Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/K006908/1
[WATER] Sediment-water interactions in natural and man-made environments: assessing the impact of phosphorus removal from point-sources
Training Grant Award
- Lead Supervisor:
- Professor B Jefferson, Cranfield University, School of Water, Energy and Environment
- Grant held at:
- Cranfield University, School of Water, Energy and Environment
- Science Area:
- Atmospheric
- Earth
- Freshwater
- Marine
- Terrestrial
- Overall Classification:
- Freshwater
- ENRIs:
- Biodiversity
- Environmental Risks and Hazards
- Global Change
- Natural Resource Management
- Pollution and Waste
- Science Topics:
- None
- Abstract:
- The need to manage nutrient discharges into natural water bodies has been recognised worldwide for years, with increasingly more countries setting tighter target maximum concentrations of phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations in rivers. This has resulted in "point sources" of polluting discharges like sewage treatments works being required to remove more nutrients, as these can contribute significantly to soluble and particulate phosphorus in streams. In the UK water industry, this need is generally met by adding iron or aluminium salts to the sewage, especially in sites serving less than 10,000 population equivalents. Iron traps phosphorus directly, by precipitating in aerobic, turbulent conditions; or indirectly, by adsorbing onto iron hydroxide precipitates' surfaces, both of which are settled out or trapped in physical filters prior to discharge to the water course. Whilst discharge consents are based on total chemical species, the entrapment of all forms of phosphorus is believed to be irreversible. However, research on sediment-water interactions at natural and restored systems indicates potential for P and Fe release under naturally-occurring conditions associated with anaerobic environments and quiescent conditions. This projects aims to assess the conditions for potential phosphorus and iron release from sediments escaping chemicallydosed sewage treatment works, both in the receiving water courses and in upstream biofiom treatment processes. The project will consist of a combination of field surveys at discharge points and sewage works, laboratory testing of potential conditions that can trigger release, and testing of potential mitigation strategies that could be applied at the discharge point or upstream process to prevent phosphorus and iron release into the natural environment. Severn Trent Water has 1026 sewage works, 784 of which use biofilm technologies as secondary treatment and 53 of these currently have a P consent achieved through chemical dosing. Collaboration with this industrial partner is therefore essential for an in-depth assessment of the impact of nutrient management strategies in point sources to enable a sustainable, integrated river catchment management. The results from this work will provide a better understanding of sediment-water interactions in river catchments, mainly related to mitigation of the effects of phosphorus discharges from domestic point sources. With Severn Trent Water as project partner, it is expected the work will aid in promoting the industry's efforts to an overall lowering of environmental impacts whilst reliably achieving tighter nutrient discharge standards. Because of its very nature, the project will also have a significant impact in the training of the researchers of the future, as the doctoral student is inserted within the water industry on a leading-edge research topic.
- NERC Reference:
- NE/K006908/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- DTG - directed
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Open CASE
This training grant award has a total value of £68,671
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - Fees | Total - Student Stipend | Total - RTSG |
|---|---|---|
| £13,978 | £49,194 | £5,499 |
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