Stream Water Quality Control and Odor Reduction through a Multistage Vortex Aerator: A Novel In Situ Remediation Technology

Abstract

In this work, we report the restoration of a polluted urban stream by employing the multistage vortex aerator (MVA), an in-line mixer device that improves the dissolved oxygen concentration of polluted streams and accelerates the water purification rate. It was observed during the field experiment that the dissolved oxygen was enhanced up to 7.05 mg/L and the water quality was improved to a good grade. As a result, the complex odor was successfully eliminated and reduced by up to 71.9%, while the water quality grade was also improved by more than two grades on average. Stream water quality indicators monitored for twelve months revealed high removal rates of total phosphorous (56.4%) and suspended solids (61%). The study demonstrated MVA as a promising eco-friendly technology for significant improvement in urban stream water quality. Moreover, the MVA process creates no secondary pollution and is believed to be a sustainable treatment option for odorous water bodies. Overall, the MVA process is technically feasible for implementation, and this study provides a specific reference as a basis for the treatment of polluted water bodies in urban settings.