Assessment of the Applicability of Compact Aerating Reactors for the Improvement of Water Quality in a Small Water Body Functioning in an Agricultural Catchment

Stanisław Chmiel (), Marta Ziółek, Magdalena Kończak, Mariusz Pliżga, Beata Zielińska, Grzegorz Maliszewski, Mirosław Biruk and Sylwia Duda-Saternus
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Stanisław Chmiel: Department of Hydrology and Climatology, Institute of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Earth Sciences and Spatial Management, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, 20-718 Lublin, Poland
Marta Ziółek: Department of Hydrology and Climatology, Institute of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Earth Sciences and Spatial Management, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, 20-718 Lublin, Poland
Magdalena Kończak: Department of Hydrology and Climatology, Institute of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Earth Sciences and Spatial Management, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, 20-718 Lublin, Poland
Mariusz Pliżga: Department of Hydrology and Climatology, Institute of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Earth Sciences and Spatial Management, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, 20-718 Lublin, Poland
Beata Zielińska: Department of Hydrology and Climatology, Institute of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Earth Sciences and Spatial Management, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, 20-718 Lublin, Poland
Grzegorz Maliszewski: TAYLOR LLC., 21-003 Dys, Poland
Mirosław Biruk: TAYLOR LLC., 21-003 Dys, Poland
Sylwia Duda-Saternus: TAYLOR LLC., 21-003 Dys, Poland

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 13, 1-19

Abstract: The study investigates water quality in a small water body in an agricultural catchment in a zone of temperate climate (East Poland). The pond is affected by annual mass cyanobacterial blooms, limiting its use. The improvement of the state of water quality involved the application of underwater aerating reactors. The economic analysis of their application was also an important issue. The analysis of the effectiveness of the proposed solution was conducted from February to October 2021. The results from the analysis of water from the pond showed that the nutrient content and phytoplankton structure conformed to the trophic status of eutrophy–hypertrophy. The primary factors causing excessive eutrophication of the pond included nutrient supply from the river, sediments, and fallen tree leaves. No development of cyanobacterial scum was observed in the water body, a phenomenon which was interpreted as the effect of the operation of the aerators ensuring additional water circulation in the pond and promoting its aeration. It was found that permanent improvement of the water quality in the studied water body is largely dependent on limiting the nitrogen and phosphorus supply to the pond. This should involve the application of systems combining traditional hydrotechnical infrastructure with Nature-Based Solutions (NBS). The economic analysis of the use of underwater aeration reactors confirmed the validity of searching for alternative solutions to power them, e.g., a photovoltaic installation. When designing a reactor system with a photovoltaic installation, it is necessary to choose the correct dimensions to reduce construction costs and, thus, increase the profitability of the potential investment.

Keywords: eutrophication; small water reservoirs; restoration; ponds aeration (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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