research project details
Project Title: FY 2001 Water Resources Research Center annual base program
Investigator(s): David DeWalle, William Sharpe, David Hill, and Brian Dempsey
Sponsor: US Geological Survey
Environmental Problem Addressed: Protection of water resources
Research Project Objectives: Maintenance of the USGS-funded state water resources research institute program.
Summary: In Funding Year 2001, the USGS grant will be used to fund three new research projects related to water resource protection with the remaining portion used to fund existing Institute projects.
Project: Acid water mitigation methods - Principal Investigator: W.E. Sharpe
Pennsylvania increasingly has become part of the nationwide interest in watershed restoration and programs like the Growing Greener Initiative, sponsored by the PA Department of Environmental Protection, have provided funds for many groups including watershed associations, conservation groups, and government agencies to assess water quality and attempt to restore impaired watersheds. One of the most common water quality problems addressed in watershed restoration efforts is stream acidification caused by acid mine drainage or acidic deposition.
The objective of this study is to produce an easily understood reference manual for watershed groups to use in the initial planning of acid water mitigation projects. The publication will include information about the various types and applications of acid water mitigation techniques available along with costs, effectiveness of each treatment type, and construction information. The manual would be available for watershed restoration groups to use as a planning tool when considering mitigation projects on watersheds impacted by acid mine drainage or acid deposition.
Project: Environmental and hydrodynamic impacts of recreational watercraft on shallow lakes: Principal Investigator: David Hill
This study is investigating the impact of recreational watercraft on water quality and clarity in shallow lakes. Watercraft through hydrodynamic processes can cause sediment resuspension, which can lead to increased turbidity, elevated nutrient levels, and increased pollutants trapped in sediments. This study is focusing on resuspension of sediment due to the interaction of turbulent prop or jet wash on the water-sediment interface.
The main goal of this study is to be able to predict the onset on sediment motion as a function of boat speed, type, horsepower, as well as water depth. The second goal is to begin to develop a model that will be able to estimate the total suspended sediment load due to boat traffic, based on statistical information on boat densities and use patterns, sediment characteristics, and bathymetry of the specific lake. The final product will be a management tool that can be used to determine if, where, and when restrictions on boat power, speed, and operating depth are appropriate.
Schematic of boat operating in a shallow water layer Sediment plume due to passing personal watercraft
Project: In-line coagulation for micronfiltration: Principal Investigator: Brian Dempsey
Micron filtration is an increasingly popular technology for treatment for potable drinking water and wastewater. However, strategies for in-line coaglulation/micronfiltration have not been established. This project is investigating the in-line use of coagulants for micron filtration of water for potable water use and wastewater for beneficial reuse. The objectives are to determine the characteristics of coagulated solids that result in low trans-membrane pressures, long operation between chemical in-place cleaning, and removal of filterable contaminants.
It is hypothesized that micron filtration will be effective for contaminant and coagulation conditions that do not work for conventional depth filtration applications. This method could allow enhanced removal of dissolved constituents that would not be removed by micron filtration in the absence of coagulant. This research will produce a mechanistic explanation for the effects of coagulant type and coagulation conditions on in-line coagulation and micron filtration. Results will also demonstrate how to achieve removals of viruses and dissolved contaminants, in order to comply with potable water and wastewater regulations.