Many rural communities in Manitoba use wastewater lagoons to treat sewage, but the nutrient removal process is not fully understood. This thesis’ purpose is to improve understanding of chemical and biological nutrient removal mechanisms of wastewater lagoon treatment and compare two different stabilization ponds – one aerated and one facultative. Samples were collected from stabilization ponds and analysed for a pond average. The facultative lagoon achieved overall ammonia-N removals similar to those of the aerated lagoon, and lower orthophosphate removals. Nitrogen appears to be removed by ammonia volatilization; and assimilation into biomass. Phosphorus appears to be removed by assimilation into biomass; and precipitation at alkaline pH. There appears to be nitrogen limiting conditions in the secondary cells of both stabilization systems based on nitrogen-phosphorus ratios. There does not appear to be any significant advantage between aerated or facultative lagoons; they will meet their ammonia limits, but will require additional phosphorus treatment. / October 2016

This research uses Bayesian analysis of fluorescence spectroscopy results to determine if wastewater from the Heber Valley Special Service District (HVSSD) lagoons in Midway, UT has seeped into the adjacent Provo River. This flow cannot be directly measured, but it is possible to use fluorescence spectroscopy to determine if there is seepage into the river.Fluorescence spectroscopy results of water samples obtained from HVSSD lagoons and from upstream and downstream in the Provo River were used to conduct this statistical analysis. The fluorescence 'fingerprints' for the upstream and lagoon samples were used to deconvolute the two sources in a downstream sample in a manner similar to the tools and methods discussed in the literature and used for source apportionment of air pollutants. The Bayesian statistical method employed presents a novel way of conducting source apportionment and identifying the existence of pollution.This research demonstrates that coupling fluorescence spectroscopy with Bayesian statistical methods allows researchers to determine the degree to which a water source has been contaminated by a pollution source. This research has applications in determining the affect sanitary wastewater lagoons and other lagoons have on an adjacent river due to groundwater seepage. The method used can be applied in scenarios where direct collection of hydrogeologic data is not possible. This research demonstrates that the Bayesian chemical mass balance model presented is a viable method of performing source apportionment.

Ce travail s’oriente vers la valorisation du traitement d’eaux usées à partir de piles à combustibles microbiennes (PCM) benthiques pour la production d’électricité. Cette technologie permet la production d’électricité à partir de micro-organismes électro-actifs (EA) et d’un substrat carboné qui peut être de l’eau usée.Quatre types d’eaux usées issues de l’activité anthropique sont sélectionnés. La présence de micro-organismes EA est mise en évidence par 2 méthodes électrochimiques. En condition réelle, le milieu lagunaire présente les meilleures performances électriques (6,6 mW/m²). Celui-ci propose l’environnement le plus favorable à l’installation dePCM benthiques in-situ. Les résultats montrent une forte influence des micro-algues sur l’activité des biofilms EA. Avec un cycle jour/nuit, cette production varie en suivant les cycles d’éclairage. Les micro-algues apportent l’oxygène nécessaire aux réactions cathodiques. Les PCM améliorent également la consommation de polluants du milieu cathodique.L’alimentation de petits dispositifs tels que des capteurs passe obligatoirement par une augmentation de la tension délivrée par les biopiles. Différentes techniques d’élévation de la tension (mise en série et en parallèle de plusieurs piles, convertisseurs DC/DC) sont analysées. Un capteur de température et d’humidité a fonctionné durant plus de 15 h directement alimenté par une de nos biopiles benthiques avec une puissance de 328 µW. Sa tension de sortie est augmentée par un convertisseur de type Flyback, passant de 560 mV à plus de 5,5 V. L’utilisation de PCM in-situ dans la lagune peut constituer une alternative à la production électrique et au traitement des eaux usées. / The work described in this document is oriented to enhancing the treatment of wastewater from benthic microbial fuel cell (BMFC) for electricity production. This technology allows the production of electricity from electro-active (EA) microorganisms and carbonated substrate which may be the wastewater.Four types of wastewater from human activity are selected. The presence of EA microorganisms is highlighted by two electrochemical methods. In real conditions, the lagoon environment has the best electrical performance (6.6 mW/m²).The lagoon environment offers the most favorable environment for installation BMFC in-situ. The results show a strong influence of microalgae on the EA biofilms activities and thus on the production of electricity. In lagoon conditions, with a day/night cycle, this production varies according to the lighting cycles. Microalgae bring oxygen necessary for cathode reactions at lower cost. BMFC also improve the consumption of pollutants including organics.Electrical supply by small devices such as sensors necessarily requires an increase of the voltage delivered by BMFC. The different voltage boosting techniques such as series and parallel connections of several units or the use of DC/DC converters are performed and analyzed. A temperature and humidity sensor worked for more than fifteen hours directly powered by a BMFC with a power of 328 µW. Its output voltage is increased by a flyback type DC/DC converter, from 560 mV to more than 5.5 V. The use of PCM in-situ in the lagoon can be an alternative to the power generation and the treatment of wastewater.