Nitrogen and phosphorus interactions and transformations in cold-climate mine water recipients

Process water discharged from mine sites may contain elevated concentrations of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), which both are nutrients for phytoplankton and macrophytes. Thus, discharge of nutrient rich mine water can result in algal blooms, eutrophication, oxygen deficiency and changed species composition in the recipients. This thesis is focused on the speciation and transformation processes of N and P in streams and lakes receiving mine effluents from the Kiruna and Boliden mine sites. The thesis also aimed at evaluating N removal capacity of these aquatic systems. Research methods in the thesis included collection of field data, laboratory and field experiments and computer simulations. The question of limiting nutrient for production of phytoplankton and macrophytes in these mine water recipients was investigated. For this reason, total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP) and TN:TP ratios in water, sediment and macrophytes were analysed and evaluated. Depending on the ammonium concentration in the effluent at the Boliden site, TN:TP-ratios of the water column shifted from being >22, indicating P-deficiency for phytoplankton, to between 9-22, indicating a transition from N to P deficiency (co-limitation). However, water column TN:TP ratios at the Kiruna site always indicated P deficiency. On the other hand, the TN:TP ratios of macrophytes revealed that both sites may vary from N to P limitation. These aspects have implications for assessing the environmental influence of nutrient-rich mine effluents. A downstream decrease in inorganic N (NH4+ and NO3-) as well as lower concentrations during summer was observed in the receiving streams and lakes. To identify and quantify the major N transformation and removal processes responsible for these changes, a dynamic biogeochemical model was developed, calibrated and validated using hydrological and water chemistry data for the clarification pond Nya Sjön (Boliden). The model calculates concentrations of six N species and simulates the rate of 16 N transformation processes occurring in the water column and sediment as well as water-sediment and water-atmosphere interactions. The calibrated model rendered coefficients of determination (R2) of 0.93, 0.79 and 0.86 for the inorganic nitrogen species ammonium, nitrate and organic nitrogen, respectively. When applying the model in the downstream Lake Bruträsket, the corresponding R2 values were 0.86, 0.76 and 0.54. Model simulations in the two systems suggested that nitrification controlled the reaction rate of the coupled nitrification-denitrification process and that approximately 60 – 65% of permanent removal occurred though denitrification, followed by burial in the sediment (~30-35 %) (May - October). A stable nitrogen isotope (15N) was employed to trace N cycling in the various plant parts of common reed (P. australis) growing in the littoral zone of Lake Bruträsket. Isotope enrichment data indicated a significantly more effective assimilation of N in the roots. Maximum tracer uptake rates of 0.25 µg g-1 min-1 (NO3-) and 1.4 µg g-1 min-1 (NH4+) are similar to model simulated rates of macrophyte N uptake. Simulation results and results from the tracer study indicated that direct N removal through N uptake in macrophytes and phytoplankton may be of minor importance relative to nitrification and denitrification. A sediment incubation experiment using lake water and sediment from Lake Bruträsket (Boliden) resulted in a sedimentary flux of soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) of 1.1 mg SRP m-2 d-1. Field measurements suggested that oxidation of organic matter and inorganic mining related chemicals (e.g. NH4+ and thiosalts) may result in increased internal SRP flux. These findings point to a possible interaction between the cycles of N (oxygen consumption) and P (flux from sediment) that may be important for nutrient regulation in mine water recipients. Sediment proxy data (δ13C, δ15N, C/N ratios) was used to reconstruct historical changes in organic matter (OM) accumulation in lakes receiving nutrient-rich mine waters in the Boliden and Kiruna mine sites. Sediment accumulation rates increased upwards in all cores, which correlates with an increase in suspended load in the mining effluents discharging to the systems. Similarδ15N values in dissolved inorganic N (DIN) and surface sediments most likely reflect biological assimilation of DIN and subsequent settling of phytoplankton and macrophyte organic detritus. The improved knowledge on N and P dynamics in mine water recipients can be used in selection of mine water management strategies that may lead to reduced N discharge.Godkänd; 2013; 20130920 (sarfra); Tillkännagivande disputation 2013-10-23 Nedanstående person kommer att disputera för avläggande av teknologie doktorsexamen. Namn: Sara Chlot Ämne: Tillämpad geologi/Applied Geology Avhandling: Nitrogen and Phosphorus Interactions and Transformations in Cold-Climate Mine Water Recipients Opponent: Professor emeritus Sven Erik Jørgensen, Copenhagen University, Danmark Ordförande: Docent Anders Widerlund, Institutionen för samhällsbyggnad och naturresurser, Luleå tekniska universitet Tid: Fredag den 15 november 2013, kl 10.00 Plats: F341, Luleå tekniska universite

Olika alternativ vid störsättning, Vägverket produktion, drift

Validerat; 20101217 (root

Nitrogen effluents from mine sites in northern Sweden : nitrogen transformations and limiting nutrient in receiving waters

Process water discharged from mine sites may contain elevated concentrations of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), which both are nutrients for algae and aquatic plants. Thus, discharge of nutrient rich mine water can result in algal blooms, eutrophication, oxygen deficiency and changed species composition in the receiving waters. This thesis is focused on the speciation and transformation processes of N and N:P ratios in streams and lakes receiving mine effluents from the Kiruna and Boliden mine sites. In this work, a dynamic biogeochemical model was developed for the clarification pond receiving ammonium-rich mine effluents from the Boliden concentration plant. A number of such models have been developed that simulate N transformations in wastewater stabilization ponds. However, few biogeochemical models have been developed that primarily focus on simulation of processes regulating transport and removal of N in waters receiving mine effluents. The presented model calculates concentrations of six N species and simulates the rate of 16 N transformation processes occurring in the water column and sediment as well as water-sediment and water-atmosphere interactions. A six-year simulation of ammonium concentrations showed stable behaviour over time, and the calibrated model rendered coefficients of determination (R2) of 0.93, 0.79 and 0.86 for the inorganic nitrogen species ammonium, nitrate and organic nitrogen, respectively. This indicates a stable model behaviour. The simulated denitrification rate was on average five times higher than the ammonia volatilization rate, and about three times higher than the permanent burial of sedimentary nitrogen. Hence, denitrification was the most important process for the permanent removal of N. The model can be used to simulate possible measures to reduce the N load and, after some modification and recalibration, it can be applied at other mine sites affected by N-rich effluents. In addition, it was investigated which nutrient that limits bioproduction in the two aquatic systems. Total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP) and N:P ratios in water, sediment and macrophytes were used to examine (1) spatial variations within the systems, (2) differences between the systems and (3) seasonal variations. The TN content from the discharge point at the Kiruna site was on average about seven times higher than at the Boliden discharge point, while the TP content was 10 times lower than in the discharge point at the Boliden site. Depending on the ammonium concentration in the effluent at the Boliden site, N:P-ratios of the water column shifted from being >22, indicating P-deficiency, to between 9-22, indicating a transition from N to P deficiency (co-limitation). However, water column N:P ratios at the Kiruna site always indicated P deficiency. On the other hand, the N:P ratios of macrophytes revealed that both sites may vary from N to P limitation. These differences are important to consider when establishing a monitoring programme for assessing the environmental influence of nutrient rich mine effluents. Such a programme should include the major N and P species of the water as well as samples of phytoplankton, sediment and macrophytes.Godkänd; 2011; 20110503 (sarfra); LICENTIATSEMINARIUM Ämnesområde: Tillämpad geologi/Applied Geology Examinator: Professor Björn Öhlander, Institutionen för samhällsbyggnad och naturresurser, Luleå tekniska universitet Diskutant: Teknologie licentiat, miljöchef Anders Lundkvist, LKAB, Kiruna Tid: Onsdag den 22 juni 2011 kl 13.00 Plats: F531, Luleå tekniska universite

Carbon and nitrogen concentrations and isotopic composition in sediments of lakes receiving nitrogen rich mine effluents

Godkänd; 2011; 20111016 (ysko

Studying nitrogen cycling and uptake by macrophytes using 15N tracer techniques

Godkänd; 2011; 20111028 (sarfra

Carbon and nitrogen concentrations and isotopic composition in sediments of lakes receiving nitrogen rich mine effluents

Godkänd; 2011; 20111016 (ysko

Nitrogen effluents from mine sites : environmental effects and removal of nitrogen in recipients

Godkänd; 2011; 20110816 (ysko