Temporal and spatial characteristics of flocculated suspended solids in a deep reservoir: an in situ observation in the Biliuhe Reservoir

ABSTRACT

The amount of total suspended solids (TSS) is the most visible indicator for evaluating water quality in reservoirs. Previous investigations paid more attention to TSS of the surface layer in reservoirs, while suspended particles are prone to settle, resuspend, and aggregate at the bottom of reservoir. There may be different patterns of the TSS in different depths. This study is to assess the TSS concentration by weight analysis, find the evidence of the existence of flocculated suspended particles by in situ underwater imaging analysis, and discuss the impact of the flocculation process of suspended solids on water quality in deep reservoirs. Although the TSS concentration is lower than other reservoirs with the same trophic level, many flocs were found at the bottom of the deep-water area (> 15 m) in the Biliuhe Reservoir according to the recordings of the in situ underwater camera. The further comprehensive analysis demonstrates that the fine particle in flood season and resuspension is the main source of suspended flocs at the bottom of the reservoir. While the slow settling velocity results in the flocculation of fine suspended particles and long-term residence in the bottom layer of the reservoir. TSS has a significant correlation with iron and total phosphorus. Resuspension, flocculation, and settling impact on the transport of suspended sediment and associated contaminants. The evidence from this study suggests that the impact of flocs on water quality should be further discussed to ensure water supply safety.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Total suspended solids (TSS) in reservoirs are the most visible indicators of water quality. Usually, more investigations are carried out on the surface layer of reservoirs. Suspended particles are prone to aggregate and settle at the bottom of reservoirs. Hence, it is significant to explore the temporal and spatial characteristics of suspended solids in different depths of reservoirs. This study is to assess the TSS concentration by weight analysis and in-situ underwater imaging analysis and discuss the impact of the flocculation process of suspended solids on water quality in deep reservoirs. It was found that TSS has a significant correlation with iron and total phosphorus. Also, the recordings of the in-situ underwater camera show that many flocs were found at the bottom of the deep-water area (> 15 m) in the Biliuhe Reservoir. The relation between logarithm of the projected area ratio of flocs with water depth shows a quadratic equation trend. The further comprehensive analysis demonstrates that the fine particle in flood season and resuspension from reservoir erosion-sedimentation transition zone is the main source of suspended flocs at the bottom of the reservoir. Most of the flocs settled 5.3 and 7 m/d at 4°C and 14°C, respectively, which would take about 5–6 days to reach the bottom. The slow settling velocity of fine particles is the main reason for the flocculation of suspended solids and long-term residence in the bottom layer of the reservoir. The evidence from this study suggests that the impact of flocs on water quality should be further discussed to ensure water supply safety.

KEYWORDS:

• Suspended solid
• reservoir
• water quality
• flocs
• spatial-temporal distribution

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Biliuhe Reservoir Bureau on the sampling boat.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Author contributions

Yuyu Liu and Xin Jiang designed the study; Xin Jiang and Lin Zhu collected and tested samples; Yuqing Feng and Lin Zhu carried out the data analysis; Shiguo Xu and Guoqing Sang provided many important advices on the manuscript.

Availability of data and materials

The data used to support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon request.

Compliance with ethical standards

Competing interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

Ethics approval Not Applicable

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Additional information

Funding

This research was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51909105), the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province (No. ZR2019QEE006), the Science and Technology Planning Foundation of the University of Jinan (No. XKY1809 and No. XKY2040), Innovation Team Project of Colleges and Institutions in Shandong Province (2018GXRC012).