Freshwater Algae: Essential Nutrients and Factors

Abstract

Algal growth in an acidic environment was analyzed using Algae Turf Scrubbers (ATS). The main objective was to assess and understand the role of nutrients and other environmental factors including temperature, pH and turbidity necessary for algal growth. The acidic environment was achieved by the addition of heavy metal contaminated processed wastewater to the ATS and monitoring the growth pattern over a course of 6 weeks. A total of 10 freshwater species were first cultivated separately and later on added to the ATS systems. The results demonstrated that only a few freshwater species survived namely Anabaena, Synechococcus, Fragalaria and Scenesdesmus. It was observed that a low Redfield Ratio, suitable temperature and low turbidity played a crucial role in the significant increase in cyanobacteria population. The ATS simulated the natural freshwater environment and helped get valuable insight regarding algae and heavy metals.