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Juniper Publishers-Open Access Journal of Environmental Sciences & Natural Resources

Impact of Sustained Discharge of Treated Wastewater Effluent on Wetland Water Quality

Authored by Roger Saint Fort

Abstract

This study investigated the impact on water quality of sustained discharge of treated wastewater effluent on the wetland commonly known as Weed Lake. A field sampling program was conducted during the months of May through September. Various physical, chemical, and biological analyses were performed on retrieved water samples. EC and TDS values increased both spatially and temporally from the south to the north quadrant of the wetland. Similar patterns were also observed for HPC and coliforms CFU enumeration. Turbidity and TSS decreased from May to June and then surged slightly while typically remaining constant from June to September. COD and TKN were found to decrease from May to July and to increase marginally from August to September. Potentially mineralizable nitrogen and phosphorous were ascertained as indices of the wetland sediment capacity for mineralizing both nutrients. Batch isotherms of PO4-3 were conducted for interaction determination with the wetland sediments.

The average value and standard deviation of potentially mineralizable nitrogen for the sediment samples was 15±12.92 mg/kg. Potentially mineralizable P was estimated at 29.67±11.96 mg/kg. The nitrogen pool of NH3-N in the wetland ecosystem was double the NO3-N pool. Langmuir data indicated an average maximum sorbing capacity of 190mg of PO4-3per kg of substrate. The value constants of maximum sorbing capacity ranged from 100 to 294mg of PO4-3 per kg of substrate. Total phosphorus concentration increased significantly from June to July and then decreased in September, these concentration changes were in parallel with algal and plankton blooms. Mass balance analysis indicated that 40 to 80% of phosphorous in Weed Lake is in various complex forms and not readily bioavailable. Labile-P and soluble-P represent a smaller fraction of the total-P. It appears that uncontrollable natural factors will have episodic and direct influence from year to year on the speciation of phosphorous and nitrogen in the wetland and influence also the spatial-temporal relationship status of its water quality. As a natural dynamic ecosystem, implementation and evaluation of best management practices should be continued together with subsequent evaluation.

Keywords: Water quality; Wastewater; Nutrient; Isotherm; Mass balance; Algae

Introduction

Weed Lake is a 6 km2 surface area of historic wetland and highly valued as an important natural feature within the community. Hereafter referred to as Weed Lake or wetland, its orientation is a south-north direction. The subject site is located 20 km east of the City of Calgary and northeast of the Hamlet of Langdon within the Municipality District (MD) of Rocky View No. 44 (Figure 1). Glenmore Trail and TransCanada Highway represent important access roads along the southeastern corner and the northwestern boundary of the Hamlet. Weed Lake was previously a healthy functioning wetland ecosystem characterized by important waterfowl production, breeding habitat and staging area for a large number of shorebirds in transit during migration. The wetland was drained in 1971. However, because of a variety of soil fertility problems, the expected agricultural benefits of draining the original wetland were never achieved.

A Restoration and Rehabilitation Program were initiated in 2006 to restore Weed Lake as a dynamic and fully functioning wetland ecosystem. Currently, Weed Lake is a productive ecological aquatic environment that hosts a variety of aquatic plants, namely: emergent aquatic vegetation, floating leaved plants, submergent aquatic plants and free floating plants. The climate of the area is described as being largely sub-continental characterized by short and moderately warm summers, brief spring and fall seasons. The winter is rather long. The ambient temperature typically ranges between -350C and 250C. Average annual precipitation is approximately 55 cm. The surrounding land uses around the wetland is primarily agricultural comprising mainly of farmstead parcels and un-fragmented quarter sections [1].

The soils of Weed Lake were classified as Rego Gleysols and the major portion of the upland as Solonetznic soils [2]. These soils, while high in soluble salts and sodium, are predominantly heavy glacial tills to clay loam. Soils in the dipressional areas are classified as Rego Gleysols and were developed in fine textured, lacustrine sediments. Weed Lake area is generally flat consisting of sections sloping gently from the west toward the lake at an approximate rate of 0.25%. The upland landscape is gently undulating. Two major depressional areas exist in the center of each SE and NW portions of Weed Lake TP 23 R27 W4. In some areas, the banks of Weed Lake provide a sudden and discernible drop in surface topography. Weed Lake received a constant source of tertiary wastewater effluent influxes from the Hamlet's wastewater treatment facility during the spring, summer and fall seasons. The wetland shore line is relatively flat with the lake depth being less than 1.20 meter over much of its area. Typical annual water level varies from 76 to 55 cm.

Storm water from the Hamlet flows into the lake through a network of major and minor ditch systems. Influx of storm water from the Balzac area also flows into Weed Lake and is routed through the main drainage ditch through the Hamlet. The former may carry considerable amount of sediments and salts, especially in the spring season. Irrigation water is in some instances supplemented to stabilize the wetland water level during periods of drought. Flows out of the wetland are controlled by an outlet located east of the wetland and is mainly drained by Rosebud Creek. The main objectives of this study were to ascertain Weed Lake water quality through the months of May to September, and to gain insights into the relationship between basic physicochemical and biological processes. Hence, the impact on water quality of sustained discharge of treated effluent in Weed Lake can be scientifically evaluated.

Materials and Methods

Weed Lake Surface Water Sampling

The wetland was sampled once a month through the months of May to September. Representative grab samples were retrieved from five sampling locations and their respective global positioning system (GPS) coordinates recorded. Subsequent sampling of the wetland was achieved based on each sampling location precise and unique identifier. All water samples were collected in one liter sterilized glass bottle at depth of 12 cm below the surface water level. The process involved lowering the capped bottle into the water column at the desired depth. The cap was then removed to allow water collection. Once filled, the bottle was capped, brought to surface and appropriately labelled. The water samples were then transported in Calgary and kept refrigerated at 70C for subsequent chemical and physical analysis. Field measurements of water temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), and water level were performed at each sampling location at sampling time.

The remaining physical, chemical, and biological parameters were performed in the laboratory. Water samples for bacteriological analyses were collected from each sampling location in labeled, 50 mL sterile containers and brought back to Calgary. The sterile containers were transferred into a cooler for transportation. The cooler temperature was maintained at 50C. The samples were then serially diluted and incubated within 3 hours after sampling.

Weed Lake Potentially Mineralizable -Nitrogen (PMN) and -Phosphorous (PMP)

The process involved placing 10 g of air-dry substrate into a 150 mL acid washed Pyrex flask to which 25mL of 0.01mL CaCl2 was added [3]. The suspension in the flask was gently mixed, weighed, capped with Al foil and placed in the autoclave overnight at 1210C and 1500 kPa. Then, the flask and its contents were allowed to cool to room temperature, weighed, and quantitatively adjusted with deionized water. The mixture was transferred in centrifuge tubes and spun for 4 minutes at 4500 RPM and the liquid filtered through Whatman No. 2 filter paper. The difference between the autoclave treatment and the NH3-N, NO3-N and PO43 initially present in the substrate indicates the NH3-N, NO3-N and PO4-3 produced by autoclaving.

Weed Lake Batch Isotherm of Orthophosphate

To carry out the isotherm study, six sediment samples were collected from the bottom of the wetland using a hand Dutch auger. The substrates were transferred in one liter wide mouth glass jar, accordingly labeled and stored in the fridge at 40C. Prior to initiate the batch isotherm study, the samples were allowed to equilibrate with the room temperature. Batch testing was used to obtain the equilibrium sorption capacity of a given sediment sample for a corresponding concentration of phosphorous (PO43). This was achieved by developing equilibrium isotherms that describe the sorption capacity of the sediment exposed to various concentrations of aqueous solutions of PO43. Batch studies were conducted by gently mixing a specific amount of the sediment substrate with a specific volume of PO4'3 solution. The latter was prepared with deionized water. Each sorbate/sorbent system was then allowed to equilibrate overnight at room temperature and 80C, respectively. Following equilibration, the suspension was centrifuged at 5000 RPM for 4 minutes.

The supernatant from each system was retrieved and analyzed for the construction of the isotherms. The extent of PO4'3 sorption was estimated as the difference between initial concentration of PO4'3 and final concentration at equilibrium. Corrections were made for PO43 present in the original substrate.

Weed Lake Material Balance Analysis

Several assumptions were made in assessing Weed Lake, being a dynamic system with finite capacity to cope with anthropogenic inputs which can affect its intrinsic quality. A steady state equilibrium conditions exists between precipitation and evaporation,

a) A steady state equilibrium conditions exists between upward capillary groundwater movement and seeping water,

b) Outgoing water released through the gate doesn’t represent a significant enough volume of water to disturb the overall equilibrium status of Weed Lake under current water management,

c) Incoming water from any tributary doesn’t represent a significant enough volume of water to disturb the overall equilibrium status of Weed Lake,

d) The rate of organic matter decay in relation to nutrient mineralization are in equilibrium interaction with uptake by the aquatic vegetation and growth dynamics,

e) Lateral averaging assumes longitudinal and vertical hydrodynamics variations in velocities, constituents, water density, and temperature are negligible,

f) Sediment oxygen demand (SOD) is coupled to the water column dissolved oxygen.

Water quality interactions are by necessity simplified for descriptions of most aquatic ecosystems that are intrinsically complex. Hence, Weed Lake can be scientifically analyzed with considerable flexibility as a steady-state conservative system without any potential technical limitations of great significance. Based on Weed lake geometry and boundary, the major perturbations affecting the Lake hydrodynamics and quality during the investigated months of May through September are created primarily by wind and temperature induced circulation. In that regard, to a lesser extent by hydraulically induced turbulence and circulation. Wind causes Weed lake water column to be mixed through circulatory motion that extends to the bottom. This echoes the technical sentiment that complete water mixing occurs in the wetland boundary within a timeframe of 10 days. As a result, temperature differential between surface and bottom heat exchange is therefore considered conservative.

Analytical Program

*Not applicable; “Chemical oxygen demand; bTotal suspended solids; cTotal dissolved solids; "Dissolved oxygen; eSodium absorption ratio = {[Na/([Ca + Mg]/2)1/2}

The analytical testing program along with the associated quality assurance and control (QA/QC) for the study are depicted in Table 1. Standard recommended holding times were followed for the samples. Bacteriological analyses were performed on water samples collected in sterile jars. Serial dilutions were accordingly performed on the water samples. Subsequently, the diluted samples were incubated using the recommended Millipore media pad for heterotrophic plate count (HPC) and Escherichia coli (E. Coli) & Coliform organisms. The number of colony forming units (CFU) were enumerated and recorded.

Results and Discussions

Weed Lake Potentially Mineralizable Nitrogen (PMN) and Phosphorous (PMP)

The results of PMN as an index of potential mineralization of organic nitrogen to inorganic nitrogen forms of NH3-N or NO3-N are reported in Table 2. Reactive P initial present in these substrates were also evaluated and are reported in Table 3. The data indicate that the substrate found at the bottom of Weed Lake has the potential to contribute to the inorganic pools of N that is present in the water column. Total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) which refers to the combination of ammonia and organic nitrogen ranged from 30 to 1.97mg/L likely contributes significantly to the mineralizable N pool. The average value and standard deviation of PMN for the six samples were 15±12.92 mg/kg while potentially mineralizable P was estimated at 29.67± 11.96mg/kg. Ratio of NH3-N/NO3-N was calculated for each autoclaved substrate and was found to oscillate around a ratio value of 2.

NA=Not applicable.

Therefore, the potential reserve of NH3-N in the wetland pool of PMN and PMP will vary with temperature, plants density, ecosystem is twice more than NO3-N. The dynamic and fate ofthat dissolved oxygen level, water level. Degree of hydrodynamicmixing of mineralized N is expected to be primarily driven by wind conditions. The results further indicate the presence of a pool of PO4'3 in the bottom boundary of the wetland. That pool is relatively bio-available for uptake by the aquatic plants that comprise Weed Lake ecosystem.

Weed Lake Batch Isotherm Study of Orthophosphate

Sorption isotherms are normally obtained by measuring the amount of solute sorbed for a number of different concentrations of sorbate under specific conditions. They often can be described by the Freundlich or Langmuir equations. The Freundlich isotherm, a commonly used curvilinear model has no upper limit to the amount of sorbate that could be sorbed by a system. The Freundlich equation, Equation (1) can be written as:

where X/M is the quantity of PO4'3 sorbed per unit mass of sediment (mg/kg), Ceq is the equilibrium concentration of PO4'3 in the solution (mg/L) and where Kd and n are the constants. The logarithmic form of the Freundlich equation to plot the data is shown in Equation (2):

The logarithm of the concentration of the solute in the sorbate state, X/M in mg/kg, is plotted as a function of the logarithm of the residual solute concentration, Ceq in mg/L. Linear regression of the data points yields a best-fit line with a slope of 1/n and intercept of log [Kd]. The slope, 1/n, is a measure of sorption intensity, and the Kd value, which must be determined by taking the antilog of the intercept, is the partition coefficient, an indicator of the sorptive capacity of the system. A Langmuir plot models a system where there are a finite number sorption sites. The Langmuir equation, Equation (3) may be expressed as follows:

Where X/M and C are the same units as defined above, bis a constant related to the binding energy (L/kg), and a is the maximum amount of solute that can be sorbed by the sorbate, is the soil uptake quantity (mg/Kg). The Langmuir equation can be rewritten in the following linear form shown in Equation (4):

[Ceq]/[X/M] can be plotted as a function of Ceq. The linear regression of the data points yields a best-fit line with a slope of 1/a and 1/ab as the intercept. The maximum amount of PO4'3 that can be sorbed onto the samples can be calculated from the Langmuir linear equation.

The isotherm models coefficients for the representative equilibrium studies are summarized in Table 3. The regression equations and the corresponding coefficient of determination (R2) are given in Table 3. It appears that the P sorption data of solution could be best described mathematically by the Langmuir equation. In this current case, the Langmuir data indicate that the Weed Lake sediment has an average maximum sorbing capacity of 190 mg of PO43 per kg of substrate. The value constants of maximum sorbing capacity ranged from 100 to 294 of PO4'3 per kg of substrate which reflect the heterogeneity in the composition of the sediment substrate. Therefore, the sediment substrate serves as a significant sink for PO4'3 as long as the sorbing capacity is not exceeded nor the pH becomes basic. The latter case has not been observed throughout the duration of the monitoring program.

Weed Lake Water Monitoring

The trend in water quality status of the wetland was compiled in Table 4 in a comparative summary as average values for the parameters tested for years 2009 to 2016, respectively. Under the objectives of this research project, the parameters were compared to current Surface Water Quality Guidelines for Use in Alberta with respect to Freshwater Aquatic Life for long term [4]. The guidelines are numerical concentrations or narrative statements recommended to support and maintain a designated water body. The wetland was scientifically analyzed with flexibility as a steady-state conservative system with limited potential technical limitations of meaningful significance. Based on its geometry and boundary, it is deduced that the major perturbations affecting the hydrodynamics and water quality during the investigated months are created primarily by wind and temperature-induced circulation and to a lesser extent by hydraulically induced turbulence and circulation.

aTurbidity Guideline; bTSS Guideline; cDO Guideline; dLake Temperature Guideline.

Wind causes water column mixing through circulatory motion that likely extends to the lower boundary of the water column. Complete mixing of the wetland water is conceived to occur within a time frame of ten days. As a result, temperature differential between surface and bottom heat exchange is considered conservative as well as spatially throughout the water mass. Observed temperature difference, AT, is less than 20C, both in the water column and spatially, irrespective of the sampling month. Temperature differential between surface and bottom heat exchange is considered conservative [5]. As expected, the importance of hydraulic, thermally, and wind- induced circulation in active interactions and combinations in bringing about dynamic changes in Weed Lake water quality varies depending on the specific parameters. Analysis of water quality indicators show that some parameters are more affected in varying degree in their distribution pattern with respect to spatial and seasonal variations.

Data spatial variability within a sampling event appears not to be significantly different from one sampling point to the next. Annual recorded chemical and physical parameters for grab samples tend to marginally increase spatially and temporally with corresponding standard errors ranging from 1.3% to 15%. This supports the assumption that complete mixing of Weed Lake water column is enhanced through wind induced circulation patterns which negate the geometry effects in inducing intrinsic spatial variability. Biological parameters of HPC-total and E. coli & Coliform colony forming unit (CFU) enumeration tend to decrease from the south to the north quadrant of the wetland. The south quadrant is where the pipe discharges treated effluent from the wastewater plant into the wetland.

Enumeration of CFU for both biological parameters spatially appear to vary randomly, hence no discernible pattern could be denoted. However, the level of CFU enumeration tends to increase with temperature. The lowest level of bacteria and coliform organisms are typically denoted for the months of May and September. CEC and TDS values tend to increase both spatially and temporally from the south to the north quadrant. This could be best attributed to influxes of storm water diverted into the wetland. Turbidity and TSS generally decreased from May to June and then marginally increased to remain constant from June to September. COD and TKN typically decreased from May to July but slightly increased from August to September. The trend observed in relation to turbidity, TSS, COD and TKN clearly reflects the combining effects of hydrodynamic mixing with a high degree of photosynthesis and metabolic synergistic relationships between algae and bacteria.

Furthermore, when ascertaining the trend in the data for the average parameters from years 2009 to 2016 (Table 5), a pronounced difference can be observed. Both spatial and temporal variations can be best corroborated to operational changes, natural factors, and seasonal variations. These factors will interact to accordingly create new episodic dynamic equilibrium in the wetland functional systems. According to Table 5, the trend in values for pH, DO, and water temperature remained the most relatively stable as denoted by their respective standard deviation and standard error. The overall stability of the pH is also a good indication of the wetland buffering capacity. Functionally, the ability to resist change in pH can be attributed to the presence of CO2, CO3-2, HCO3- and organic matter whose origins are primarily of natural sources and from operational activities (i.e., wastewater effluents) to a lesser degree. Given the presence of decomposable organic materials at the bottom of the wetland, the following reduction processes may be occurring. They may naturally further sulfate-enrich the water chemistry and contributing to the buffering capacity as depicted in Equation (5) and Equation (6):

The presence of dissolved oxygen is of fundamental importance in maintaining aquatic life and the aesthetic quality of Weed Lake. Because of this importance, oxygen can be regarded as one of the most important water quality parameters.The impact is measured as oxygen demand, a parameter that can be interpreted as a gross measure of the concentration of oxidizable materials present in the water column and as a status of potential organic load. Through the metabolic action of bacteria, organic material (OM) in the water column is oxidized to its lowest energy state through the following mechanisms, Equation (7):

Dissolved oxygen profile in the water column tends to increase from the months of May to June (representative average 8.94 mg/L) and then drastically decrease during July and August (representative average 4.07 mg/L) to subsequently route to a marginal increase in September (representative average 6.42 mg/L). No stratification of dissolved oxygen was denoted in the water column during any of the monitoring programs. Dissolved oxygen at the bottom-water interface was totally lacking, therefore making it an anaerobic, organic matter rich boundary in the wetland. Above the anaerobic substrate layer, an intermediate transition zone was not identified which contained dissolved oxygen. Following episodic discharge of treated wastewater effluent, its mixing through the water column, and after some time has elapsed, several changes occurred.

The various inter and intra relationships between wind action, temperature, precipitation, and sunlight are germane to the wetland intrinsic stabilization processes. In that regard, these factors are natural and not controllable. Based on dissolved oxygen readings, stabilization reactions appear to be aerobically dominated. During the stabilization processes, much of the biodegradable organic matter pool is transformed by bacteria into living organic matter. As a by-product of their metabolism, they release through mineralization into the water column CO2, nitrates, phosphates, sulfates, and other mineral salts. A conceptual framework depicted in Figure 2 provides a fundamental representation of physicochemical and biological dynamics occurring in the wetland. Such conceptual model would aid in long-term nutrient mass balance monitoring and developing a better understanding of nutrient systems behavior.

Aerobic stabilization is highly influenced by the hydrodynamic mixing created by wind action, temperature, and sunlight. However, at lower temperature like during the months of April, May, and October, the overall biological activities and therefore, the stabilization processes in Weed Lake are slower. Consequently, the algae level remains relatively low. As temperature of the wetland water column increases, this triggers in response higher algae metabolic activity. Under the additional favorable natural conditions of peak solar radiation during the months of June and July, algae proliferate. They absorb light and use the mineralized by-products during this highly photosynthetic period. Their cellular material releases oxygen in the water column, often giving rise to supersaturated conditions in some instances. Furthermore, the combination of high temperature, dissolved oxygen and solar radiation as well as the quick stimulation of bacterial activity enhance oxygen consumption.

This therefore stimulates blue-green algae (Cyanophyceae) to grow exponentially relative to the more efficient green algae (Chlorophyceae). As a result, heavy algal blooms are observed in the wetland with thick green mats appearing on the water surface. From this point on, anaerobic conditions arise, the column water is typically turbid and objectionable anaerobic odours are produced and released. The month of August typically produces anaerobic conditions as evidenced by dissolved oxygen average concentration of 2.73 mg/L. Since algal oxygen production is a direct function of photosynthesis, a gradual decrease in water temperature will be accompanied by decreased algal activity and therefore lower oxygen production. Consequently, the floating green mats on the water surface impair light penetration. Consequently, decreased photosynthesis in deeper portions of the water column results in decreased oxygen production together with a decrease in algal activity.

Under these conditions, wind action doesn't mix the water mass sufficiently to transport oxygen from the surface to the lower layers. At this point, the algal mass starts dying off, decaying through induced microbial decomposition, which results in the settling of biomass to the bottom boundary. This leads to the development of an organic layer of substrate that works as an anaerobic digester. It is noteworthy that this chain of events represents the natural ecological order and stabilization processes in the wetland. The COD test was used to ascertain the organic carbon content. Unlike biological oxygen demand (BOD), the COD test does not differentiate between biologically oxidizable and inert organic matter. Based on the overall trend in the data analysis, COD values tend to decrease from May to June as well as July but the COD values then increase or decrease from June to July and tend to increase during the months of August to September.

Typically lower DO readings are observed in July and August because of the past presence of higher level of oxidizable materials in the water column. Minimal DO stratification was observed throughout the depth of Weed Lake indicating significant longitudinal and vertical hydrodynamics mixing in the water column. Anoxic characteristic of the wetland in May results in some degree of objectionable odor as a result of bacterial reduction of NO3-, SO42, NH3-N, and other products of bacterial growth. Algae growth was more abundant during the months of May to July but significantly decreased during the months of August and September. Depicted in Tables 6-10 is the ratio of total-P/NH3-N for the wetland water column and treated effluent as well as the ratio for PO43/NH3-N for selected representative years. The ratios can be used as an important determining factor in assessing on an ongoing basis the management of the water quality with respect to effluent influxes and episodic water release from Weed Lake.

Main Nutrients Budget Analysis

The wetland aquatic environment is the host for a variety of aquatic plants namely emergent aquatic vegetation, floating leaved plants, submergent aquatic plants and free floating plants. The months of May to September mark the periods of active microbial and aquatic growth in Weed Lake. The data indicate that in order to maintain proper water quality and managing algal bloom as well as potential offensive odor, particularly for the critical months of July and August, it would be prudent to maintain a treated effluent discharge with a ratio of total-P/ NH3-N around 0.55. However, an effluent ratio of total-P/ NH3-N between 0.55 and 1.45 should be effectively adequate in maintaining proper water quality of the wetland.

A significant improvement in the wastewater treated effluent quality has been observed from the data recorded between the years 2010 to 2014. The results indicate for the year 2014 a treated effluent ratio of total-P/NH3-N ranging from 0. 05 to 0.74 and a water column ratio of PO43/NH3-N varying from 0.14 to 0.23. With respect to year 2010, the treated effluent ratio of PO43/NH3-N oscillated between 0.13 and 1.22 while the water column ratio of PO4-3/NH3-N varying from 0.26 to 1.02.

Variations in those ratio values were the norm for the other comprising monitoring years. Consequently, the water column ratio of total-P/NH3-N and PO4-3/NH3-N significantly improved from 2010 to 2014. The water column ratio of total-P/NH3-N in 2014 was established to range from 0.30 to 1.88 while it was from 1.07 to 2.68 in 2010. Furthermore, in 2014, the water column ratio of PO43/NH3-N ranged from 0.14 to 0. 23 compared to year 2010 in which case it ranged from 0.26 to 1.02 (Table 7).

In a manner similar to nitrogen, phosphorous in the wetland is expected to cycle between organic and inorganic forms. However, phosphorous unlike nitrogen doesn't cycle as a gas. It has to be assumed that labile-P, the not so strongly sorbed intermediate form by the wetland sediment, represents a smaller fraction of total-P. It may enter in equilibrium with soluble-P to increase the level of orthophosphate in the wetland water column. Hence, the material balance constructed for phosphorous is orthophosphate and will be considered as the only form of phosphorus that is readily used by any aquatic plants and microorganisms in the wetland ecosystem. Therefore, significant amount of orthophosphate is removed through algal and macrophytes growth but more significantly during the months of May, June and July. As result keeping orthophosphate concentration relative low throughout the wetland ecosystem boundary.

Concurrently, conversion of dissolved forms of phosphorus into insoluble forms such as calcium phosphate Ca3(HPO4)2, magnesium phosphate Mg3(HPO4)2, and ferric phosphate FePO4 and AlPO4 complexes will contribute to the removal and control of PO43 concentration level as well as to controlling its buffering capacity. Additionally, phosphorous bioavailability may be significantly affected through organic complex formation with humic and fulvic acids. Given the water pH being greater than 8.50, assumptions must also be made regarding the activities and contribution of Al retention of PO43 onto the sediment as AlPO4 complex. The later complex will be closely related to the contents of acid-extractable Al+3 in the sediment. Total phosphorus (i.e., P-inorganic and P-organic) concentration increased significantly from June to July to decrease in September which parallels algal and plankton blooms (Table 8).

Weed Lake Material Balance Analysis

A simple water budget approach was used to analyze the water level dynamics in Weed Lake Equation (8):

R = Volume of present in the wetland at any time,

Pr =Annual precipitation,

Inwt = Incoming water from the wastewater treatment plant, Tr = Tributaries feeding into the wetland,

Ca = Capillary groundwater feeding the wetland,

E = Evaporation of water from the wetland,

vap r '

Se = Seepage water from the wetland,

Out canal = Water released in the canal via the gate.

Therefore, the above water budget equation for the wetland can be simplified and rewritten as Equation (9):

Of special significance to the wetland water quality management program are nitrogen and phosphorous. The interrelationships that exist between these two nutrients are best manifested in their fundamental importance in eutrophication. A mass balance analysis was performed for phosphorous and nitrogen, both being the nutrients of greatest input from the wastewater effluent being regularly discharged into the wetland. The following assumptions were derived in formulating the mass balance analysis for nitrogen and phosphorous (Tables 9,10). Assumptions made for nitrogen:

i. Biological conversion of organic-N ---> NH3-N is not significant from November to April

ii. Mineralization of NH3-N ---> NO3-N is not significant from November to April

iii. Biological reduction of NH3-N ---> NH3 (g) is not significant from November to April and, assumptions for phosphorous:

iv. Biological conversion of organic-P --->PO43 is not significant from November to April

v. Formations of insoluble forms of Ca (HPO4)2 and Mg (HPO4)2 are nominal relative to the overall process of soluble PO4-3 removal by microorganisms, algae and plankton.

vi. Equilibrium reaction exists between soluble PO43 <---> sediment sorbed PO4'3

vii. The material balance equation for can be written Equation (10) for each nutrient of interest:

Total-P, PO4'3and NH3-N are expected to undergo significant biotic and abiotic interactions during the months of May to September. Their decay rate could be modeled as a first-order reaction Equation (11). That is

where K is the reaction rate coefficient with dimensions of 1/ time and C is the nutrient concentration. According to Equation (11), the rate of loss of any of these nutrients is proportional to the amount of available substance that is present in the water column. The integrated first order rate law yields Equation (12):

where C is the initial concentration of NO-N or PO'3 at first

The regression equations for rate constant, K, determination of NO3-N and PO43 for selected years were derived for the wetland most biologically active period (Table 11). Assuming that both nutrients are uniformly distributed throughout the wetland water column, hence the total amount of a nutrient is calculated as CV according to Equation (14). Thus,

where C represents the concentration of nutrient and it is uniformly distributed throughout the volume, V, of the wetland water column. The material balance becomes Equation (15):

Monthly phosphorous and nitrogen load (MLP or N) as a result of effluent discharges can be calculated Equation (16):

Where, EmV represents monthly volume of effluent (L) and CE, effluent concentration (mg/L). Therefore, average volume of water (LV) in the wetland at sampling time Equation (17):

The mass balance analysis reveals a decreasing trend in nutrients level in the wetland. In 2012 the water matrix consisted of 45% of PO4-3 which translated into a load of 1.32 x 106 g with a corresponding load of 8017g of NH3-N meaning a ratio of PO4-3/NH3-N of 165:1. Concurrently, 55% of phosphorus can be assumed to be in the forms of condensed-phosphates and organically bound-phosphates which represent a load of 1.63 x 106g. With respect to 2013, the wetland water matrix was made up of 35% PO43. Which translated into a load of 1.34 x 106 g with a corresponding load of 1.6 x 105 NH3-N. Hence 65% of phosphorous in the water mass can be assumed to be in complex forms. For year 2014, it was determined that 82% of phosphorous status was in various complex forms. The direct impact of various uncontrollable natural factors will influence the speciation of phosphorous and nitrogen in Weed lake from year to year.

Nonetheless, if too much nitrogen enters the wetland through effluent discharge to offset the current nutrient ratio PO4-3/NH3-N, the result will likely be rapid and significant growth of aquatic vegetation in nuisance quantities and eventually lowering DO content due to the death and decay of the aquatic vegetation. As a natural dynamic system, implementation and evaluation of best management practices of Weed Lake should be continued and accordingly evaluated in order to strive to achieve and maintain a healthy wetland ecosystem.

Conclusion

The results of the Weed Lake water quality monitoring program study indicate spatial and temporal variations in the concentrations of the parameters tested. EC and TDS values tend to increase both spatially and temporally from the south to the north quadrant. Similar trend has been observed as it relates to HPC and coliforms CFU enumeration. Mass balance analysis indicates that 40 to 80% of phosphorous in the wetland water column is in various complex forms. Uncontrollable natural factors will have a direct influence from year to year on the speciation of phosphorous and nitrogen in the wetland ecosystem. Any surges or significant departure from the current nitrate inputs will have the potential to adversely affect the water quality and health of the wetland.

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kritainfomatics · 5 years ago

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ECON3208/5048, Applied Econometric Methods, 2020 T3

ECON3208/5408 Course Project Description, 2020T3 The Topic and Data The topic is based on Kenkel and Terza (2001): The effect of physician advice on alcohol consumption (http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jae.596, also included in the kit), where a major task is to estimate the effect of advice on drinks. The data (KTDATA.DTA) and a do-file (kt-temp.do) for reading the data are provided. This topic involves various issues that may be encountered in empirical research. The issues include endogeneity and some special data features. Mostly, these issues have been discussed in ECON3208 and two assignments. You should carry out this project using the tools and techniques covered in our course (up to the end of Ch17.2, and up to p18 of Slides-W5-1a) although they may not be perfect for the data. You are not required to replicate the above Kenkel and Terza (KT) article (as some techniques and methods there are not covered in ECON3208). You should use this article to gain a good understanding of the topic, motivation, questions of interest, issues involved, and data to be analysed. The Report You should read Chapter 19 of Wooldridge to get insights about how to proceed with an empirical project. You should report your analysis in the following 7 sections. You should limit your report to 8 pages (excluding the cover sheet).

Introduction (1 page). You may discuss why the topic is of interest and how it is related to previous literature (referring to two or three related articles discussed in KT). You should outline the econometric issues, your modelling strategies, and provide a summary of your findings.

Data (0.5 page). You may briefly describe the data, including the data source, variable definitions, important descriptive statistics, and the main features of key variables. You should let readers see what you see as important.

Conceptual Model (1 page). You may very briefly describe the empirical economic model, on which your econometric models are based. This can motivate your choice of regressors in the econometric models. You should read Section 2 of KT for this part.

Econometric Models (2 pages). You may describe your econometric models in detail, and discuss how you address various issues in econometric analysis (such as suspected endogeneity and data features – drinks being nonnegative with many zeros and advice being binary). The main assumptions and estimation method for each econometric model should be briefly discussed. You may need to complete this section in conjunction with your computation in Stata, which could involve many trialand-error iterations. See also the “Econometric Analysis” section below.

Empirical Results (2 pages). Your results and findings of econometric analysis should be presented in detail in this section. You may use tables for your presentation (e.g., similar to Table 17.3 of Textbook). You should interpret your results properly, using the tools covered in ECON3208. Comparing results from different models is a good way to check if your findings are robust or insensitive to the variations in models and assumptions. You may also want to present the results of relevant tests, which may justify or reject the models and assumptions you use. It is important to comment on the merits and drawbacks of your econometric models, and discuss possible violation of your main assumptions and biases in your findings. Page 3 of 4

Conclusions (0.5 page). You may reiterate your main findings here, and comment on possible policy implications. You may discuss briefly the remaining issues that you are unable to resolve, and you may comment on how you would like to tackle them.

References (0.5 page). You should list your textbook (if it is used) and articles you have read and used as references. Econometric Analysis (a) A goal of this project is for you to explore and apply the knowledge and tools you have learned so far (up to the end of Ch17.2) in a research project. You should be able to comment on the strength and weakness of your models and methods. (b) You should briefly explain why some variables are included in, and others are excluded from, an equation. Always pay attention to endogeneity: Is there endogeneity? Do I have valid instruments? Can I test the validity of instruments? Does endogeneity make a difference? (c) You should start with linear models. While not perfect, linear models can be regarded as a linear approximation to the true model. It can also serve as a benchmark for comparisons. In particular, we understand well how endogeneity is handled in linear models. (d) The method we test for endogeneity (see Ch15.5a) can also be used to estimate the regression coefficients in the presence of endogeneity. This approach, known as “control function” method (see p10-13 of Slides-W2-1b and p13 of Slides-W4-2b), can be extended to nonlinear models. Suppose we want to use (𝑥𝑥, 𝒛𝒛1) to explain 𝑦𝑦, where 𝒛𝒛1 is exogenous, and 𝑥𝑥 is possibly endogenous. Note that 𝒛𝒛1 may involve two or more variables (i.e., it can be a vector). You can think of 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 and 𝑥𝑥 = 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 in this context. Assume that the reduced-form equation for 𝑥𝑥 can be either linear with 𝑥𝑥 = 𝒛𝒛1𝝅𝝅1 + 𝒛𝒛2𝝅𝝅2 + 𝑣𝑣, or probit with 𝑥𝑥 = Φ(𝒛𝒛1𝝅𝝅1 + 𝒛𝒛2𝝅𝝅2) + 𝑣𝑣. Here, (𝒛𝒛1, 𝒛𝒛2) are exogenous, (𝝅𝝅1,𝝅𝝅2) are parameters, Φ(⋅) is the standard normal CDF, and 𝑣𝑣 is an error term with 𝐸𝐸(𝑣𝑣|𝒛𝒛1, 𝒛𝒛2) = 0. Note that 𝒛𝒛2 may involve two or more variables (i.e., it can be a vector). Further, assume that the structural equation for 𝑦𝑦 can be either linear with 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥 + 𝒛𝒛1𝜷𝜷 + 𝑢𝑢, or Tobit with 𝑦𝑦 = max{0, 𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥 + 𝒛𝒛1𝜷𝜷 + 𝑢𝑢). For Tobit, 𝑢𝑢 is an error term that is conditionally normal with 𝑢𝑢 = 𝜃𝜃𝜃𝜃 + 𝑒𝑒, 𝐸𝐸(𝑒𝑒|𝑣𝑣, 𝑧𝑧1, 𝑧𝑧2) = 0, 𝑒𝑒 ∼ 𝑁𝑁(0, 𝜎𝜎2), and (𝛾𝛾,𝜷𝜷, 𝜃𝜃) are parameters. The structure of 𝑢𝑢 here takes into account the possible correlation between 𝑢𝑢 and 𝑣𝑣. The parameter 𝜃𝜃 can be used to test whether 𝑥𝑥 is exogenous (when 𝜃𝜃 = 0, 𝑢𝑢 and 𝑣𝑣 are uncorrelated) or endogenous (when 𝜃𝜃 ≠ 0, 𝑢𝑢 and 𝑣𝑣 are correlated). It follows that the structural equation for 𝑦𝑦 can be expressed as 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥 + 𝒛𝒛1𝜷𝜷 + 𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣 + 𝑒𝑒 for the linear model, and 𝑦𝑦 = max{0, 𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥 + 𝒛𝒛1𝜷𝜷 + 𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣 + 𝑒𝑒) for the Tobit model, where 𝑒𝑒 is normally distributed and uncorrelated with (𝑥𝑥, 𝒛𝒛1, 𝒛𝒛2). Hence, if we were able to observe 𝑣𝑣, the OLS estimation would be applicable to the linear model and the maximum likelihood estimation would be applicable to the Tobit model. As we do not observe 𝑣𝑣, we use a two-step approach (control function approach). If models are correct, (𝛾𝛾,𝜷𝜷, 𝜃𝜃) can be consistently estimated in two steps: Page 4 of 4 (i) estimate the reduced-form equation for 𝑥𝑥, either the linear model 𝑥𝑥 = 𝒛𝒛1𝝅𝝅1 + 𝒛𝒛2𝝅𝝅2 + 𝑣𝑣 or the probit model 𝑥𝑥 = Φ(𝒛𝒛1𝝅𝝅1 + 𝒛𝒛2𝝅𝝅2) + 𝑣𝑣, and save the residual 𝑣𝑣�; (ii) estimate the structural equation (either linear or Tobit) replacing 𝑣𝑣 by 𝑣𝑣�. However, the standard errors from Step (ii) can be incorrect because they are based on the first step estimation. As we did not cover how to correct such standard errors, you may assume the standard errors from Step (ii) are good approximates to the true standard errors, and acknowledge this weakness. For brevity, the above presentation does not include an intercept in the models. In your report, however, all models should include an intercept. Stata Commands For Stata commands, you may consult the Stata do-files (from Weeks 2 to Week 5) deposited in the “Tutorials” folder on Moodle. You may also consult the do-files for Assignments 1 and 2. The following points should also be useful. • OLS estimation of linear model regress x z1 z2 predict xhat //Save fitted values predict vhat, residuals //Save residuals in vhat test z2 //Test null hypothesis that coef on z2 is zero • 2SLS estimation of linear model ivregress 2sls y z1 (x=z2 z3) //2SLS using z2 and z3 as instruments for x predict yhat //Save 2SLS fitted values predict uhat, residuals //Save residuals in uhat • Probit estimation probit x z1 z2 predict xhat //Save fitted values in xhat generate vhat=x-xhat //Save residuals in vhat • Tobit estimation tobit y x z1 predict yhat, ystar(0,.) //Save fitted values in yhat margins, dydx(x) predict(ys(0,.)) //Find partial effect of x display r(rho)^2 //Display R-squared • Tobit estimation: Prefix a binary regressor x with “i.” tobit y i.x z1 margins, dydx(i.x) predict(ys(0,.)) //Find partial effect of binary x Please check our blog to view papers we handle https://www.kritainfomatics.com/blog/

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gulescamisade · 8 years ago

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Alaska: Day 3

[[ Despite the finesse of Nyalah's hunting capabilities, rabbits another small game are not quite so filling. Due to their bodies hard work of keeping them warm on top of their decision to continue moving, hunger begins to set in. ]]

KARKAT: =Great he loves starving.... but is there any water around? He's going to go check for that=

DAVE: -there's snow-

KARKAT: =He has fists and entire lakes don't freeze, the people need to be fed=

DAVE: -o yea you can get fish-

DAELOS: -The cold is really slowing him down, he's very still for long periods of time, trying to conserve energy.-

DAELOS: -He wants to have his STRENGTH in case something bad happens.-

KARKAT: =Weak. But he's venturing out on a quest for water. He's not letting people STARVE while he sits around like an assbasket=

KARKAT: =Or a lake/pond rather=

ARANEA: -keeping near to daelos and lending as much heat as she can. though she is unfortunately much smaller and only slightly warmer blooded then him, the hands she holds against his arm have a strange comforting warmth to them... if anything, it should be helping him keep his spirits up.-

[[ Karkat is in luck. In the distance, there among all the white and somewhat green-brown of the terrain, there is a sliver of light blue. It is the Yukon River, to be precise (and if anyone desires to use their GPS to check.) ]]

KARKAT: =Great, he knows shit about this place but he knows water, frozen or no. Shuffles his way over, slightly less bundled up and goes to check how thick the ice is=

[[ It is much thicker near the bank and sturdy enough to walk on. The closer one gets to the center of the river, however, the thinner it becomes. ]]

KARKAT: =Alright= WATCH ME SLIP AND FALL MY ENTIRE ASS INTO THIS FRIGID RIVER... =Mumbles to himself loudly and steps carefully on the ice to break it where it's still thick enough for him to be supported but he's not going to break his fist=

TEREZI: W1SH 1 COULD >;]

TEREZI: S3R1OUSLY, B3 C4R3FUL THOUGH

[[ Karkat must walk 30-40 feet across the ice until he reaches that point. ]]

DAVE: -also watching with terezi-

KARKAT: =Flinches and slips on the ice a little= FUCK. HOW LONG WERE YOU FO-- =They're both here= ....... UGH FINE. =Keeps.... walking, half-sliding on ice=

DAVE: -it feels great to surprise karkat and have him begrudgingly acknowledge him. Such an adorable grump-

KARKAT: =He's not adorable he's a survivor. Slips and falls rifht on his ass. Slides. ..=

TEREZI: =stifling a laugh=

TEREZI: PFFT

DAVE: get on your feet DAVE: get up and make it happen

KARKAT: GREAT, YOU BOTH CAME TO BE USELESS AND CACKLE. =turns on his stomach and tries to stand=

TEREZI: 1 B3L13V3 1N YOU!!

KARKAT: WHATEVER, YOU'RE HERE TO BE ENTERTAINED. =shuffles more then INTENTIONALLY plops down and gives the thinner bit a considerable knock with his whole fist=

ICE: =dull thonk=

DAVE: punch it

KARKAT: EAT MY ENTIRE ASS STRIDER. =knocks HARDER=

ICE: =OWIE! produces a small crack=

DAVE: no you knock on wood

DAELOS: -He's not moving, but at least he's keeping himself busy. He dumped out his tool box into his sylladex to use as a bowl and he's currently melting some snow over the fire.-

KARKAT: =huffs and clasps his hands together, using some of the hope-given seadweller strength to WHUMP the ice=

ICE: >O< =it cracks, spiderwebbing across the ice about four feet.=

DAELOS: -He had some tea packets in his sylladex. No sugar or anything but beggers can't be choosers. Tries to make tea.-

KARKAT: =That.... is a big spiderwebbing.... it's under his ass isn't it?=

[[ Yup. ]]

DAELOS: -Not paying attention to any of this yet. He assumes the youths are just horsing around and using good judgement.-

[[ Though it takes longer for the water to boil since it's SNOW, Daelos will find success with creating leaf water. ]]

DAELOS: -CRAFTING NOISE !!! ***-

KARKAT: ..... =Scoots.... back.... Don't let his glorious ass crack this ice=

ICE: ...

ICE: =cracks?=

ICE: =a teeny bit more=

DAELOS: -slides one of the compartments out to use as a very inconvenient tea cup and carefully passes the piping hot leaf water to his lady love <333.-

KARKAT: =DEEP RESIGNED SIGH, takes off his jacket at least and chucks it to the side=

DAELOS: -HE WILL SHARE. but she gets the first sip-

DAVE: karkat im hungry

ARANEA: -flutters wings while accepting the cup.- Thank you, Daelos. -smiles up at him and just lets it warm her hands for a moment-

TEREZI: 3V3RYTH1NG P34CHY OV3R TH3R3?

DAELOS: -What a pretty smile she has. They are on a snow date. In the freezing wilderness.-

DAELOS: -raises his voice- There is hot tea

DAELOS: When you all are finished with

DAELOS: That!

TEREZI: :D

TEREZI: W3LL DON3 Z4HH4K! =that's twice she's said that to him now=

KARKAT: BOTH OF YOU PICK AN ASSCHEEK OF MINE AND NIBBLE IT YOU JACKASSES. =shouts back to Daelos=

KARKAT: KEEP AT LEAST HALF OF IT FOR THE FRIGID ASS FEEDING YOU YOU USELESS PRICKS!! =PUNCHES the ice just take him now watery abyss=

DAELOS: -Snorts in OFFENSE. How rude!-

KARKAT: =Fine then STARVE=

ARANEA: - VERY rude...-

ICE: =KARKAT WHY???!=

ICE: =CRACK!!!!!!!!!=

ICE: =gives way=

KARKAT: =SPLOOSH, swims off=

DAELOS: -He doesn't eat meat anyway, but he was being polite about mentioning it.-

KARKAT: =Goodbye forever=

DAELOS: -He will have to forage for roots himself later-

TEREZI: HOLY SH1T K4RK4T! =she's running to the shore=

DAELOS: -Concerned whinny-

MINDFANG: -She was gathering more wood for the fire and comes back with two arm loads of tinder and just in time to see the figure in the distance that is karkat vanish through the ice.- .........

MINDFANG : (Outstanding.)

REDGLARE: -BUZZING OVERHEAD-

REDGLARE: ...-SIGHS-

FISH: =IS CHUCKED OUT THE WATER=

FISH: =Why this. Why me=

MINDFANG: -Looks up at Redglare like "you going to bother with that or...?"-

KARKAT: =If Terezi is close enough she's gonna get slapped by at least two more fish=

DAELOS: -Spoilers, it's Alaska, he won't find anything. He'll have to eat fish.-

REDGLARE: H3 h4s g1lls.

TEREZI: =she ducks with the first one but the second hits her squarely in the middle and her legs go flying up in the air=

DAELOS: Do you suppose I should assist

DAELOS: -THEY SEEM TO BE FALLING A LOT-

MINDFANG: Ah. That's new. -She's no longer vaguely concerned and moves to finish piling up the wood before sitting by the fire itself and rubbing her shoulder that links to the robotic arm.-

DAELOS: -Of course if he went near the ice, it'd just all crumble...-

REDGLARE: ...

REDGLARE: -flutters down towards Terezi, pokes the fish with her staff.-

FISH: =THRASHES VIOLENTLY=

KARKAT: =Man look at all these fish. As soon as he throws enough that can feed them for the night he emerges SCREAMING= WHY THE FUCK ARE WE STILL IN THIS ABOMINABLE FROST-BEASTS ASSHOLE!??!

FISH: 8O

FISH: =uses Splash!=

REDGLARE: -gives it a good, hearty stab. go to sleep fishy.-

DAELOS: -FISH MURDER.-

REDGLARE: W3 h4v3 food now.

FISH: =flap flap flap!!!=

DAELOS: -He's used to it with Nyalah, but it never fails to sadden him.-

TEREZI: =still on her back, staring up at the sky=

FISH: =is still=

NYALAH: -OH. Is Terezi part of the fresh kill pile? Nyalah is depositing another rabbit with her. Dead, of course.-

TEREZI: TH4NKS NY4

MINDFANG: -Watching all of this happen while trying to get warm so her body stops screaming in the form of aching joints and muscle.-

NYALAH: - 👁️👁️Would Arissa like a massage? She's good at those.-

DAELOS: -Cease...-

MINDFANG: -No, she would like the circuits in her metal arm not to freeze.-

DAELOS: -He could help possibly. But i'm going to bed so...-

MINDFANG: -Side eyes Nyalah looking at her though.- ..... can I help you.

REDGLARE: -just sorta. picks up Terezi by the sides.-

NYALAH: look stiff -wiping her paws of blood in the snow.-

TEREZI: G3TT1NG F1SH3D

TEREZI: TH4T W4S 4 F1RST

TEREZI: =Pats Redglare's shoulder= H3H3H3H3 TH4NKS

TEREZI: =she glanced over at Karkat though, a little concerned that he might turn into an actual icicle. That water is cold as balls.=

MINDFANG: -Blood has no effect on her she has seen plenty.- I look stiff 8ecause I am. MINDFANG: Metal cools much faster then the rest of my 8ody does. While the arm is more or less insul8ted and water proof, the 8rilliant designer of this piece of equipment also provided it with cold sensors.

MINDFANG: And also the frozen metal and rubber feels just /peachy keen/ against the flesh stump of my shoulder.

KARKAT: =He's hauling himself out and shivering, just. Living with his mistakes but kicks the flopping fishes away from the hole MOVE OVER BITCHfang he's taking place next to the fire and stripping his shirt off. Wringing it out and throws it over..... some kind of stick over it to dry=

NYALAH: -👀 tbh -

MINDFANG: -Karkat is free to join her, but she isn't makin a show of moving over.- I'm impressed with you cold tolerance. -@karkat-

MINDFANG: Plenty would have died in that water. It's a surprise you didn't.

NYALAH: -prowls over to sniff the metal arm.-

KARKAT: THANKS, IT'S MUCH HIGHER THAN MY "WATCH PEOPLE I GIVE A SHIT ABOUT STARVE TO DEATH IN A WASTELAND" TOLERANCE.

MINDFANG: ! -Pulls her arm away from the sniffing.-

NYALAH: -settles by MFG anyway. Pulling out a joint.... and starts to light it.-

MINDFANG: -Drugs are for losers, but damn if she's considering pulling out her own cigarette right now.-

NYALAH: -offers her a pass of the doobie anyway.- B??

MINDFANG: No thank you. -She waves it off but is giving in and taking out one of her cigs. Does nyalah have a lighter she's willing to share?-

TEREZI: =she's deboning and gutting the fish Karkat caught by the frozen water=

NYALAH: -waves her lighter around. Maybe if she asks nicely.-

MINDFANG: -Gross.- Care to lend me that for a moment.

NYALAH: -tosses it at her.- k33ps

MINDFANG: -Snags it out of the air and smoothly lights her cigarette before taking a long overdue drag.- Thanks.

MINDFANG: -Puffs out smoke into the freezing air.-

NYALAH: hot -remarks, not even hiding the fact she's watching.-

MINDFANG: Generous, o8servant and truthful. Not terri8le qual8ties.

[[ The irregular wind patterns blow the puff of smoke back in mindfang's face. ]]

MINDFANG: -BITCH WEATHER.-

NYALAH: other ways to be the terribles

MINDFANG: -Squints to protect her good eye from the blow back.-

MINDFANG: There certainly are.

WIND: =ruffles up her hair=

WIND: =knocks off her hat=

GROUND: =gives her a wedgie=

NYALAH: -eyes grow round at this sudden weirdness.- ..............................whet

MINDFANG: -ALASKA CAN FUCK OFF. And good thing she wasn't wearing a hat.- (Fuck!)

MINDFANG: -Holds the cig between her lips as she fixes her hair.-

[[ It's not weird. It's just normal human weather. Which, yeah, is a bit weird. ]]

MINDFANG: -Is the weather going to keep harassing her? Is she going to need to tie her hair back to protect it?-

WIND: =WOOSH!=

NYALAH: -staring at her doobie... she's barely had 1 maybe 2 hit.-

MINDFANG: -Gdi. That's it she's quickly braiding her hair to keep it from becoming a tangled mess later.-

MINDFANG: Are you alright there. Or are you already faded.

MINDFANG: -Speaks at her while staring at the fire.-

NYALAH: only watching

NYALAH: sp33ks when spoken to ye

NYALAH: -the temptation to bat her braid is so overwhelming-

MINDFANG: -Do so at your own risk.-

WIND: =nudges the very tip of mindfangs braid. OH the temptation=

NYALAH: -she is not strong... she baps, ever so gently-

MINDFANG: -Just as fast as she had grabbed the lighter earlier she is trapping Nyalah's hand in a tight, chilly steel grip.-

MINDFANG: -Slowly turns her head to look at her again.-

MINDFANG: I care a gr8 deal for my hair. Do not touch it without permission. -Don't touch her in general without permission.-

NYALAH: -she sure likes dying and being dead. Just gazes with her hand caught like it is.-

TEREZI: =is return with 1 rabbit and several fish fillets. awww....they're holding hands!=

TEREZI: H3Y 3V3RYON3

TEREZI: TH4NKS TO NY4L4H 4ND K4RKL3S W3 F34ST TON1GHT >:]

TEREZI: WHOS HUNGRY?

MINDFANG: -Waits a few more moments for any sort of verbal response but when none comes she releases the cats hand.-

MINDFANG: -Sucks the entirety of the rest of the cigarette in one go, holds it for a few counts, and then breathes it out.- If you need help cooking, feel free to inform me. -Doing it herself is better then letting someone else burn their food supplies to ashes.-

NYALAH: hurt -staring at mindfang.-

MINDFANG: You aren't hurt. Try wiggling your fingers and you'll see that.

NYALAH: speaks to me like this

NYALAH: again -rasps. A request, a warning, it's hard to tell.-

MINDFANG: .........

TEREZI: =she's going to....go over here now.=

MINDFANG: -This cat is weird.-

TEREZI: =She settled on the other side of Karkat, bemoaning the lack of seasoning. They can always cry on it, she supposed. Where was Flavortown when you needed them?=

NYALAH: -way too wide eyed and hyper focused on Mindfang's movements. None chill cat.-

MINDFANG: -Narrows her eyes at the cat. Nyalah is making her uneasy with all this staring.- If you have a pro8lem with me say it.

MINDFANG: And do not expect an apology for half crushing your hand.

NYALAH: bitch does as bitch is none apologies no

NYALAH: but even she n33ds sl33ps too

NYALAH: cant be speakings as she does

NYALAH: if she has no tongue

TEREZI: =glancing between these two=

NYALAH: -huddled, coiled and dangerous with eyes that are reliving one too many unpleasant things with her hard stare at MF.-

MINDFANG: Oh I'm sorry the wind seems to muffle voices at times, for a moment it sounded like you were threatening me.

MINDFANG: 8ut o8viously that can't 8e the case, 8ecause you would have to 8e either incredi8ly stupid, or have a wish of self destruction.

MINDFANG: -Stares back at her, the coldness of the air has nothing on the ice in her eye. Do you really want to take her on?-

NYALAH: -imagining very loudly what it's like to gouge out that eye staring down at her. If Mindfang's empathy abilities mean anything.-

NYALAH: -continues staring unblinkingly with the words that circle in her thinkpan. Reminding her of the echo excuse she was for a troll.-

NYALAH: death would be favor

NYALAH: wouldnt have to listen no more

NYALAH: wins for me either way

MINDFANG: -She feels a vague sense of Nyalah's intent towards her. It helped that for a moment she had been trying to pry her way into Nyalah's mind in her subtle way that would feel nothing more then an slight itch.-

MINDFANG: Then it's a shame im not currently in the market of executing mem8ers of our party. You have use, don't go looking for serious injury.

NYALAH: bite deep nook

NYALAH: coward -It's amazing how she keeps her voice at the same volume, the same rasp, the same tone as she says terrible things.- and eat the words you says

NYALAH: wheres they belong

MINDFANG: -The only reaction that comes from her is a small smile stretching across her lips.- What charming ideas.

MINDFANG: -At that she is standing and dusting herself off as if they weren't just having this rather heated conversation.- I 8elieve I'm warm enough to 8e useful again. -It never hurts to have more firewood.-

NYALAH: bye arrisa -watching her go. She IS going to have to sleep some time.-

MINDFANG: -You'd be surprised how little she actually sleeps.-

MINDFANG: -Waves Nyalah off as she leaves.-

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eastbridge-sb · 6 years ago

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RB Leipzig v Augsburg Match Preview – 21st December Saturday

RB Leipzig v Augsburg – Red Bull Arena at 14:30 GMT LIVE AT BT Sport

RB Leipzig moved to the top of the Bundesliga after last Saturday’s convincing 3-0 success against Fortuna Dusseldorf. Die Rotten Bullen now face a fascinating fixture with Borussia Dortmund in midweek before concluding their Hinrunde efforts with a very winnable match-up at home to Augsburg this weekend.

Without knowing the outcome of their meeting with Dortmund, I’m still keen to support Julian Nagelsmann’s men on the Asian Handicap for Saturday’s clash with Augsburg. The high-flyers are available to support at 1.75 with a -1.5 hurdle, meaning money will be made if RB are victorious by two goals or more.

Leipzig ended Matchday 15 with that aforementioned sixth straight Bundesliga triumph in Dusseldorf. The win was comprehensive as the final score suggested as Die Rotten Bullen racked up at least three leagues for the sixth consecutive match. RB have now scored in their last 16 top-flight games on the spin.

Leipzig capable of cushy win

Nagelsmann’s outfit have plundered 25 goals in six Bundesliga games, racked up at least three goals in nine of 15 league outings, whilst generating a whopping 1.50 Expected Goals (xG) from open play on average. Die Rotten Bullen are also firing in over 10 shots per-game from inside the opposition’s penalty area.

Bang-in-form top goalscorer Timo Werner has been in exceptional form. The German international has had a hand in 29 goals in just 23 games in all competitions since Nagelsmann arrived. And the speedster has notched an incredible 10 times in his last six outings, scoring in each encounter.

Leipzig have proven reliable operators when taking on the top-flight’s lesser lights under their new boss, too. Die Rotten Bullen have won all nine matches against clubs in ninth and below, by an aggregate of 34-7. Seven of those nine victories would have seen our selected bet pay-out profit this term.

Improving Augsburg to fall short

Augsburg boss Martin Schmidt has eased pressure on his position following a fine five-game spell that’s seen Die Fuggerstädter earn 13 points (W4-D1-L0). The upturn in fortunes has pushed the Bavarians into the safety of mid-table and eight points ahead of 16th-place in the Bundesliga.

However, four of those fixtures came against basement battlers and Augsburg’s record against the leading lights is questionable. Schmidt’s side have shipped 18 of their 28-goal tally in games against Bayern Munich, Schalke, Leverkusen, Dortmund and Monchengladbach, including 5-1 shellacking’s at the latter pair.

Augsburg have been beaten in 13 of 25 away days since the start of last season, including six losses in eight trips to top-six teams, suggesting they’ll fall short on their visit to Leipzig on Saturday afternoon.

Asian Handicap Betting Recommendation: RB Leipzig -1.50 at 1.750

Preview by: @MarkOHaire

Who do you think will win this RB Leipzig v Augsburg match? Place your bets with VOdds or connect through Eastbridge’s Skype betting for a hassle-free experience!

The post RB Leipzig v Augsburg Match Preview – 21st December Saturday appeared first on Eastbridge.

source https://eastbridge-sb.com/rb-leipzig-v-augsburg-match-preview-211219/

#sports #sports news #football #european football #english football

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constructionaccounting · 7 years ago

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Contractor Are You Ready For A Very Happy New Year?

This Podcast Is Episode Number 0249, And It Will Be About Contractor Are You Ready For A Very Happy New Year?

The year has almost come to an end. Just a handful of things left to do. The term “Burning The Midnight Oil” comes to mind. Some things need to be done and date stamped on or before December 31 of each year or it does not count for the current year.

Payroll – Did you take any personal payroll (S-Corp) If not, it may impact your personal deductions. IRA – 401K Making those final payments before midnight on December 31. (Do not wait until 11:59 PM) Some plans allow you to make payments until April 15th (double check the dates– do not assume) End of the year income - Getting one last customer invoice out and receiving the payment Last minute purchases to count on 2017 taxes (expenses or larger item which qualifies for depreciation) January 1 – is the time that the reset button on company financials, payroll tax threshold, expenses, and income start over at Zero. Do you have deductibles that reset or annual caps? Tax Accountants will be demand explaining how the new changes will impact of and every one of us. Many changes are coming at the Federal level with the new tax plan passes. Reading the highlights of the new tax plan, we can expect the IRS to be busy in the next few weeks rolling out the new tax rates and how it is applied to the Federal Withholding on your paychecks. Within the pages of the various tax codes that might cause changes in the 2017 tax software. Congress picks whether any tax increase or decrease impacts yesterday, today or tomorrow. Tax accountants keep on top of changes.

Do not expect to be able to file your annual taxes on January 1, 2018.

IRS Statement on 2018 Filing Season Start Date. The IRS has released a statement regarding the first official day to file taxes in 2018. “The IRS Statement on 2018 Filing Season Start Date is basically that there is still no official date. Due to all of the current legislature going on regarding tax laws, there is no official start date for 2017 Tax Season.” Most common State changes are tied to minimum wage rates and employee benefits (example PTO, Sick Pay, Vacation Pay, other employee benefits). Individual cities can be different than the rest of the state (Seattle). Recommend using a 3rd Party Payroll Service with an HR Component to keep in compliance. Hint For a Pre-New Year’s Day Activity This is one of the Not So Fun aspects of running a business. You Are The Boss! Buck Stops Here! In addition to doing all the Fun Stuff (meeting your clients). Employees in general (maybe not yours) will start asking for their W2 on January 1st (or before) thinking that they can immediately file. Some employees might be planning to use a service to file their tax return and receive a “tax refund loan” so they will have their money instantly. To avoid hearing employees ask over and over – it will be less time consuming to send out the W-2 forms sooner rather than later. Create W-2 and Pass Them Out As Soon As Possible – Remember To Keep A Copy W-2’s and 1099’s have a deadline of January 31st to be mailed out to your employees and 1099 contractors. Be proactive and send out W-9’s now; thereby asking for Federal Tax ID or Social Security Number now. IRS Form W-9 https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw9.pdf. Check the IRS site for 2018 W4. Some employees will move and forget to notify you of their new address change until after they have made the appointment to see their Tax Accountant and discovered their W-2 has not arrived. Think About Your Company Tax Filing Status I recommend changing from a Sole Prop to an S-Corp. Setting up an S-Corp is done with the Secretary of State in your state. Note, a few states only accept forms from a third party service. If you are currently an LLC – my recommendation is still to become an S-Corp. If not, change your tax filing status to be treated as an S-Corp. The form needed from the IRS is a Form 2553. https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f2553.pdf Unlike many State Agencies, the IRS does not charge to file their forms. You are asking the IRS to change how your company is being treated. Why is this important? Because the IRS will only accept the form for the current year in January – February (pushing the deadline to March 15th is risky) otherwise the approval will be for the next year (meaning starting in January 2019) instead of January 2018. Quick Tip: Late Penalties to State and Federal Government Agencies are increasing, and they are looking back at filing dates of past returns for additional fees. Very expensive to borrow money from the government. In case you need it; it never hurts to ask for a payment plan. Rule of Thumb When Asking: Be Nice, Be Polite, Ask for a payment plan to be extended for as long as possible and with payments as low as possible. Sometimes no matter how you ask – the person you are talking is not helpful, but usually, if it is within the rules they will. Cash Flow - Every little bit helps! For many contractors the last few years has been a challenge just to stay in business. For Construction Contractors – the margins are so thin trying that trying to be competitive and to be profitable at the same time, and contractors have felt like they are acting as a Non-Profit without any of the tax benefits. Every business has challenges; it comes with being in business. Think Positive – Tomorrow will be better.

Now you are ready to have fun and create your New Year’s Resolution

Pat Yourself On The Back – Job Well Done

Stash Your Magic Wand In The Closet

Put Your Feet Up On The Couch

Spoil Yourself With Lot of Food

Buy Your Favorite Ice Cream

Eat More Chocolate

Read The Paper

Take A Nap

Watch TV

Be Happy

Laugh

Live

Yes – I know you also have a list of Business Resolutions. Construction Accounting and Bookkeeping issues will not go away all by themselves.

Check out FastEasyAccountingStore.com or Chat with me about a Customized Proposal.

Now is the perfect time to clean up your Accounting for 2017, make changes for a better 2018. New Year’s Resolution – One tiny change in your process that will help you grow your Construction Contracting Company. We are ready to help “A Little or A Lot” with any of those accounting issues when you are ready. Tomorrow is a new day, and once you, me, we have rested, the challenges will be easier to manage.

Again, Best Wishes To Everyone. Have a Very Happy New Year Welcome 2018 Helping Contractors around the world is one of the reasons we added the FastEasyAccountingStore.com Follow our blogs, listen to Contractor Success M.A.P. Podcast. We Appreciate Our Visitors, Listeners, and Subscribers. – Thank You!!

Please feel free to download all the Free Forms and Resources that you find useful for your business. We are here to Help “A Little or A Lot” depending on your needs.

About The Author:

https://www.fasteasyaccounting.com/free-one-hour-consultation-bookkeeping

Sharie DeHart, QPA is the co-founder of Business Consulting And Accounting in Lynnwood Washington. She is the leading expert in managing outsourced construction bookkeeping and accounting services companies and cash management accounting for small construction companies across the USA. She encourages Contractors and Construction Company Owners to stay current on their tax obligations and offers insights on how to manage the remaining cash flow to operate and grow their construction company sales and profits so they can put more money in the bank. http://www.fasteasyaccounting.com/sharie-dehart/ 206-361-3950 or [email protected]

I trust this podcast helps you understand that outsourcing your contractor's bookkeeping services to us is about more than just “doing the bookkeeping”; it is about taking a holistic approach to your entire construction company and helping support you as a contractor and as a person.

We Remove Contractor's Unique Paperwork Frustrations

We understand the good, bad and the ugly about owning and operating construction companies because we have had several of them and we sincerely care about you and your construction company!

That is all I have for now, and if you have listened to this far please do me the honor of commenting and rating the Podcast www.FastEasyAccounting.com/podcast Tell me what you liked, did not like, tell it as you see it because your feedback is crucial and I thank you in advance.

You Deserve To Be Wealthy Because You Bring Value To Other People's Lives!

I trust this will be of value to you and your feedback is always welcome at www.FastEasyAccounting.com/podcast

This Is One more example of how Fast Easy Accounting is helping construction company owners across the USA including Alaska and Hawaii put more money in the bank to operate and grow your construction company. Construction accounting is not rocket science; it is a lot harder than that, and a lot more valuable to construction contractors like you so stop missing out and call Sharie 206-361-3950 or email [email protected]

Contractor Bookkeeping Done For You!

Thinking About Outsourcing Your Contractors Bookkeeping Services?

Click On The Link Below:

www.FastEasyAccounting.com/hs

This guide will help you learn what to look for in outsourced construction accounting.

Need Help Now?

Call Sharie 206-361-3950

[email protected]

Thank you very much, and I hope you understand we do care about you and all contractors regardless of whether or not you ever hire our services. Bye for now until our next episode here on the Contractors Success MAP Podcast.

Enjoy your day. Sharie

About The Author:

https://www.fasteasyaccounting.com/free-one-hour-consultation-bookkeeping

Our Workflow Removes Your Paperwork Frustrations

For Contractors Who Prefer

To Do Your Bookkeeping

Fast Easy Accounting Do-It-Yourself Construction Accounting Store Is Open

Most Contractors Setup QuickBooks Desktop Version In One Of Three Ways:

#1 EZ Step Interview inside QuickBooks Setup #2 Asked Their Tax Accountant To Setup QuickBooks #3 They Attended A How To Setup QuickBooks Class Or Seminar

And QuickBooks Does Not Work The Way They Want It Too!

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#1 Click Here To Buy An Entire QuickBooks Setup For Your Specific Contracting Company

#2 Click Here To Buy Just The Chart Of Accounts For Your Specific Contracting Company

Short List Of Construction Contractors We Serve

Asphalt ContractorAsphalt Contractor Brand New ContractorBrand New ContractorBrick And Stone ContractorBrick And Stone ContractorCabinet Installation ContractorCabinet Installation ContractorCarpentry ContractorCarpentry ContractorCarpet And Tile ContractorCarpet And Tile ContractorCommercial Tenant Improvement ContractorCommercial Tenant Improvement ContractorConcrete ContractorConcrete ContractorConstruction EmployeesConstruction EmployeesConstruction ManagerConstruction ManagerConstruction Support SpecialistConstruction Support SpecialistCustom Deck ContractorCustom Deck ContractorCustom Home BuilderCustom Home BuilderDemolition ContractorDemolition ContractorDrywall ContractorDrywall ContractorElectrical ContractorElectrical ContractorEmerging ContractorEmerging ContractorExcavation ContractorExcavation ContractorFinish Millwork ContractorFinish Millwork ContractorFlipper House ContractorFlipper House ContractorFlooring ContractorFlooring ContractorFoundation ContractorFoundation ContractorFraming ContractorFraming ContractorGeneral ContractorGeneral ContractorGlass Installation ContractorGlass Installation ContractorGutter ContractorGutter ContractorHandyman ContractorHandyman ContractorHot Tub ContractorHot Tub ContractorHVAC ContractorHVAC ContractorInsulation ContractorInsulation ContractorInterior Designer ContractorInterior Designer ContractorLand Development ContractorLand Development ContractorLandscape ContractorLandscape ContractorLawn And Yard Maintenance ContractorLawn And Yard Maintenance ContractorMasonry ContractorMasonry ContractorMold Remediation ContractorMold Remediation ContractorMoss Removal ContractorMoss Removal ContractorPainting ContractorPainting ContractorPlaster ContractorPlaster ContractorPlaster And Stucco ContractorPlaster And Stucco ContractorPlumbing ContractorPlumbing ContractorPressure Washing ContractorPressure Washing ContractorRemodel ContractorRemodel ContractorRenovation ContractorRenovation ContractorRestoration ContractorRestoration ContractorRoofing ContractorRoofing ContractorSiding ContractorSiding ContractorSpec Home BuilderSpec Home BuilderSpecialty ContractorSpecialty ContractorStone Mason ContractorStone Mason ContractorStucco ContractorStucco ContractorSubcontractorSubcontractorSwimming Pool ContractorSwimming Pool ContractorSwimming Pool And Hot Tub ContractorSwimming Pool And Hot Tub ContractorTile And Carpet ContractorTile And Carpet ContractorTrade ContractorTrade ContractorTree ContractorTree ContractorUnderground ContractorUnderground ContractorUtility ContractorUtility ContractorWaterproofing ContractorWaterproofing ContractorWindow ContractorWindow Contractor

Additional QuickBooks Templates, Resources, And Services

QuickBooks Set Up TemplatesSolopreneurQuickBooks Chart Of AccountsFree StuffQuickBooks Item Lists TemplatesConsulting

We Serve Over 100 Types Of Contractors So If Your Type Of Company Is Not Listed

Please Do Not Be Concerned Because If You Are A Contractor

There Is A Good Chance We Can Help You!

Call Now: 206-361-3950

Additional QuickBooks Templates, Resources, And Services

QuickBooks Set Up Templates Solopreneur

QuickBooks Chart Of Accounts Free Stuff

QuickBooks Item Lists Templates Consulting

We Serve Over 100 Types Of Contractors So If Your Type Of Company Is Not Listed

Please Do Not Be Concerned Because If You Are A Contractor

There Is A Good Chance We Can Help You!

Call Now: 206-361-3950

If you are a blogger, who writes about construction we would like to hear from you.

https://www.fasteasyaccounting.com/guestblogger

Contractors_Success_MAP, Contractors_Success_Marketing_Accounting_Production, Contractor_Bookkeeping_Services, QuickBooks_For_Contractors, QuickBooks_For_Contractors,Contractors_Success_Map_Contractor_Are_You_Ready_For_A_Very_Happy_New_Year

Check out this episode about Contractors Marketing - Accounting - Production (M.A.P.)!

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