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Genesis and Control Measures of Blue Algae in Xinlicheng Reservoir

Article · June 2010

DOI: 10.1109/ICBBE.2010.5515071

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 Genesis and Control Measures of Blue Algae in
Xinlicheng Reservoir
Li Yongqing, Xiao Changlai, Du Chao
College of Environment and Resources
Jilin University
Changchun, P.R. China
lyq.321@163.com
Abstract—A lot of blue algae occurred in Xinlicheng Reservoir in
2007, and eutrophication took place in water body, which is
mainly caused by the contamination of nitrogen and phosphorus.
The control measures of blue algae have been presented,
including controlling the entering of nutrient substances from the
outside sources, gathering of nutrient substances inside the
reservoir, destroying the favorable conditions for existence and
reproduction of algae, establishing the long-term mechanism for
water source protection, and studying the countermeasures from
both symptoms and root cause. Hence, the development of blue
algae in the reservoir has been controlled effectively.
Keywords- Xinlicheng Reservoir; blue algae; eutrophication;
control measures
I. INTRODUCTION
Blue algae bloom is an important characteristic of
eutrophication. At present, blue algae bloom has become a
worldwide environmental disaster. In china, massive outbreaks
of blue algae bloom have respectively taken place in the
Xuanwu Lake, Nanjing; Dianchi Lake, Kunming; Taihu Lake,
Wuxi; Chaohu Lake, Anhui; and other lakes and reservoirs. In
Taihu Lake, the continued time of blue algae bloom caused by
eutrophication has been extended from one season of summer
in the past to three seasons of spring, summer, and autumn in
recent years; the outbreak area of blue algae bloom has
expanded from local bays to the most of the lake eyot [1-2].
The situations of blue algae are also aggravating in other lakes.
Microcystin which is produced by blue algae is a harmful
carcinogenic chemical factor, and its primary target organs are
animal livers [3]. The high-density gathering of blue algae in
the upper water layer decrease the efficiency of drinking water
filtration, and increase the treatment costs. In addition, the
toxin, odor and its soluble extra-cellular products of blue algae
take great risk to public health [4].
The conditions of eutrophication in water body can be
concluded as three factors as follows.
a) Nitrogen, phosphorus and other nutrients are
relatively plentiful. The critical value of TN>0.2mg/l; TP>
0.02mg/ l.
b) Slow flow pattern.
c) Suitable temperature and sunlight.
This work is supported by National Key Technology R&D Program in the
11th five-year Plan (2007BAB28B04-03, 2006BAB04A09-02)
978-1-4244-4713-8/10/$25.00 ©2010 IEEE
Li Yongqing
Administration Bureau
Xinlicheng Reservoir
Changchun, P.R. China
The cyanobacteria bloom happens in water body once there
are suitable temperature, sufficient sunlight and nitrogen,
phosphorus and other nutrient conditions, representing
eutrophication state. Nitrogen and phosphorus are the factors
limiting its growth, and phosphorus is more effective than
nitrogen.
Measures of controlling blue algae mainly include physical
algae removal, chemical algae removal, biological algae
removal and controlling sources of pollution, etc. [5].
II. OUTBREAK OF BLUE ALGAE IN XINLICHENG RESERVOIR
A. General Situation
Xinlicheng Reservoir is one of the main water sources in
Changchun City, China, with total capacity of 5.92×108m3 and
designed annual water supply of 0.89×108m3 There was a
drought season in the reservoir basin from 1999 to 2005. In
July 2005, because of basin-wide flood taking place, pollutants
within the catchment area were transported into the reservoir
by the flood, exceeding the self-purification capacity of the
reservoir. The concentrations of TN and TP were highly
beyond eutrophication standard. Blue algae occurred in small
area in 2006, with little effect on the water supply. Large area
of blue algae took place in July 2007 in Xinlicheng Reservoir,
seriously influencing the water supply. The result of
identification of blue algae showed that blue algae accounted
for 62.5%, green algae accounted for 25%, and other algae
accounted for 12.5%. Micro-capsule aeruginosin was the
primary blue algae.
B. Genesis of Outbreak Conditions of Blue Algae
1) The increase of TN and TP
The result of water quality monitoring which was carried
out in Xinlicheng Reservoir from 1987 to 1988 showed that the
concentration of suspended solids exceeded the standard in the
whole year. The concentration of Copper, Phenol, COD, and
BOD5 exceeded by 0.1 times and 0.8 times in some months,
while the other items achieved standard I & II (GB3838-2002,
China). But the concentration of TP and TN reached 0.13mg/l
and 2.1mg//l, which are the critical standards of eutrophication.
Because the photosynthesis was restrained by the high level of
suspended solids, and feeding of silver carp and bighead carp
living on plankton also reduced the biomass of algae, the effect 0.45
0.40
of eutrophication in the reservoir was not obvious. 0.35
The monitoring data from 1998 to 2008 shows that the 0.30

TP(mg/l)
0.25
main pollutants were suspended solids, TN, TP, COD, and 0.20
Permanganate Index. According to the grade III of "Standard of 0.15
Environmental Quality of Surface Water (GB3838-2002) ", the 0.10
main exceeding items were suspended solids, TN and TP, 0.05
0.00
shown in Tab. 1. The value of TN exceeded the standard from
Month 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
2000 to 2002, and from 2006 to 2008, with an average value of 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Grade III of standard
1.07mg/l; and the most unfavorable value of 8.07mg/l occurs in
September 2007, exceeding by 7.1 times. The value of TP has
been exceeding the standard continuously, with an average Figure 3. Variation curve of TP from 2003 to 2008
value of 0.13mg/l; and the most unfavorable value of 0.41mg/l 100.0
occurs in September 2005, exceeding by 7.2 times. 90.0
Temporally, the self-purification capacity of Xinlicheng 80.0
70.0
Reservoir was weak in the dry season from 1999 to 2003, with 60.0
high concentrations of TN and TP. After the heavy drought, a

TN/TP
50.0
large scale of flood took place in the catchment in 2005. Large 40.0
30.0
quantity of N, P and other nutrients favorable for the algae 20.0
were carried into the reservoir. The average water depth is 5m, 10.0
forming no obvious layers. The concentration of nutrients in 0.0

the upper, middle and lower reaches changed very little. The M onth 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

water quality in the upstream was poor than that in the

2003y ear 2004y ear 2005y ear 2006y ear 2007y ear 2008y ear

downstream only when the flood flowed into the reservoir.

Chlorophyll a was checked out in the reservoir in 2006, Figure 4. Variation curve of TN/TP from 2003 to 2008
indicating the acceleration of algae reproduction. A large scale
of blue algae bloom broke out in 2007. The concentration of N
and P declined in 2008 as the consumption of nutrients, shown TABLE I. STATISTICS OF OVERPROOF ITEMS FROM 2003 TO 2008
from Fig.1 to Fig.4. TN (mg/l) TP (mg/l) COD (mg/l)
Year Overproof Worst Overproof Worst Overproof Worst
months value months value months value
2003 - - 6 0.09 - -
6.00
2004 - - 11 0.20 1 23.8
5.00
standard index of TN & TP

2005 7 1.62 9 0.41 3 26.5

4.00 2006 8 2.56 4 0.12 4 27.4
inflow flux(10 m )
3

2007 7 8.07 7 0.26 3 24.8

8

3.00
2.00 2008 9 1.62 6 0.12 4 28.2
1.00
Permanganate Index
Year Overproof Worst pH Chlorophyll a Grade
0.00
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
months value
2003 - - - - Ⅳ
TN TP Inflow flux Year
2004 - - 7.1-8.6 - Ⅴ
2005 - - 7.3-8.2 - Ⅴ
Figure 1. Hydrograph of inflow flux and TN & TP
2006 1 8.0 7.0-8.7 0.005 Ⅴ
2007 3 8.1 7.5-9.4 0.011 Ⅴ
5.50
5.00
2008 1 7.4 7.4-8.9 0.005 Ⅴ
4.50
4.00
3.50 When blue breaking out In July 2007, the concentration of
TN(mg /l)

3.00
2.50 TP reached 0.06~0.1mg/l and the concentration of TN reached
2.00 1.0~2.6mg/l, far higher than the initial concentration of TN and
1.50 TP causing eutrophication, which is admitted globally. High
1.00
0.50 content of TN and TP provided enough nutrition for the growth
0.00 of algae. The suitable ratio of TN/TP for the growth and
Month 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 reproduction of pelagic algae is between 10:1 and 25:1. The
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Grade III of Standard
ratio of TN/TP in Xinlicheng Reservoir was between 16:1 and
26:1, within the appropriate range. The value of pH in 2005
Figure 2. Variation curve of TN from 2003 to 2008 was 7.7, 7.65in 2006, 8.71in 2007, and 8.54 in 2008. The value
of pH greater than 8.5 is suitable for the growth of blue algae.

2) Suitable water temperature

 The favorable temperature for blue algae blooms is between
15℃ and 30℃, and the optimum temperature for the growth of
Micro-capsule aeruginosin is between 28.8℃ and 30.5℃, with
the minimum temperature of 10 ℃ and the maximum
temperature of 40℃. Xinlicheng Reservoir is located at north
latitude 43 degrees, so the continuous time of blue algae is
shorter than the South of China. From the historical records of
water temperature observation, it is known that the temperature
is higher than 10 ℃ from late April to late October, and higher
than 15 ℃ from May 15 to October 10, with the maximum
temperature of 26~30℃. The water temperature reaches 18 ℃
suitable for the growth of blue algae from June to September in
the reservoir. Especially in May and June, 2007, the weather is
very suitable for the growth of blue algae because of drought
and enough sunshine.
bloom. The weak effect of biological chain, the suitable
temperature and high transparency provides a favorable
external environment for reproduction of algae. The
concentration of TN and TP can be reduced, and the effect of
biological chain can be enhanced artificially.
III. CONTROL MEASURES OF BLUE ALGAE
Control measures against internal and external pollution
sources have taken after the outbreak of blue algae in
Xinlicheng Reservoir. The discharge of N and P into the
reservoir from external sources is controlled, reducing the total
entry quantity. The processes of absorption, transformation are
controlled to reduce the concentration of N and P. Destroying
the existence of algae is good for the environment, restraining
the outbreak of blue algae.

3) High transparency A. External Control Measures

The water storage of Xinlicheng Reservoir was few in 2003 • Build physical isolation fence with the length of 90km
and 2004. Influenced by strong wind wave, there were more along the boundary of primary protected area, migrate
suspended substances in the reservoir, with low transparency. the residents outside the protected area, stop
The total inflow flux was large in 2005 and 2006, the agriculture and livestock production, and forbid human
secondary flood peak flux was big, and the water was turbid and live-stock activities beside water, achieving closed
with low transparency. The water storage was enough in 2007 management.
and 2008, the wind wave was weak, the transparency was high, • Limit the industries of heavy pollution, and the
and the photosynthesis was strong, so it was suitable for the enterprises have to treat the polluted water until
reproduction of algae, shown in Tab. 2. achieving the standard in limited time. For those
projects under construction, if the discharged polluted
TABLE II. STATISTICS OF TRANSPARENCY, WATER STORAGE, AND water can not reach the standard, command the
INFLOW FLUX FROM MAY TO OCTOBER IN 2003~2008 projects stop to treat the pollutants. If the concentration
Transparency (cm) of pollutants can not reach the standard before the
Years deadline, the projects have to be closed. Clear the
May June July August September October
2003 22 22 23 25 28 22 sources of point pollution from both cities and towns in
2004 23 21 22 21 22 22 the upper reach, and treat garbage harmlessly. With the
2005 >30 22.3 13.4 20.4 22.1 15.4 construction of the plant of waste water treatment in
2006 >30 >30 26 11.5 11.4 25
the upper reach in July, 2008, the domestic and
2007 >30 >30 >30 >30 26.5 28.5
2008 >30 >30 >30 >30 >30 >30
industrial sewage achieve the standard after treatment.
Water Storage in May,1 Inflow Flux in Flood Period • Put emphasis on management of non-point sources of
Years
(104m3) (104m3)
2003 2214 3035
pollution and control of manure, pesticide, chemical
2004 3283 4597 fertilizer use. Replace chemical fertilizer with organic
2005 4877 29313 fertilizer, and replace chemical pesticide with
2006 29790 20590 biological pesticide. Control measures should be taken
2007 31135 8012 to prevent the feces of human and animals, fertilizers,
2008 24942 20716 and pesticides flowing into the reservoir.
• Prohibit the sale and utilization of phosphorus-
4) Weak effect of biological chain containing detergent. Controlling the concentration of
phosphorus by various methods is an effective way to
Because the quantity of water supply was beyond designed reduce Microcystis [6]. "Water Pollution Prevention
capacity of the reservoir and dry season, the water storage of Act in Jilin Songhua River Basin" was enacted by Jilin
the reservoir had decreased below the dead storage, so that the Provincial People's Congress in August 1, 2008, which
reservoir fisheries suffered extinction. The reservoir’s low bans production and limits the sale and utilization of
water level lasted from 1997 until the flood season in 2005, and phosphorus-containing detergent in the Songhua River
the fishery industry didn’t recover, unable to form an effective Basin.
biological chain. The amount of planktons such as algae
increased obviously, aggravating the eutrophication of water B. Internal Control measures
body.
Control water eutrophication by using biological
Through analyzing the outbreak of blue algae, the high technology, which is an approach removing nutrients and
concentration of TN and TP is the primary cause of blue algae polluted load by adsorption and metabolizable action of aquatic
organisms. Biological control technology is used to restrain the
process of eutrophication mainly by adjusting the structure of
biological community in the reservoir. At present, the main
approaches used in biological control technology are the
stocking of fishes living on algae (such as silver carp, bighead
carp), recycle and utilization of algae, and the breeding and
harvesting of aquatic plants [7].
1) Developing aquaculture and restraining algae growth
Develop aquaculture using the water body of the reservoir,
and increase the biomass of silver carp and bighead carp.
Recover the biological chain to limit the planktons, restraining
eutrophication by taking biological measures. However,
extravagant stocking of fishes living on algae may change the
biomass of the plankton and aquatic vegetation, and lead to a
new imbalance in the aquatic ecosystem. Therefore, the
suitable varieties and quantities of fish fries should be
determined scientifically and reasonably. Two million large-
size silver carp fries was put into the Xinlicheng Reservoir,
thus the food chain recovered rapidly for restraining algae in
the water body. Deposition of dead algae leaded to serious
sludge pollution, therefore, mussel, clams and other benthonic
organisms were put into the reservoir to break up the sludge.
2) Planting grass and trees to conserve and purify water
Return farmland to forest and grassland, and plant trees and
grass increasing the coverage of forest and grass. The use of
vegetation to absorb a large number of nitrogen, phosphorus
and other nutrients is an effective and low cost controlling
measure. Farming is banned in the protected area, and green
belt of 500 hectares surrounding the reservoir was built above
the normal water level. Willow trees were built, forming multi-
level shelter belts of arbor and shrubs. Plant trees in the upper
reach, reducing water loss and soil erosion.
The result of eutrophication treatment by some plankton
and sunken plant is obvious. Through analysis of comparison,
it is appropriate to plant reeds and cattail in the bay. The EMA
in reed has a strong inhibitory effect to the growth of micro-
capsule aeruginosin and the production and release of toxin [8].
The management of large aquatic plant should be done well,
and the harvest and synthetic utilization scheme should be
studied, preventing secondary pollution from the residue of
dead aquatic plants [9]. Estuary wetland should be constructed
to filter and absorb nutrients. The introduction of hyacinth and
other aquatic plants is not appropriate, because of their strong
ability of reproduction, unable to control the biomass.
Grass on the large-scale beach can recover naturally. Due to
the prohibition of farming and grazing when water level
decreases below the normal level, dominant grass will soon
cover the naked surface and absorb nutrients that sunk in the
sludge.
3) Engineering measures
Strengthen the drive factor of hydraulic dynamics. The
water surface of the reservoir is large, with the fetch length of
up to 20km. The water turbidity in shallow water is larger
because of the increase of water turbulence. The variation of
hydraulic dynamics caused by wind influences the growth and
gathering of algae. The hydraulic dynamics have a big
influence on the growth and gathering of blue algae, as well as
the nutritive state of blue algae [10] [11]. At present, the
oxygen-increasing machines have been arranged near the outlet
for water supply to increase the fluidity in Xinlicheng
Reservoir, breaking up the gathering of algae and destroying
the environmental conditions of algae’s existence. In flood
period, the inflow of flood water increases water fluidity in the
reservoir, and the water exchanges through the flood discharge,
replacing the water body. In spring and summer, the dominant
wind direction is southerly wind in the Xinlicheng Reservoir,
thus waste and algae are gathered in the vicinity of the outlet
by the wind. The stoplog gate is being tried to the surface water
gathering algae, showing a good effect.
The Xinlicheng Reservoir has been in operation for 46
years, thus the polluted substances in the substrate sludge can
not be ignored. Removing substrate sludge can prevent the
disturbance of substrate sludge from wind wave, suspending
the deposited polluted substances into water body again. The
substrate sludge near the outlet for water supply and the river
entrance must be cleaned up for purifying the water body.
The floating garbage and straw should be wrecked artificially,
preventing from the floating, saturation and putrefaction after
depositing.
4) Other measures
Bleaching powder was sprinkled into water body to kill
blue algae in a small scale in Library Bays. According to the
characteristics of algae gathered in surface, the water for
supply should be taken from the middle and bottom layer,
greatly reducing the biomass of algae into the raw water
pipeline of water plant. The other measures have also been
implemented, such as pre-chlorination in the pumping station
of water plant in the Xinlicheng Reservoir to kill algae, and
activated carbon adsorption to remove the algae in the water
pipe.
IV. CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION
From the view of the control measures, building physical
isolation fence to exclude human and animal activities is
helpful to the reproduction of weeds and shrubs on the
waterside and wasteland, And the effect of absorbing nutrients
is good. Cleaning up point sources pollution is relatively easy,
but the clear of non-point source pollution is difficult. From the
situation in 2008, the scale of the blue algae in the water body
has been alleviated, with a good treatment effect. Internal
control is the ending treatment. Strengthen the control of
contaminated sources vigorously, and improving discharge
standard of nutrient sources are the most fundamental methods.
Blue algae bloom is a natural warning signal. Water
environmental protection is very urgent. Heavy pollutions of
water indicate that the North of China not only faces a shortage
of water source, but also a shortage of water quality. For the
existence of eco-environmental degradation, water pollution
problems, external measures for reducing inflows of nutrient,
and internal measures for controlling nutrients accumulation
are taken to destroy the favorable conditions of the survival and
reproduction of algae. Only establish a long-term mechanism
can guarantee the supply of clean raw water from the
Xinlicheng Reservoir.
After the implementation of above measures, blue algae
have been effectively controlled in the Xinlicheng Reservoir,
providing an important frame of reference for further control
measures of blue algae in the future.
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