOR POLLUTANTS IN ESTUARIES--21 AKE Approach General: To develop and test predictive models which quantitatively describe the physical, chemical, and ecological interactions of polluting substances and pathogenic organisms. These models describe and predict the pollution sources, their routes and rates of movement, the storage points and rates of accumulation, the transformations and their rates, and the ecological interactions which occur in climatologically, geo- logically and hydrologi cal ly distinct estuarine systems. Specific: A series of predictive models will be developed for each of the geomorphologically and ecologically distinct types of estuaries. Physical models of the circulation, mixing, and flushing will be further refined into physical-chemical models and finally into ecological models that can be mathematically manipulated with assumed pollution loads/ environmental stresses. Extramural Activities Our grant with MIT, initiated in February, is proceeding with Phase I of a two phase program. The initial work has as an objective the replacement of BOD as a primary water quality indicator. Using basic knowledge of hydrodynamics, the major physical, chemical and biological processes will be simulated in order to construct a dynamic model capable of describing water quality parameters. This phase consists of a 1-dimensional consideration; a follow on project will examine variations in the horizontal and vertical directions. A progress report in the form of a Ph.D. thesis is in press and will be published under a MIT cover. A grant to the University of Washington was awarded in September. Here the dynamics of flushing and retention of pollutants in fiords will be studied during the first year of a proposed three year effort. The hydrodynamical work developed will provide the necessary base for later work which will relate to the supply of nutrients and the prediction of biomass. By applying certain mathematical techniques to different inlets, economical models will be developed to allow numerical experimentation with environmental and physiological parameters. An additional phase will relate to recommendations regarding minimal investigation needs and placement for an optimum monitoring scheme. Preliminary work indicates circulation and exchange rates in inlets with simple shapes can be predicted from observations of the salinity distribution and a single well-placed current measurement. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE The National Coastal Pollution Research Program has continued to support the Enforcement Branch of EPA in their investigation of the 7 ------- effects of taconite tailings discharged to Lake Superior. Field investigations were conducted during the following periods. July 12 - August 5 August 16 - September 4 September 25 - September 30 The major thrust of the work was concentrated on the sequential deployment and recovery of large volume sediment traps positioned in the waters of the States of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan backed up, of course, by a host of other parametric measurements and analyses. Particle size distributions and various measures of water clarity were determined on station using a ship-mounted 15-channel counter, a Hach 2100A Turbidimeter, a Marine Advisors alpha meter (transmissometer) , and an underwater TV system. Cores and sediments accumulated in the sediment traps were provided to the National Water Quality Laboratory for X-ray diffraction analysis. Sediments were analyzed for organic carbon content, and subsamples were provided to the National Marine Water Quality Laboratory for bacterial analyses. Water column samples were taken for the NFIC (Cincinnati) for bacterial analyses. Surface drift cards were released by airplane at 32 stations across the lake to learn something of the surface water movements during the study period. A successful demonstration was made of combined trace element uptake and neutron activation analysis of the material taken up in liver and kidney tissues of steelhead trout exposed to irradiated taconite tailings. Further experimentation was recotnnended and is now being carried out by others. PRESENTATIONS, REPORTS, TRIPS 1. Walter Rittall attended the Thirteenth International Conference on Coastal Engineering. The meeting was held in Vancouver, B.C., Canada, on July 10-14, 1972. 2. Dr. Feldman and Dr. Blazevich attended the Gordon Conference on Chemical Oceanography, New Hampshire, August 1-4. This meeting was devoted to trace materials in the ocean, especially pollutant materials; extra sessions were held, due to expressed interest of a number of participants, on oil and its chemical reactions in the marine environment, and on bioassay methodology for trace material evaluation in marine environment. 3. Dr. Feldman was an official USA participant in the IAEA International Meeting on Interactions of Trace Materials in the Marine Environment with air, water, sediment, and biota, which was held in the U. S. A. this year, July 10-14, in Seattle, Washington, at the University of Washington Laboratory of Radiation Ecology. 8 ------- 4. Joseph Blazevich traveled to Monterey, California, on September 13-14, 1972, to confer with Dr. Phillips, a grantee. He also visited Gerald Muth at Region IX's laboratory facilities in Alameda, California, during this period. Topics of discussion were organic analytical techniques, including gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. PUBLICATIONS Swartz, R. C. 1972. Biological criteria of environmental changes in the Chesapeake Bay. Chesapeake Sci. 13 (Suppl.):17-41. Swartz, R. C. 1972. A preliminary design of an information storage system for biological collection data. Chesapeake Sci. 13 (Suppl.): 191-197. Swartz, R. C., M. L. Wass, and D. F. Boesch. 1972. A taxonomic code for the biota of the Chesapeake Bay. Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Special Sci. Rept. No. 62. (in press). McErlean, A., C. Kerby, and R. Swartz. 1972. Discussion of the status of knowledge concerning sampling variation, physiological tolerances, and possible criteria for Bay organisms. Chesapeake Sci. 13 (Suppl.). 9 ------- NATIONAL EUTROPHICATION RESEARCH PROGRAM Program Element 1B1031 GENERAL FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT The National Eutrophication Research Program has the responsibility for directing and implementing field, laboratory, and extramural research activities of Program Element 1B1031 , Eutrophication and Lake Restoration. It is organizationally allied with the Transport Processes Branch of the Processes and Effects Division, Office of Research and Monitoring, U.S. EPA. The major goal of the Program is the development of eutrophication controls for freshwater and marine environments. Specific objectives are to (1) develop an understanding of the eutrophication process, (2) develop methods for monitoring eutrophication conditions and for predicting the impact of nutrient sources on eutrophication, (3) develop technology to control and reverse eutrophication processes, and (4) establish the practicability of using this technology through pilot and demonstration scale application. Major research activities are currently directed toward an intensive lake restoration project at Shagawa Lake, Ely, Minnesota, involving phosphorus removal form waste effluent; development of mathematical models of the eutrophication process; development of methods for controlling nutrients from diffuse sources; the development and application of assay procedures for use in studying and solving eutrophication problems; and the development of methods to inhibit the growth of algae and higher aquatic plants when nutrient input cannot be controlled. The Program also provides technical assistance in the areas of algal assay methodology and determinations, PL 480 projects, provides algal cultures to other institutions and, advises on methods to monitor eutrophic conditions. It also provides general consultation to other research programs and regulatory sections of EPA; other Federal agencies; state and municipal governments; and to universities, private firms, and industries. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES The National Eutrophication Research Program consists of three Sections: Lake Restoration, Ecosystems Analysis and Technology Development, and Physiology. The functions of these Sections are as follows: 11 ------- Lake Restoration Section Utilizes pilot operations and lake restoration demonstrations to bring existing preventive and remedial processes to operating levels capable of broad practical application for restoration of whole lakes. Collects, reduces, analyzes and reports data related to an intensive study of the Shagawa Lake system before and after initiation of advanced waste treatment (phosphorus removal) at Ely, Minnesota. Develops and tests various mathematical models designed to simulate the eutrophic process within aquatic systems where a large data base exists. Verifies selected models with the data base provided by the Shagawa Lake Project; simulates system response to advanced waste treatment and compares model response with lake response. Ecosystems Analysis and Technology Development Section Conducts laboratory and field research on aquatic ecosystems to develop information for effective prevention and control of eutrophication processes. Emphasis is on nutrient transfer, cycling processes, and biological interactions in aquatic environments. Resulting fundamental information is used in the development of technology to produce functionally balanced ecosystems. Applied studies to impede eutrophicati include control of nutrient flux, regulation of biological populations, and manipulation of physical parameters. These studies include such mechanisms as watershed management, nutrient inactivation, aeration, dredging, mixing, and increased grazing. Physiology Section Conducts research to define the environmental requirements of freshwater and marine algae and other aquatic plants of concern and the effects of nutrients on the growth, physiology, and metabolism of these organisms Develops improved algal and aquatic macrophyte assay procedures and provides services to other program elements. All of these are being conducted in the context of offering bases for eutrophication control procedures. PERSONNEL Office of the Chief T. E. Maloney Chief and Program Element Director L. R. Bayne Secretary Lake Restoration Section Corvallis: K. W. Malueg Chief D. W. Schults Research Chemist 12 ------- Shagawa Lake Restoration Project: R. M. R. R. D. R. T. S. W. R. W. K. P. H. R. J. C. R. D. J. W. F. W. M. N. E. D. J. M. G. M. Brice D. Schuldt C. Randall L. Mooris Phillips Larsen E. McEntyre C. Jackson Starkovi ch A. H. L. R. D. T. E. D. A. M. M. J. L. V. A. L. A. J. K. I . L. J. Saari Zahn Muhvich Rukavi na Smi th Merci er Thoren Bui ger Lang Magann T aulbee Branden Annerer Mrack Haapala Marolt Saari Pol lock Tanner Eri ckson Wetterl i nd Ami trano Project Leader Supervisory Research Physical Scientist Chemist Sanitary Engineer Research Aquatic Biologist (In Corvallis) Sewage Disposal Plant Maintenance Mechanic Sewage Disposal Plant Operator Sewage Disposal Plant Operator Sewage Disposal Plant Operator Sewage Disposal Plant Operator - Foreman Sewage Disposal Plant Operator - Leader Bio-Lab Technician Research Aquatic Biologist Mathematician (In Corvallis) Administrative Clerk Physical Science Technician Bio-Lab Technician Physical Science Technician Sewage Disposal Plant Operator Sewage Sewage Sewage Sewage Sewage Physi cal Physi cal Physi cal Physical Physi cal Physical Di sposal Di sposal Di sposal Disposal Disposal Sci ence Sci ence Sci ence Science Science Sci ence Plant Operator Plant Operator Plant Operator Plant Operator Plant Operator Techni ci an Techni ci an Techni ci an Techni ci an Technician Techni cian Ecosystems Analysis and Methods Development Section C. S. W. F. R. F. A. D. S. E. Powers Peterson Sanvi1le Stay, Jr. Whi tmer Chief Research Aquatic Biologist Research Aquatic Biologist Research Aquatic Biologist Engineering Technician Physiology Section W. E. Miller T. Shiroyama D. T. Specht J. C. Greene Acting Chief Microbi ologi st Microbi ologi st Bio-Lab Technician 13 ------- RESEARCH OBJECTIVE ACHIEVEMENT PLANS THE DETERMINATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF LAKE RESTORATION PROCEDURES-- 21 AIY Approach General: Demonstrate and evaluate lake restoration procedures at laboratory, pilot and full-scale levels. Specific: Many existing or newly developed preventive and remedial processes that have proven successful at the laboratory level will be brought to operating levels capable of broad practical application. Some of these processes will be advanced waste treatment, dredging, in situ phosphorus precipitation, nutrient exclusion, aeration, sediment drying, and nutrient flushing. Intramural Activities Conduct field limnological investigation to determine the effect of advanced waste treatment (phosphorus removal) of municipal wastewater on eutrophication process in Shagawa Lake, Minnesota. The tertiary plant is now in the final stages of construction. It is expected that unit testing will be done in late October, actual process testing in November, and the plant on stream early in December. Operation and maintenance manuals for the tertiary treatment plant are being prepared under contract. Eighteen new personnel (plant operators and laboratory technicians) have been selected for the Ely project and are either on site or scheduled to report for duty in the near future. The Technicon AutoAnalyzer was received in late September allowing the Ely Laboratory to assume all analyses (except trace metals), probably by the end of November. Phytoplankton biomass in Shagawa Lake tripled during the quarter. Chlorophyll a_ increased from 22 mg/m in early July to 63 mg/m in mid-September. Primary productivity increased concomitantly reaching a maximum observed rate of carbon fixation of 259 mgC/m /hr in mid-September. Conspicuous among the phytoplankton during the summer have been Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, Anabaena spi roides, Melosi ra granulata, Ceratium hi rundinella, and Stephanodiscus magarae. Total phosphorus in the epilimnion increased continuously from approximately 0.025 mg/1 in early July to 0.096 mg/1 as of September 26. Orthophosphate phosphorus remained at low levels (0.001-0.002 mg/1) until September. 14 ------- The lake was stratified this year from soon after ice-out through about July 20 with the hypolimnion above the mean lake depth. This degree of stratification has never been observed at Shagawa Lake in the last two years. Stratification has previously been observed only in the deep holes. Fall turnover of the lake was in late September. The water and nutrient budgets of Shagawa Lake for 1966 throuyh 1971 have been completed. Evaluate effectiveness of nutrient diversion at Diamond Lake, Oregon, as a lake restoration technique. Approximately 1/3 of the sewage interceptor system was completed by June 1972, thereby diverting only part of the effluent formerly discharged to subsurface disposal systems. Limnological studies to determine the effects of diversion were continued during the first quarter of FY73. Seven locations on the lake were sampled at 5m deDth intervals once a month from July through September while C™ productivity, biomass (ATP), and chlorophyll measurements were made twice monthly. Fifty-seven samples were collected routinely and analyzed for 45 parameters, thus approximately 2600 analyses were performed during this quarter. Partial analysis of the 1972 phosphorus, nitrogen, and carbon data reveals little variation from that of 1971. Ground water samples from around the lake were analyzed for phosphorus and nitrogen twice in July, once in August, and again in September. Two things are evident from these analyses, 1) nitrogen and phophorus concentrations increase over the summer as the water table drops, 2) nutrient levels in heavy use areas are considerably higher than in moderate to low use areas. Speciation of rooted macrophytes was determined at four sites using SCUBA. Predominant species include Potamoqeton praelongus, Elodea canadensis, and Myriophyllum sp. Plants were seldom observed in abundance at depths less than 2.5 m except in protected areas, however profuse growths occurred at depths between 3 and 8 m. Quantifying the macrophytes by harvest techniques proved to be difficult. The method will require some refinement before plant densities can be determi ned. Sufficient antecedent data have been collected so that frequency of sampling and study sites will be reduced during the summer of 1973 and until the interceptor system is completed. Upon completion of the interceptor, the lake again will receive intensive study. 15 ------- Extramural Activities "Monitoring and nutrient inactivati on studies on two glacial lakes (Ohio) before and after nutrient diversion." G. Dennis Cooke, Kent State University, Ohio, 801936: The objectives are: 1) to determine the effect of sewage diversion (installation of sewer lines) on indices of eutrophication, 2) to determine a base-line reference for a full-scale experiment of lake restoration (with one lake serving as a control), and 3) to conduct a full-scale lake restoration experiment of nutrient inactivation of phosphorus. Limnological parameters, surface and groundwater inputs and outputs continute to be monitored. Laboratory nutrient inactivation studies as well as in situ studies using polyethylene bags are underway. There is no evidence thus far that the level of phosphorus in the lake waters has declined after septic tank diversion (66 percent di version) . "The effectiveness of advanced waste treatment methods and the recovery rate of an enriched lake following nutrient cut-off." Winston C. Larson, Consulting Engineer, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, 800490: This project will divert the wastewater treatment plant effluent from Lake Sal lie in an attempt to reduce the nutrient input to this lake and retard the rapid eutrophication which has been experienced for many years. The diverted wastewater will be treated experimentally by three processes: 1) chemical precipitation and sedimentation; 2) spray applications to crops and soils, and 3) periodic discharge to soil adsorption galleries. The objectives of the project are to determine the effectiveness of the three techniques cited above in removing nutrients from the wastewater effluent and to document the response and rate of recovery of Lake Sallie following the elimination of its primary nutrient source. Project started in May 1972. No reports have been received to date. "Eutrophic lake reclamation by physical and chemical manipulations." Mark W. Tenney, University of Notre Dame, 16010 EQT: The project involves a demonstration of the water quality parameter changes in a eutrophic lake (Stone Lake, Cassopolis, Michigan) 16 ------- following complete domestic pollution abatement. During this study particular emphasis will be placed on the investigation and field demonstration of external manipulation procedures which will hopefully accelerate the return of human uses to existing lakes which are seriously polluted. During the first year, emphasis was placed on utilization of fly ash for nutrient inactivation of phosphorus. This past summer Chicago Fly Ash Company donated 25 tons of fly ash which was put into a small lake adjacent to Stone Lake. A progress report on this study will be forthcomi ng. "Survey of lake rehabilitation techniques and experiences" S. M. Born, University of Michigan, 802242: This grant will produce a state-of-the-art review of lake restoration activities in the world and determine past experience and the existing state-of-knowledge associated with each technique. It's anticipated that this project will be funded in the very near future. "National Lake Inventory." Paul D. Uttormark, University of Wisconsin, 801363: The goal of this project is to couple factual information describing the quality of lakes larger than 100 acres in size as a basis for assessing: 1) the magnitude of the eutrophication problem in this country, 2) the need for lake rehabilitation, and 3) the need for protective action to maintain satisfactory lake quality. "Eutrophication Information Program." Paul D. Uttormark, University of Wisconsin, 801365: The objective is to continue the publication activities of the Eutrophication Information Program at Wisconsin. Publications i nclude: 1. Eutrophication: A Bimonthly Summary of Current Literature. 2. Two critical literature reviews of selected areas of eutrophi cati on. 3. Annual Index of Eutrophication Literature. "Lake Drawdown: A method of improving water quality." Jackson L. Fox, University of Florida, 16010 FOX: The overall objective of this project is to quantitatively and qualitatively define the effects of drawdown and refilling on Lake Apopka, Florida, water quality in physical, biological, and chemical terms. 17 ------- A secondary objective is to evaluate the effects of a number of variables on the drawdown process. The most important of these include the amount of sediment to be exposed, the duration of the drying period, and the method of refilling. THE DEVELOPMENT OF METHODS FOR ASSESSING AND CATEGORIZING THE POTENTIAL EUTROPHI CATION OF NATURAL WATERS--21 AJF Approach General: The trophic state and productivity response of freshwater and estuarine organisms to change in nutrient levels must be known in order to predict the consequences of eutrophication control measures. To meet this need, it is necessary to develop, evaluate, and standardize laboratory and in situ assays which will allow an accurate and rapid assessment of organism-nutrient relationships. Another need is to be able to rapidly classify a lake on the basis of a single set of observations. This is necessary in order to identify problem lakes and set priorities for implementing control measures. Specific: Develop, refine, evaluate, standardize, and conduct laboratory and field bioassays (in si tu) to measure predict and categorize the response(s) of aquatic organisms, both freshwater and estuarine, to specific additions or reductions of nutrients. Define critical nutrient levels (phosphorus, nitrogen, etc.) responsible for nuisance "blooms" or algae. Design a simple, reliable lake classification system to aid scientific, regulatory and planning agencies to identify problem lakes and set priorities for implementing control measures. Intramural Activities Evaluate and predict the effects of individual and known nutrients on the growth of nuisance algae and aquatic plants using both lab and field (in si tu) bioassay techniques in fresh and estuarine waters. Freshwater Algal Assay Studies: Mr. A. G. Payne (Procter and Gamble Company) has reported that the filamentous blue-green alga, Anabaena flos-aquae can be counted on the Coulter Counter by first sonicating the cells into "single cell" units. Efforts have been devoted on the use of the sonicator as a tool for breaking up the cells. This procedure has been compared with the blending method which has been previously tested in this 1aboratory. The results show that by sonifying the cells the relative fluorescence readings are ranging 1.6 to 4.5 times greater than the control, in which 38 percent to 63 percent of each reading has been due to the chlorophyll a^ i n the filtrate and not in the cells; whereas in the 18 ------- blended samples the relative fluorescence readings have been ranging from 1.0 to 1.8 times greater than the control and only 5 percent to 7 percent of each reading has been due to chlorophyll a_ in the filtrate. Microscopic examinations (Hemacytometer) of the sonicated cells showed evidence of damaged cells. The mean cell volume (MCV) for the sonicated samples has been remaining quite constant (55y3 to 65y3) throughout a given experiment, whereas with the blended sample the MCV has been decreasing with age of the experiment. Cell counts show that more cells survive when blended than when sonicated, but the slopes of the growth curves are quite similar. Based on existing results, sonification of cell samples does show some promise. In the next quarter a comparison of growth responses of the three test organisms recommended in the Algal Assay Procedure will be conducted with the Coastal-Cascade Lake samples. Marine Algal Assay Studies: Salinity tolerance, light intensity, temperature regime, and pH conditions were tested on the following algae: Dunaliella tertiolecta Butcher (DUN clone), Nannochloris atomus, a marine Chi ore11 a, Isochrysis lutheri, Cyclotella menenghiana, and Thalassiosira pseudonana. Far and away the best and most consistent response has been that of Dunaliella. Further investigations have been almost completed for Dunaliel 1 a in the areas of nutrient response, replication, standard inoculum level, nutrient carryover and standard media formulation. Initial field samples, collected from Yaquina Bay, Oregon, at the Burpee, Toledo,and Oregon State University Dock stations have been evaluated using a 1,000 cell/ml (0.3 mg/1 dry wt.) inoculation of Dunaliella. The test showed a positive indication of nitrogen limitation at all three stations within 6 days. The test was repeated two subsequent times, evaluating the effect of storage on the sample, with virtually identical results indicated. Two levels of salinity (16 o/oo and 20 o/oo) artificial seawater media without additional P or N were inoculated at the same level. Under conditions where 0.05 mg/1 P and 1.0 mg/1 N was added, Dunaliella produced up to 175 to 180 mg/1 dry wt at these salinities. The test showed that there was essentially no nutrient carryover in the inoculum; the average dryweight produced from day 3 through day 7 was .332 + .074 mg/1 (16°/oo) and .385 + .136 mg/1 (20°/oo). It was possible to show, through the salinity-nutrient trials, that Dunaliella responds in a linear manner to changes in salinity (5 °/oo to 35 °/oo) , and to phosphorus levels (.0197 to .370 mg/1). Further work planned will establish the lower response thresholds for phosphorus and nitrogen, singly and in combination. Recent work has shown that Dunaliella can also be used as a bioassay organism for highly alkaline freshwater lakes, such as Abert Lake, 19 ------- Oregon. Both filtered only and autoclaved and filtered lake water samples taken in Septernber showed a strong indication of nitrogen limitation. The autoclaved sample water generally produced twice as much biomass by day 7 as the filtered sample, but in virtually the same ratio. Determination of the environmental and nutritional requirements and physiological processes of fresh water and estuarine algae and aquatic pi ants. The trace element nutrition studies have been temporarily suspended. The principal investigator is devoting full time to the Spokane River s tudy. Previous samples from the Spokane River, Washington, both filtered and autoclaved-fi1tered produced algal yields far below those expected from chemical analysis of the water's nutrient content. In the Spokane River zinc levels ranged from .020 mg/1 in filtered water to .250 mg/1 in autoclaved-fi 1 tered water. Inhibitory nutrient levels were obvious in those cases based on chemical analysis of the waters. However, those investigations pointed to potential problems of interpretation of future "Algal Assay Procedure: Bottle Test" results involving low level growth nutrient limitation or toxicity. Extramural Activities "Evaluate continuous-flow and field (in si tu) bioassay results with those obtained with the AAP Bottle Test, August 1971, in fresh waters." Dr. Charles M. Weiss, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 800399: Continued evaluation of the chemostat and batch test brought out several operational problems with respect to maintaining nutrient levels within the culture medium and test waters. The most obvious nutrient loss was attributed to the growth of bacteria in the Reactor Feed Tubes. It was also noted that the chemostat shows limited capability for determining growth rate constants in low nutrient waters . "Design assay techniques, both lab and field, to evaluate and define the nutritional ecology of aquatic plants." Dr. Gerloff, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 800504: This grant has recently been certified for funding. Progress reports will begin next quarter. "Describe and quanti fy--includi ng the use of bioassays the various physical, chemical, and limnological interrelationships responsible 20 ------- for the succession (changes) in species composition relative to the trophic state of a body of water." Dr. Morton, WARF Institute, 801168: Initial studies have centered around the effects of Mn and Fe ratios and concentrations upon the growth of green and blue-green algae. Unresolved laboratory problems, light intensity, pH, gas exchange, and shaking rate variance negate definite growth response differences noted at this time. "Application of bioassay and chemical analysis to the evaluation of the ecological implications of nutrient control projects." Dr. George Fitzgerald, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 801361: Approved for funding this quarter. "Determine relationship between interspecies effect of algal extracellular metabolites and bloom sequence in fresh water." Dr. Luigi Provasoli, Yale University, 801387: Requested for funding this quarter. "Investigation of the aspects of blue-green algal growth and phosphate concentration in relation to available phosphate." Dr. Jensen, Herbert Lehman College, New York, New York, 800431: Funded this quarter. Progress reports will begin next quarter. METHODS TO INHIBIT ALGAE AND AQUATIC WEED GROWTH WHERE NUTRIENTS CANNOT BE CONTROLLED—21 AIZ Approach General: To develop, evaluate and promulgate techniques of inhibiting the growth of algae and higher aquatic plants in situations where high nutrient availability will not, or cannot, be controlled. Such techniques include: (1) application of selected chemicals, (2) use of organisms such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, and predators; (3) artificial aeration or mixing of the water body, either completely or hypolimnetically. Specific: Extensive literature surveys, laboratory studies, and field evaluation will be conducted to develop and evaluate techniques to inhibit the growth of algae and higher aquatic plants. Emphasis will be placed on nutrient i nacti vation, aeration, biological control, and/or a combination of these. Intramural Activities Select possible pilot study sites for field evaluation of techniques developed in this R0AP. Devils Lake and Suttle Lake, both in Oregon were selected as possible sites for aeration experiments, and Cline's Ponds were selected for nutrient inactivation studies. Arrangements have been made to rent these 21 ------- ponds for a year. This rental agreement stipulates the existing pond be deepened at the south end, and a new pond will be constructed as nearly as possible to our specifications. This construction is essentially complete. Monitoring field sites for antecedent data. The monitoring of Devils Lake and Suttle Lake began in May 1972. Devils Lake monitoring program was terminated in June because of lack of funds and personnel. Suttle Lake was sampled monthly throughout the summer. This monitoring program was terminated October 1972 and will begin again in May 19 73. Monitoring of Cline's Ponds will begin in the winter of 1972-73, when the ponds have filled. Extramural Activities "Nutrient dynamics in an artifically enriched lake." J. K. Neel, University of North Dakota, 16010 DFI: The objective of this research is to determine the effects of weed harvesting on plant nutrient levels and utilization in a waste enriched lake. The general approach has been to define the limnological conditions prior to weed removal and then note changes resulting from weed harvest. One annual report has been completed and a final report is due March 1973. "Chemistry of nitrogen in natural water." P. L. Brezonik, University of Florida, 16010 DCK: The objective of this research is to determine factors controlling the concentration and forms of nitrogen in natural waters. Two annual reports have been completed and the final report is due December 1972. "Eutrophication of surface waters Lake Tahoe (Indian Creek Reservoir)." P. H. McGauhey, Lake Tahoe Area Council, 16010 DNY: To monitor over a period of time the physical, chemical, and biological changes occurring in an impoundment of wastewater, with especial concern for the ecological and limnological state of the impoundment when it becomes stabilized. To demonstrate the effectiveness of nutrient removal processes in maintaining the quality of surface waters. To develop relationships between treated and impounded water which will assist engineers and scientists in designing wastewater treatment 22 ------- processes on the basis of desired quality of a water environment rather than on effluent quality. To relate water quality as identified by the lack of stress on an aquatic community to water quality standards based on chemical and physical factors. Publications produced by this research are: 1. "Eutrophication of Surface Waters — Lake Tahoe. Pilot Plant and Field Studies," Third Progress Report, FWQA Grant No. 16010 DNY, May 1970. 2. "Eutrophication of Surface Waters — Indian Creek Reservoir," First Progress Report, FWQA Grant No. 16010 DNY, May 1970. "Research and development of a selective algicide to control nuisance algal growth," C. T. Lichy, The Dow Chemical Co., Contract 68-01-0076: The overall objective is to develop a chemical or a combined chemical-biological system which will control the growth of nuisance algae in the aquatic ecosystem and have a minimal impact on desirable forms of aquatic life. Work on this project began in January 1970 and the first two of three phases are almost completed. DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNIQUES TO MEASURE NUTRIENTS FROM DIFFUSE SOURCES-- 21 AJE Approach General: The development of laboratory and/or field methods for quanti- tatively describing the nutrient contribution of diffuse sources such as agricultural and urban runoff and rainfall to bodies of water and of procedures to assess their significance in terms of the total nutrient input to a given water body. Specific: Continue laboratory evaluation of sediment-water nutrient exchange under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Initiate field and laboratory studies on surface water enrichment from septic tanks and quantify same, while also investigating the feasibility of using advanced septic treatment systems rather than conventional ones. Survey other nutrient inputs to surface waters in the northwest, select treatment methods and evaluate effectiveness. Intramural Activities Initiate field work to determine the extent of horizontal and vertical movement of plant nutrients coming from septic tanks as they move via groundwater in the direction of surface water and determine the soils 23 ------- adsorption capacity for phosphorus by lysimeter tests in order to estimate nutrient input tto lakes from adjacent septic systems. Gearing up for this task began during the third quarter of FY-72 and all the necessary equipment was available when FY-72 ended. Extramural Activities "Determine the release of inorganic and organic forms of phosphorus from sediments" R. E. Wildung, Battelle Northwest, Contract 14-12-508: Completed comnent draft of final report received September 20, 1972. "Determine the role of sludge worms in promoting eutrophication." R. 0. Brinkhurst, University of Toronto, 16010 ECQ: Completed. Final report received on April 19 , 1972. "Evaluate the phosphorus exchange capacity of sediments with reduced phosphorus input." W. Stumm, Harvard University, 16010 DSJ: Completed. In final report stage. "Determine nitrogen transformation in lake sediments." D. R. Keeney, University of Wisconsin, 801362: This is a continuing grant to identify and elucidate N-sources and availability and transformations in lake sediments so that the role of sediments in the N status of lakes may be quantified. "Determine nitrate removal from water at the water-mud interface in swamps." W. H. Patrick, Jr., Louisiana State University, 16010 FJR: This grant has been funded since October 1971. Its primary objectives are 1) to determine speed, completeness, and the mechanisms by which nitrate is removed through biological reductions from shallow surface water in swamps, marshes, and flooded soils along the Gulf Coast, 2) to elucidate the oxidation-reduction properties of the mud-water interface that control or influence the reduction of nitrate to nitrogen gas. "Determine the role of phosphorus-sediment interactions in eutrophication and quantify the potential release from sediments." D. E. Armstrong, University of Wisconsin, 801364: The objective of this grant is to produce methods, based on readily measurable sediment and limnological parameters to determine 1) the potential of suspended sediments, in zones of high and low photo- synthetic biomass, to release biologically available phosphorus and 2) the potential of undisturbed sediments (both aerobic and anaerobic) 24 ------- subjected to little overlying water movement, vigorous overlying water movement, or simulated upward percolation of groundwater to release biologically available phosphorus. PREDICTIVE MODELS FOR THE EUTROPHICATION PR0CESS--21 AJA Approach General: Develop a series of predictive models which define the chemical, physical and biological components and their effect on the eutrophication of lakes and estuaries. Specific: Develop and test a predictive model or models which quantitatively describe and define the significant ecological (chemical, physical and biological) phenomena which relate to eutrophicati on in freshwater and estuarine water bodies. Such models should include numerical terms for: 1) cycling of nutrients in ecosystems including nutrient uptake and release from bottom sediments; 2) relationship of algal species to available nutrients; 3) community level response to specific nutrient increases and decreases; 4) effects of physical and chemical factors such as light, temperature, pH and salinity on growth of individual species; and 5) the metabolic processes involving nutrients and then cycling. Intramural Activities Develop systematic software directed toward Shagawa Lake data analysis. Test software against data to provide preliminary assessments of the validity and completeness of the terms in the model formulation. Prepare statement of data need and an estimate of confidence levels for the models developed. (Data acquired through ROAP 21-AIY-Bl1031-05). Two new personnel have been obtained on three year term appointments. D. Phillips Larsen (Aquatic Biologist) and Howard Mercier (Mathematician) will develop predictive model(s) of Shagawa Lake, Minnesota, where phosphorus removal via AWT of the municipal wastewater will soon begin. The backlog of data obtained from the Shagawa Lake system offers an ideal opportunity to test our present ideas of the nature of the eutrophic process in this lake against the natural occurrences there as well as to determine whether the data collection scheme provides the necessary information required for the desired understanding of the system. Extramural Activities "Systems studies of water and nutrient transport" Dale Huff, University of Wisconsin, 801366: This project will assemble and document a package of computer programs that can be used to explore the effects of land-water interactions on lake quality. A second related goal is to use the collection of computer programs to examine potential points for applying management plans for improving lake quality. 25 ------- The major effort during this quarter has been to gather documentation on terrestrial nitrogen entering the aquatic environment. This will be used as a computer input coupling terrestrial and aquatic nutrient cycling models for whole system simulation. "Aqueous environmental chemistry of nitrogen and phosphorus in Lake Mendota" G. Fred Lee, University of Wisconsin, 801360: This project will develop a mathematical model that may be used to predict the expected recovery of Lake Mendota resulting from the diversion of 30 percent of the annual phosphorus input to this 1 ake. Major efforts will be in: 1) estimating nutrient flux to and from lake sediment 2) assessing ways in which nutrients are transported to the lake from the watershed and 3) defining the role of the thermocline as a barrier to nutrient transport. This project began in July 1972. No progress reports have been received to date. "Monitoring and nutrient inacti tvation studies on two glacial lakes (Ohio) before and after nutrient diversion" G. Dennis Cooke, Kent State University. (Implemented under ROAP 21 AIY), 801936: Dr. Bhargava will develop a mathematical model of the Twin Lakes, Ohio ecosystem. The major effort has been to obtain a first guess approximation of the phosphorus transfer matrices (on a seasonal basis) for use in a linear compartment model. THE APPLICATION OF REMOTE SENSING TECHNIQUES TO EUTROPHICATION STUDIES— 21 AJG Approach General: The evaluation of application of remote sensing techniques to eutrophi cati on studies on order to reduce the effort required to obtain water quali ty data. Specific: Develop remote sensing techniques for the measurement of variables such as water color, chlorophyll, suspended solids, and light penetration, interpretable in terms of water quality and lake trophic state. Relate aerial photographs and other remote data on drainage area land use to nutrient flux to water. Evaluate applications of developed techniques to eutrophication studies to reduce the effort required to obtain water quality and trophic state data. Intramural Activities None. This ROAP is entirely extramural except for grant monitoring and associated duties. 26 ------- Extramural Activities "Nutrient inputs to natural waters" University of Wisconsin, Dr. Paul Uttormark, 801343: Develop correlations between land use patterns and nutrient contribution to lakes and rivers to enable use of aerial photographs to estimate nutrient influx. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE Powers to North Carolina in response to request by State and by EPA Region IV for consultation on nuisance algae blooms in the lower Chowan River. Dr. Powers to Chicago, in response to request by Region V for assistance at Lake Michigan Enforcement Conference. Dr. Powers to Warsaw, Poland, to consult with Polish scientists on studies on eutrophication of Polish lakes. This trip was under the U.S. Excess Currency Program. Messrs. Peterson and Sanville to Bend, Oregon, and vicinity, to assist U.S. Forest Service regarding effect of recreational development on Cascade lakes. PRESENTATIONS, REPORTS, AND TRIPS 1. Dr. Powers trips to Chicago, North Carolina, and Poland (as noted under Technical Assistance Section). 2. Dr. Peterson to Minneapolis to attend meetings of American Society of Limnology and Oceanography. 3. Dr. Stay to Seattle to attend meetings of International Biological Program. 4. Ely staff presented talks to Ely's Lions and Kiwanis Clubs and to the University of Minnesota summer course in limnology. 5. Dr. Malueg visited Madison, Wisconsin, to discuss a grant application with the University of Wisconsin for a joint effort in producing a document summarizing world wide lake restoration activities to date and results obtained. 6. Dr. Malueg attended a meeting at WERL (Las Vegas, Nevada) to help prepare a format for the National Eutrophication Survey Program that will be used for the final lake information printout. 7. Mr. Schults spent two weeks at Ely, MN field station to construct a bathymetric map of Shagawa Lake and maintain chemistry lab while chemist attended Technicon AutoAnalyzer training school. 27 ------- 8. Mr. Maloney attended an EPA sponsored symposium on microbial transformations at Crystal Mall, Arlington, VA. 28 ------- NATIONAL EUTROPHI CATION SURVEY PROGRAM Program Element 1B1029 GENERAL FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT AND OBJECTIVES The National Eutrophication Survey Program has the responsibility for directing and implementing field and laboratory activities of Program Element 1B1029, Lake Survey, and is organizationally allied with Special Projects in the Office of Monitoring of the Office of Research and Monitoring of the USEPA. The Program has activities which are being conducted jointly by NERC-Las Vegas and the Pacific Northwest Environmental Research Laboratory (PNERL). The primary objective of the National Eutrophication Survey Program is to identify those lakes and impoundments receiving effluents from municipal sewage treatment plants (MSTP) and, in each case, to determine whether phosphorus reduction in the MSTP effluent (s) would improve the trophic state of the receiving water body. This objective is accomplished by (1) a lake sampling program extending over one growinq season to evaluate the existing trophic condition of each water body, (2) algal assays to determine whether phosphorus is the limiting nutrient in each water body, and (3) a tributary and MSTP sampling program of one year for each water body to estimate the relative nutrient inputs from MSTP's versus other nutrient sources. Lake water sampling and anlysis are conducted by NERC-Las Vegas and all other aspects of the Program are the responsibility of PNERL. The current activities of NESP include studies of approximately 220 lakes in ten states including seven New England States plus Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. In 1973, approximately 340 lakes in the remaining seventeen states east of the Mississippi River will be added to the survey. The NERC-Las Vegas is conducting the lake sampling necessary to characterize the existing trophic condition of each study lake. In addition, NERC-Las Vegas is performing the remote sensing studies of chlorophyll PNERL is determining the limiting nutrient in each lake, calculating the nutrient loadings from tributary inputs, evaluating the data, making recommendations concerning the need for phosphorus removal and investigating the utility of land use-nutrient loading relationships. The Program also provides technical assistance in the form of consultation; and survey data from lakes, and tributaries, and MSTP's to the National Eutrophication Control Program in the Office of Water Programs, State governments, and Regional Offices of the USEPA. 29 ------- PERSONNEL During the first quarter three new staff members joined NESP. Mr. Ralph E. (Ted) Austin, formerly with the Robert S. Kerr Research Center in Ada, Oklahoma accepted the position of Chief of the Field Data Section. Austin replaced D. Phillips Larsen, who transferred to the Shagawa Lake Project in the National Eutrophication Research Program. Mr. William C. Tiffany, formerly with the Lockheed-California Co. at Burbank, joined NESP September 18 as a computer programmer in the Data Interpretation Section. Ms. Beverley P. Bowman joined NESP on August 7 as a file clerk in the Field Data Section. Ms. Bowman previously worked for the Bureau of Land Management in Portland, Oregon. There are twenty-two positions in NESP at PNERL, six of which are administratively assigned to Consolidated Laboratory Services which in turn provides the support needed for the analysis of tributary, municipal sewage treatment plant, and algal assay samples. The personnel roster, by section, of the remaining NESP positions is given below: Roster Office of Chief Jack H. Gakstatter Marvin 0. Allum Joy W. Hopkins Field Data Section Ralph E. (Ted) Austin Stephen E. Dominguez William L. Lauer Beverley P. Bowman Algal Assay Section Albert Katko Cheryl L. Alber Michael R. Crouse Mark E. Hevland Nancy L. Kavanagh Data Analyses Section William C. Tiffany Lyle C. Wilson Laurice Jagannathan Chief and Co-Program Element Director Data Coordinator and Supervisory Aquatic Biologist Secretary Chief Microbiol ogi st Biological Aid File Clerk Chi ef Biologi cal Biological Biological Biological Science Science Science Science Aid Aid Aid Aid Computer Programmer Mathematici an Card Punch Operator 30 ------- Photo Interpretation and Land Use Section James M. Omernik Geographer-Photo interpreter RESEARCH ACTIVITIES INTRAMURAL ACTIVITIES Formal work plans are being prepared for the National Eutrophication Survey ROAP 21 ARK The first quarter of FY 1973 was filled with considerable activity and accomplishment for NESP. Most of the staff was relatively new during this period, having joined the Program just prior to the beginning of the quarter or during it. The orientation period for these people, by necessity, was brief. NESP activities were focused on the ten states in which lakes were being sampled by the NERC-Las Vegas field crews. These states are Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Maine, New York, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan. Two tasks consumed much of the time of the NESP staff during the first quarter; the selection of tributary sampling sites and assisting National Guard Units during the first round of tributary sampling. National Guard units in each state have volunteered to assist EPA by collecting water samples from the tributary sampling sites. This action by the U. S. National Guard is a tremendous aid to the NESP because the logistics involved are complex. For the ten states involving a total of 220 lakes, NESP personnel selected a total of 1144 sampling sites on significant tributary inputs or outlets of study lakes. Each site location and unique STORET identification number was marked on the appropriate Geological Survey topographic map for reference purposes and National Guard use. During the quarter, tributary sampling was started in seven of the ten states and samples will continue to be collected by each State National Guard Unit for one year at a monthly frequency. During the first round of tributary sampling in each state, EPA personnel were on hand to accompany each National Guard Sampling Team to each site and instruct them regarding proper techniques of sample collection and processing. While NESP personnel participated in each of the training programs, assistance in terms of additional trainers was required from the National Marine Water Quality Laboratory (NMQL) at Narragansett, the National Water Quality Laboratory (NWQL) at Duluth and the Region V District Office at Minneapolis. This assistance was generously provided. 31 ------- Listed below are the dates of initial tributary sampling in each of the seven states; the total number of sampling sites and number and origin of EPA trainers involved in the initial sampling. 1. Vermont - sampling was initiated on July 15 at 52 sites. NESP provided two trainers and NMWQL provided five trainers. 2. Connecticut - sampling was initiated on August 19 at 75 sites. NESP provided two trainers and NMWQL provided four. 3. Rhode Island - sampling was initiated on August 26 at 28 sites. NMWQL provided 2 trainers and EPA Headquarters provided one. 4. New Hampshire - sampling was initiated on August 26 at 51 sites. NESP provided one trainer and NMWQL provided four. 5. Massachusetts - sampling was initiated on September 9 at 37 sites. NESP provided one trainer and NMWQL provided four. 6. Maine - Sampling initiated on September 16 at 59 sites. NESP provided one trainer and NMWQL provided eight. 7. Wisconsin - sampling initiated on September 23 and 24 at 170 sites. NESP provided two trainers, NWQL provided four and the Region V District Office supplied two. The National Guard in each state has provided very fine and enthusiastic assistance in this integral portion of the National Eutrophication Survey. During the first quarter a total of 555 samples from tributary sites were received by NESP for analysis. Evaluating the nutrient contribution from the effluents of municipal sewage treatment plants to each of the lakes being studied by NESP is another integral portion of the survey. Initial contacts were made with each of the ten state agencies responsible for pollution control to request their assistance in arranging a program of effluent sampling for the municipal sewage treatment plants discharging directly or indirectly to study lakes. These arrangments will be finalized and sampling started during the second quarter. A preliminary method of ranking the study lakes according to their trophic condition has been devised. The method is based on the values of nutrient concentrations, dissolved oxygen concentrations and Secchi Disc readings and will be refined as additional data become available. The availability of high-altitude aerial photography of watersheds and existing land-use studies has been determined for the first ten states involved in the survey. Materials and equipment have been ordered to enable us to delineate land-use categories in a selected number of watersheds of study lakes. 32 ------- EXTRAMURAL ACTIVITIES Progress was made towards acquiring the stream flow data needed to calculate nutrient loads to the study lakes. A preliminary interagency agreement with USGS was written and the potential problems were discussed during a meeting in Washington. The agreement should be completed during the second quarter of this fiscal year. REPORTS AND TRIPS Summary reports were prepared for two New York lakes (Canadarago and Oneida) for which previously published data were sufficient to make a recommendation concerning the need for tertiary treatment of municipal sewage treatment plant effluent. These reports were forwarded for review to the National Eutrophication Control Program in EPA's Office of Water Programs. In addition to the trips mentioned previously in conjunction with National Guard tributary sampling, the following trips were made by NESP staff. 1. Dr. Gakstatter traveled to Lansing, Michigan to meet with Michigan Department of Natural Resources Staff concerning the location of tributary sampling stations and municipal sewage treatment plant effluents. 2. Mr. Allum met with Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources personnel on July 19 in Madison to discuss locations of tributary sampling sites and municipal sewage treatment plant effluents. 3. Dr. Gakstatter and Mr. Allum visited NERC-Las Vegas on August 30 to confer with Mr. Wruble and Mr. Dunn regarding the lake survey samplinq program. 4. Mr. Omernik traveled to Rome, N. Y. and Washington, D. C. September 11-15 to discuss the availability of aerial photography with staff from Griffis Air Force Base and USGS. 5. Dr. Gakstatter and Mr. Allum visited Washington, D. C. September 18-20 for a program review conducted by Dr. Robert Payne, Coordinator of the National Eutrophication Survey. 33 ------- NATIONAL THERMAL POLLUTION RESEARCH PROGRAM Program Elements 1B1032/1B2036 GENERAL FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT The National Thermal Pollution Research Program has the responsibility for directing and implementing field, laboratory, and extramural research activities of Program Elements 1B1032, Thermal Pollution Research, which is organizationally allied with the Transport Processes Branch in the Processes and Effects Division, and 1B2036, Heavy Industrial Sources, which is allied with the Applied Science and Technology Branch in the Technology Research Division. Both Divisions are in the Office of Research and Monitoring of the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. The major goal of the Thermal Pollution Research Program is the improved scientific basis for predicting and assessing the amount, behavior, and physico-chemical and biochemical effects of heat discharged to the aquatic environment including development of environmental systems for safe management of heated discharges, siting requirements for heat discharging plants, and beneficial environmental use of otherwise wasted heat. Within the Heavy Industrial Sources, the major goal is development and demonstration of methods for preventing, controlling and abating thermal pollution. In the Thermal Pollution Research Program Element, current emphasis is placed on analytical and laboratory work leading to improved predictive models used to describe the hydraulic and thermal characteristics and the environmental impact of heated water discharges, both near the discharge point and far field. Present high priority research in the Heavy Industrial Program Element involves an investigation of the opportunities for multiple use and recycling within thermal power plants, as well as work on the control of drift and blowdown from wet, closed-cycle cooling systems. The Program also provides technical assistance relating to the inter- pretation of data, review of proposals for disposal of waste heat, state-of-the-art for thermal pollution control, and design of investiga- tions to regulatory sections of EPA at Regional Offices and Headquarters, to other Federal Agencies, and to private firms and industry. Program personnel also review environmental impact statements, conduct special studies, and provide expert witnesses or advisors in adversary proceedi ngs. 35 ------- SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES For FY-73 emphasis is on: 1. Developing a digest of prediction techniques for thermal plumes from surface discharges. 2. Cooling tower blowdown quality control. 3. Integrated closed-cycle industrial systems involving cooling water. 4. Demonstration of agricultural uses of warm water. PREDICTIVE MODELS FOR AQUATIC THERMAL POLLUTI ON--TB1032-21 AJH Approach General: Provide composite of three kinds of predictive models. (1) thermal plume behavior and heat dissipation; (2) chemical-biological response; and (3) local meteorologic impact. Finish analytical development and field verify aqueous plume models, and apply output to the applicable fluid dynamics to the atmospheric plume problems. By grant and contract explore the amenability of chemical and biological response to stochastic or multivariate regression treatment. Specific: (1) Analytical and plume development of Workbook and/or manual on plume prediction models for shallow and submerged surface discharges; (2) analysis of local meteorologic impact of evaporative cooling systems; (3) study of physico-chemical and biochemical response to temperature changes. PERSONNEL Frank H. Rainwater Charlene Paschke Bruce A. Tichenor Alden G. Christianson Guy R. Nelson Mostafa A. Shirazi Lori n R. Davis (T) Lawrence D. Winiarski James Chasse Chief and Program Element Director Secretary Sanitary Engineer Sanitary Engineer Chemical Engineer Mechanical Engineer Mechanical Engineer Mechanical Engineer Civil Engineer RESEARCH OBJECTIVE ACHIEVEMENT PLANS AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE 36 ------- Intramural Activities The strategy in NTPRP thermal plume modeling consists of (a) continued evaluation of current developments and advances in mathematical analyses of heated jet discharges, (b) evaluation of new field and laboratory data, (c) matching these with the needs of the Agency, (d) developing the lacking technology in-house, and (e) presenting the state-of-the-art in a usable form. Activities of this quarter provided progress in meeting each of these strategic goals. Computer programs of surface discharge models developed by MIT, St. Anthony Falls Hydraulic Laboratory, and the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute were evaluated and necessary modifications were made. Laboratory and field data collected by MIT, Vanderbilt University, Argonne National Laboratory, University of California, and St. Anthony Falls Hydraulic Laboratory were analyzed and fitted to available models. The correlations provided by this effort will be used in the preparation of NTPRP's upcoming handbook on surface discharges of heated water. An extensive literature review has failed to uncover adequate techniques or data for evaluation of single jet discharges in shallow water. Since this type of discharge is quite common in actual practice, NTPRP has embarked upon an inhouse research effort to develop adequate predictive tools. Laboratory experiments for this project are being performed in the towing channel of PNERL's Hydraulic Laboratory, located in the Annex. These laboratory experiments examine a heated plume from a submerged round jet in a water depth of 10 diameters. The experiments include the collection of data at two Froude numbers, two ambient velocities, with each combination studied both with and without grid generated turbulence. The discharged angle is varied from 15° with the horizontal to 90°. In these experiments a hot film anemometer is used in constant current and temperature modes to measure temperature and velocities, respecti vely. The measured data consists of the initial jet velocity and temperature, temperature distribution profiles downstream of the discharge point, and the thermal plume trajectory. Extramural Activities "Mixing and dispersion in a warm water outlet." University of Minnesota, 800435: Objective is to develop experimental and analytical results for prediction of surface spread of heated water discharge. "Heat and vapor exchange between water surface and atmosphere." Cornell University, 16130 DIP: 37 ------- Objective is to develop and refine analytical models for predicting the convective and evaporative exchange at the surface of large water bodies. "Study for the stochastic calculation of water equilibrium temperature." Environmental Systems Laboratory, Contract 68-01-0167. Techniques will be developed for predicting the equilibrium temperature based on the statistical properties of the pertinent meteorological parameters. "Thermal plume dispersion." Oregon State University, 16130 DGM: The objective of this grant is the development of a generalized numerical model for vertical dischargof heated water in coastal regi ons. "Studies on the effects of heated water from power plants on the physico- chemical and biochemical processes occurring in free-flowi ng waters and their influence on water quality." i»Jater Economy Research Institute, Poland, PL480 project. BENEFICIAL AND/OR MULTIPLE USE OF INDUSTRIAL WATER INVOLVING C00LING-- 1B2036-10 BAL Approach General: Perform research and support demonstration projects to show technical and economic feasibility of additional uses for water which has or will be used for cooling purposes. Primary current involvement is support of EWEB grant (16130 EIK) for demonstrating waste heat use in agriculture. Other research areas include: (1) use of cooling tower exhaust in greenhouses; (2) use of waste heat to prevent icing of shipping lanes; (3) complete recycle of liquid streams in power plants; and (4) use of new makeup water sources. A request will be issued to program elements under Process and Effects Division for performance of tasks requiring biological expertise. Specific: Demonstration of technical feasibility and economics of using waste heat in agricul ture —i rrigation, frost protection, undersoil heating; emphasis is also being placed on assessing possibilities for recycling effluents within power plants. Cooling tower blowdown streams and other waste streams are being looked at to determine overall compatibility for treatment and/or reuse. Intramural Activities Inhouse efforts are oriented toward the above mentioned approach. At the present time emphasis is concentrated on recycle possibilities, 38 ------- especially in characterizing effluents from SCL scrubber units which might be combined with conventional fossil fueled power plant waste discharges. Extramural Activities "Thermal Water Demonstration Project." Eugene Water and Electric Board, 802032: This project is nearing completion in demonstrating that industrial cooling water C"100oF) can be used beneficially for agricultural applications. Economic benefits of using this warm water on 170 acres of various vegetable and fruit crops and for underground soil heating on experimental plots is currently being assessed. WET CLOSED-CYCLE COOLING SYSTEMS —SALT AND FRESH WATER—1B2036-16 ACQ Approach General: Develop and verify methodology for drift measurement at ground level. Develop transport models for cooling tower and spray system drift from available analytical techniques and measured data on particle size distribution. Verify with field data. Establish ambient air chloride levels at coastal sites. Improve predictive models for cooling tower vapor plumes and verify with field observations. Develop techniques for minimizing the environmental impact of cooling system blowdown. Initially, assess the present technology for control by (a) makeup water pre-treatment; (b) selection of chemical additives; and (c) blowdown treatment. Demonstrate engineering and economic feasibility of alternative blowdown control methods. Develop and demonstrate improved wet cooling devices. Specific: Develop chemical and engineering techniques to minimize environmental impact of cooling system blowdown. Intramural Activities Document current water treatment trends. Supervise extramural activity of blowdown control. Extramural Activities "Thermal Pollution Control System Nomographs." Hittman Associates, 60- 01-0171. Objective is to prepare and present nomographs containing data and techniquesfor evaluating various alternative power plant cooling methods. A pending contractual effort to investigate the state-of-the-artregarding blowdown control techniques. 39 ------- "Turbulent Bed Cooling Tower." Purdue University, 16130 EMQ. To design and optimize new cooling methods based on 3-phase air/ water/solid contact. TOTAL ENVIRONMENTAL APPROACH FOR POWER GENERATING PLANT (DRY COOLING SYSTEMS)--1B2036-21 AGL Approach General: Improve the efficiency of dry cooling systems to reduce cost and demonstrate engineering and economic feasibility for application to steam electric plants. Investigate engineering and economic feasibility of closed cycle (nuclear fuel) gas turbines with dry cooling tower for baseload electric power generation. Specific: Project inactive. Intramural Activities Dry cooling tower performance, cost, improvements and market prospects, with or without association with closed-loop nuclear reactors, was reviewed with Central Electric Generating Board of Great Britain and GEA (manufacturers) in Germany. Extramural Activities None. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE 1. The National Thermal Pollution Research Program staff reviewed twelve environmental impact statements relating to nuclear fueled power plants during the quarter. 2. Technical backup was provided Region IX by Alden Christianson on PG&E's Diablo Canyon plant. 3. At the request of Region V, Bruce Tichenor reviewed "Summary of Recent Technical Information Concerning Thermal Discharge into Lake Michigan" by Argonne. 4. Dr. Tichenor attended a session of the Lake Michigan Enforcement Conference, September 19-21, 1972. Further technical assistance to Region V in this matter will consist of written comments on testimony of three power company witnesses. Techn. 5. Technical assistance was provided the Office of Technical Analysis in Headquarters in review of "Draft of Selected Techniques for Case-by-Case Evaluation of Thermal Discharge." 40 ------- 6. Alden Christianson traveled to Washington, D. C. for a meeting of Industrial Waste Studies Program personnel, the purpose of which was to revise a draft questionnaire developed by EEI for gathering basic information to be used in establishing effluent requirements. 7. Drs. Tichenor and Shirazi made trips to Houston to confer with U.S. attorneys and technical experts in the Houston Lighting and Power case. They will be involved in further technical assistance to Region VI in this matter and also in the trial which is scheduled to convene around February 19, 1973. 8. Dr. Tichenor reviewed a draft report, "Thermal Problems in the Lower Mahoning River," for the Director, Ohio District Office, EPA, Region V. 9. At the request of the Office of Federal Activities, Alden Christianson reviewed AEC's proposed "Guide to the Preparation of Environ- mental Reports for Nuclear Power Plants." 10. Drs. Shirazi and Tichenor reviewed "Movement of the Discharges of the Heated Effluent from the J. M. Stuart Power Plant," by Frank Parker, for Region V. PRESENTATIONS, REPORTS AND TRIPS 1. A Workshop on methods for predicting the physical movement and dispersion of waste discharges below the water surface was conducted at NERC, Corvallis, July 11-14, 1972, by Drs. Shirazi and Davis of NTPRP. Drs. Shirazi and Davis have critically reviewed data and analyses from numerous sources, unified the approaches, and present the material in a series of nomograms readily usable by non-specialists in fluid dynamics and computer sciences. These nomograms with accompanied narrative and example problems constitute a 230-page digest which was the text for the Workshop and has been published in the Water Pollution Control Research Series. Copies are available in NTPRP. 2. Mr. Rainwater presented a talk at the Cooling Tower Institute, University of Wisconsin, Madison, August 8, 1972, entitled "Federal Standards and Thermal Considerations." No paper will be published. 3. Dr. Tichenor was the dinner speaker at the Institute of River Mechanics, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, Colorado, August 2, and discussed "Evaluating Thermal Pollution Control Alternatives." 4. Mr. Rainwater traveled to Europe September 14 - October 4. Stops were made in England and Germany for the purpose of obtaining knowledge and data on European experience with salt water and dry cooling systems. The main purpose of the trip was to initiate coordination of a PL-480 project in Poland on "Studies of the effects of heated water from 41 ------- power plants on the physico-chemical and biological processes occurring in freeflowing waters and its influence on water quality." 5. A paper by Dr. Mostafa Shirazi, EPA, and Drs. McQuivey and Keefer of USGS, entitled "Submerged Heated Water Jet Discharging into a Co-flowing Turbulent Stream" was completed. A few copies are available from NTPRP. This paper will be submitted for publication in Water Resources Research Journal. 6. Mr. Guy Nelson attended a symposium held by University of Michigan's Radiation Program, Ann Arbor, on magnetic water treatment processes. 7. Mr. Nelson also visited PP&L's Centralia Plant to obtain information regarding water recycle and reuse. He also visited Betz laboratories on the same trip to discuss potential water treatment problems and solutions with water resue programs and various cooling tower operation parameters regarding chemical treatment. 8. Mr. Rainwater attended a meeting in Miami, Florida, regarding the Homestead proposal. This was a meeting with City of Homestead representatives and EPA Headquarters and Regional personnel. 42 ------- NATIONAL WASTE TREATMENT RESEARCH PROGRAM Program Elements 1B2036, 1B2037, 1B2039 GENERAL The overall objective is the development and full-scale demonstration of technically and economically feasible methods of processing food and kindred products, and paper and forest industries products without discharge of liquid wastes to the environment and with adequate control of solid residuals and air pollution. Extramural RD&D grants are used to: A. Characterize wastes by unit operations, B. Minimize wastes by process modification, C. Optimize product and by-product recovery, D. Demonstrate new and improved treatment technology, and E. Demonstration of complete or unit process water recycle. In-house efforts will be devoted to evaluating grant applications, monitoring ongoing projects, and assisting in the dissemination of information through meetings, presentations, and symposia. FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT The National Waste Treatment Research Program has the responsibility for directing and implementing field, laboratory, and extramural research activities of Program Elements 1B2037 (Food, Paper, and Other Industrial Sources) and a segment of 1B2036 (Heavy Industrial Sources), and of 1B2039 (Agricultural Sources). The Program is organizationally allied with the Applied Science and Technology Branch, Technology Research Division in the Office of Research and Monitoring of the USEPA. The major goal of this Program is the development and demonstration of new or improved methods for the treatment and/or abatement of water pollution and other environmental stresses caused by discharge of waste from a variety of "soft" industrial sources. These sources include, but are not limited to, paper and allied products, food and kindred products, stone, clay, and glass products, wood products, and other miscellaneous industrial sources. The ultimate in waste control will be complete recycle and reuse at minimum cost of non-consumptive water used in industrial processes. In the immediate past, the Program has been primarily concerned with the development and demonstration of secondary treatment processes. This technology has now advanced to the state whe^e present research efforts are concentrated on the development of tertiary treatment processes to permit waste recycling and the development of process modifications to reduce or eliminate waste discharges and to develop useful by-products. 43 ------- The Program also provides technical assistance relating to the effect of industrial waste on water quality and industrial pollution abatement through advice for in-plant control and/or treatment of industrial effluents to other research programs and regulatory sections of EPA, to other Federal agencies, State and municipal governments, and to private firms and industries. A special effort by Program personnel is technical assistance in the development of effluent guidelines as part of the Refuse Act Permit Program. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES The specific objectives for each major section of this Program are as follow: Paper and Forest Industries Research Section 1. Demonstration of full-scale, total recycle system in a bleached kraft pulp mi 11. 2. Demonstration of tertiary treatment and closed loop systems in a sulfite pulp mill to permit direct reuse. 3. Source and significance of coliform organisms in pulp and paper effluents. 4. Occurrence and significance of chlorinated organic compounds and chlorinated effluents below bleach pulp mill. 5. Ecological effects of forestry and logging activities. 6. Development and demonstration of processes to separate pigments, inks, and short fiber from waste paper in the recycle of usable fiber to permit wastewater reuse. 7. Demonstrate the recycle of suspended solids from wet process wood fiber board products plants and closed loop technology for effluents. 8. Physio-chemical methods for optimum removal of suspended solids from treated effluents from pulp and paper mills to permit inplant recycl e. Food Waste Research Section 1. Determine the required water quality for each unit operation in the processing of potatoes, corn, tomatoes, citrus, and peaches in cooperation with FDA and USDA. (Principal concern-consumer safety and acceptabi1i ty). 2. Demonstrate solids removal from shellfish processing wastes using screens and dissolved-air flotation with chemical addition on a full-scale system. 44 ------- 3. Full-scale demonstration of a low-water use (IQB and/or hot gas) vegetable blanching process. 4. Demonstrate the application of advanced waste treatment techniques to various unit processes in a large scale meat processing plant to permit recycle of wastewater streams. 5. Demonstrate in a full-scale processing plant the production of raw cane sugar without discharge of liquid wastes and with adequate disposal of solid wastes (bagasse, trash, soil, muds, etc.). 6. Evaluate potential of "pulse-jet" dryer as an economical method of drying whey from small cheese processing plants. 7. Evaluate full-scale "dry-peel" lines being used for tomatoes, beets, and sweet potatoes and compare liquid waste loads and economics with conventional wet peeling systems. PERSONNEL Office of the Chief J. R. Boydston Chief and Program Element Director L. J. Fletcher Secretary Food Waste Research Section K. A. Dostal H. W. Thompson M. W. Cochrane D. W. Taylor J. A. Santroch Vacancy (Loaned to CLS) Chief Sanitary Engineer Sanitary Engineer Sanitary Engineer Sanitary Engineer Paper and Forest Industries Research Section R. H. Scott Chief H. K. Willard Sanitary Engineer M. D. Knittel Microbiologist J. S. Ruppersberger Sanitary Engineer R. S. Avery Phys. Sci. Tech. W. F. Eckerle (T) Biological Aid Vacancy Vacancy (Loaned to Office of the Director) 45 ------- RESEARCH OBJECTIVE ACHIEVEMENT PLANS AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE DEMONSTRATION OF CLOSED LOOP INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER AND WATER SYSTEMS IN KRAFT PULP AND PAPER PRODUCTION--?! AKY Approach General: The ultimate in waste control from the industry will be complete recycle and reuse of nonconsumptive water used in the total kraft process. Interim needs must be satisfied by increasing degrees of treatment and control. Extramural efforts will be directed toward new treatment and improved control technology to satisfy near term needs and develop background for complete pulping process recycle. The demonstration projects will provide data on design, performance, and costs. Specific: The specific grants now active in this program include six projects aimed at separating soluble, colored organic wastes from their carrier liquid. Since these materials include non-biodegradable organics and inorganics, separation is effected by carbon, lime, resins, or ultrafiltration. Four projects are evaluating stripping procedures for removing volatile organic wastes while one project is recycling water and solar evaporate. The largest grant involves an actual process change to reduce pollutant production. Most of the program is aimed at process changes or separation systems to reduce pollutant discharge and allow water recycle or high quality discharge. Intramural Activities A review was given and funds assessed for a proposed project involving effluent treatment by channel aeration, employing injection for circulation and oxygenation. Extramural Activities "The production and use of activated carbons for water renovation in kraft pulp and paper mills." St. Regis Paper Company, Pensacola, Florida, 12040 EJU: (Final pilot plant runs being conducted.) "Minimizing the pollutional impact of kraft pulping through oxygen bleaching." The Chesapeake Corporation, Westpoint, Virginia, 800740: Project under construction. "U1trafi1tration processes for color removal from kraft mill effluents." U. S. Plywood-Champion Papers, Canton, North Carolina, 5800261: No information. Project Officer assigned outside Corvallis. 46 ------- "Color and mineral removal from kraft bleach wastes." Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, 12040 DBD: Resin efficiency analysis completed, final report being prepared. "Steam stripping of kraft pulp mill effluents." University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 12040 EXQ: Final report is being prepared. "Steam stripping and rectification of kraft pulp mill condensates and black liquor." Weyerhaeuser Company, Springfield, Oregon, 12040 FKS: Project temporarily suspended while company equipment is being started up. "Organic compounds in pulp mill lagoon discharge." University of Washington; Seattle, Washington: 12040 HPK: The first year of this waste characterization project is completed. One year remains. "A color removal and fibrous sludge disposal process for the Kraft paper industry." Continental Can Company, Hodge, Lousiana, 12040 DRY: No information. Project Officer assigned outside Corvallis "Color removal from pulp mill effluents by massive lime treatment." International Paper Company, Springhill, Lousiana, 12040 DYD: No information. Project Officer assigned outside Corvallis. "Chemical and physical nature of color bodies m kraft mill effluent before and after lime treatment." Institute of Paper Chemistry, Appleton, Wisconsin, 800853 and 12040 DKD: The first phase of this project is complete and the final report being prepared. "A test method for volatile component stripping of wastewater in cooling towers." University of Arkansas, Fayettevilie, Arkansas, 12040 HTR: This project has just been awarded and studies begun. DEMONSTRATION OF CLOSED LOOP WASTEWATER AND WATER SYSTEMS IN SULFITE PULP AND PAPER PRODUCTION—21 AKZ Approach General: The long term objective is to demonstrate the complete recycle and reuse of nonconsumptive water used in the sulfite segment of the pulp and paper industry. 47 ------- Specific: Until zero discharge is achieved, it will be necessary to improve existing wastewater discharges. The resulting new technology may be applied to either improving present wastewater systems or to in-plant unit process water treatment for reuse. The closed loop objective may be achieved by either treating the combined mill effluent to permit its recycle as mill influent, or by process modification with in-plant treatment for reuse, or a combination of both. The problem may also be eliminated by development of a new process to replace the existing sulfite processes. Of special concern are the high coliform bacteria counts that are characteristic of sulfite mill effluents. This problem merits special attention due to its public health implications. Intramural Activities Paper mill influence on bacterial quality: Preliminary cultural testing of Klebsiella pneumoniae has shown that those cultures isolated from pulp mill treatment systems are the same as J<. pneumoniae cultures obtained from the American Type Culture Collection or cultures obtained from infected hospital patients. The second phase on the taxomony of these various cultures has involved the comparison of the chemical make-up of the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA, genetic material) from these cultures. This technique has been used extensively to study how closely related various groups of bacteria are. This phase of the study is now complete and the results show that all of the Klebsiella cultures tested are the same regardless of the source or place of isolation. A third phase of this study will be a more precise comparison of the DNA's among the various groups using the DNA- DNA Homology technique. Suspended solids removal by mechanical means: Pilot testing of the microstrainer fitted with either 10, 42, or 100 micron screens at fixed head losses and drum speeds has been completed on raw wastewater, effluent from an aerated lagoon receiving primary settled waste, and the effluent from an aerated lagoon receiving raw wastewater with no primary treatment. Modifications are being made to the microstrainer that will enable the unit to run continuously with automatic drum speed adjustments made by head loss sensors. Sedimentation studies on the aerated lagoon effluent and microstrainer screenings are in progress. A stirring mechanism has been built for an eight foot tall, eight inch diameter settling column so that both settling and thickening may be evaluated. Imhoff cones and glass bottles are also being used for volumetric and gravimetric determination of settleable matter. 48 ------- Extramural Activities "Mercury recovery from sediments and sludges." Georgia-Pacific Corporation, Bellingham, Washington, 12040 HDU: Patent negotiations for the mercury removal process are in progress. "Studies of low molecular weight 1ignosulfonates." University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 12040 DEH: Research completed. Final report being prepared. "Treatment of sulfite evaporator condensates for recovery of volatile components." Institute of Paper Chemistry, Appleton, Wisconsin, 801207: Studies have begun on this new grant. "Pulping chemicals recovery and external waste treatment." EK0N0, Seattle, Washington, WA72-A186: Studies have begun on this recently funded project. "Coliform growth and control in aerated stabilization basins." Crown- Zellerbach Corporation, Lebanon, Oregon, 12040 GDQ: Full scale studies on effluent chlorination have begun. DEMONSTRATION OF CLOSED-LOOP INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER SYSTEM FOR MANUFACTURE OF NEUTRAL SULFITE PULP AND PAPER--21 ALA Approach General: Demonstration of complete recycle and reuse of nonconsumptive water used in the neutral sulfite pulp and paper industry is the ultimate objective. Specific: A recent project has shown that a large percentage of water can be recycled in this industry without expensive waste treatment. Another project demonstrated effective use of reverse osmosis on strong waste streams. The current project will apply the above mentioned technology to demonstrate zero discharge capability at a NSSC mill. Extramural Activities "Closed process water loop in NSSC pulp production." Green Bay Packaging, Inc., Green Bay, Wisconsin, 800520: Studies have begun on this new grant. 49 ------- DEMONSTRATION OF CLOSED LOOP INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER SYSTEMS IN PROCESSING OF DEINKED RECYCLED PAPER PRODUCTION-21 ALB Approach General: By deinking, cleaning, and reforming used fibers, paper can be recycled and eliminate much of the primary manufacture of paper from wood. By selecting sorted clean furnish and treating the process water for reuse in processing, a closed loop system can be effected for the water cycle. Specific: Firm effluent characteristics are difficult to determine because of the varied nature of the deinking process and the raw material employed. The specific materials that need to be separated from the water and paper include pigments, dyes, fillers, and groundwood fines. Although contaminants may include metals, organic materials, and toxins all substances will probably be chemically and physically removed from the carrier liquid. Extramural Activities A proposal was reviewed and changes suggested for a project on the treatment of deinking wastewater from the recycle of newprint. DEMONSTRATON OF CLOSED LOOP INDUSTRIAL WATER/WASTEWATER SYSTEMS IN THE PRODUCTION OF PAPER PRODUCTS —21 ALC Approach General: The ultimate objective in water pollution abatement in the paper products industry is the complete recycle and reuse of nonconsumpti water. Specific: Efforts to improve effluent quality will be necessary until the paper products industry is utilizing zero discharge technology. Dry forming is a promising alternative to the conventional production of paper products that may help achieve the ultimate goal of zero discharge. The planned program is split between work on dry forming and continuing efforts to develop closed loop technology for the existing paper product! processes. The present extramural program includes grants on Whitewater treatment and sludge utilization and disposal, and contracts on a waste study of the paper and allied products industry, and a state-of-art study of the pulp and paper inudstry. Extramural Activities "Pulp and paper mill sludge utilization and disposal." Crown Zellerbach Corporation, Camas, Washington, 12040 ESV: This four year project is in the final phase of study. 50 ------- "Treatment for flocculation and microscreemng of white water." Strathmore Paper Company, Turners Falls, Maine, 12040 FDE: Final report is being prepared. "Industrial waste study of the paper and allied products industry." State-of-Art Review of Pulp and Paper Industry, WAP0R0, Inc., Washington, D. C., 68-01-0022: Contract completed; report pending publication. DEMONSTRATION OF CLOSED LOOP INDUSTRIAL WATER/WASTEWATER SYSTEMS IN THE PRODUCTION OF PAPERBOARD PRODUCTS—21 ALD Approach General: The implementation of complete recycle and reuse of nonconsumptive water is the ultimate objective in water pollution abatement in the paperboard industry. Specific: The trend towards higher quality effluents will make it necessary to continue studying methods of improving discharge characteristics for as long as the discharge exists. Dry forming is a possible alternative to the conventional production of paperboard products that may help in achieving the general goal of zero discharge. One of the less water quality sensitive segments of this industry is represented in a current grant to an asphaltic impregnated roofing paper and combination shingle and paper reprocessing plant. Zero discharge is planned through reuse of 75 percent of the effluent with the balance being solar evaporated. Extramural Activities "Water reuse in a paper reprocessing plant." Big Chief Roofing, Ardmore, Oklahoma, 801206: This recently av/arded demonstration grant is in the early equipment installation and start-up phase. DEMONSTRATION OF CLOSED LOOP INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER SYSTEMS FOR WOOD PRODUCT PLANTS—21 ALO Approach General: Documentation of new or improved pollution abatement technology haying widespread industry application. These R&D projects should include data on design performance, operation and maintenance costs as well as the overall economic impact on the industry to implement such technology. Specific surveys of the subgroup industries should determine information on waste characteristics and practices as to l'nplant treatment 51 ------- Specific: The great diversity of processes in this category requires many different approaches for saw mills, veneer plants, plywood mills, hardboard, insulation board, chip board, and wood preserving industries. Some processes now work effectively as a dry process without the normal water use. Other plants require separate waste stream treatment and water reuse as well as waste product reuse. Some waste streams are easily treated by conventional methods while others require recycle or advanced processes to cope with such toxic wastes. Work has just begun on the environmental effect of discharge of such wastes. Intramural Activities Rotating disc treatment of hardboard wastewaters: This project was completed; both on site pilot plant and laboratory bioassays were finished during the quarter. Copies of the report, which was presented at the Forest Products Research Association's Annual Meeting, Dallas, Texas, were distributed upon request. In summary the process effectively removed the dissolved BOD, carbon, and toxicity while producing a very rapidly settling biomass. A proposed project covering the Western States Wood Preserving Industry was reviewed during the quarter. Extramural Activites "Treatment of wood preserving wastewater by chemical and biological methods." Koppers Company, Carbondale, Illinois, 12100 HIG: No information. Project Officer assigned outside Corvallis. "Influence of log rafting on water quality." Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 12100 EBG: Project is completed and the final report submitted. "Aerobic secondary treatment of plywood glue wastes." Klamath Plywood, Klamath Falls, Oregon, 12100 EZU: The final phase of this project has been delayed due to equipment fai1ure. DEVELOPMENT OF PRETREATMENT AND OPTIMIZED MUNICIPAL SYSTEMS TO PERMIT JOINT INDUSTRIAL/MUNICIPAL TREATMENT FOR FOOD, PAPER, AND OTHER INDUSTRIAL SOURCES —21 AJS (PE 1B2036) Approach General: Develop, demonstrate, and optimize to obtain the most effective and economical waste management, treatment, and control system which will permit the discharge and treatment of industrial wastewater into municipal sy terns. 52 ------- Specific: There exists adequate technology for treatment of joint wastewaters, however, there is a need of pretreatment and inplant controls to enable industry to discharge wastes "equivalent" to domestic wastes for joint treatment. Extramural Activities "Optimization of combined industrial-municipal waste treatment through automation and reuse." Miami Conservancy District, Franklin, Ohio, 12130 GER: The design of the process for this project has been completed and submitted for bids. "Treatment of combined sewage and NSSC pulp and paper mill wastes." Harriman Utility Board, Harriman, Tennessee, 11060 DBF: This project has been delayed but is near completion. GUIDELINES TO PREVENT OR CONTROL POLLUTION FROM FOREST AND LOGGING ACTIVITIES--21 AOL (PE 1B2039) Approach General: Reports are needed which clearly trace the nature of this pollution by quantitative identification and provide direct guidance for future EPA-sponsored control projects, and immediate implementation of known improved management practices by the industry. Specific: Former activities in this area centered on the ecological impact of logging practices on water quality due to various harvest methods and on road construction practice. Current efforts now are expanded to include the environmental effects of forest farming including fertilization with nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus as well as thinning programs. Intramural Activities "Forest Fertilization, a State-of-the-Art Review and escription of Environmental Effects," has been printed and distributed as EPA-R2-72-016 prepared by the Corvallis staff. A preliminary review was given for a proposed project on impacts of certain land uses on water quality. Extramural Activities "Fate of nitrogen fertilizers in forest soils: conversions, movement, and losses." Crown Zellerbach Corporation, Camas, Washington, 800915: The initial year of this grant project has commenced with emphasis on volatilization losses. 53 ------- DEMONSTRATION OF CLOSED LOOP INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER SYSTEMS IN FOOD AND KINDRED PRODUCTS PROCESSING OPERATIONS-MEAT PR0DUCTS--21 ALE This segment of the Program Element is assigned to the Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research Laboratory and the Southeast Environmental Research Laboratory. DEMONSTRATION OF CLOSED LOOP INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER SYSTEMS IN FOOD AND KINDRED PRODUCTS PROCESSING OPERATIONS-DAILY PR0DUCTS--21 ALF Approach The principal emphasis has been and continues to be the development and demonstration of technically and economically feasible methods of converting whey into by-products for use in human and animal foods. Approximately 25 billion pounds of whey are generated annually with about one-third of it currently being utilized. Extramural Activities "Development and demonstration of an ultrafi1tration plant for the abatement of pollution from cottage cheese whey." Crowley Foods, Inc., Binghamton, New York, 12060 DXF: Recover edible protein and lactose by ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis thereby reducing influent BOD by 99 percent. Perform operation, technical, and economic evaluation of both a 10,000 lb/day pilot plant and a 300,000 lb/day full-scale system. Pilot plant study completed and report and design made for full- scale plant. 300,000 lb/day full-scale plant was constructed and the demonstration period is scheduled for completion in December 1972. "Elimination of pollution by utilization of protein concentrates (dried whey) from milk residues of cheese making." Dairy Research and Development Corp., New York, New York, 12060 DEQ: Development of demonstration of a system for evaporating and spray drying cottage cheese whey. Demonstrate elimination of pollution from cottage cheese manufacturing by conversion of acid whey waste to a non-hygroscopic edible powder. Demonstrate utilization of powder for food purposes. Design and construction of full-scale concentration and drying equipment and operation adjustment period completed. Production and marketing evaluation should be completed by December 54 ------- "Vermont cheese industry pollution abatement project." Vermont Whey Pollution Abatement Authority, Montpelier, Vermont, 12130 ENE: Demonstrate a comprehensive program in the State of Vermont for conversion of cheese whey to non-hygroscopic edible powder. Design, construct, and operate a central whey drying plant that will handle 90 percent of the whey in the state of Vermont. Development and demonstration of the marketing of whey powder from the central drying plant. Applied research to develop better cheese plant housekeeping, better methods of cheese manufacturing to increase solids recovery, and methods of treatment of residual wastes from cheesemaking and central whey drying plant. Problems with subcontractor selection has delayed this project for almost three years. Detailed planning and final contractual arrangements are being completed, and design and construction of the central drying plant is expected in the next 18 months. "Kent Cheese Co.--waste treatment facility." Melrose Park, Illinois, 12060 EKQ: This grant is to demonstrate the effectiveness of aerated lagoons for treatment of cheese whey process rinse water. Detemine effectiveness of Helixor submerged aeration system by showing uniformity of dissolved oxygen, bottom velocities and sludge settling rate, and oxygen transfer rate in two aerobic lagoons in series. Determine BOD removal rate for this type of waste and determine the allowable loadings as a function of lagoon volume. Demonstration period was completed and a draft final report submitted. Changes are to be made in the final report and they should be completed in the near future. DEMONSTRATION OF CLOSED LOOP INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER SYSTEMS IN FOOD AND KINDRED PRODUCTS PROCESSING OPERATIONS-FRUIT, VEGETABLES, AND SEAFOOD PR0DUCTS--21 ALG Approach Federal R&D grant monies were first obligated to this segment of the food industry during FY 68. The objective of the first few grants sponsored under this industrial classification was the demonstration of secondary treatment. 55 ------- State-of-art grants were awarded subsequent to the secondary treatment demonstration grants. As a result of these state-of-art grants this grant program is currently emphasizing in-plant process modifications for the reduction of wastes. Developing low waste generating industrial processes is one of the first steps in "closing up" the water use practices of this industrial category. Future grants will continue to emphasize process modification and establishing water quality requirements for specific industrial processes. Establishment of water quality requirements will provide a base for setting up a systematic approach for the demonstrating of closed loop water patterns. Developing by-products from the waste generated by the segment of the food industry will also be the objective of future grants. Extramural Activities "Full scale demonstration and evaluation of potato dry and wet caustic peeling processes." Western Potato Service, Inc., Grand Forks, North Dakota, 12060 EIG: Three commerical scale low liquid waste "dry caustic" peelers have been installed in a potato processing plant at Grand Forks, North Dakota. Conventional caustic peelers, located at a Presque Isle, Maine, potato plant, will be studied as a control. For comparative purposes, equivalent primary waste treatment equipment has been installed at both processing plants. Specific grant objectives are 1) to determine total capital expenditures and operational and maintenance costs of the dry caustic process and the conventional caustic process. 2) To compare the quantity and quality of the waste generated by the two systems. 3) To compare the treatment efficiency of the silt removal systems and final clarifier and primary treatment systems at both plant locations. 4) To determine whether the dry caustic sludge would be accepted or rejected during cattle feeding operations. The grantee has been revising the first draft of the final report during the past quarter. "Low water volume enzyme deactivation of vegetables before preservation. National Canners Association, Berkeley, California, 12060 PAV: The objectives of this grant are to develop and evaluate two low waste generating, vegetable blanching systems (microwave and hot-gas). These low waste blanchers will be evaluated by comparing them to models of two current commerical blanchers (hot-water and steam). Comparisons will be made on wastewater volumes and strengths generated during blanching of seven different vegetables. The seven vegetables utilized during this grant will be corn, peas, green beans, beets, pumpkin, spinach, and asparagus. 56 ------- Subsequent to blanching, all seven vegetable commodities will be canned, retorted, and stored. Product quality will be evaluated, on all vegetable commodities at the end of a six month storage period. Quality evaluation include vitamin and mineral analyses, organoleptic rankings, and USDA product quality grading. Based on these, quality evaluation comparisons will be made between final product quality and blanching method. The first draft of the final report was received during this quarter. This report was reviewed and returned to the grantee for revision. "Dry caustic peeling of clingstone peaches on a commerical scale." Del Monte Corp., San Jose, California, 12060 HFY: A commercial scale (15 tons/hour) low liquid waste peeler, "dry caustic" peeler, will be demonstrated for peeling Clingstone peaches. Comparisons will be made between the dry caustic peeler and the current commercial "wet caustic" peeling process. Comparisons will include water use, wastewater characteristics, product yield and process economics. During the past quarter the grantee has been revising the first draft of the final report. According to the grantee the revised report draft was to have been resubmitted for review in September. To date the revised report has not been received. "Water and waste management in sweet potato processing." Tabor City Foods, Inc., Tabor City, North Carolina, 12060 FRW: The purpose of this grant is to demonstrate, via in-plant changes in processing equipment and operating procedures, the effective in-plant control of both water use and waste discharge. This grant will further demonstrate pretreatment of the liquid waste stream from a sweet potato processing plant. In summary the grant encompasses waste abatement and water reuse throughout the plant, from water intake through pretreatment. The specific objectives are: (a) Install and/or modify a dry caustic peeling process and demonstrate its operation for water and waste reduction. (b) Install and demonstrate pretreatment and conditioning of wastewaters in the reduction of waste loads. (c) Determine the economic implications of the water and waste reduction techniques demonstrated. (d) Formulate guides for the management of water and water- borne wastes and the pretreatment of liquid wastes. 57 ------- The grantee's processing plant was destroyed by fire in April 1972. All grant work was halted, as of July 1, until the plant is restored. As of this report the grantee has made little progress in rebuilding the processing facility; in fact, the grantee is still attempting to acquire an EDA loan. "Seafoods processing wastewater characterization." Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 12060 HUQ: The primary objective of this grant is to develop waste profiles on the Pacific Northwest Seafood Processing Industry. A total of six processing plants will be monitored. This study will include characterization of tuna, bottom fish, crab, clams, shrimp, salmon wastes, and by-products. Waste profiles will include, but not be limited to: flow, temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, total solids, dissolved solids, volatile solids, settleable solids, suspended solids, chemical oxygen demand, 5-day biochemical oxygen demand, ultimate biochemical oxygen demand, oil, grease, and complete nitrogen and phosphorus analysi s. During the past quarter shrimp, clams, tuna, salmon and by-products processing lines were monitored. Currently wastewater data have been collected on all seven of the above-mentioned seafood products. "Continuous hot gas blanching of vegetables." National Canners Assoc., Berkeley, California, 800250: The primary objective of this grant is to demonstrate the technical and economic feasibility of the hot gas blanching process in the vegetable preserving industry for reducing a major source of pollution. Continuous hot gas blanching runs will be conducted on five vegetable commodities (spinach, corn, peas, green beans and beets). Five separate 8 hour continuous runs, per vegetable commodity, will be conducted after preliminary short runs to determine optimum process variables. Hot gas and commercial blancher effluents will be monitored and waste- water quality will be evaluated. Final canned product quality, after storage, will be evaluated on the basis of vitamin and mineral content, and consumer taste evaluations. 58 ------- During the past three months (July, August, and September) continuous hot gas blanching studies were conducted on corn, green beans, and beets. All five 8 hour runs were conducted on the corn and green beans. Due to problems in developing adequate process operating conditions the continuous runs on beets were not initiated until late in the beet processing season. It now appears that 8 hour continuous runs of hot gas beet blanching will not be possible; however, it is hoped that a total of 40 hours of hot gas beet blanching will be conducted by the end of this beet processing season. Blancher effluent samples were collected and evaluated on the commerical and hot gas blanchers during corn, green bean, and beet blanching. "Shrimp canning waste treatment study." American Shrimp Canners Assoc., New Orleans, Louisiana, 800904: The general objectives of this grant are to conduct a study, on a pilot scale, of wastewater treatment for the Gulf Coast shrimp processing industry. Within this general objective there are the following specific objectives: (a) Monitor and characterize the wastewater from a shrimp canning plant. (b) Evaluate and recommend changes in the canning process to minimize water usage. (c) Perform pilot scale studies on typical shrimp canning wastes in order to develop specific design and operational criteria for selected treatment methods. (d) Detemine the economics of various alternative procedures to capture and dispose of the solid wastes. Monitoring of process wastewater stream continued throughout the past quarter. "Evaluation of a new blanching process (IQB) for wastewater abatement in canning vegetables." University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, 801484: This grant is evaluating a low water volume blanching process in the canning of vegetables called the Individual Quick Blanch (IQB). Several varieties of vegetables (peas, corn, green beans, lima beans, carrots, potatoes, and beets), including different species of the same vegetables, will be blanched using IQB and cominerical steam and hot water blanching systems. Blancher effluent volume and various water quality parameters will be analyzed for each blanching made. 59 ------- Quality of the blanched commodities will be evaluated after storage by objective and subjective tests. Design recommendations for a full-scale IQB unit will result if process expectations are fulfilled. Blanching studies were conducted on peas and corn during the past quarter. Wastewater samples were collected during the blanching studies. Water quality tests were performed on the blancher effluent. Monitoring of the commerical blancher was also initiated during this report period. DEMONSTRATION OF CLOSED LOOP INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER SYSTEMS IN FOOD AND KINDRED PRODUCTS PROCESSING OPERATIONS-GRAIN MILLING INDUSTRY--21 ALH Aproach The principal emphasis has been the development of new or improved pollution abatement technology having industry-wide application. Extramural Activities "Treatment of wastes from the wet-milling industry." Corn Products Company International, Pekin, Illinois, 12060 DPE: Investigations will develop design data in addition to technical and economic evaluations. Difficulties have been experienced in indentifying optimum operating performance. A request has been received for an extension of the grant period in order to provide additional data. DEMONSTRATION OF CLOSED LOOP INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER SYSTEMS IN FOOD AND KINDRED PROCESSING OPERATIONS—BAKERY PRODUCTS-21 ALI Approach Past work in this area has been a state-of-the-art study. Emphasis in the future will be on demonstration grants to show effectiveness of in-plant changes, by-product recovery, and water conservation and reuse. Extramural Activities "Acid emulsion breaking-activated sludge for bakery waste." Ebinger Baking Co., Brooklyn, New York, 12060 FJK: Development and demonstration of acid emulsion breaking pretreatment, activated sludge secondary treatment, and multimedia filtration effluent polishing suitable for subsurface injection disposal. Treatment of 80,000 gpd effluent from a sweet-goods bakery was to be demonstrated. 60 ------- Develop, design, construct, operate, and evaluate waste treatment plant. Make technical and operation data available for use by others in the industry. This grantee is in receivership and the project probably will not continue in the present form. DEMONSTRATION OF CLOSED LOOP INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER SYSTEMS IN FOOD AND KINDRED PRODUCTS PROCESSING OPERATIONS-SUGAR PR0DUCTS--21 ALJ Approach Waste treatment demonstration grants were initiated under this industrial classification in FY 68. Closed loop recycle of sugar beet fluming waters was the objective of the first few grants awarded in this segment of the food industry. State-of-art papers were then funded to obtain an overview of the waste problems associated with the processing of sugar. As a result, current grant objectives deal with developing new low wastes generating unit processes, and resolving problems associated with flume mud dewatering and disposal. Future grants will tackle problems concerning the reuse of condenser blowdown, and then utilization of processing wastes. Extramural Activities "Separation, Dewatering and Disposal of Sugarbeet Transport Water Solids." America Crystal Sugar Corp., Crookston, Minnesota, 12060 ESC: This study is divided into two phases. Phase I was a pilot scale and laboratory study during which time the optimum clarification environment will be determined. If phase I is found to be an economical method of dewatering solids from the transport wastewater, Phase II will be initiated. Phase II will consist of the design, construction, and operation of a full- scale solids dewatering system (vacuum filtration). The full-scale facility will be operated for one processing season so as to establish a good data base for industry-wide recommendations. Revision of the first draft of the Phase I final report was under- taken by the grantee during the past quarter. Planning for initiating Phase II was also undertaken during this report period. "Ecostatic cane processing system-pilot phase." County of Hawaii, Hilo, Hawaii, 801221: 61 ------- The objectve of this grant is to develop on a pilot scale, an economical system which will eliminate liquid-borne wastes from sugar cane processing plants. This system will incorporate a harvest cleaner system, a dry cleaner soil remover, a juice wet cleaner, a trash dry cleaner, a recycled water cleaner, and a stabilized slope disposal system. All fibrous solid wastes including leaf and bagasse will ultimately be used in low emission boilers for electric power generation. The harvester cleaner system was tested during the past quarter. Construction of the trash dry cleaner was initiated. Tube settler studies on clarifying mill wastewater was begun. DEMONSTRATION OF CLOSED LOOP INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER SYSTEMS IN FOOD AND KINDRED PRODUCTS PROCESSING OPERATIONS-CONFECTIONERY PRODUCTS—21 ALK Approach To date no federal grant monies have been spent or earmarked for this industrial sub-classification. Two reasons for the above action or inaction are: a) the limited extent of federal funds available for the industrial waste R&D program, and b) the significance of this industrial sub-classification's waste problems when referenced to other segments of the food industry. DEMONSTRATION OF CLOSED LOOP INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER SYSTEMS IN FOOD AND KINDRED PRODUCTS PROCESSING OPERATIONS-BEVERAGE INDUSTRY—21 ALL Approach Emphasis to date has been the development and demonstration of technically and economically feasible methods of waste stabilization and/or bio-products development. "Winery Wastewater-characterization and treatment." Widmers Wine Cellars, Inc., Naples, New York, 12060 EUZ: Project objectives include characterization of winery wastewater and documentation of the extended aeration process for treating winery wastewater. This project is in its final data collection phase which will conclude with winter operation. "Activated Sludge-Bio Disc Treatment of Distillery Wastes." The American Distilling Co., Pekin, Illinois, 12060 FLL: Investigations involve comparative operating and economic evaluations of the two biological treatment processes. Data collection will continue through December 1972. 62 ------- "State-of-the-art study of water pollution control from the beverage industry." Environmental Research and Applications, Inc., Wilton, Connecticut, 12060 FTC: Objectives of this study were to investigate the impact on water pollution by the Beverage Industry and to estimate the capital, operating, and manpower requirements to meet state water quality regulations. The final report is being revised. "Submerged combustion evaporation system for concentration of brewery spent grain liquors." Anheuser-Busch, Inc., St. Louis, Missouri, 12060 HCW: The primary objective of this project is to demonstrate the feasibility of concentrating spent grain liquors. In addition to eliminating a significant wastewater source the system will provide a saleable by-product. Data collection is still underway. "Pilot Scale Treatment of Wine Stillage." California Department of Agriculture, San Francisco, California, 12060 HPC: Objectives require both aerobic and anaerobic pilot plant scale studies to determine design and cost data for the treatment of brandy stillage. Laboratory investigations will continue following the on-site crushing season data collection. "Rum distillery waste treatment by anaerobic digestion," Bacardi Corp., San Jaun, Puerto Rico, 800935 (12060 HRU): Project objectives include the operation of a pilot plant to anaerobically treat distillery wastes. This operation will produce preliminary design information for plant scale construction. Pilot plant construction is underway. DEMONSTRATION OF CLOSED LOOP INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER SYSTEMS IN FOOD AND KINDRED PRODUCTS PROCESSING OPERATIONS-MISCELLANEOUS FOOD PREPARATION INDUSTRY—21 ALM Approach Emphasis to date has been devoted to by-product development and/or pollution abatement. 63 ------- "Membrane separation of soybean whey for product recovery and waste treatment." Central Soya Co., Chicago, Illinois, 12060 FUR: Pilot scale membrane separation followed by evaporation will be used to establish scale-up design factors and the economic feasibility of a commercial scale soybean whey facility. Final report preparation is underway. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO OTHER EPA OPERATIONS Approach General: Technical assistance is given upon request by other EPA programs to Regions, States, and Headquarters for personal services of information and consultation, review, surveys, and short term research projects. Specific: The type of assistance rendered involves a) effluent guidelines b) industrial waste effects on water quality c} efficiency and feasibility of external and m-plant processes for pollution abatement. Intramural Activities Effect of log driving and kraft mill effluent on St. Croix River, Woodland, Maine. This assistance involved a river survey and a short term laboratory study on bark and its leachates, and bottom sediment samples. Current activities include assistance in preparation of the technical aspects of this Region I enforcement case against Georgia Pacific. Technical considerations of the Kennebec River log drive operations, Maine. Although this Region I enforcement action has been in litigation for over a year our assistance was renewed and during the quarter an affidavit was prepared. Technical considerations on removal of the International Paper Company sludge deposits, Lake Champlain, New York. During the life of the suit between Vermont and New York we have given assistance on the physical and chemical aspects of aging or removing this sludge bed. With a hearing of this case by the U. S. Supreme Court we have again assisted in determining EPA's technical position as to the affect of the deposit and its removal on the lake. Consultation on Institute of Paper Chemistry Program for sulfite mill water system close-up. 64 ------- On a current project the IPC has applied to the RANN group within the National Science Foundation for financial assistance. Since our program does not have similar funds, assistance has been given to help accomplish this high prion ty project through NSF backing. Patent application for mercury removal from sludge. Considerable effort has been extended to assist a grantee- Georgia Pacific and Office of General Counsel in determining patent ri ghts, EFFLUENT LIMITATION GUIDELINES Several man-days were devoted to reviewing "Effluent limitation guidelines" and forwarding comments to the Refuse Act Permit Programs. Staff personnel accompanied the Region IX Enforcement Division Director to Hawaii and participated in discussions on effluent limitations for the cane sugar processing industry. Met with personnel of the S&A Division in Region IX regional office and discussed the problem and possible corrective actions relative to a highly over- loaded stabilization pond installation used for domestic waste in Hawai i. PRESENTATION, REPORTS, AND TRIPS 1. Mr. Taylor attended a one-week training course on "Control of Gaseous Emissions" and a one-week course on "Control of Particulate Emissions." He also visited American Distilling Co. Grant (12060 FLL) site. 2. Mr. Cochrane attended a meeting on the State of Vermont's Grant 12130 ENF. 3. Mr. Dostal met with personnel from the National Marine Fisheries Service and visited the grant site of 12060 HUD "Seafoods Processing Wastewater Characterization" in Astoria, Oregon. In addition he visited the City of Grand Fork's grant site and met with University of North Dakota personnel who are monitoring the project. 4. Mr. Cochrane met with Headquarters staff regarding State of Vermont whey pollution grant. 5. Mr. Dostal provided technical assistance to Region IX personnel regarding proposed grant to County of Hawaii (801221). 6. Mr. Dostal met with Region IX personnel in San Francisco. 65 ------- 7. Mr. Scott attended TAPPI Program Conmittee Meeting in Atlanta, GA; attended Southeast Regional Meeting of NCASI; and provided technical assistance to Region IV staff on demonstration projects. 8. Mr. Taylor attended a training course at Office of Air Programs, Institute for Air Pollution Training, Seattle, WA. 9. Mr. Thompson attended Physicochemical Processes for Industrial and Municipal Water Pollution Control course at Unversity of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI. 10. Dr. Willard attended a meeting at Occidental Petroleum Company in La Verne, CA, to provide technical assistance to Headquarters. 11. Dr. Willard provided technical assistance to Region I on the St. Croix River/Woodland, Maine Georgia-Pacific enforcement case in Calais, ME. 66 ------- CONSOLIDATED LABORATORY SERVICES GENERAL FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT Consolidated Laboratory Services is organized to provide routine chemical, biological, microbiological and specialized computer services to all the research programs located at Pacific Northwest Environmental Research Laboratory. The general criteria concerning services to be performed in the realm of analytical chemical, microbiological, and biological work involve the use of standardized me thodology. Functionally, the CLS consists of three sections: (1) Chemistry and Microbiology (2) Biology, and (3) Computer Services. The Chemistry and Microbiology section provides service in the following eight areas: (1) automated analyses, (2) demand analyses, (3) mineral analyses, (4) colorimetric metals, (5) colorimetric non-metals, (6) atomic absorption, (7) Kjeldahl nitrogen, and (8) special problem analyses. The Computer Services section provides: (1) data processing, (2) computer programming, (3) statistical support, and (4) CLS data flow. The Biology section provides services in the three areas of: (1) algal taxonomy, (2) benthic-macroinvertebrate identification, and (3) acute toxicity bioassays. CLS makes extensive use of automated systems including computers to schedule analyses, provide bench sheets, provide data to project leaders, monitor intralaboratory quality control, monitor turnaround, provide weekly production information, inform the manager of the backlog, and develop cost estimates. A close working relationship is maintained with individual investigators. Quality control is the most important asset of data produced by CLS. To assure quality, all analytical results are routinely monitored. All standard curves are prepared using the least square fit. An intrasample comparison technique is used to check the reliability of data. Replicates and replicate spike analyses are routinely performed. The automated system chooses the sample for replicate and replicate spike analysis to avoid human bias. Quality control charts are provided on request for a period of study. Because of a strong dependence on instrumentation and an extensive use of specialized glassware. CLS has within its organization the capability to maintain electronic equipment and for glassblowing. The electronic/glassblowing technician responds primarily to CLS needs but is and has been used by other programs in specialized cases. 67 ------- CLS also provides technical assistance to all programs at the PNERL and NERC-Corvallis on chemical methodology, specialized biological methodology, and automated data processing. PERSONNEL Daniel F. Krawczyk Vicki Sanville Biology Gerald S. Schuytema Section Chief Chemistry and Microbiology Chief Clerk - DMT Fredrick A. Roberts Wi Hi am L . Gri ffi s Kenneth J. Harris Joel K. McCrady Thomas C. Wiley Linda M. Burnett Christopher H. Greenup John J. O'Donnell Thomas E. Hamlin Ronald E. Glessner Samuel J. Pengelly Robert E. Alt Marshall W. Allen John N. Koch Fred C. Herinckx Brian Pautz Tom Averett* Rod Cardosa* John N. Jacobson Section Chief Chemi st Chemist Chemist Chemi st Chemi st Physical Science Physical Science Physical Science Physical Science Physical Science Physical Science Physical Science Physical Science Physical Science Physical Science Physical Science Laboratory Aid,l Electronics Tech Techm ci an Techni ci an Techni ci an Techni ci an Techni ci an ,16 hrs/wk Ai d Aid,32 hrs/wk Aid, 10 hrs/wk Ai d, 18 hrs/wk Aid, 16 hrs/wk Aid, 15 hrs/wk 5 hrs/wk nician - Glassblowing Computer Services Kenneth V. Byram Judy K. Burton Jean E. Fernald Benneth J. Reding Jeffery L. Hyre Section Chief Chemist Card Punch Operator Computer Aid, 12 hrs/wk Computer Aid Trainee,16 hrs/wk ~Work Study 68 ------- PNERL PROGRAM ELEMENT SUPPORT National Coastal Pollution Research Program: For the analysis of mercury, a cold digestion technique was compared with a new vigorous digestion technique. Considerable effort has been devoted to support technical assistance by NCPRP to the Lake Superior enforcement action. Routine computer assistance has been provided to various groups within the program. National Eutrophication Research Program: The samples from Shagawa Lake project continue to be a major source of input into CLS. Samples from NERP's diffuse nutrient studies have caused analytical problems. The problem is mainly a silica interference in the phosphorus analysis. National Waste Treatment Research Program: Chemical assistance was provided to technical assistance activities in support of grants, regional requests, and of possible enforcement actions. The biology section provided a major support role in conducting toxicity bioassay with daphnia as a test organism. National Eutrophication Survey Program: This quarter was used to organize systems to handle a large influx of samples. There is evolving a completely automated system of sample handling and analyses. The system incorporates the Technicon Automated Analtyical Systems and computer programs developed to program samples, standards, and analytical quality control. Once a sample is scheduled for analysis, the analyst must conform to a planned routine. All computations are made by the computer. Any deviations from prograrrmed limits on samples and standards are rejected by the computer and re- scheduled for analysis. The system while sophisticated allows six, simultaneous analyses to be performed on one sample at one time. A major effort in time and resources has been provided to write programs and test approaches by the chemical section and the computer section. Training, orientation, and modeling of operation consumed a large amount of manpower. The computer section has felt the greatest impact in time and resources since it had to design and produce forms, program SHAVES - STORET interface, and produce an effective Technicon program. National Thermal Pollution Research Program: The computer section provided 200 manhours of routine assistance in development and testing of models. 69 ------- OTHER AREAS OF SUPPORT Western Fish Toxicology Station: General analytical support was given in chemical analysis of water. Some efforts were directed to cross checking between gas chromatographic and "Saturometer" measurements of gases dissolved in water. NUMBER OF ANALYSES FOR QUARTER Program Chemical Samples Chemi cal Tests Bi ology Samples NCPRP 363 1003 - NERP 890 6102 140 NESP 689 7496 - NWTRP 524 1821 12 WFTS 58 258 - Total Research 2524 16,680 152 Grand Total 2676 Samples 16,680 Tests PRESENTATIONS, REPORTS, AND TRIPS A technical paper entitled "The Use of a Management System in Operating an Analytical Chemical Laboratory" was submitted and accepted for publication by the American Laboratory. The article "Tracing Oil as a Pollutant" has been condensed and is being considered for publication by the Journal of Petroleum Technology. Assistance by Sam Pengelly was provided to NERC-Las Vegas field groups working on the NESP lake sampling program. A fluorometric chlorophyll procedure which includes a calibration technique was provided to the NERC-Las Vegas NESP field group. A training session with formal presentations was given to Ms. Lourdes Atento from Guam at the request of Regional Admimstrator in Region IX. The Chief of CLS reviewed the Region IX laboratory operations with the Chief of the Surveillance and Analysis Division in Region IX. The Chief of CLS attended the Regional Coordinators AQC meeting representing NERC-Corval1 is. 70 ------- Presentations on CLS operations were made to the Midwest Research Institute visitors, the special projects staff from Washington, 0. C., Weyerhaeuser Corporation representatives, and people from the U.S. Corps of Engi neers. 71 ------- |