Simulation-based inexact chance-constrained nonlinear programming for eutrophication management in the Xiangxi Bay of Three Gorges Reservoir

A Review of Reservoir Operation Optimisations: from Traditional Models to Metaheuristic Algorithms

Reservoir operation optimisation secures benefits, such as optimising energy production while minimising the possibility of flooding, operating costs, and water scarcity, at the lowest possible cost. This paper carries reviews of research on reservoir optimisation models and the consequential challenges of optimally operating reservoir operations. An introductory section is given to the background of reservoir operations and the current concerns on the optimal reservoir operations, for the decision-makers and stakeholders. Next, the review covered the recent ten years (between 2011 and 2021), on the recent research developments in innovation and techniques of reservoir operation optimisation. Further reviews on the conventional techniques that are the traditional methods, linear programming, nonlinear programming, and dynamic programming are discussed. Enhancements to the techniques in improving the drawbacks of the traditional techniques in optimisation of reservoir policies are next explained and evaluated. Recent advances in applying metaheuristics optimisation algorithms beneficial to the reservoir operations are explained, including the advantages and hinderances. A comprehensive tabulated and categorised review according to the classification of reservoir models, evaluation methods, and reservoir systems is given.

Simulation of the Parameters Effecting the Water Quality Evolution of Xuanwu Lake, China

After years of water environment improvement, China’s water quality has improved to some extent in recent years. However, different water areas have different characteristics of water pollution. The paper used mathematical models to investigate the influence of different parameters on the water quality of Xuanwu Lake, China. The predominant focus was on the nutrients concentration due to changing the amount of pollutants, degradation coefficient, water diversion discharge and diffusion coefficient. The results showed that the amount of pollutants had the most significant impact, followed by the degradation coefficient. The total phosphorus and total nitrogen concentrations of Xuanwu Lake increased with the increase of the amount of pollutants. The water quality of Xuanwu Lake decreased significantly with the increase of degradation coefficient. Increasing the water diversion discharge will not only make a big difference in water quality, but it will also worsen the water quality. The effect of the amount of pollutants on Xuanwu Lake total phosphorus and total nitrogen is 4.1 and 5.7 times that of water diversion discharge. The influence of total phosphorus and total nitrogen in the degradation coefficient scheme is 3.5 and 6.2 times that of the water diversion discharge scheme. The diffusion coefficient has almost no effect on the water quality of Xuanwu Lake. From the practical difficulty and implementation effect of water environment improvement, the order of water quality improvement effect from good to bad is as follows: the amount of pollutants scheme, degradation coefficient scheme, water diversion scheme, diffusion coefficient scheme. Under the circumstance of limited water diversion, the lake will effectively improve the water quality. Reducing the discharge of pollutants is the fundamental measure to control water environment problems, and water diversion is an auxiliary measure to improve the water ecology. It will become a trend to combine the reduction of pollutant discharge and water transfer for water environment improvement. This paper is of significance for improving the water quality of Xuanwu Lake, and it also provides a scientific method for water environment improvement of water diversion projects.

Former and Current Trend in Subsurface Irrigation Systems

The main purpose of this review is to find the diversity in research studies of subsurface irrigation systems in the past two decades. Two periods of five years were selected to reflect the research studies at the beginning and the end of the comparing periods range. A statistical sorting was used to investigate the distribution of papers according to objectives, types of irrigation systems, research methods, and limitations of the studies. Results showed that the measurements and evaluations were the most presented objectives of the selected papers for both periods. Furthermore, almost 90 percent of the recent papers used multiple research methods, unlike the papers published in the former period which only 56 percent of them used multiple methods. Also, more than 90 percent of the recent papers used a single irrigation system. In conclusion, knowledge of subsurface irrigation systems had been advanced in the former studies mostly by analyzing the measurements and evaluations of the traditional irrigation systems. Unlike the former period, the advancement in knowledge has been produced in the current period by introducing new subsurface irrigation systems and more concentration by the order of measurements, evaluation, and designing, respectively.

Direct Effects of Temperature on Growth of Different Tropical Phytoplankton Species

Temperature increase may influence competition among phytoplankton species, potentially intensifying cyanobacteria blooms that can be favored by direct and indirect effects of temperature. In this study, we aimed to clarify how cyanobacteria can be favored by the direct effects of increased temperature compared to diatoms and chlorophytes. Strains of the most representative species of a eutrophic coastal lagoon (Microcystis aeruginosa, Planktothrix agardhii, Desmodesmus communis, and Cyclotella meneghiniana) were used to test the hypothesis that cyanobacteria would be favored by the direct effect of temperature increase. First, we evaluated the effect of temperature increase on growth in monocultures (batch and chemostats) at 25 and 30 °C and after in mixed cultures (chemostats). In batch monocultures, the cyanobacteria showed higher growth rates in 30 °C than in 25 °C. However, in continuous culture experiments (chemostats), growth rates of M. aeruginosa and P. agardhii were not affected by temperature, but the strains showed higher biovolume in steady-state with the temperature increase. In continuous mixed cultures, M. aeruginosa was always dominant and C. meneghiniana was excluded, regardless of temperature tested. D. communis was able to coexist with lower biomass. This study shows that rising temperatures can be detrimental to diatoms, even for a tropical strain. Although some studies indicate that the dominance of cyanobacteria in warmer climates may be due to the indirect effect of warming that will promote physical conditions in the environment more favorable to cyanobacteria, the outcomes of mixed cultures demonstrate that the direct effect of temperature can also favor the dominance of cyanobacteria.

Harmful algal blooms under changing climate and constantly increasing anthropogenic actions: the review of management implications

The present review reports all management approaches (physical, chemical, and biological) traditionally adopted in mitigating the global impact of harmful cyanobacterial blooms (cyanoHABs). It recognizes that each mitigation strategy shows characteristic associated limitations and notes that no remedial step has provided a sustainable solution to HABs on a global scale. It emphasizes that the putative anthropogenic N&P inputs reduction through improved wastewater treatment and regulation of point and non-point sources-agricultural fertilizers only offer a short term solution. These approaches are rather preventive than curative hence, do not address concerns relating to the recovery of already-eutrophic and hypereutrophic systems. It raises new concerns on the implications of non-agricultural pollutants such as hydrocarbon fractions in bloom accretions often neglected while addressing HAB triggers. It also accesses the global impacts of HABs as it pertains to socio-economic implications in the geographically diverse world. It, therefore, proposes that Integrated Management Intervention involving the merging of two or more mitigation steps be administered across the aquatic continua as a prudent management solution to complement the current N&P dual management paradigm. It stresses that the contemporaneous adoption of management options with both preventive and curative measures is a key to sustainable HAB management. This review provides sufficient advances and current scenarios for approaching cyanoHABs. Further, it advocates that future research perspectives tackle the mitigation design beyond the short-term nutrient regulations and the parochial attention to the point and non-point N&P input sources.

A simulation-based bi-level multi-objective programming model for watershed water quality management under interval and stochastic uncertainties

A simulation-based interval stochastic bi-level multi-objective programming (SISBLMOP) model was proposed in this research, through integrating the global nutrient export from watersheds model, interval parameter programming and stochastic chance-constrained programming into a general bi-level multi-objective programming framework. The SISBLMOP model can handle multiple uncertainties expressed as discrete intervals and probability density functions in both the simulation and optimization processes. System complexities, including the hierarchy structure of upper- and lower-level decision makers, can also be addressed in the model. The proposed model is applied to a real-world case study of the Xinfengjiang Reservoir Watershed in South China to identify the satisfactory implementation levels of multiple best management practices (BMPs). The model results show that multiple BMP schemes for water quality management can be obtained under different upper- and lower-level decision-making and risk-violation scenarios, reflecting the cooperation and gaming results of the two-level decision makers. Consequently, the corresponding BMP implementation costs are acceptable to both the upper- and lower-level decision makers. The model is widely applicable and can be effectively used for water quality management under multiple uncertainties and complexities.

Research on Water Environment Regulation of Artificial Playground Lake Interconnected Yangtze River

With the rapid development of China, water pollution is still a serious problem despite implementation of control measures. Reasonable water environment management measures are very important for improving water quality and controlling eutrophication. In this study, the coupled models of hydrodynamics, water quality, and eutrophication were used to predict artificial Playground Lake water quality in the Zhenjiang, China. Recommended “unilateral” and “bilateral” river numerical models were constructed to simulate the water quality in the Playground Lake without or with water diversion by pump, sluice and push pump. Under “unilateral” and “bilateral” river layouts, total nitrogen and total phosphorus meet the landscape water requirement through water diversion. Tourist season in spring and summer and its suitable temperature result in heavier eutrophication, while winter is lighter. Under pumping condition, water quality and eutrophication of “unilateral” river is better than “bilateral” rivers. Under sluice diversion, the central landscape lake of “unilateral river” is not smooth, and water quality and eutrophication is inferior to the “bilateral”. When the water level exceeds the flood control level (4.1 m), priority 1 is launched to discharge water from the Playground Lake. During operation of playground, when water level is less than the minimum level (3.3 m), priority 2 is turned on for pumping diversion or sluice diversion to Playground Lake. After opening the Yangtze river diversion channel sluice, priority 3 is launched for sluice diversion to the Playground Lake. When the temperature is less than 15 °C, from 15 °C to 25 °C and higher than 25 °C, the water quality can be maintained for 15 days, 10 days and 7 days, respectively. Corresponding to the conditions of different priority levels, reasonable choices of scheduling measures under different conditions to improve the water quality and control eutrophication of the Playground Lake. This article is relevant for the environmental management of the artificial Playground Lake, and similar lakes elsewhere.

Research on the Relationship between Water Diversion and Water Quality of Xuanwu Lake, China

Water diversion is often used to improve water quality to reach the standard of China in the short term. However, this large amount of water diversion can not only improve the water quality, but also lead to a decline in the water quality (total phosphorus, total nitrogen) of Xuanwu Lake. Through theoretical analysis, the relationship between water quality and water diversion is established. We also found that the multiplication of the pollutant degradation coefficient (K) and the water residence time (T) is a constant (N), K⋅T=N. The water quality changed better at first, with the increase of inflow discharge, and then became worse, and the optimal water quality inflow discharge is 180,000 m³/day. By constructing two-dimensional hydrodynamic and water quality models, the optimal diversion water plan is calculated. Through model calculations, it can be seen that reducing the inflow discharge makes the water residence time longer (15.3 days changed to 23.8 days). Thereby, increasing the degradation of pollutants, and thus improving water quality. Compared with other wind directions, the southwest wind makes the water quality of Xuanwu Lake the most uniform. The concentration of water quality first became smaller and then became larger, as the wind speed increased, and eventually became constant. Implementing these results for water quality improvement in small and medium lakes will significantly reduce the cost of water diversion.

Significance of different carbon forms and carbonic anhydrase activity in monitoring and prediction of algal blooms in the urban section of Jialing River, Chongqing, China

The Three Gorges Dam is one of the largest hydroelectric power plants worldwide; its reservoir was preliminarily impounded in 2003 and finally impounded to 175 m in 2012. The impoundment caused some environmental problems, such as algal blooms. Carbonic anhydrase (CA) is an important biocatalyst in the carbon utilization by algae and plays an important role in algal blooms. CA has received considerable attention for its role in red tides in oceans, but less investigation has been focused on its role in algal blooms in fresh water. In this study, the seasonal variation of water quality parameters, different carbon forms, carbonic anhydrase activity (CAA), and the algal cell density of four sampling sites in the urban section of the Jialing River were investigated from November 1, 2013 to October 31, 2014. Results indicated that CAA exhibited a positive correlation with dissoluble organic carbon (DOC), pH, and temperature, but a negative correlation with CO2 and dissoluble inorganic carbon (DIC). Algal cell density exhibited a positive correlation with flow velocity (V), pH, particulate organic carbon (POC), and CAA, a negative correlation with CO2, and a negative partial correlation with DIC. The relationship between CAA and algal cell density for the entire year can be described as cells = 23.278CAA - 42.666POC + 139.547pH - 1057.106. The algal bloom prediction model for the key control period can be described as cells = -45.895CAA + 776.103V- 29.523DOC + 14.219PIC + 35.060POC + 19.181 (2 weeks in advance) and cells = 69.200CAA + 203.213V + 4.184CO2 + 38.911DOC + 40.770POC - 189.567 (4 weeks in advance). The findings in this study demonstrate that the carbon utilization by algae is conducted by CA and provide a new method of monitoring algal cell density and predicting algal blooms.

A Bayesian-based two-stage inexact optimization method for supporting stream water quality management in the Three Gorges Reservoir region

In this study, a Bayesian-based two-stage inexact optimization (BTIO) method is developed for supporting water quality management through coupling Bayesian analysis with interval two-stage stochastic programming (ITSP). The BTIO method is capable of addressing uncertainties caused by insufficient inputs in water quality model as well as uncertainties expressed as probabilistic distributions and interval numbers. The BTIO method is applied to a real case of water quality management for the Xiangxi River basin in the Three Gorges Reservoir region to seek optimal water quality management schemes under various uncertainties. Interval solutions for production patterns under a range of probabilistic water quality constraints have been generated. Results obtained demonstrate compromises between the system benefit and the system failure risk due to inherent uncertainties that exist in various system components. Moreover, information about pollutant emission is accomplished, which would help managers to adjust production patterns of regional industry and local policies considering interactions of water quality requirement, economic benefit, and industry structure.

Nutrient spatial pattern of the upstream, mainstream and tributaries of the Three Gorges Reservoir in China

A comprehensive monitoring program was conducted to investigate the nutrient spatial pattern in the mainstream of the Yangtze River from the Baihetan Dam down to the Three Gorges Dam located at the upper region of the Yangtze River in China. Samples were taken from 33 different sites from July 30 to August 19, 2011. The nutrient patterns of the three representative tributaries of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR)--the Modao, the Daning, and the Xiangxi Rivers--were also investigated. The results show that the mainstream of the TGR has a higher concentration of nitrogen and a lower concentration of phosphorus than that of the upper mainstream before the TGR. Moreover, it was found that nitrate-nitrogen (NO₃-N) is the main nitrogen component, while particulate phosphorus predominates the total phosphorus (TP). It was found that the three representative tributaries of the TGR have lower total nitrogen (TN) concentrations compared to the corresponding sections of the mainstream TGR. Based on the nutrient spatial pattern, the nutrient flux was calculated. The total fluxes of TN, NO₃-N, TP, and orthophosphate (PO₄-P) from the upstream reach into the TGR are 2,155.06, 1,674.97, 212.98, and 83.42 t day(-1), respectively. The amount of nutrients imported from the TGR into its tributaries is more than the amount exported. It was determined that the Xiangxi River has the largest net rate of imported nitrogen at 7.66 t day(-1), whereas the Daning River has the largest net rate of imported phosphorus at 1.75 t day(-1). In addition, compared with the nutrients imported from the TGR into its tributaries, the nutrient flux from the upstream reach into the TGR contributes approximately less than 3 %.

Long-term fertilisation causes excess supply and loss of phosphorus in purple paddy soil

BACKGROUND

Phosphorus (P) loss from cropland is accelerating the eutrophication of waters around the world such as the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) in China. We investigated whether purple paddy soil under long-term P applications was a major source of P efflux to the TGR.

RESULTS

Substantial surplus P in the plough layer (0-20 cm) was evident after 15-year P applications. Available P (Olsen-P) in the plough layer ranged from 1.9 to 42.4 mg kg(-1) and some of which will exceed the threshold of 30 mg kg(-1) for environmental concern within 7 years of P application (inorganic NPK with or without organic fertiliser). Between 30 and 70% of Olsen-P was leached out of the 0-30 cm soil layer. Surplus P resulted in high P concentrations in the surface water during the rice cropping season, and these concentrations exceeded those in most waters of the TGR and exceeded the critical level for eutrophication (0.1 mg L(-1)) during the first 10 days after rice planting. Furthermore, total P in run-off due to rainfall events exceeded the level for eutrophication, with a total loss of 43.2-147.9 g P ha(-1) depending on the fertilisation.

CONCLUSION

Current agronomic P management in purple paddy soil is environmentally unsustainable in terms of the adverse impact on surface water quality. Integrated P management practices are urgently required to optimise crop yield while minimising P loss in order to protect surface water quality in the TGR region.

Water quality assessment in the Harbin reach of the Songhuajiang River (China) based on a fuzzy rough set and an attribute recognition theoretical model

A large number of parameters are acquired during practical water quality monitoring. If all the parameters are used in water quality assessment, the computational complexity will definitely increase. In order to reduce the input space dimensions, a fuzzy rough set was introduced to perform attribute reduction. Then, an attribute recognition theoretical model and entropy method were combined to assess water quality in the Harbin reach of the Songhuajiang River in China. A dataset consisting of ten parameters was collected from January to October in 2012. Fuzzy rough set was applied to reduce the ten parameters to four parameters: BOD5, NH3-N, TP, and F. coli (Reduct A). Considering that DO is a usual parameter in water quality assessment, another reduct, including DO, BOD5, NH3-N, TP, TN, F, and F. coli (Reduct B), was obtained. The assessment results of Reduct B show a good consistency with those of Reduct A, and this means that DO is not always necessary to assess water quality. The results with attribute reduction are not exactly the same as those without attribute reduction, which can be attributed to the α value decided by subjective experience. The assessment results gained by the fuzzy rough set obviously reduce computational complexity, and are acceptable and reliable. The model proposed in this paper enhances the water quality assessment system.

Temporal variation of methane flux from Xiangxi Bay of the Three Gorges Reservoir

Three diel field campaigns and one monthly sampling campaign during June 2010-May 2011 were carried out to investigate the CH₄ flux across the water-gas interface in Xiangxi Bay of the Three Gorges Reservoir, China. The average CH₄ flux was much less than that reported from reservoirs in tropic and temperate regions. The photosynthesis of phytoplankton dominated the diel gas fluxes during alga bloom in spring and summer. The maximum monthly flux occurred in June 2010 and corresponded to the lowest water level. Water temperature, sediment temperature, and TOC did not have significant correlation with the monthly CH₄ fluxes. Continuously decreasing hydrostatic pressure and the low water level resulted in more CH₄ emission at the sediment-water during the discharging period, and thus increases the CH₄ effluxes because the diffusion time through a thin water column is shorter and less CH₄ may be oxidized compared with that in a long water column.

Diel and seasonal variation of methane and carbon dioxide fluxes at site Guojiaba, the Three Gorges Reservoir

In order to investigate the CH4 and CO2 fluxes across the water-gas interface and identify their controlling factors, four diel field campaigns and one monthly sampling campaign during June 2010-May 2011 were carried out at a site near the Three Gorges Dam, China. The averaged CH4 and CO2 fluxes across the air-water interface from the site were much less than those reported from reservoirs in tropic and temperate regions, and from the natural river channels of the Yangtze River. CH4 Fluxes at the site were very low compared to most other reservoirs or natural lakes. One of the most important reasons may be due to the oxidation of CH4 in the water column owing to the great water depth and high DO in water in the Three Gorges Reservoir. The averaged monthly CH4 and CO2 fluxes at the site during the observation year were 0.05 mg/(m2 x hr) and 104.43 mg/(m2 x hr) respectively with the maximum occurred in July 2010. The monthly CO2 fluxes during the observation year were positively correlated to the surface water temperature, and negatively correlated to the air pressure and the surface water pH. The CO2 flux showed a positive correlation with DOC to some extent, although not significantly, which indicated that allochthonous organic C was a major source of CO2 and biogeochemical processes in this reservoir were C-limited. The significantly positive correlation between the reservoir outflow and the seasonal gas flux indicate the disturbance condition of the water body dominated the seasonal gas emission.

Management of occupational exposure to engineered nanoparticles through a chance-constrained nonlinear programming approach

Critical environmental and human health concerns are associated with the rapidly growing fields of nanotechnology and manufactured nanomaterials (MNMs). The main risk arises from occupational exposure via chronic inhalation of nanoparticles. This research presents a chance-constrained nonlinear programming (CCNLP) optimization approach, which is developed to maximize the nanaomaterial production and minimize the risks of workplace exposure to MNMs. The CCNLP method integrates nonlinear programming (NLP) and chance-constrained programming (CCP), and handles uncertainties associated with both the nanomaterial production and workplace exposure control. The CCNLP method was examined through a single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) manufacturing process. The study results provide optimal production strategies and alternatives. It reveal that a high control measure guarantees that environmental health and safety (EHS) standards regulations are met, while a lower control level leads to increased risk of violating EHS regulations. The CCNLP optimization approach is a decision support tool for the optimization of the increasing MNMS manufacturing with workplace safety constraints under uncertainties.