Treatment FAQ

what causes algae in a pond type wastewater treatment plant

by Bradley Gerlach Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Mixing, aeration, sunlight, CO2, nutrients, excess BOD are all factors in algae growth in ponds, lagoons and wastewater treatment plants.

Full Answer

What are the causes of pond algae?

At a Glance: Causes of Pond Algae 1 Too little beneficial bacteria 2 Too few plants 3 Excess nutrients (i.e. fertilizer, decaying fish food) 4 Warm, shallow water 5 Lack of an established ecosystem in new ponds 6 Seasonal changes

What are the uses of algae from a treatment pond?

In addition, algae harvested from treatment ponds are widely used as nitrogen and phophorus suplement for agricultural purpose and can be subjected to fermentation in order to obtain energy from metane.

Are clumps of algae in a stormwater pond dangerous?

It is not uncommon for stormwater ponds to develop large floating mats of algae during the warm months of the year in response to fertilization of lawns and animal wastes in the watershed. Are clumps of filamentous algae unhealthy? Should the water be clear? No, not necessarily.

What causes algae blooms in wastewater lagoons?

For many companies algae blooms in their wastewater lagoons can be dramatic and are a result of excess nutrients from wastewater, fertilizer, and storm water runoff, coinciding with lots of sunlight, warm temperatures and shallow, slow-flowing water.

How do you control algae in a wastewater pond?

Ultrasound has proven effective in controlling algae in lakes and drinking water reservoirs, and the technology seems promising for a wastewater lagoon application. Aeration and Mixing: Adding mechanical aeration and mixing to a lagoon prevents algae in a number of ways.

Which algae is grown on wastewater?

The Chlorella vulgaris species achieve 60-70% COD and 40-90% NH 3 − N removal when cultivated in swine wastewater, while Chlorella pyrenoidosa successfully grew in dairy wastewater (Kothari et al., 2012; Wang et al., 2015).

What is the role of algae in wastewater treatment?

Algae benefit wastewater treatment by producing oxygen that allows aerobic bacteria to breakdown organic contaminants in the water and taking up excess nitrogen and phosphorus in the process. It is also a sustainable and affordable alternative to current wastewater treatment practices.

Which algae used in sewage treatment?

Chlorella – Chlorella is used for the removal of lead (II) ions from wastewater. It is also used to remove nutrients (N and P) from domestic wastewater. It is used in the treatment of diluted piggery waste and in the detoxification of cyanide from wastewater.

Can algae grow in wastewater?

Algae can grow in wastewater because of the nutrients found therein; one person's waste is another algae's food. Nitrogen, phosphorus, dissolved organic carbon—these byproducts of our waste are the nutrients algae need to grow.

Why does algae cause water pollution?

Elevated nutrient levels and algal blooms can also cause problems in drinking water in communities nearby and upstream from dead zones. Harmful algal blooms release toxins that contaminate drinking water, causing illnesses for animals and humans.

What is the role of algae in aerobic pond?

Algae support to aerobic bacterial oxidation of organic matter producing oxygen via photosynthesis whilst released carbon dioxide and nutrients in aerobic oxidation use for growth of algal biomass.

What is the effect of algae in water?

Drinking algae-affected water or consuming food (such as fish or shellfish) containing toxins can lead to gastroenteritis, which can induce vomiting, diarrhoea, fevers and headaches. These toxins may also affect the liver or nervous system.

Does algae grow and develop?

Algae is a plant-like life form that can grow and replicate. Because it's a plant, algae requires light, water, and nutrients in order to grow.

What are High Rate algal ponds?

High Rate Algal Ponds (HRAP) are shallow raceway ponds that circulate wastewater via a low-power paddle wheel. HRAPs are designed to maximise the breakdown of organic waste via algal and bacterial growth and inactivate pathogens via sunlight exposure.

What is algae treatment?

There are several available methods for algae control and prevention, such as herbicides, bacteria and microbes, chemicals, UV sterilizers, and other additives like barley straw. Each has a slightly different way of attacking algae and some may work better in different situations and applications.

What is the harmful effect of algae?

Exposure to high levels of blue-green algae and their toxins can cause diarrhea, nausea or vomiting; skin, eye or throat irritation; and allergic reactions or breathing difficulties. Pet and livestock illness/deaths can happen if animals consume large amounts of water containing blooms, scums or benthic mats.

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