Torres Echevarría, Perla M.

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Water quality assessment with aquatic non-structural blocks made of coal ash aggregates mortars
(2012) Torres Echevarría, Perla M.; Hwang, Sangchul; College of Engineering; Molina Bas, Omar I.; Camacho Padrón, Beatriz I.; Department of Civil Engineering; Chansky, Ricia
A handful of biochemical processes occur in aquatic environments. One of the problems that are mostly encountered in such environments is caused by excess nutrient input and subsequent algal bloom. A series of studies were conducted to assess feasibility of aquatic structures to enhance water quality. In line with resource recovery efforts, the aquatic structures were made of coal combustion byproducts (CCBs) mixed with cement. Optimum portions of cement and CCBs were determined and tested in a lab-scale simulated aquatic environment for their potential role in enhancing water quality. Parameters of water quality were measured including pH, turbidity, conductivity, biological oxygen demand, suspended solids, alkalinity, nitrate, phosphate, ammonia and algal growth throughout a series of experiments. Experiments for nitrate, phosphate and nitrification effects were studied separately. Each experiment showed that the coal ash concrete structures enhanced the water quality by improving the aquatic environment for at least one of the parameter measured.