Proposal for Water Quality Improvement by Using an Innovative and Comprehensive Restoration Method

Abstract

This study was conducted on Miłkowskie Lake (23.7 ha; 15.0 m) in the context of implementing new restoration methods for improving the water quality. The study found that the nutrient loads introduced into the lake from catchment are higher than the critical concentrations for the ecosystem. This indicates the need to cut off or at least reduce the main sources of pollution. The primary production in the lake is extremely large: oxygen saturation of the surface water above 200%, pH value of 9.44, chlorophyll a content of 70.98 mg m−3, and a low visibility of 0.5 m. The most important step in maintaining good lake quality will be to redirect waters of the main inflows SI-1 and SI-2 to the hypolimnion zone by pipelines. A complementary method for discharging the polluted water to the hypolimnion zone will be the phosphorus inactivation method by using iron and aluminum coagulants. After the application of spring doses of coagulants, an anti-cyanobacterial preparation will be introduced into the water in the “active bottom” zone, and then bioremediation by a microbiological probiotic preparation will be applied to the sediment in the same zone. A new complex protection and restoration method should be supported in the form of biomanipulation.