QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT PACIFIC NORTHWEST WATER LABORATORY CORVALLIS, OREGON OCTOBER 1 —DECEMBER 31,1971 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH CENTER 200 S.W. 35th STREET CORVALLIS, OREGON 97330 ^"tXEA^ ------- NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH CENTER QUARTERLY REPORT October 1 through December 31, 1971 Environmental Protection Agency 200 S. W. 35th Street Corvallis, Oregon 97330 January 1972 ------- CONTENTS NATIONAL THERMAL POLLUTION RESEARCH PROGRAM 1 NATIONAL COASTAL POLLUTION RESEARCH PROGRAM 9 NATIONAL EUTROPHICATION RESEARCH PROGRAM 16 NATIONAL WASTE TREATMENT RESEARCH PROGRAM 24 CONSOLIDATED LABORATORY SERVICES PROGRAM 36 ------- NATIONAL THERMAL POLLUTION RESEARCH PROGRAM PPB 1613 Status of Projects and Significant Accomplishments Work Plan ZBA: Improvement in Evaporative Cooling Methods Cooling Methods Dr. Garton has completed inhouse research on toxicity of cooling tower blowdown and is preparing a paper for presentation to the American Institute of Chemical Engineers in Dallas, Texas, on February 21, 1972. Results of bioassays indicate that chromate had no lethal effect on juvenile steel head trout in 96 hours at 31 mg/1 CrO^, but algal productivity (Selenastrum capricornutum Printz) was decreased at a concentration of 0.14 mg/1 CrO^. Zinc was toxic to algae at 0.08 mg/1 Zn; the 96-hour LC50 to juvenile steel head was 0.09 mg/1 Zn. It should be emphasized that the concentration which kills 50 percent of the fish in 96 hours is much too high for constant exposure if the fishery is to survive. And, although zinc and chromate were the primary toxicants in the blowdown tested, there are many other potentially harmful constituents in blowdown still to be examined. Work Plan ZFD: Heat Transport and Behavior in Large Hydrologic Systems Preliminary plans were discussed with personnel of the National Water Quality Laboratory, Duluth, Minnesota, for cooperative research on the energy budget using the experimental channels to be constructed ------- at Northern States Power Company's Monticello Nuclear Power Plant. NTPRP will participate in the initial channel operation, i.e., shake- down, by providing appropriate consultation and instruments for meteo- rological measurements. Meteorological data were supplied Environmental Systems Laboratory Inc., for use in their new research contract on the stochastic nature of equilibrium temperatures. Alden Christianson attended the Combined 2nd Annual Thermal Power Conference and 8th Biennial Hydraulics Conference, Pullman, Washington, October 5-8, 1971. Bruce Tichenor attended the annual Water Pollution Control Federation Conference, San Francisco, October 3-7, 1971. Work Plan ZFC: Heat Transport and Behavior in the Mixing Zone Work on a comprehensive workbook on mixing zone problems, initiated last summer, is continuing. The objective is to compile results of in- house, grant, contract, and outside sources into computer programs and readily usable charts for the prediction of plume trajectory and tempera- ture for cooling water discharges. The book will be published in two parts; the first part will be devoted to submerged outfalls and the second part to surface discharges. The first part is nearly complete. All charts and correlation plots have been completed. Preparation of the last section in the report is in progress. It contains an extensive set of worked-out examples demon- strating the use of the nomograms in the report. 2 ------- Work Plan ZFJ: Beneficial Uses of Waste Heat Mr. Rainwater attended the National Conference on Waste Heat Utilization, sponsored by the Electric Power Council on the Environ- ment with the assistance of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, October 27-29, 1971. Grant and Contract Research Work Plan ZFD: Heat Transport and Behavior in Large Hydrologic Systems A contract was awarded to Environmental Systems Laboratory, Inc., for a "Study for the Stochastic Calculation of Water Equilibrium Tempera- ture," 16130 GSD. "Controlling Thermal Pollution in Small Streams," Oregon State University, 16130 FOK, is continuing. "Heat and Water Vapor Exchange between Water Surface and Atmosphere," Cornell University, 16130 DIP, is continuing. Work Plan ZFC: Heat Transport and Behavior in the Mixing Zone A proposal received from Oregon State University, Dr. Lorin Davis, on "Thermal Diffuser Performance," was reviewed by NTPRP. Suggestions for revision were made and information for formal submittal to GAD supplied. Grants continuing: 1. Oregon State University, 16130 DGM, "Thermal Plume Dispersion. 2. Vanderbilt University, 16130 FDQ, "Project for Concentrated Research and Training in the Hydrologic and Hydraulic Aspects of Water Pollution Control." 3. St. Anthony Falls Hydraulic Laboratory, 16130 FSU, "Mixing and Dispersion at a Warm Water Outlet." See Work Plan ZFC, Status of Projects. 3 ------- Work Plan ZFJ: Beneficial Uses of Waste Heat The Eugene Water and Electric Board's "Thermal Water Demonstration Project," 16130 EIK, is continuing. A two-acre plot has been developed for studying effects of underground soil heating. Economics are being stressed in all phases of the project. Grant requirements and related information has been provided to Northern States Power Company, which is in the preliminary stages of planning a project for waste heat use in greenhouses. Work Plan ZFF: Engineering and Cost Aspects of Heat Dissipation Environmental Systems Corporation has submitted a proposal, "Salt Water, Mechanical Draft Cooling Tower Drift Performance and Atmospheric Transport." This is a supplement to their grant 16130 GNK, "Quantitative Measurement and Continuous On-Line Monitoring of Drift from Salt or Brackish Water Cooling Towers." "Analysis of Engineering Alternatives for Environmental Protection from Thermal Discharges," 16130 FLM, Washington State University has been continued. "Turbulent Bed Cooling Tower," Purdue University, 16130 EMQ is conti nuing. Consulting Services Work Plan ZFL: Consultation and Advisory Services 1. Activities within the National Thermal Pollution Research Program during the quarter were directed primarily to (1) review 4 ------- of Environmental Impact Statements and (2) consultation re the Houston Lighting and Power case. Dr. Greenfield directed the participation of the Thermal Program in preparation of testimony and other materials relative to the HL&P suit. Staff of NTPRP met with legal and technical personnel from Headquarters and Regional Office, Region VI, regarding the case. 2. Interrelationships between the goals and activities of the Thermal Pollution Research Program and those of several of the research groups at NERC, Research Triangle Park, were investigated, in depth, to promote effectively our common objectives. Specific i items of concern include: a. Potential meteorological effects of cooling devices. b. Distribution of background (ambient) chloride levels for evaluation of environmental impact of salt water drift from cooling towers and sprays. c. Potential water pollution problems resulting from air pollution control techniques at fossi1-fueled power plants. 3. Mr. Rainwater attended a meeting in Washington, D. C., November 8, 1971, to set up the framework for implementing the research required by the Final Judgment in the case of the U. S. vs Florida Power and Light. On November 11, recommendations for research, FP&L, mechanical cooling devices, were forwarded to Director, Technology Division, EPA, Washington. 4. Technical assistance was provided Region I on Cooling System for Northeast Electric Power Companies, Brayton Point, Massachusetts, plant. 5 ------- 5. Information and suggestions on formulating potential R&D programs under Section 15 of The Act were sent to Director, Grosse lie Laboratory. 6. Mr. Christianson attended an Electric Power Generation Seminar, Refuse Act Permit Program, December 15-16, 1971. Purpose of this meeting was to discuss and formulate an approach for thermal and rad discharges. 7. Dr. Tichenor provided Office of Technical Analysis with a statement on economics of backfitting thermal power plants with recirculating cooling systems. 8. A statement on thermal pollution from electric power production was furnished the Implementation Research Director, OR&M, EPA Headquarters. 9. Mr. Rainwater attended the Federal Interagency Coordination Meeting, Water Quality Research Activities, U. S. Army Engineers Waterways Experiment Station, November 2-3, 1971, Vicksburg, Mississippi. Reports, Papers, and Presentations 1. Final report on the USGS-EPA cooperative study, "Basic Data Report on the Turbulent Spread of Heat and Matter," August 1971, was received and distributed. 2. "Biological Effects of Cooling Tower Blowdown," by Dr. Garton, to be presented at the 71st National Meeting of the American Institute o Chemical Engineers, Dallas, Texas, 21 February 1972. 3. "Effect of Ambient Turbulence on Thermal Outfall Behavior, Dr. Shirazi, accepted for presentation by Heat Transfer Institute, June 1972, San Diego, California. 6 ------- 4. Workbook on Thermal Plume Prediction, Vol. 1, Submerged Outfalls, Shirazi and Davis, in preparation. 5. "Turbulent Spread of Heated Plume in a Co-Flowing Stream, by Shirazi, McQuivey, and Keefer, USGS-EPA cooperative report, in preparation. 6. Revised report covering the Steam Generation-Power Industry which was contracted to Freeman Laboratories, Inc., was transmitted to Headquarters by Alden Christianson, Project Officer. Final revision, printing and limited distribution will be handled by Water Quality Office, Industrial Waste Studies Program. 7. Final report on grant 16130 GNK, Environmental Systems Corp., "Development and Demonstration of Low-Level Drift Instrumentation," submitted for publication in Water Pollution Control Research Series, is at press. 8. Received 1970 Annual Report on grant 16130 EIK, Eugene Water and Electric Board, "Thermal Water Demonstration Project." Plans for Third Quarter, FY 1972 Work Plan ZFL: Consultation and Advisory Services 1. Review of environmental impact statements., continuing. 2. Involvement in Houston Lighting and Power case, continuing. 3. Plan and initiate effort to complete requirements for Industrial Waste Studies; i.e., obtain economic data and supplement technical data, for Steam Generation-Power Industry, as specified in proposed Federal legislation. 7 ------- Work Plan ZFC: Heat Transport and Behavior in Mixing Zone Plans have been made for providing experimental data to check analytical models. A towing channel designed for this purpose is nearly completed. Work Plan ZBA: Improvement in Evaporative Cooling Methods Presentation of paper by Dr. Garton at 71st National Meeting of American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Dallas, Texas, Feb. 1972. Presentation of paper by Mr. Rainwater at annual meeting of Cooling Tower Institute, New Orleans, January 1972. 8 ------- NATIONAL COASTAL POLLUTION RESEARCH PROGRAM PPB 1607 Status of Projects and Significant Accomplishments Work Plan DBH: Estuarine and Ocean Outfalls Selection of Safe Sites for Discharge. Work continued on the evaluation of two-dimensional numerical models of the nearshore zone. The problem of specifying the boundary conditions on the three open boundaries of a coastal model was pursued. The effect of varying the angle of the incident tide wave on computed velocities was examined. A preliminary report on the findings, as well as other information, was prepared for investigators in the I DOE (International Decade Oceans Exploration) - NSF-sponsored Coastal Upwelling Experiment (see previous quarterly report). Work Plan ZAH: PCB, Biocides, and Other Persistent Organic Compound Distributions and Fates in Coastal Waters The past quarter was used to set up and test a trace organics laboratory. Some problems were encountered with analytical procedures and equipment. For example, serious interference due to large amounts of sulfur found in coastal sediment and water samples impeded the proper use of analytical instrumentation. Cleanup procedures for the removal of this sulfur are being evaluated. We are awaiting the arrival of tritium foils necessary for the operation of electron capture (E.C.) detectors. Use of E.C. instead of flame ionization detectors will increase the sensitivity of the gas chromatograph such that detection of chlorinated hydrocarbons in +12 concentration of parts per 10 will be possible. ------- Work Plan XAA: Barge Dump Disposal of Wastes in Ocean and Disposal Waters Work on neutron activation analysis of sludge and Puget Sound sediments was temporarily halted while our borrowed facilities were utilized for taconite studies. However, one set of Puget Sound sediments was examined for possible noxious element (Hg, Se, As) content in possible relation to oxygen demand. No relation can be stated as yet. The Polarographic system delivered in the previous quarter was assembled and used to quantitiate Cu, Pb, Cd, and Zn in sea water. While good data can be obtained and though the procedures may not be adequate for normal sea water because of concentration limitations in coastal waters subject to pollution input of trace metals, it will be useful. This work proceeds slowly because of manpower 1i mitations. Work Plan ZAI: Mercury, Cadmium, Arsenic, and Other Heavy Meta Distributions and Fates in Coastal Waters Continuous flow tests have been run to determine mercury uptake in the gills and muscles of Dungeness crab (Cancer magister), using non-labeled HgCl at mercury concentrations of approximately 3.5, 0.8, 0.4, 0.15, and 0.04 mg/1. Tissue analysis has not been completed. Effluent from the test tanks was passed through an ion exchange resin to remove Hg before the waste was discharged to Yaquina Bay. 10 ------- Work Plan: Remote Sensing and Monitoring The Coastal Pollution Program formally, if gingerly, entered the satellite remote sensing business this quarter when NASA accepted (subject to cost negotiation) two EPA joint proposals with an industry and a university to investigate the potential of the Earth Resources Technology Satellite (ERTS) to analyze and monitor coastal pollution problems'. One project, in cooperation with the University of Michigan's Infrared and Optics Laboratory at Willow Run, will concentrate on pollution sensing in the New York Bight, S.E. Florida coastline, Tampa Bay, the Los Angeles Bight, Lake Erie, and Lake Michigan; the other, in cooperation with Bendix Aerospace at Ann Arbor, will concentrate on coastal flushing studies near Prudhoe Bay, Valdez Sound, Cook Inlet, Puget Sound, and the Columbia River coastal influence region. Both proposals provide for coverage of targets of opportunity. Possible additional sites are western Lake Superior, Escambia Bay, Mobile Bay, Galveston Bay, the Gulf of Maine, and the Pacific Trust Territories. Preparations are underway to arrange the surface sampling for calibration and interpretation of remotely acquired data. R. J. Callaway attended the Earth Resources Technology Satellite Working Group meeting at the Goddard Space Flight Center. D. J. Baumgartner attended the OR&M Workshop on EPA needs for remote and in situ sampling, held at WERL (Las Vegas) December 3. 11 ------- Consulting Services Work Plan ZAR: Technical Consultation on Coastal Pollution Problems Lake Superior - Field sampling in Lake Superior was completed and data were being analyzed. In the last quarter, seabed drifters were deployed in the deep trench where taconite tailings are known to be deposited. To date, only one drifter has been recovered. Studies of vertical radon profiles conducted by Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory have indicated a high degree of vertical turbulence. Analyses of material collected in sediment trays indicated that essentially all of the material found was inorganic. By quarter's end, Geodyne Corporation had not yet received clearance from our Washington office to begin processing of current meter data films. Suspended sediment samples left with the Minneapolis program office were yet to be analyzed by X-ray diffraction. Both sets of data are required before a final report can be prepared. The recently-acquired towing tank in the NERC, Corvallis, Fluid Dynamics Annex was used to study the behavior of seabed drifters under conditions simulating natural conditions in lakes and coastal regions. A report is being prepared. 12 ------- Grant and Contract Research Work Plan XAA: Barge Dump Disposal of Wastes in Ocean and Coastal Waters 16070 EKZ: Oxidation of Organic Matter in the Seabed. Recent work on this project in the Puget Sound area was extended to the (salmon) fish farming operation at Clam Bay (mariculture) to ascertain the possible pollution level. The fish feeding seems to be the principal source of oxygen demanding material on the bottom in the maricultural areas, but is not at a deleterious level apparently. Work Plan FJV: Coastal Pollution, Literature Search Indexing and Abstracti nq This project was completed during the quarter. Six hundred abstracts were furnished to the WRSIC for inclusion in its Selected Water Resources Abstracts. Copies of the abstracts considered of immediate importance to various offices and laboratories of the EPA were distributed by the National Coastal Pollution Research Program. Reports, Papers, and Presentations 1. Pamatmat, Mario M. 1971. Oxygen consumption by the seabed. IV. Shipboard and laboratory experiments. Limnology and Oceanography 16(3): 536-550. 2. An Inhouse Report entitled, "The Barged Ocean Disposal of Wastes," was distributed. 13 ------- 3. The final report prepared by TRACOR, "Estuarine Modeling: An Assessment," Water Pollution Control Research Series 16070 DZV 02/71, 497 pp., was distributed. 4. Oregon State University's report, "Oceanography of the Nearshore Coastal Waters of the Pacific Northwest Relating to Possible Pollution," Water Pollution Control Research Series 16070 E0K 07/71, Vol. I, 615 pp., and Vol. II, 744 pp., was distributed. Plans for Third Quarter, FY 1972 Work Plan DBH: Estuarine and Ocean Outfalls A proposal has been made for participation in the IDOE-NSF- sponsored Coastal Upwelling Experiment (CUE) to be conducted by Oregon State University next summer. CUE is a multi-university approach involving both experimental and theoretical investigations to some problems in coastal oceanography. Ship time has been offered by the Oceanography Department, Oregon State University, for installation and retrieval of instrumentation to be used in the verification of coastal numerical models of drift flow. This verification process constitutes one aspect of NCPRP's evaluation of drift flow models. The extreme complexity of the coastal environment makes site evaluation difficult with regard to ocean out- falls and offshore dumping; the application of drift flow models to this setting is one method of determining the role that the oceanographic background will play in forecasting the dispersion of a given effluent. 14 ------- Remote Sensing - Monitoring Contacts will be made with Regional Offices and EPA Labs for assistance in field sampling for support of ERTS. Work Plan ZAI: Mercury, Cadmium, Arsenic, and Other Heavy Metal Distributions and Fates in Coastal Waters 203 1. A set of runs employing Hg has been prepared to show effect of concentration reproducibility from run to run, and the relative uptake and fate of inorganic mercury versus organic mercury compounds. Mercury concentration in tissues of several marine species will be measured. This work is to be carried out at the Oregon State University Marine Science Center. It is anticipated that over 525 radioactive samples will be generated, which is about the limit of our handling capability with present manpower and equipment. 2. With the assistance of State, University, and commercial suppliers, we have initiated another series of analyses on Dungeness crabs obtained from four locations along the Oregon-Washington coast. Tissues obtained on approximately three-week intervals will be analyzed for mercury, as before, for cadmium, and depending on availability of sufficient samples, for other metals. 15 ------- NATIONAL EUTROPHICATION RESEARCH PROGRAM PPB 1601 Status of Projects and Significant Accomplishments Work Plan ZCB: Assay Procedures for Determining Productivity Responses Preliminary interpretation of algal assays on Cline's Pond water samples, taken iirenedi ately before and after treatment with sodium aluminate, show an average decrease in algal productivity after treatment. In filtered water samples there was a 76 percent decrease in algal growth, and in autoclaved and filtered samples taken after treatment with sodium aluminate there was a 46 percent decrease in algal growth. Average algal biomass production before and after aluminate treatment was 0.38 and 0.09 mg dry wt/1 in the filtered samples, and 3.77 and 2.00 mg dry wt/1 in the autoclaved and filtered samples respectively. Significant chemical changes before and after aluminate treatment were noted; ortho-P decreased 46 percent, total-P 25 percent and total soluble iron 50 percent in the filtered water. In the water samples which were autoclaved and then filtered following aluminate treatment, more ortho-P, total-P and iron were solubilized. They showed a net loss of ortho-P, total-P and iron of 44, 4.6, and 20 percent respectively. Further data reduction is underway to determine the long range effect of aluminate treatment on the growth of the test algae. Algal assays were completed on water samples from 50 lakes in different geographic areas of the United States. Algal growth responses were correlated with the nutrient content of the various waters. Also, additions (spikes) of phosphorus, nitrogen and ------- phosphorus and nitrogen were made to each sample, and algal growth responses determined. The addition of 0.05 mg P/l increased algal growth in 66 percent of the samples while nitrogen additions increased algal growth in 25 percent of the waters assayed. Evaluation of Anabaena flos-aquae as a test species within the framework of the Algal Assay Procedure: Bottle Test was continued. Attempts are being made to incorporate the use of the Coulter Counter for counting cells. Preliminary studies suggest that the method holds promise. At least 90 percent of the replicate counts in a given sample were within + 10 percent of each other. Fluorometer measure- ments (Chlorophyll aj and hemacytometer counts are being made concurrently with Coulter counts to determine statistical validity among the three methods to determine algal biomass. Algal assays on samples collected from the Snake and Columbia River systems were completed. Algal growth responses were correlated with chemical analysis of the samples. In general, algal growth responses correlated extremely well with the nutrient content of the samples. In a few samples, where chemical analysis showed that sufficient nutrients were present and there was little algal growth response, the presence of toxicants was suspected. Heavy metal toxicity was suspected and three methods were used to evaluate this: (1) dilution of the water sample, (2) addition of a chelator, and (3) addition of nutrients to the water sample. The dilution technique failed to reveal any indications of toxicity. The addition of nutrients, however, revealed toxicity in three of the eleven water samples; 17 ------- i.e., algal growth was enhanced by the addition of nutrients. The addition of EDTA decreased toxicity in eight of the eleven water samples and algal growth was increased. The first training course on algal assays was conducted in October. Judging from the attendance and the course critiques, it appears to have been highly successful. Work Plan ZCJ: A Comparative Study of Eutrophication in Two Mountain Lakes The reduction and graphing of available data from the 1971 studies on Waldo Lake, an oligotrophic lake, and Diamond Lake, a eutrophic lake, was completed. Data included those obtained from ground water observation wells. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of zooplankton and benthos samples from Diamond Lake were initiated. Thirty rainbow trout from Diamond Lake were provided by the Oregon Game Department for P-N-C analysis. This will permit estimation of quantities of these nutrients removed from the lake by fish harvest. The processing of these samples is continuing. Work Plan ZCH: New Methods for the Removal and/or Inactivation of Nutrients in Lakes In the Cline's Pond nutrient inactivation experiment the usual high autumn levels of orthophosphate did not appear. Water trans- parency remained high. The trout are in excellent condition and have no objectionable taste. A report on the survey of Oregon and Washington Lakes, in an effort to obtain potential experimental sites, was prepared. 18 ------- Sediment samples were received from Shagawa Lake. They are being subjected to P-N-C analysis and nutrient leaching tests under aerobic and anaerobic conditions in a continued effort to develop methods for quantitative assessment of sediment-water nutrient interchange. The leaching of phosphorus in anaerobic experiments greatly exceeded aerobic leaching. In one experiment, phosphorus leaching in the presence of violent mixing in open vessels was compared with leaching under conditions of no mixing. Interestingly, more phosphorus was leached under conditions of no mixing. Work Plan ZBP: Lake Restoration Photosynthetic rates in Shagawa Lake have declined from about 106 3 3 mg C/m /hr on September 22 to about 17 mg C/m /hr on October 13. During this same period chlorophyll £ concentrations declined from about 0.045 mg/1 to about 0.017 mg/1 (average of five stations, 1.5 ft depth). Total phosphorus dropped from about 0.085 mg/1 to about 0.054 mg/1 and was essentially as particulate phosphorus associated with algae. Orthophosphorus has remained approximately constant throughout this period. Chlorophyll a^ remained low during November and December. The trend in phosphorus concentrations has also been slowly downward. During November total phosphorus at Brisson's Point ranged from 0.04 0.05 mg/1 while orthophosphorus ranged from 0.025-0.028 mg/1. Total phosphorus at East End Deep Hole ranged from 0.05 to 0.065 mg/1, and orthophosphorus ranged 0.029 to 0.035 mg/1. The lake froze over 19 ------- on November 22. Vertical profile samples taken at Brisson's Point and East End Deep Hole on December 7 for phosphorus, DO and pH indicated stratified conditions with appreciable bacterial activity on the bottom. The DO at Brisson's Point was 12.5 mg/1 at the surface and 2.5 mg/1 at 40 meters. Treatment plant construction at Ely is proceeding well despite difficult weather conditions. Most of the excavation is complete, the wet well is poured, equalization chamber in, one lift station installed, most of the footings are in, as is most of the new grit chamber (secondary plant). The contractor expects a completion date of July 15, 1972. Plant shakedown may take an additional six months before optimum efficiency is reached. The $890,000 HUD project to improve the sanitary and storm sewer system in Ely was begun in November and is progressing through the winter months. The wastewater pilot plant (tertiary) at Ely was transferred to the University of Minnesota Sanitary Engineering Department. Ron Morris (sanitary engineer) was assigned to the Ely project in October by AWTRL. He will be superintendent of the treatment facility when construction is complete. Robert Randall (analytical chemist) reported for duty at Ely in October and is directing the chemistry laboratory. Other Activities Thomas E. Maloney attended a meeting of the EPA Biological Methods Advisory Committee in Denver. 20 ------- Charles F. Powers attended a meeting at EPA Headquarters on the International Field Year-Great Lakes. Kenneth M. Malueg analyzed all available data on Lake Apopka, Florida and attended a meeting at Atlanta, Georgia, to discuss the proposed drawdown as a means of lake restoration. Kenneth M. Malueg represented the U.S. Government at the OECD Water Management Sector Group held in Paris, France. Thomas E. Maloney attended a meeting of the Task Force on Nuisance Plant Growth at the National Marine Water Quality Laboratory. Grant and Contract Research The following research grant and contract proposals were reviewed. 1. "Blue-Green Algal Bloom Production" (preproposal) 2. "Eutrophication Processes in Southeastern Virginia Ponds" 3. "Studies on Phospholipids in Microoorganisms" (relevancy review) 4. "Chlorinated Hydrocarbon Pollutant Effects on Algae" (relevancy review) 5. "Restoration of Inland Waterways" (relevancy review) 6. "Lake Drawdown/a Method of Improving Water Quality" (relevancy review) 7. "Fate of Selected Pesticides in the Aquatic Environment" 8. "Modified Algal Assay Procedure" 9. "Nutrient Diversion Effects on Eutrophication" 10. "The Distribution, Persistence, and Recycling of Residual Chemicals from a Muddy Creek Tertiary Waste Treatment Plant on the Rhode River Estuary" 21 ------- 11. "Salton Sea Eutrophication Using Local Brines for Phosphate Removal" 12. "Develop and Demonstrate Application of Selective Ion Exchange for In-Place Removal of Phosphorus from Lakes" 13. "The Effects of Sewage Effluent on Wetland Ecosystems" (preproposal) Reports, Papers, and Presentations Miller, W. E. and T. E. Maloney. Effects of Secondary and Tertiary Wastewater Effluents on Algal Growth in a Lake-River System. Journal Water Pollution Control Federation. Vol. 43, No. 12, December 1971. Shagawa Lake (Ely, Minnesota) project personnel were interviewed over WDIO-TV, Duluth, spoke to a church group and discussed the project with a group of high school and college students concerned with environmental protection problems. The reports on the Cline's Pond nutrient inactivation experiment and Upper Klamath Lake (final report) are in manuscript. A paper by A. R. Gahler and W. Sanville entitled "Characteristics of Lake Sediments and Evaluation of Sediment-Water Nutrient Interchange Mechanisms in the Upper Klamath Lake System" is being revised for publication. Plans for Third Quarter, FY 1972 Physiological Control Complete statistical analysis and evaluation of algal assays on the Columbia-Snake River system. Continue the evaluation of new test species for algal assays. 22 ------- Complete report on results of algal assays conducted on lake water samples collected throughout the country in the summer of 1971. Continue development of algal assay procedure for marine and estuarine waters. Complete the evaluation of assays conducted on Cline's Pond water in conjunction with a nutrient inactivation experiment. Conduct algal assays on Lake Michigan water samples. Technology Development Complete report on Diamond Lake and Cline's Pond. Continue leaching experiments. Conduct phosphorus, nitrogen and carbon analysis on fish from Cline's Pond. Obtain phosphorus removal plant (on trailer) from Battelle Northwest. Lake Restoration Define staff and equipment requirements for operation and evaluation of the advanced waste treatment plant to be completed at Shagawa Lake, Ely, Minnesota in July 1972. Continue monitoring of Shagawa Lake and its tributaries. Continue incorporating data and refining the mathematical model of Shagawa Lake. The National Eutrophication Research Program has been assigned the responsibility of coordinating a National Eutrophication Survey. Several NERP personnel have been involved in the planning of this survey. 23 ------- NATIONAL WASTE TREATMENT RESEARCH PROGRAM FOOD WASTES RESEARCH - PPB 1206 Status of Projects and Significant Accomplishments Work Plan ZAQ: Technical Consultation and Data Dissemination A program has been drafted for the Third National Symposium on Food Processing Wastes which has been scheduled for March 28-30, 1972, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Mr. Boydston presented "What is the Government Doing to Solve Food Waste Disposal Problems" to the Southern California Institute of Food Technologists in Los Angeles, California. "Full-Scale Anaerobic Trickling Filter Treatment of Starch Plant Wastes" was presented by Mr. Taylor at the 38th Annual Meeting of the Pacific Northwest Pollution Control Association in Spokane, Washington. Mr. Thompson also attended the latter as well as a three-day Technology Transfer Design Seminar for Municipal Wastewater Treatment Facilities in Seattle, Washington. Mr. Dostal met with RAPP personnel in Seattle, Washington, to discuss seafood processing waste characteristics and treatment. He also attended a two-day meeting with NCA, ARS-USDA, and university personnel at which the respective research efforts relative to fruit and vegetables were discussed in detail. In addition, he participated in a discussion of whey handling alternatives with the Southwest Oregon cheese factory managers in Coquille, Oregon. Requests for over 800 reports were filled. ------- Work Plan FGF: Grant Monitoring Mr. Thompson visited the following grant projects in the Grand Forks, North Dakota, vicinity: American Crystal Sugar Company (12060 ESC), Western Potato Service, Inc. (12060 EIG) and the City of Grand Forks (11060 DJB). At the request of Headquarters, Mr. Dostal attended meetings in Chicago, Illinois, Washington D. C., and Melville, New York. Each of these dealt with grant projects having difficulties of one type or another. A one-day meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, on industrial effluent standards was attended by Messrs. Dostal, Taylor, and Thompson. The following grant proposals and preproposals were received during the quarter: 1. Continuous hot air blanching of vegetables. 2. Catfish oil utilization. 3. New process for recovery of amino acids and peptides from whey processing wastewaters. 4. Organic waste disposal from surf clam processing. 5. Bio-oxidation of detergent and chlororganic sanitizers. 6. Pollution abatement of solid organic wastes-production of high-quality protein by fermentation. Work Plan GJJ: New and Improved Treatment Processes for Food Processing Wastes Percentage reductions by the anaerobic trickling filters in Spokane, Washington, continued at about 65 for both COD and BOD. 25 ------- The combined effluent contained about 2000 mg/1 of SS and 2500 mg/1 of COD. This facility is scheduled for shutdown mid-February at which time the processing plant will startup an evaporation system for the total plant waste stream. Work Plan GKI: Secondary Treatment Processes for Highly Seasonal Wastes Although on the average there were adequate nitrogen and phosphorus present in the feed to the RBC pilot plant, periodically there was a marked deficiency in both. This may have been the reason for the observed fluctuations in treatment efficiency. More consistent results were obtained following the startup of supplemental nutrient addition. Two organic loads with a constant hydraulic load were evaluated. Influent COD concentrations averaged 750 and 2200 mg/1. Percentage COD and SS reductions averaged about 86 and 75, respectively, for both organic loads with the higher feed resulting in higher effluent concentrations. The first of December the gear drive unit broke. It is planned to have the unit operating by mid-January. Grant and Contract Research The current status of monitored grants is described below: 1. 12060 EUZ: Winery Wastewater - Characterization and Treatment. Post construction studies underway. 2. 12060 EKQ: Kent Cheese Company - Waste Treatment Facility. Post construction studies completed, data reduction and final report preparation just initiated. 26 ------- 3. 12060 FLL: Activated Sludge: Bio-Disc Treatment of Distilling Wastes. System evaluation underway. 4. 12060 EHS: Cannery Wastes Treatment by Lagoons and Oxidation Ditch. Final report has not been submitted yet. 5. 12060 EHV: Aerobic Secondary Treatment of Potato Processing Wastes with Mechanical Aeration. Still waiting for final audit. 6. 12060 DSI: State-of-the-art, Sugarbeet Processing Waste Treatment. The final report is awaiting reproduction. 7. 12060 ECF: Water Pollution Abatement in the United States Seafood Industry-State-of-the-art. Awaiting final audit. 8. 11060 EZR: Complete Aerobic Treatment of Combined Domestic and Industrial Wastes with Mechanical Aeration. Final report reproduced and distribution started. 9. 12060 EIG: Full-scale Demonstration and Evaluation of Potato Dry and Wet Caustic Peeling Processes. Data collection just completed, first draft of final report due in February. 10. WP-01486-01: Status and Research Needs for Potato Waste Waters. Grant still not officially terminated. 11. 12060 FAD: Aerobic Treatment of Fruit Processing Wastes. Questions raised by final audit have not been settled. 12. WPD 93-04-68: Anaerobic-Aerobic Sugar Beet Waste Treatment. Final report has been revised and is currently being typed. 13. 12060 DXL: Reduction of Salt Content of Food Processing Liquid Waste Effluent. Audit has been requested but not completed. 14. 12060 EDK: Production and Disposal Practices for Liquid Wastes from Canning and Freezing Fruits and Vegetables. Final report 27 ------- being typed before submittal. 15. 12060 EHT: Use of Fungi Imperfecti in Waste Control. Still waiting for an appendix of data. 16. 12060 EDZ: Pilot Plant Installation for Use of Fungi Imperfecti on Vegetable Wastes. Final report submitted for reproduction in September 1971. 17. 12060 FAK: Concentration of Sugar Beet Wastes for Economic Treatment with Biological Systems. Revised final report is being typed. 18. 12060 FQE: Dry Caustic Peeling of Tree Fruit to Reduce Liquid Waste Volume and Strength. Final report submitted Headquarters June 4, 1971, but it has not been reproduced. 19. 11060 FJQ: Pollution Abatement and By-Product Recovery in Shellfish and Fisheries Processing - Phase I. Final report submitted in September 1971. 20. 12060 EGU: State-of-the-art of Dairy Plant Wastes and Waste Treatment Systems. Draft of final report being revised. 21. 12060 FDR: Disposal of Rum Distillery Wastes. Grant terminated and first draft of final report has been reviewed. 22. 12060 ESY: Improvement of Treatment of Food Industry Waste. Final report being revised. 23. 12060 EZP: .Cannery Waste Treatment by the Kehr Activated Sludge Process. Project not officially terminated. 24. WPRD 151-01-68: Integrated Treatment of Liquid Wastes from Food Canning Operations. Final report is being distributed. 25. 12060 EHU: Reconditioning and Reuse of Food Processing Brines. Final report is being distributed. 28 ------- 26. 12060 DQV: Removal and Recovery of Fatty Materials from Edible Fat and Oil Refinery Effluents. Final report under revision. 27. 12060 DEQ: Elimination of Pollution by the Utilization of Protein Concentrates (Dried Whey) from Milk Residues of Cheese Making. Project termination extended to December 31, 1972. 28. 12060 DPE: Treatment of Wastes from the Wet Milling Industry. Post construction studies underway. 29. 12060 DSB: Demonstration of a Full-Scale Waste Treatment System for a Cannery. Final report awaiting reproduction. 30. 12060 EAE: Evaluation of Controlled Temperature and Forced Aeration in Trickling Filter Treatment of Food Canning Waste Waters. Waiting for reproduction of final report. 31. 12060 DXF: Development and Demonstration of an Ultrafiltration Plant for the Abatement of Pollution from Cottage Cheese Whey. Waiting for reproduction of final report on Phase I. Full-scale construction (Phase II) nearly complete. 32. 12060 FJK: Acid Emulsion Breaking - Activated Sludge for Bakery Waste. Just initiating post construction studies. 33. 12060 ESC: Separation, Dewatering and Disposal of Sugarbeet Transport Water Solids. Pilot testing program completed, data gathered is currently being evaluated. 34. 12060 FUR: Membrane Separation of Soybean Whey for Product Recovery and Waste Treatment. Problems have been encountered relative to maintaining adequate flux rates on the ultrafiltration pilot plant. Concerted effort is being expended on membrane cleaning and product flux regeneration. 29 ------- 35. 12060 FTC: State-of-the-art Study of Water Pollution Control from the Beverage Industry. The final report is being revised for the last time. 36. 11060 DLF: Tertiary Treatment of Combined Domestic-Industrial Wastes. First draft of final report being prepared. 37. 11060 DJB: Controlled Treatment of Combined Potato Processing - Municipal Wastes by Anaerobic Fermentation, Aerobic Stabilization Process. Post construction studies started December 1, 1971. 38. 11060 DUJ: Dynamic Process Development for Biological Treatment of Whey Bearing Wastes. Final report being revised. 39. 11060 ENF: Vermont Cheese Industry Pollution Abatement. Project has not been initiated. 40. 12060 PAV: Low Water Volume Enzyme Deactivation of Vegetables Before Preservation. Blanching runs were completed on spinach and pumpkin. Starting January 1972 the processed products will be evaluated for vitamin and mineral content. 41. 12060 HFY: Dry Caustic Peeling of Clingstone Peaches on a Commercial Scale. Preparation of the first draft of final report nearly complete. 42. 12060 FRW: Water and Waste Management in Sweet Potato Processing. Data from existing processing methods is being evaluated prior to implementing modifications. 43. 12060 HCW: Submerged Combustion Evaporation System for Concentration of Brewery Spent Grain Liquors. Limited data has been 30 ------- collected between failures of the evaporator. A few tests did result in a net thermal efficiency of 100 percent. 44. 12060 HPC: Pilot Scale Treatment of Wine Still age. The anaerobic pilot plants were started up but, as yet, the aerobic plant startup has been delayed by lack of gear motors. Consulting Services Listed under work plan ZAQ. Reports, Papers and Presentations Listed under work plan ZAQ. Plans for Third Quarter, FY 1972 1. Continue grant monitoring. 2. Monitor full-scale anaerobic filters. 3. Continue work on development of effluent standards. 4. Continue operation of RBC pilot plant. PAPER AND FOREST INDUSTRIES RESEARCH - 1204, 1210, 1301 Status of Projects and Significant Accomplishments Work Plan GJG: Technical Consultation and Data Dissemination Considerable amount of time was spent on Section 13 permit activities both for enforcement and effluent guidelines. Mr. Scott was also assigned project officer responsibility for effluent guidelines for Wood Preserving Wastes. Trips were made to Seattle by Messrs. Scott and Willard for Region X permit activities and Washington, D. C., for assistance on the development of the Cost of Industrial Waste Treatment Report. 31 ------- Aid was given to the Seattle office on the Ketchikan Pulp Company in Alaska, and the San Francisco Office concerning Fiberboard Corporation at Antioch, California. A short-term study of TOC and BOD relationships in Kraft mills was completed for the Atlanta Regional Office and Denver Field Investigation Laboratory. Mill effluent samples were collected and prepared for toxicity bioassays for the enforcement group in Seattle. Work Plan FCK: Paper Mill Effluent Influence on Bacterial Quality Research work was devoted to confirming the presence of Klebsiella pneumoniae in the various treated effluents of a pulp mill. Techniques of sample analysis were refined so that Klebsiella pneumoniae can be isolated and culturally and serologically identified. Estimates of the number of Klebsiella pneumoniae making up the total coliform count have shown that 50 to 80 percent of the colonies showing sheen on the total coliform count can be identified as Klebsiella pneumoniae. Preliminary growth experiments using primary or secondary effluents have shown that these Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates can grow in these wastes. Work Plan GJH: Suspended Solids Removal by Mechanical Means A test program has been set up for this field project at Crown Zellerbach's Lebanon pulp mill. The initial phase of testing settled waste in the aeration basin has begun. Samples are now being taken and data collected on the microscreen treatment of raw wastes. The 100 micron screen has provided 75 percent removal of suspended 32 ------- solids on this waste. Bill Eckerle, a temporary employee, is working on this study and along with John Ruppersberger is expending a majority of his time on this project. Some equipment has been replaced after corrosion by the strong wastes. Work Plan ZBI: Series Biological Treatment of Pulp and Paper Wastes This project has been terminated as the project leader has been transferred and he has not been replaced. Insufficient data were collected to warrant issuance of a report. Work Plan ZAX: Pollutional Aspects of Bark Leachate This project has been terminated due to lack of personnel. A report will issue later. Work Plan ZEB: Biological System for High Efficiency Treatment of Hardboard Wastewater This new investigation was started up in pilot plant scale at Evan's Products Company in Corvallis. Wastewater from the hard- board plant is pumped to a sidehill screen and then biologically treated on a rotating disc apparatus provided by Autotrol Corporation. After a break-in period the Bio-Disc processed waste until gears failed and were replaced. Sample collection will resume during the next quarter. Work Plan FCD: Grant & Contract Monitoring Grant applications and research proposals reviewed during the quarter related to the following subjects: 1. Effects of Fire on Lakes in a Natural Forest Ecosystem. (Technical Review) ------- 2. Fate of Nitrogen Fertilizers in Forest Soils: Conversion, Movement and Losses. (Preliminary Review) 3. Chemical and Physical Nature of Color Bodies in Kraft Mill Effluents Before and After Lime Treatment. (Technical Review) 4. Closure of Water Use Loop in NSSC Pulp and Paperboard Mill Utilizing Reverse Osmosis as a Unit Operation. (Report Review) Grant and Contract Research Current status on grants monitored by Paper and Forest Industries Research personnel. 1. On the following projects there has been no status change since the last quarterly report: 12040 DBD, DEH, DLQ, EEK, EEL, EFC, ELW, EMY, ESV, EXQ, FKS, and EGA. 2. 12040 FUB: Closure of Water Use Loop in NSSC Pulp and Paper- board Mill Utilizing Reverse Osmosis as a Unit Operation. Phase I pilot operations completed. Report has been submitted for review. Project alteration includes emphasis on recycle rather than R.O. treatment. 3. 12040 GQD: Coliform Growth and Control in Aerated Stabilization Basin. A cooperative study will determine controlling factors of coliform growth in aerated basins treating weak spent sulfite liquor and paper machine white water. Chlorination studies are progressing. 4. 12040 HDU: Mercury Recovery from Sediments and Sludges. Six mercury recovery techniques will be evaluated for treatment of 34 ------- sediments, process sludges, and liquid was testreams. The optimum process will be used on a chlor-alkali plant effluent. Study is on schedule. 5. 12100 EBG: Influence of Log Rafting on Water Quality. Studies have shown the effect of log handling and storage in water; a survey of practice has been completed for the Northwest. Final report submitted for review. Plans for Third Quarter, FY 1972 1. Continue R&D grant and contract monitoring and review. 2. Provide, on request, consulting services to Headquarters, regional offices, and states. This includes activities associated with effluent guidelines for pulp and paper mills as well as wood preserving wastes. 3. Continue with in-house project work: a. Continued work on hardboard wastewater treatment using a Bio-Disc. b. Further investigation of screen size effect on suspended solids removal. c. Determination of potential health hazard that Klebsiella pneumoniae may present. 35 ------- CONSOLIDATED LABORATORY SERVICES PROGRAM Status of Projects and Significant Accomplishments General Testing of the field gas chromatograph for analysis of dissolved nitrogen, dissolved carbon dioxide, and dissolved oxygen continues. Field testing should be accomplished in the middle of January. The SHAVES program continues to operate very efficiently. People are moved around to reduce the backlog in various areas. The turnaround report which produces the number of samples delayed in weeks has been most helpful in stimulating people to maintain as low a backlog as is feasibly workable. The workload has a cyclic pattern with a decrease in the month of October, an increase in the month of November, and a sharp drop-off in the month of December. The cyclic nature of a workload of this type necessitates the maintenance of a backlog to permit us to maintain a uniform workflow. Automated Analytical Systems Analysis of total phosphorus includes a manual digestion in sealed culture tubes followed by an automated conversion of condensed phosphates to the ortho form and color development in a Technicon AutoAnalyzer II. Initial difficulties with interference from silica were encountered but were overcome with proper adjustment of the acidity to a higher level (1.5N in the flow cell). Only minor problems occurred in the other automated analytical systems. The problems were those one normally expected in pumping system breakdowns. ------- Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry The overall workload for metal analysis has dropped considerably. Problems with instrumentation and analysis were minor and easy to solve. Specialized Analyses Precise salinity analysis, cyanide analysis, grease and oil analysis; sulfide; oxidation of organics analysis, and carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen analysis occupied time of the specialized group this quarter. Sediments were freeze-dried and analyzed for carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen. Freeze-drying of bottom sediments produced a much different type of sample than observed in air-drying. The freeze-dried sample is granular and more amenable to mixing and grinding. Analysis of Carbon Marked differences are still being observed between values of organic carbon found with the use of an 01C instrument and that answer as developed on a Beckman carbonaceous system. Work continues to be done in trying to resolve the differences. Comparisons are being made with the carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, Hewlett Packard system and the OIC system. Samples having a high index of organic material cannot be stabilized by use of 40 mg/1 of mercuric chloride. Bacterial growth was observed in samples which were stabilized with mercuric chloride shortly after stabilization. Those samples were analyzed for dissolved mercury and the dissolved mercury level was 0; whereas, the total mercury reported as mercuric chloride was 40 mg/1. Bacterial growth was also observed in samples with a high index of organic material 37 ------- when 2 ml/1 of sulfuric acid were used in an attempt to stabilize them. Tests are now being performed to determine whether 400 mg/1 of mercuric chloride will inhibit microbiological growth in samples when high organic content is present. Computer Services The computer services section has made arrangements to acquire a DATA 100, Model 78 Program Terminal. The unit will be connected to the Boeing, National Institutes of Health, and Oregon State University computer systems. Besides the normal maintenance and trouble shooting for SHAVES, the computer services group devoted time to the National Eutrophication Research Program in modeling study, the National Thermal Pollution Research Program, and the National Coastal Pollution Research Program. Work efforts are also being given to the National Environmental Research Center in Corvallis. Biology Artificial substrate baskets have been installed in the Willamette River below a Kraft mill outfall for studies conducted by the National Waste Treatment Research Program. The baskets will be removed periodically and examined for biological organisms. Microbiology The microbiological section analyzed the normal pollution surveillance load for total and fecal coliform and has been involved in determining what growth occurs in samples preserved with mercuric chloride and sulfuric acid. A particular type of bacteria has been observed to be growing on samples that have been preserved with 38 ------- mercuric chloride. No attempt has been made to identify this organism. Areas of Concern Developing a cyclic nature in the input of samples is starting to cause some concern. It would be desirable to have across the board planning between the various studies to even out the overall load. The concept of maintaining a backlog permits CLS to plan its work even though there may be some concern by the project leaders for immediate answers. Reports and Papers 1. A paper on oil pollution is being resubmitted to the publication office. 2. A description of the SHAVES system has been completed and is under internal review within CLS. Plans for Third Quarter, FY 1972 1. Test CO2 - N£ - O2 gas analyzer in the laboratory and in the field. 2. Prepare method for analysis of dissolved nitrogen. 3. Present SHAVES system to interested regional and national field investigation groups. 4. Define ground rules for preservation of samples. 5. Continue to run comparative studies using the 01C system, the Hewlett Packard CHN analyzer, and the Beckman system for total organic carbon analysis. 39 ------- |