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AMMONIA IN TEXAS STREAMS DURING LOW FLOW FROM MUNICIPAL WASTEWATER 1
Author(s) -
Davis E. M.,
Downs T. D.,
Gray W. G.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
jawra journal of the american water resources association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.957
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1752-1688
pISSN - 1093-474X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1752-1688.1978.tb02291.x
Subject(s) - effluent , streams , wastewater , ammonia , environmental science , lepomis macrochirus , environmental chemistry , hydrology (agriculture) , environmental engineering , chemistry , zoology , fish <actinopterygii> , fishery , biology , computer network , geotechnical engineering , engineering , organic chemistry , computer science
An investigation of treated municipal wastewaters discharged into Texas streams was conducted to determine the probable effect of concentrations of ammonia in receiving waters, based on existing data on ammonia levels which are lethal to various species of fish. Recorded data for most Texas cities were analyzed. Based on existing toxicity criteria for ammonia of 1/10 TL m = 0.31 mg/1 NH 3 ‐N, employing known discharge flow rates, and 7‐day, 5‐year or 7‐day, 10‐year low flows in Texas streams, appreciable numbers of sites were found to pose a threat to various species of fish. Using the bluegill ( Lepomis macrochirus ) as a median tolerance limit species, data from 65 cities which met the aforecited requirements, were analyzed. Those included a total of 92 wastewater effluents. Sixty‐nine percent of those cities and 70% of their effluents exceeded the 0.31 mg/1 NH 3 ‐N limit in the stream below the discharge point. Thirty‐seven percent of the cities equaled or exceeded the 96‐hour TL m concentration limit of 3.1 mg/1 ammonia. Based on the 10 mg/1 NO 3 ‐N standard for intake water for potable supplies, 32% of the effluents resulted in a stream concentration which exceeded 10 mg/1, assuming a straight conversion of NH 3 ‐N to NO 3 ‐N.