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Field tests were conducted and historical operating data were evaluated to assess the performance of the Monterey WWTP utilizing subsurface flow (SF) constructed wetlands. Previous work with SF wetlands has demonstrated adequate, but variable removal of organic matter, suspended solids, and nitrogen. Few research studies have observed the generation of compounds in the wetlands that affect other treatment processes, specifically reduced compounds that contribute to the chlorine demand. This study attempts not only to distinguish the factors leading to the inadequate performance of the SF wetlands in removing organic matter and nitrogen, but also to identify the cause of the frequent occurrences of a nondetectable chlorine residual in the chlorine contact tank at the Monterey WWTP. Collection and analysis of historical operating data from January 1998 to May 2000 revealed a constantly decreasing removal of carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand (CBOD5) by the SF wetlands and a poor removal of ammonia-N throughout the system. The decreasing removal of CBOD5 appeared to be caused by clogging of the wetland bed media by accumulated solids. The inability to remove the accumulated solids by pumping was shown. Analysis of field data also showed that the SF wetlands removed 88% of the influent TSS and 71% of the influent CBOD5, while experiencing a 18% increase in ammonia-N. Bisulfide produced in the anaerobic wetland beds accounted for 95% of the chlorine lost in contact tank. The variable production of sulfide is the cause of the frequent nondetectable chlorine concentrations observed. The results of this study suggest that chemical costs of chlorine and sulfur dioxide may be greatly reduced if bisulfide can be removed before chlorination. Also, the use of large rocks as media in SF wetland beds may significantly reduce the physical and biological removal of organic matter. / Master of Science

Reservoir heterogeneities exhibit a wide range of length scales, and their interaction with various transport mechanisms control the overall performance of subsurface flow and transport processes. Modeling these processes at large-scales requires proper scale-up of both heterogeneity and the underlying transport mechanisms. This research demonstrates a new reservoir modeling procedure to systematically quantify the scaling characteristics of transport processes by accounting for sub-scale heterogeneities and their interaction with various transport mechanisms based on the volume averaging approach. Although treatments of transport problems with the volume averaging technique have been published in the past, application to real geological systems exhibiting complex heterogeneity is lacking. A novel procedure, where results from a fine-scale numerical flow simulation reflecting the full physics of the transport process albeit over a small sub-volume of the reservoir, can be integrated with the volume averaging technique to provide effective description of transport at the coarse scale. In a volume averaging procedure, scaled up equations describing solute transport in single-phase flow are developed. Scaling characteristics of effective transport coefficient corresponding to different reservoir heterogeneity correlation lengths as well as different transport mechanisms including convection, dispersion, and diffusion are studied. The method is subsequently extended to describe transport in multiphase systems to study scaling characteristics of processes involving adsorption and inter-phase transport. Key conclusions drawn from this dissertation show that 1) variance of reservoir properties and flow responses generally decrease with scale; 2) scaling of recovery processes can be described by the scaling of effective mass transfer coefficient (Keff); in particular, mean and variance of Keff decrease with length scale, similar in the fashion of recovery statistics (e.g., variances in tracer breakthrough time and recovery); 3) the scaling of Keff depends on the underlying heterogeneity and is influenced by the dominant transport mechanisms. To show the versatility of the approach for studying scale-up of other transport mechanisms, it is also applied to derive scaled up formulations of non-Newtonian polymer flow to investigate the scaling characteristics of the apparent viscosity and effective shear rate in porous media. / text

O uso de agroquímicos pode causar uma grande variedade de impactos negativos em ambientes aquáticos. Em áreas de exploração agrícola, onde são usados tais produtos, há uma demanda por sistemas de bioremediação que conjuguem baixos custos e simplicidade operacional. Na presente tese são apresentados os resultados da pesquisa que consistiu em se investigar o destino ambiental do agroquímico ametrina quando adicionado a alagados construídos. Foram utilizados sistemas em micro e mesoescala, construídos em Viçosa-MG, que consistiam de macrófitas aquáticas (T. latifolia) plantadas sobre um leito de brita. Para melhor avaliação dos mecanismos nos alagados foi realizado um estudo hidrodinâmico e observou-se que as células operam com boa eficiência hidráulica. No experimento em mesoescala verificou-se a retenção/remoção de 39% da massa de ametrina aplicada, não sendo observadas diferenças significativas entre as 4 unidades utilizadas. No estudo em microcosmo, não foram observadas variações em relação ao teor de nutrientes e a morfo-anatomia das macrófitas. Tal fato pode ser interpretado positivamente, visto que mesmo sob perturbação ambiental a planta adulta conseguiu manter suas características. Como fator a ser considerado, verificou-se que o desenvolvimento inicial da T. latifolia pode ser prejudicado por reduzidas concentrações de ametrina. De uma maneira geral, observou-se que sistemas alagados construídos operando sob escoamento subsuperficial poderão vir a ser usados na mitigação da contaminação de águas por praguicidas. / Pesticides can cause a great spectrum of negative impacts in aquatic environmental. In agricultural lands, these products are largely used and in these regions there is a demand for low costs and simple bioremediation systems. In the present thesis, the results of the research about ametryn environmental fate in subsurface flow constructed wetlands systems are presented. The wetlands cells were built in microcosms and mesocosms scales at Viçosa city, Minas Gerais state. The experimental system was consisted of aquatic macrophytes (T. latifolia) cultivated on a porous gravel bed. A hydrodynamic study was performed for the better knowledge of the mechanisms of pesticide transport. The cells presented good hydraulic efficiency and in mesocosms wetlands were observed that 39% of ametryn amended was removed/retained. No statistical difference among the 4 cells performances was registered. At green house (microcosm) tests, no effects in nutrients and morpho-anatomy were observed. This fact can be interpreted positively, because ever under environmental disturbance, the macrophyte maintained its characteristics. However, aqueous 10-d germination and growth experiment indicate possible ametryn harmful effects to T. latifolia development. In general way, it was observed that vegetated constructed wetlands can be used in depollution of pesticides-contaminated waters.

One of the major water quality issues affecting waterways is eutrophication. Controlling the input of nutrients from municipal wastewater treatment plants (WTP’s) is a significant step in reducing eutrophication. Tertiary wastewater treatment for water quality improvement in particular Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) is often expensive to construct with high maintenance costs. Constructed wetlands (CWs) offer an alternative wastewater treatment and have been used successfully worldwide to treat various types of wastewater. This study investigated the effectiveness of the Oxley Creek horizontal subsurface flow (SSF) CW for tertiary municipal wastewater treatment and the suitability of four native macrophyte species, Baumea articulata, Carex fascicularis, Philydrum lanuginosum and Schoenoplectus mucronatus. The investigation consisted of four main components: 1) Plants: monitoring plant establishment, growth, impact of cropping, gravel size, nutrient content and storage for the four macrophyte species trialed; 2) Water quality - effluent treatment: monitoring water quality and quantity entering and leaving the wetland to determine wastewater treatment; 3) Organic matter: accumulation of organic carbon within the wetland cells for the different gravel sizes (5mm and 20mm) and 4) Mass balance: combining nutrient storage by macrophytes with wastewater nutrient removal to determine proportion of nutrient removal by plant uptake. The Oxley horizontal SSF CW is situated at the Oxley Creek WTP in Brisbane (South- East), Queensland, Australia which has a sub-tropical climate. The experimental design involved four different substrate treatments: Cell A new 5mm gravel, Cells B and C old 20mm gravel and Cell D old 5mm gravel. Cells B, C and D had been operational since 1995 whereas Cell A had been in use since 2000. The wetland received secondary treated effluent direct from the Oxley Creek WTP at an average flow rate of 8L/min with a median hydraulic loading rate (HLR) of 0.12m/day and a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 2 to 3 days. Each cell consisted of three gravel sections (Section 1 to 3) separated by 1m wide open water sections. Gravel Sections 2 and 3 were planted out with the four macrophyte species in October 2000, Section 1 remained unplanted. Plant health and leaf height was monitored to assess plant establishment and growth. Investigations into plant establishment and growth demonstrated that Carex was most suitable. Carex achieved the highest maximum leaf height and was not affected by pests and disease unlike Schoenoplectus and Philydrum. Above ground biomass was cropped in May and August 2001, with biomass of cropped material measured on both occasions. Plant health and re-growth following cropping of above ground biomass in May and August 2001 demonstrated that cropping retarded regrowth of Schoenoplectus and Philydrum. Carex and Baumea recovered quickest following cropping, with Carex achieving leaf height prior to cropping within 6 months. Proportion of biomass contained above and below ground was measured by collecting biomass samples three times over 9 months and dividing into plant components (roots, rhizomes, leaves, flowers and stems). Investigations into the proportion of above and below ground components indicated that >80% of biomass is contained above ground. Therefore cropping above ground biomass would potentially remove a significant proportion of nutrient storage from the CW. The results indicated that the ideal time for cropping was in spring/summer when plants are flowering particularly for Philydrum, whose flowering stems comprised 40% of total plant biomass. Flowering stems of Philydrum could potentially have a commercial use as a cut flower. Nutrient content of the four species in each cell was measured for individual plant components when first planted and after three (summer) and six (autumn) months growth. This was combined with biomass data to quantify nutrient bioaccumulation (nitrogen and phosphorus) by the four species in each cell. In terms of ability to bioaccumulate nitrogen and phosphorus, measurements of nutrient content and storage indicated that all four species were suitable. Nutrient storage was highest for Baumea and Carex. However high nutrient content may make the macrophytes more susceptible to pest and disease attack as found in this study for Philydrum and Schoenoplectus. Nutrient storage was highest in Cell A (new 5mm gravel) as a result of higher biomass achieved in this cell. The cropping and nutrient storage experiments indicated that Carex was the most suitable species for use in SSF CWs. Carex achieved the highest nutrient storage and had the fastest regrowth following cropping. Organic carbon accumulation between gravel particles measured as the proportion of material lost at 500oC was determined for gravel samples collected from each section for all four cells at 10cm depth increments (0-10cm, 10-20cm and 20-30cm). Investigations into organic carbon accumulation within the gravel substrate showed that organic accumulation was higher in the planted sections particularly for cells that had previously been planted with Phragmites australis. Organic accumulation was highest in the top 20cm of the gravel, which can be attributed to litter fall and root material. The effect of gravel size on plant growth, biomass, root depth and organic accumulation was assessed throughout the study. Investigations indicated that gravel size did not appear to affect biomass, maximum root penetration, re-growth following cropping and organic accumulation. Water quality from the inlet and outlet of each cell was measured fortnightly over 12 months (May 2001 to May 2002). Water quantity (HLR) was measured weekly using tipping buckets located at the inlet and outlet of each cell. Water quality and quantity were combined to investigate the nutrient removal efficiency of the wetland. The Oxley wetland was highly effective in reduction of TSS (<2mg/L) and COD (<30mg/L). Principal TSS and COD removal mechanism was physical with the first gravel section acting as a filter removing the majority of particulate material. Average loading rates to the wetland were 7.1 kg/ha/d PO4-P, 14 kg/ha/d NH4-N and 5.4 kg/ha/d NOx-N. Average daily mass removal rates ranged from 7.3 kg/ha NH4-N in Cell D to 4.6 kg/ha in Cell C (i.e. 37%-22% removal efficiency respectively); 5.2 kg/ha NOx-N in Cell C to 1.3 kg/ha in Cell A (i.e. 75%-22% removal efficiency) and 0.8 kg/ha PO4-P in Cell A to 0.1 kg/ha in Cell C (i.e. 10%-1% removal efficiency). Removal efficiency was calculated on a loads basis. Insufficient retention times (2-3 days based on tracer study) and anaerobic conditions (<1mg/L) limited further nitrogen removal. Negligible phosphorus removal for all cells was attributed to short retention time and likelihood of phosphorus adsorption being close to capacity. Investigation into the proportion of nutrient removal attributed to plant uptake demonstrated that nutrient uptake and storage in plant biomass accounted for <12% TN and <5% TP. This research project has provided several useful outcomes that can assist in future guidelines for designing effective SSF CWs in the subtropics/tropics. Outcomes include the importance of maintaining an adequate water level during the initial establishment phase. Maximising effluent treatment by pre-treatment of wastewater prior to entering SSF CWs to enable ammonia to be converted to nitrate and ensuring adequate hydraulic retention time. Carex fascicularis was the most suitable species particularly where harvesting regimes are employed. Philydrum flowering stems could be used as a cut flower in the florist trade.

Degassing and in situ formation of a mobile gas phase takes place when an aqueous phase equilibrated with a gas at a pressure higher than the subsurface pressure is injected in water-saturated porous media. This process, which has been termed supersaturated water injection (SWI), is a novel and hitherto unexplored means of introducing a gas phase into the subsurface. Herein is a first macroscopic account of the SWI process on the basis of continuum scale simulations and column experiments with CO2 as the dissolved gas. A published empirical mass transfer correlation (Nambi and Powers, Water Resour Res, 2003) is found to adequately describe the non-equilibrium transfer of CO2 between the aqueous and gas phases. Remarkably, the dynamics of gas-water two-phase flow, observed in a series of SWI experiments in homogeneous columns packed with silica sand or glass beads, are accurately predicted by traditional two-phase flow theory which allows the corresponding gas phase relative permeability to be determined. A key consequence of the finding, that the displacement of the aqueous phase by gas is compact at the macroscopic scale, is consistent with pore scale simulations of repeated mobilization, fragmentation and coalescence of large gas clusters (i.e., large ganglion dynamics) driven entirely by mass transfer. The significance of this finding for the efficient delivery of a gas phase below the water table in relation to the alternative process of in-situ air sparging and the potential advantages of SWI are discussed. SWI has been shown to mobilize a previously immobile oil phase in the subsurface of 3-phase systems (oil, water and gas). A macroscopic account of the SWI process is given on the basis of continuum-scale simulations and column experiments using CO2 as the dissolved gas and kerosene as the trapped oil phase. Experimental observations show that the presence of oil ganglia in the subsurface alters gas phase mobility from 2-phase predictions. A corresponding 3-phase gas relative permeability function is determined, whereas a published 3-phase relative permeability correlation (Stone, Journal of Cana Petro Tech, 1973) is found to be inadequate for describing oil phase flow during SWI. A function to predict oil phase relative permeability is developed for use during SWI at high aqueous phase saturations with a disconnected oil phase and quasi-disconnected gas phase. Remarkably, the dynamics of gas-water-oil 3-phase flow, observed in a series of SWI experiments in homogeneous columns packed with silica sand or glass beads, are accurately predicted by traditional continuum-scale flow theory. The developed relative permeability function is compared to Stone’s Method and shown to approximate it in all regions while accurately describing oil flow during SWI. A published validation of Stone’s Method (Fayers and Matthews, Soc of Petro Eng Journal, 1984) is cited to validate this approximation of Stone’s Method.

Degassing and in situ formation of a mobile gas phase takes place when an aqueous phase equilibrated with a gas at a pressure higher than the subsurface pressure is injected in water-saturated porous media. This process, which has been termed supersaturated water injection (SWI), is a novel and hitherto unexplored means of introducing a gas phase into the subsurface. Herein is a first macroscopic account of the SWI process on the basis of continuum scale simulations and column experiments with CO2 as the dissolved gas. A published empirical mass transfer correlation (Nambi and Powers, Water Resour Res, 2003) is found to adequately describe the non-equilibrium transfer of CO2 between the aqueous and gas phases. Remarkably, the dynamics of gas-water two-phase flow, observed in a series of SWI experiments in homogeneous columns packed with silica sand or glass beads, are accurately predicted by traditional two-phase flow theory which allows the corresponding gas phase relative permeability to be determined. A key consequence of the finding, that the displacement of the aqueous phase by gas is compact at the macroscopic scale, is consistent with pore scale simulations of repeated mobilization, fragmentation and coalescence of large gas clusters (i.e., large ganglion dynamics) driven entirely by mass transfer. The significance of this finding for the efficient delivery of a gas phase below the water table in relation to the alternative process of in-situ air sparging and the potential advantages of SWI are discussed. SWI has been shown to mobilize a previously immobile oil phase in the subsurface of 3-phase systems (oil, water and gas). A macroscopic account of the SWI process is given on the basis of continuum-scale simulations and column experiments using CO2 as the dissolved gas and kerosene as the trapped oil phase. Experimental observations show that the presence of oil ganglia in the subsurface alters gas phase mobility from 2-phase predictions. A corresponding 3-phase gas relative permeability function is determined, whereas a published 3-phase relative permeability correlation (Stone, Journal of Cana Petro Tech, 1973) is found to be inadequate for describing oil phase flow during SWI. A function to predict oil phase relative permeability is developed for use during SWI at high aqueous phase saturations with a disconnected oil phase and quasi-disconnected gas phase. Remarkably, the dynamics of gas-water-oil 3-phase flow, observed in a series of SWI experiments in homogeneous columns packed with silica sand or glass beads, are accurately predicted by traditional continuum-scale flow theory. The developed relative permeability function is compared to Stone’s Method and shown to approximate it in all regions while accurately describing oil flow during SWI. A published validation of Stone’s Method (Fayers and Matthews, Soc of Petro Eng Journal, 1984) is cited to validate this approximation of Stone’s Method.

The reuse of domestic greywater for toilet flushing has the potential to reduce both water consumption and wastewater production, but there is a need for low-cost, low-maintenance greywater treatment systems that can meet reclaimed water quality standards. The purpose of this thesis is to develop a horizontal subsurface flow wetland design that can be sited in a greenhouse, to document the initial performance of the design treating real greywater, to determine the effect of plants, and to provide recommendations for design. Pilot wetlands (planted and unplanted replicates) were constructed in a passively heated greenhouse and fed real domestic greywater. Effluent quality was compared to national reclaimed water quality guidelines. After the first five months of the study, operational changes (reduced loading, aeration of influent, fill and drain) were tested to determine their effect on effluent quality. The results show that the original design basis, 7.5 gBOD m-2d-1, is not appropriate for greywater wetland design under the conditions of this study due to insufficient removal of BOD and turbidity (although suspended solids removal was acceptable). Anoxic conditions within the wetlands led to reduction of sulfate to hydrogen sulfide, which demands oxygen and leads to odour and turbidity problems. Plants did not affect treatment during the first five months. Aerating influent and operation in fill and drain mode may improve BOD removal at relatively high hydraulic loading rates, but effluent disinfection is required to completely remove E.coli. Design recommendations were developed, including tentative loading rates and plant species. / Ontario Centres of Excellence, NSERC

O uso de agroquímicos pode causar uma grande variedade de impactos negativos em ambientes aquáticos. Em áreas de exploração agrícola, onde são usados tais produtos, há uma demanda por sistemas de bioremediação que conjuguem baixos custos e simplicidade operacional. Na presente tese são apresentados os resultados da pesquisa que consistiu em se investigar o destino ambiental do agroquímico ametrina quando adicionado a alagados construídos. Foram utilizados sistemas em micro e mesoescala, construídos em Viçosa-MG, que consistiam de macrófitas aquáticas (T. latifolia) plantadas sobre um leito de brita. Para melhor avaliação dos mecanismos nos alagados foi realizado um estudo hidrodinâmico e observou-se que as células operam com boa eficiência hidráulica. No experimento em mesoescala verificou-se a retenção/remoção de 39% da massa de ametrina aplicada, não sendo observadas diferenças significativas entre as 4 unidades utilizadas. No estudo em microcosmo, não foram observadas variações em relação ao teor de nutrientes e a morfo-anatomia das macrófitas. Tal fato pode ser interpretado positivamente, visto que mesmo sob perturbação ambiental a planta adulta conseguiu manter suas características. Como fator a ser considerado, verificou-se que o desenvolvimento inicial da T. latifolia pode ser prejudicado por reduzidas concentrações de ametrina. De uma maneira geral, observou-se que sistemas alagados construídos operando sob escoamento subsuperficial poderão vir a ser usados na mitigação da contaminação de águas por praguicidas. / Pesticides can cause a great spectrum of negative impacts in aquatic environmental. In agricultural lands, these products are largely used and in these regions there is a demand for low costs and simple bioremediation systems. In the present thesis, the results of the research about ametryn environmental fate in subsurface flow constructed wetlands systems are presented. The wetlands cells were built in microcosms and mesocosms scales at Viçosa city, Minas Gerais state. The experimental system was consisted of aquatic macrophytes (T. latifolia) cultivated on a porous gravel bed. A hydrodynamic study was performed for the better knowledge of the mechanisms of pesticide transport. The cells presented good hydraulic efficiency and in mesocosms wetlands were observed that 39% of ametryn amended was removed/retained. No statistical difference among the 4 cells performances was registered. At green house (microcosm) tests, no effects in nutrients and morpho-anatomy were observed. This fact can be interpreted positively, because ever under environmental disturbance, the macrophyte maintained its characteristics. However, aqueous 10-d germination and growth experiment indicate possible ametryn harmful effects to T. latifolia development. In general way, it was observed that vegetated constructed wetlands can be used in depollution of pesticides-contaminated waters.

An integrated surface-subsurface hydrological model of Everglades National Park (ENP) was developed using MIKE SHE and MIKE 11 modeling software. The model has a resolution of 400 meters, covers approximately 1050 square miles of ENP, includes 110 miles of drainage canals with a variety of hydraulic structures, and processes hydrological information, such as evapotranspiration, precipitation, groundwater levels, canal discharges and levels, and operational schedules. Calibration was based on time series and probability of exceedance for water levels and discharges in the years 1987 through 1997. Model verification was then completed for the period of 1998 through 2005. Parameter sensitivity in uncertainty analysis showed that the model was most sensitive to the hydraulic conductivity of the regional Surficial Aquifer System, the Manning's roughness coefficient, and the leakage coefficient, which defines the canal-subsurface interaction. The model offers an enhanced predictive capability, compared to other models currently available, to simulate the flow regime in ENP and to forecast the impact of topography, water flows, and modifying operation schedules.