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Algal bioassays to evaluate a proposed cooling lake

Journal Article · · J. Water Pollut. Control Fed.; (United States)
OSTI ID:7221823

Laboratory bioassays were evaluated to determine limiting nutrients, algal growth potential, sensitivity to probable nutrient inputs from the watershed, biological availability versus chemical concentrations, and potential impact of evaporative concentration of nutrients on samples collected from a Kansas reservoir and stream to be used to supply a cooling lake for a nuclear power plant. It was found that nitrogen or phosphorus alone or in association limited growth. Inorganic chemical analyses, as orthophosphorus or the sum of nitrate, nitrite, and ammonia nitrogen, frequently underestimated the biologically available portion and the total chemical analyses, as total phosphorus, or the sum of inorganic and total organic nitrogen, generally overestimated the biologically available portion. Evaporative concentration experiments suggested that evaporation greater than two- to three-fold may lead to inhibition of growth.

Research Organization:
Nalco-Environmental Sciences, Northbrook, IL
OSTI ID:
7221823
Journal Information:
J. Water Pollut. Control Fed.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Water Pollut. Control Fed.; (United States) Vol. 48:10; ISSN JWPFA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English