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Nitrate removal under different ecological remediation measures in Taihu Lake: a 15 N mass-balance approach

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Abstract

Ecological remediation is an important measure for the protection of lake water quality in removing nutrients, such as nitrate (NO3 −). In this study, four bioremediation processes (bare sediment, immobilized nitrogen cycling bacteria (INCB) added, Elodea nuttallii added, E. nuttallii-INCB assemblage) were operated at a lab to elucidate the effect of macrophyte appearance and INCB addition on NO3 − removal and achieve the optimal processes for biomediation. 15 N-NO3 solution was added to microcosms to identify the key nitrogen transformation processes responsible for NO3 − removal. Results showed that nitrate removal was significantly enhanced after the addition of INCB and E. nuttallii. In the treatments with INCB added, E. nuttallii added, and INCB and E. nuttallii-INCB assemblage, nitrate removal ratio achieved 94.74, 98.76, and 99.15 %, respectively. In contrast, only 23.47 % added nitrate was removed in the control. Plant uptake and denitrification played an important role in nitrogen removal. The water quality was substantially improved by the addition of INCB and macrophyte that can accelerate denitrification and promote nitrogen assimilation of plants. The results indicated that plant uptake and microbial denitrification were key processes for nitrate removal.

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Acknowledgments

This study was financially supported by research projects of the Major State Water Pollution Control and Treatment Technique Programs of China (Nos. 2012ZX07101006, 2013ZX07101014-001). We sincerely thank Dr. Zhang Lu and Dr. Zhang Jinbo for providing valuable advice on isotope sample tests. We thank Dr. Wang Jianjun for his technical assistance in using the O2 microprobe equipment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Pollutant Control and Resources Reuse, School of the Environment, Institute of Oceanographic Research, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Avenue, 210023, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China

    Dandan Liu, Zhengkui Li & Wanguang Zhang

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  1. Dandan Liu
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  2. Zhengkui Li
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  3. Wanguang Zhang
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Correspondence to Zhengkui Li.

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Responsible editor: Hailong Wang

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Liu, D., Li, Z. & Zhang, W. Nitrate removal under different ecological remediation measures in Taihu Lake: a 15 N mass-balance approach. Environ Sci Pollut Res 21, 14138–14145 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-014-3328-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-014-3328-3

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