Aluminium speciation: implications of wastewater effluent dosing on river water quality

Authors: Comber, Sean D. W.; Gardner, Michael J.; Churchley, John

Source: Chemical Speciation and Bioavailability, Volume 17, Number 3, August 2005 , pp. 117-128(12)

Publisher: Science Reviews 2000 Ltd

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Abstract:

Aluminium-based coagulants can be used during wastewater treatment to reduce phosphate loads discharged to surface waters. Aluminium is recognised as potentially toxic to fish under pH conditions where precipitation at the gill surface may occur. This is reflected in the way in which the proposed aluminium Environmental Quality Standard (EQS) has been set as a limiting concentration of 10 μg/L for waters of a pH value below 6.5 and a limit of 25 μg/L for waters of pH greater than 6.5. Field and laboratory studies have been undertaken to examine aluminium speciation in wastewater treatment works effluent and receiving waters under a variety of pH conditions. The practicalities of implementing the proposed EQS values were assessed. Field observations indicated consistent compliance with the proposed EQS aluminium levels for waters of relatively high pH value. Laboratory studies showed that for waters of pH value significantly less than 6.0, reactive aluminium concentrations naturally present through dissolution of aluminosilicate minerals tended to exceed levels discharged in a sewage effluent. After mixing between effluent and receiving water, changes in aluminium speciation were largely complete within a one hour period.

Keywords: reactive aluminium; aluminium; speciation; surface water quality; wastewater treatment works effluent

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3184/095422905782774874

Affiliations: 1: WRc, Frankland Road, Blagrove, Swindon, Wilts, SN5 8YF, UK

Publication date: 2005-08-10

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Chemical Speciation & Bioavailability covers a rapidly expanding area in environmental science.
Research on the interactions between the chemical forms and behaviour of toxic compounds and their subsequent biological uptake, metabolism and ecological fate involves many scientific fields. These studies are often published in discipline-specific journals, leading to inadequate review and information scatter. This situation hinders both the development of an international community of experienced colleagues and the open flow of information and discussion. Additionally, the importance of speciation and bioavailability research to the development of pollution law and control technologies is being increasingly appreciated by environmental regulatory agencies throughout the world.
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Aluminium speciation: implications of wastewater effluent dosing on river water quality

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