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Measurement of the Potential Rates of Dissimilatory Nitrate Reduction to Ammonium Based on 14NH4+/15NH4+ Analyses via Sequential Conversion to N2O
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Published on: October 7, 2020

Modelling nitrogen transformations in waters receiving mine effluents.

Sara Chlot1, Anders Widerlund, Dmytro Siergieiev

  • 1Division of Geosciences and Environmental Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, SE-971 87 Luleå, Sweden. sara.chlot@ltu.se

The Science of the Total Environment
|August 6, 2011
PubMed
Summary

A new biogeochemical model simulates nitrogen transformations in a Swedish clarification pond. Denitrification is the primary nitrogen removal process, suggesting the model

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Published on: December 6, 2018

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Biogeochemistry
  • Water Quality Modeling

Background:

  • Concentration plants generate ammonium nitrogen-rich discharge.
  • Nitrogen (N) transformations in aquatic systems are complex.
  • Clarification ponds are crucial for treating industrial wastewater.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a dynamic biogeochemical model for nitrogen transformations.
  • To simulate nitrogen species and transformation processes in a clarification pond.
  • To assess the model's applicability to other industrial sites.

Main Methods:

  • A dynamic model was created using Powersim software.
  • The model simulates six nitrogen species and 16 transformation processes.
  • Model validation used 2006-2007 data; sensitivity analysis focused on temperature dependence.

Main Results:

  • The model accurately predicted ammonium-N (R²=0.93), nitrate-N (R²=0.79), and organic N (R²=0.86).
  • Simulations showed stable ammonium-N concentrations over six years.
  • Denitrification was the dominant nitrogen removal pathway, exceeding ammonia volatilization and sediment burial.

Conclusions:

  • The model provides a stable and accurate representation of nitrogen cycling.
  • Denitrification is key for nitrogen removal in this system.
  • The model can inform strategies for reducing nitrogen loads and be adapted for other mining sites.