A critical review of the appearance of black-odorous waterbodies in China and treatment methods

Jingxin Cao; Qin Sun; Donghua Zhao; Meiying Xu; Qiushi Shen; Dan Wang; Yan Wang; Shiming Ding

doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.121511

A critical review of the appearance of black-odorous waterbodies in China and treatment methods

J Hazard Mater. 2020 Mar 5:385:121511. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.121511. Epub 2019 Oct 24.

Authors

Jingxin Cao¹, Qin Sun², Donghua Zhao³, Meiying Xu⁴, Qiushi Shen⁵, Dan Wang³, Yan Wang⁶, Shiming Ding⁷

Affiliations

¹ State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
² Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China.
³ Shanghai Waterway Engineering Design and Consulting Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200120, China.
⁴ Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Culture Collection and Application, Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, Guangzhou 510070, China.
⁵ State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China.
⁶ State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China; Nanjing Easysensor Environmental Technology Co., Ltd., Nanjing 210018, China.
⁷ State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China. Electronic address: smding@niglas.ac.cn.

PMID: 31706745
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.121511

Abstract

Black-odorous rivers and lakes are a serious environmental problem and are frequently reported in China. Despite this, there have been no comprehensive in-depth reviews of black-odorous water formation mechanisms, contributing factors and potential treatment technologies. Elements such as S, C and N play an important role in the biogeochemical cycle of black-odorous waterbodies, with water blackening caused by metal sulfides such as iron sulfide (FeS) and manganese sulfide (MnS). Volatile substances such as volatile organic sulfur compounds (VOSCs) are the main contributors of odor. Microorganisms such as sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB), Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria play important roles in blackening and odor formation processes. Effectiveness of the commonly used treatments methods for black-odorous waterbodies, such as artificial aeration, sediment dredging, microbial enhanced technologies and constructed wetlands, varies significantly under different conditions. In contrast, bio-ecological engineering technologies exhibit comprehensive, long-lasting and economical treatment effects. The causes and mechanisms of black-odorous water formation require further investigation, as well as the optimal application conditions and mechanisms of treatment technologies. This study comprehensively reviews 1) the characteristics and current distribution of black-odorous waterbodies; 2) the compounds contributing to black-odorous phenomenon; 3) black-odorous waterbody production mechanisms; 4) treatment technologies for black-odorous waterbodies. Further studies on the mechanisms of blackening and odor formation are required, with treatment application conditions and mechanisms also requiring further clarification. In addition, the long-term ecological restoration of black-odorous rivers immediately after remediation is key issue that is easily overlooked but merits further investigation and development.

Keywords: Bio-Ecological; Metal sulfides; Sediment remediation; Treatment; Volatile organic sulfur compounds; Water quality assessment.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't