| Title |
Effects of Alkalinity and Hardness on the Chlorophyll-α Concentration |
| Authors |
김성옥 ( Sung Ok Kim ) ; 김학성 ( Hag Seong Kim ) |
| DOI |
https://doi.org/10.15681/KSWE.2014.30.1.025 |
| Keywords |
Algae; Alkalinity; Chlorophyll-α; Hardness; MINTEQ model; Soluble phosphorus |
| Abstract |
This study is done to prove the premise that both alkalinity and hardness affect on the dissolved phosphorus concentration so that the growth of algae is also affected in water bodies like rivers and lakes. Statistical analysis of the water quality data of 13 reservoirs collected for the last decade shows the relations between alkalinity and chlorophyll-α and between haedness and chlorophyll-α are not linear but follow second order equation. This relation seems to be due to two antagonistic effects accompanying a simultaneous increase in alkalinity and hardness. The increase stimulates the growth of algae by supplying carbonates and Ca2(+) to algae and at same time it causes a decrease in soluble phosphorus which retards algae to grow. These opposing tendencies are confirmed by theoretical calculations with the MNTEQ model. There seems to be ranges of alkalinity and hardness that are in favor of algae growth; the ranges are less than 44mg/L as CaCO3 in alkalinity and also less than 63mg/L as CaCO3 in hardness. This finding will provide a solid base to develop an effective water quality management of water bodies. |