VT College of Science Magazine Annual 2014 | Page 23
“Being able to work with the water authority, and
to learn water quality assessment techniques at
an operational facility, is a fantastic experience”
releases occurred in several large pulses when the oxygenation was turned off but stopped
when the oxygen was turned on. This summer (2014) we’ve been testing the effects of the
oxygenation on nitrogen dynamics in the reservoir and we’ve received a seed grant from the
Wells Fargo Foundation to study if we can use oxygenation to control harmful phytoplankton
blooms that produce toxins.”
The results are excellent news for those who receive the water from the reservoir as iron and
manganese contribute to odor in drinking water and negatively affect the taste and color.
The preliminary success of the system saves the water authority from having to resort to
other methods to ensure a safe supply of drinking water.
“It’s been a great experience working with Virginia Tech researchers and students for the last
10 plus years,” Morris said. “Because of their expertise we can limit the amount of chemicals
we use to provide clean, safe drinking water, and we also limit the amount of treatment the
water needs. From an environmental perspective, this is an ideal partnership.”
“Being able to work with the water authority, and to learn water quality assessment techniques at an operational facility, is a fantastic experience,” Carey said. “It also exposes our
students to environments and organizations they will likely work with in their careers after
graduation, which is an enormous benefit to our students.”
First published on Dec. 1, 2013
(above) Cayelan Carey, assistant
professor of biological sciences, records the results of water samples at
Falling Creek Reservoir.
(right) Rick Browne, who graduated
in 2013 with a master’s degree in
civil engineering, and Alexandra
Gerling, of Charlotte, North Carolina, who is earning her master’s
degree in biological sciences, take
water samples from Falling Creek
Reservoir.
See a video on this story by visiting:
www.unirel.vt.edu/audio_
video/2013/12/120213-cos-water.html
and http://vimeo.com/72507658
www.science.vt.edu
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