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Diurnal patterns of ammonium and un-ionized ammonia in streams receiving secondary treatment effluent

Journal Article · · Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01688378· OSTI ID:5211828
;
Ammonia is a common pollutant of streams receiving domestic and industrial waste water effluent. In aqueous solution, ammonium (NH/sub 4//sup +/) and un-ionized ammonia (NH/sub 3/) form a pH dependent equilibrium. Although ammonium is relatively nontoxic, unionized ammonia is toxic to a variety of aquatic organisms. Water quality criteria have been derived for un-ionized ammonia based on its toxicity to fish and aquatic invertebrates. The effects of fluctuating concentrations of ammonia could be especially significant in streams receiving sewage treatment effluent. Ammonia loads from sewage treatment facilities often display pronounced diurnal patterns, which may be imparted to receiving streams. In addition, diurnal patterns in stream pH and temperature could significantly affect ammonia speciation. Diurnal patterns in pH due to photosynthesis and respiration could significantly affect ammonia speciation and thus un-ionized ammonia concentrations in poorly buffered or highly productive streams. This paper describes diurnal patterns in ammonium and un-ionized ammonia in a stream receiving secondary treatment effluent and illustrates the effects of effluent loads, pH, and temperature on un-ionized ammonia patterns.
Research Organization:
Iowa State Univ., Ames (USA)
OSTI ID:
5211828
Journal Information:
Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.; (United States), Journal Name: Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.; (United States) Vol. 40:4; ISSN BECTA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

520200* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AMMONIA
AMMONIUM COMPOUNDS
CATIONS
CHARGED PARTICLES
DAILY VARIATIONS
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
FEDERAL REGION VII
HYDRIDES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
IONS
IOWA
LIQUID WASTES
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN HYDRIDES
NORTH AMERICA
PH VALUE
POLLUTION
RIVERS
SEWAGE
SEWAGE SLUDGE
SLUDGES
STREAMS
SURFACE WATERS
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
USA
VARIATIONS
WASTES
WATER POLLUTION
WATER QUALITY