Synchronous control of nitrogen and phosphorus release from sediments in shallow lakes under wind disturbance by modified zeolite and Ca/Al-based sludge combination

Environ Res. 2025 Jan 1;264(Pt 2):120448. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.120448. Epub 2024 Nov 23.

Abstract

To inhibit eutrophication caused by endogenous pollutants release, the experiment explored the efficiency and mechanism of the synchronous control of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) release from sediments in shallow lakes under wind disturbance by modified Ca/Al-based sludge (MS) and modified zeolite (MZ). High-temperature calcination and NaCl impregnation increased the pore volume of MS and Na+ content of MZ, and the adsorption capacity of MS for PO43--P and MZ for NH4+-N was as high as 42.01 and 20.28 mg g-1. The results of a 90-day incubation experiment showed that the addition of MS and MZ increased the abundance of Thauera, Nitrospira, Denitratisoma, and Clostridium, while decreasing the proportion of Proteus Hauser and Saccharimonadales, thereby reducing the active N and P contents in sediments through microbial transformation. At the same time, the efficient adsorption performance of the MS and MZ resulted in a significant decrease in pollutants in the interstitial water and sediments. In addition, sediment resuspension caused by wind disturbance increased the contact between sediments and remediation agents, resulting in the action depth of covering materials exceeding 100 mm. Compared to adding MS or MZ alone, the combination of the two (MSZG) could synchronously, efficiently, and stably inhibit N and P release. Under the coupling effects of physical interception, physicochemical adsorption, and biotransformation, the average TN, NH4+-N, TP, and PO43--P in the overlying water of the MSZG decreased by 72.13%, 88.92%, 69.28%, and 81.26%, respectively, compared to Control, which satisfying the Class III standard for surface water. Therefore, this study could provide reference for controlling endogenous release, improving eutrophication in shallow lakes under wind disturbance, and recycling residual sludge from sewage plants.

Keywords: Ca/Al-based sludge; Endogenous pollutants release; Modified zeolite; Sediment resuspension; Shallow lakes.

MeSH terms

  • Calcium / analysis
  • Eutrophication
  • Geologic Sediments* / analysis
  • Geologic Sediments* / chemistry
  • Lakes* / chemistry
  • Lakes* / microbiology
  • Nitrogen* / analysis
  • Phosphorus* / analysis
  • Phosphorus* / chemistry
  • Sewage* / chemistry
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis
  • Wind*
  • Zeolites* / chemistry

Substances

  • Phosphorus
  • Zeolites
  • Nitrogen
  • Sewage
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Calcium