Microalgae cultivation using an aquaculture wastewater as growth medium for biomass and biofuel production

Microalgae as a main feedstock has attracted much attention in recent years but is still not economically feasible due to high algal culture cost. The objective of this study was to develop a comprehensive eco-friendly technology for cultivating microalgae Platymonas subcordiformis using aquaculture wastewater as growth medium for biomass and biofuel production. Platymonas subcordiformis was grown in pretreated flounder aquaculture wastewaters taken from different stages. Each of wastewater contained different levels of nutrients. The biomass yield of microalgae and associated nitrogen and phosphorous removal were investigated. The results showed that algal cell density increased 8.9 times than the initial level. Platymonas subcordiformis removed nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater with an average removal efficiency of 87%-95% for nitrogen and 98%-99% for phosphorus. It was feasible to couple the removal of nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater to algal biomass and biofuel production. However, further studies are required to make this technologies economically viable for algae biofuel production.     

Growth characteristics of algae during early stages of phytoplankton bloom in Lake Taihu, China

Three treatments, sediment plus lake water (S+W), sterilized sediment plus lake water (SS+W), and sediment plus filtered lake water (S+FW), were recruited to investigate the growth characteristics of algae during pre-bloom and the importance of algal inocula in the water column and sediment. The results showed that in the water column, biomass of all algae increased in all treatments when recruitment was initiated, whereas this tendency differed among treatments with further increment of temperature. The process of algal growth consisted of two stages: Stage I, the onset of recruitment and Stage II, the subsequent growth of algae. Compared with S+W, in Stage I, SS+W significantly increased the biomass of cyanophytes by 178.70%, and decreased the biomass of non-cyanophytes by 43.40%; In Stage II, SS+W notably stimulated the growth of all algae, thus incurring the occurrence of phytoplankton bloom. Further analyses revealed that both metabolic activity and photochemical activity of algae were enhanced in SS+W, which resulted from the releasing of nutrients from sediment. These results suggest that algal growth in Stage II and algal inocula in the water column can be important factors for the formation of phytoplankton bloom. In addition, possible mechanisms promoting algal recruitment and subsequent growth of algae were explored.     

Contaminant removal from low-concentration polluted river water by the bio-rack wetlands

The bio-rack is a new approach for treating low-concentration polluted river water in wetland systems. A comparative study of the efficiency of contaminant removal between four plant species in bio-rack wetlands and between a bio-rack system and control system was conducted on a small-scale (500 mm length × 400 mm width × 400 mm height) to evaluate the decontamination effects of four different wetland plants. There was generally a significant difference in the removal of total nitrogen (TN), ammonia nitrogen (NH₃-N) and total phosphorus (TP), but no significant difference in the removal of permanganate index (COD_Mn) between the bio-rack wetland and control system. Bio-rack wetland planted with Thalia dealbata had higher nutrient removal rates than wetlands planted with other species. Plant fine-root (root diameter ≤ 3 mm) biomass rather than total plant biomass was related to nutrient removal efficiency. The study suggested that the nutrient removal rates are influenced by plant species, and high fine-root biomass is an important factor in selecting highly effective wetland plants for a bio-rack system. According to the mass balance, the TN and TP removal were in the range of 61.03--73.27 g/m² and 4.14--5.20 g/m² in four bio-rack wetlands during the whole operational period. The N and P removal by plant uptake constituted 34.9%--43.81% of the mass N removal and 62.05%--74.81% of the mass P removal. The study showed that the nitrification/denitrification process and plant uptake process are major removal pathways for TN, while plant uptake is an effective removal pathway for TP.     

Algae functional group characteristics in reservoirs and lakes with different trophic levels in northwestern semi-humid and semi-arid regions in China

In order to study the differences in algae species and their biomass in water bodies in a region, three reservoirs and two lakes at the center of Guanzhong Plain were chosen to identify algae functional groups, measure biomass, and assess water quality, from January2013 to December 2014. The water bodies represented different trophic levels: one oligotrophic, three mesotrophic, and one eutrophic. Based on the Reynolds' functional groups, they had 10 groups in common—B, P, D, X1, M, MP, F, S1, J, and G, but the algae biomasses and proportions were different. In the oligotrophic reservoir, functional group B reached a peak biomass of 576 × 10~4 L~(-1), which accounted for 31.27%. In the eutrophic lake,functional group D reached a peak biomass of 3227 × 10~4 L~(-1), which accounted for only13.38%. When samples collected from other water bodies with similar trophic levels were compared, we found differences in the algae species functional groups. The potential reasons for the differences in algae functional group characteristics in the different water bodies in the region were water temperature and nutritional states.     

Short-term e ects of drawing water for connectivity of rivers and lakes on zooplankton community structure

During 28–29, September 2005, water was drawn from Hanjiang River and Houguan Lake to the Yangzi River via Sanjiao Lake and Nantaizi Lake in Wuhan in order to provide favorable conditions for ecosystem restoration. To evaluate the feasibility and validity of drawing water as a means of ecosystem restoration, zooplankton populations were studied 3 times (before, immediately after finishing and a month after drawing water) at seven locations from 27 Sept. 2005 to 2 Nov. 2005. Water quality in the lakes was mostly improved and zooplankton species richness decreased as soon as drawing water had finished but increased a month after drawing water. Zooplankton density and biomass was reduced in the lakes by drawing water but was increased at the entrance to Sanjiao Lake because of landform geometry change. Before drawing water, most species in Sanjiao Lake e.g., Brachionus sp. and Keratella sp. were tolerant of contamination. After drawing water oligotrophic-prone species such as Lecane ludwigii and Gastropus stylifer emerged. We conclude that drawing water could be important for improving water quality and favour ecosystem restoration. Dilution of nutrient concentrations may be an important role in the e ect.     

Transformation mechanism and fate of dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) in a full-scale drinking water treatment

Dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) has attracted much attention in drinking water treatment due to its potential to produce nitrogenous disinfection by-products (N-DBPs). This work was designed to explore the transformation and fate of DON and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) in drinking water treatment. The changes of DON and formation of N-DBPs were evaluated along the water treatment route (i.e., pre-ozonation and biological-contact oxidation, delivery pipes’ transportation, coagulation-sedimentation, sand filtration, post-ozonation, biological activated carbon, ultrafiltration and disinfection) of drinking water treatment plant (DWTP). The transformation mechanism of DON was comprehensively investigated by molecular weight fractionation, three-dimensional fluorescence, LC-OCD (Liquid Chromatography-Organic Carbon Detection), total free amino acids. A detailed comparison was made between concentrations and variations of DON and DIN affected by seasons in the drinking water treatment. Regardless of seasonal variation in raw water concentration, the DON removal trends between different treatment processes remain constant in the present study. Compared to other treatment processes, pre-ozonation and coagulation-sedimentation exhibited the dominant DON removal in different seasons, i.e., 11.13%-14.45% and 14.98%-22.49%, respectively. Contrary, biological-contact oxidation and biological activated carbon negatively impacted the DON removal, in which DON increased by 1.76%-6.49% in biological activated carbon. This may be due to the release of soluble microbial products (SMPs) from bacterial metabolism, which was further validated by the rise of biopolymers in LC-OCD.     

Remediation of nutrient-rich waters using the terrestrial plant, Pandanus amaryllifolius Roxb.

Effective control of eutrophication is generally established through the reduction of nutrient loading into waterways and water bodies. An economically viable and ecologically sustainable approach to nutrient pollution control could involve the integration of retention ponds, wetlands and greenways into water management systems. Plants not only play an invaluable role in the assimilation and removal of nutrients, but they also support fauna richness and can be aesthetically pleasing. Pandanus amaryllifolius, a tropical terrestrial plant, was found to establish well in hydrophytic conditions and was highly effective in remediating high nutrient levels in an aquatic environment showing 100% removal of NO~-N up to 200 mg/L in 14 days. Phosphate uptake by the plant was less efficient with 64% of the PO4-P removed at the maximum concentration of 100 mg/L at the end of 6 weeks. With its high NO~-N and PO43--P removal efficiency, P. amaryllifolius depleted the nutrient-rich media and markedly contained the natural colonization of algae. The impediment of algal growth led to improvements in the water quality with significant decreases in turbidity, pH and electrical conductivity. In addition, the plants did not show stress symptoms when grown in high nutrient levels as shown by the changes in their biomass, total soluble proteins and chlorophyll accumulation as well as photochemical efficiency. Thus, P. amaryUifolius is a potential candidate for the mitigation of nutrient pollution in phytoremediation systems in the tropics as the plant requires low maintenance, is tolerant to the natural variability of weather conditions and fluctuating hydro-periods, and exhibit good nutrient removal capabilities.     

Influence of environmental factors on arsenic accumulation and biotransformation using the aquatic plant species Hydrilla verticillata

Hydrilla verticillata(waterthyme) has been successfully used for phytoremediation in arsenic(As) contaminated water.To evaluate the effects of environmental factors on phytoremediation,this study conducted a series of orthogonal design experiments to determine optimal conditions,including phosphorus(P),nitrogen(N),and arsenate(As(Ⅴ))concentrations and initial pH levels,for As accumulation and biotransformation using this aquatic plant species,while also analyzing As species transformation in culture media after 96-hr exposure.Analysis of variance and the signal-to-noise ratio were used to identify both the effects of these environmental factors and their optimal conditions for this purpose.Results indicated that both N and P significantly impacted accumulation,and N was essential in As species transformation.High N and intermediate P levels were critical to As accumulation and biotransformation by H.verticillata,while high N and low P levels were beneficial to As species transformation in culture media.The highest total arsenic accumulation was(197.2±17.4) μg/g dry weight when As(V) was at level 3(375μg/L),N at level 2(4 mg/L),P at level 1(0.02 mg/L),and pH at level 2(7).Although H.verticillata is highly efficient in removing As(Ⅴ) from aquatic environments,its use could be potentially harmful to both humans and the natural environment due to its release of highly toxic arsenite.For cost-effective and ecofriendly phytoremediation of As-contaminated water,both N and P are helpful in regulating As accumulation and transformation in plants.     

Effect of the C:N:P ratio on the denitrifying dephosphatation in a sequencing batch biofilm reactor (SBBR)

A series of investigations were conducted using sequencing batch biofilm reactor(SBBR) to explore the influence of C:N:P ratio on biological dephosphatation including the denitrifying dephosphatation and the denitrification process.Biomass in the reactor occurred mainly in the form of a biofilm attached to completely submerged disks.Acetic acid was used as the source of organic carbon.C:N:P ratios have had a significant effect on the profiles of phosphate release and phosphate uptake and nitrogen removal.The highest rates of phosphate release and phosphate uptake were recorded at the C:N:P ratio of 140:70:7.The C:N ratio of 2.5:1 ensured complete denitrification.The highest rate of denitrification was achieved at the C:N:P ratio of 140:35:7.The increase of nitrogen load caused an increase in phosphates removal until a ratio C:N:P of 140:140:7.Bacteria of the biofilm exposed to alternate conditions of mixing and aeration exhibited enhanced intracellular accumulation of polyphosphates.Also,the structure of the biofilm encouraged anaerobic–aerobic as well as anoxic–anaerobic and absolutely anaerobic conditions in a SBBR.These heterogeneous conditions in the presence of nitrates may be a significant factor determining the promotion of denitrifying polyphosphate accumulating organism(DNPAO) development.     

Effect of domestic sewage on growth of phytoplankton-mathematical model

A mathematical model relating to the change in phytoplankton biomass in the period of growth and nutrient concentration in the media was proposed on the basis of the Monod equation and was testified by simulation experiments. Analysis of the experiment data showed that: the half-saturation constants for growth Kp (μmol/L) for Skeletonema, Chaetoceros and Prorocentrum were 5.52, 1.90 and 0.46, respectively; the balance between stimulation of nutrients and the inhibition of some other materials was found in the effect of domestic sewage on algal growth and the stimulation played a leading role; domestic sewage was more stimulative on dinoflag-ellate than on diatom and chlorophyte when the assemblage of the algae was cultured. The experiment suggested that mathematical model reasonably explained the characteristics of phytoplankton growth in different nutrient conditions and was worthy to be further improved for eutrophication prediction in off-shore water.     

赤潮过程中塔玛亚历山大藻(Alexandrium tamareme)C、N稳定同位素组成的变化规律

为了探索赤潮监测预防的新思路和方法,本研究选取典型赤潮藻(塔玛亚历山大藻Alexandrium tamareme)作为实验藻种,模拟一次完整的赤潮形成过程,测定重要监测指标(生物量、营养盐浓度)的变化,找出稳定同位素特征值与之相关变化规律。实验结果表明,藻种生长过程可明显分为四个阶段:适应期、对数生长期、稳定生长期及衰亡期;N、P浓度随培养时间呈下降趋势,与生物量的变化有很好的相关性,但在生长过程中几乎不吸收硅酸盐。在一次完整的赤潮发生过程中,C稳定同位素组成(13C值)随时间显示出减小趋势,而N稳定同位素组成(15N值)值则显示增大趋势。因此,赤潮藻的C和N稳定同位素组成为赤潮监测提供了可能的新指标和新方法。     

基于碳氮稳定同位素组成分析的孔石莼对氨氮的吸收

氨氮(NH4-N)是水体中能被藻类直接吸收利用的无机氮。利用稳定同位素技术研究了不同浓度下孔石莼(Ulvapertusa)对NH4-N的吸收,藻类体内δ15N、δ13C的变化。结果显示:试验初始阶段,孔石莼大量吸收水体中的14NH4-N、12CO2用于自身组织的合成,导致水体中氨氮浓度、δ15N和δ13C急剧下降,约在5～25 h,这一阶段水体中氨氮浓度变化很小,藻体15N缓慢降低,达到平缓期;约在25 h后,氨氮浓度缓慢下降,海水中的底物浓度很低,水体中14NH4-N几乎被吸收殆尽,孔石莼开始大幅吸收15NH4-N,δ15N上升。δ13C在4 h后呈现无规律波动。     

潮间带大型海藻氮稳定同位素的环境指示作用

通过对烟台潮间带大型海藻组织中总碳(TC)、总氮(TN)、氮稳定同位素(15N)和水环境参数的分析,对氮营养盐来源进行了判定,并筛选了合适的指示性藻种。烟台潮间带大型海藻的15N值均位于6.18~10.99之间,指示了生活污水与养殖排放是海水氮营养盐的主要来源。其中月亮湾(S1)主要受生活污水影响,养马岛(S3)受养殖排放影响更明显,而渔人码头(S2)同时受生活污水和养殖排放影响。绿藻门的孔石莼(Ulva pertusa)和肠浒苔(Enteromorpha intestinalis)对氮营养盐有较好的吸收和贮存能力,同时在利用氮营养盐的过程中分馏作用不明显,较适合于作为氮营养盐来源的指示藻种。     

微生物和藻类分解对荣成天鹅湖沉积物氮磷释放的影响

以荣成天鹅湖的沉积物和硬毛藻为试材,模拟研究了不同微生物活性和藻类条件下上覆水体氮磷的含量变化,探讨了藻类分解和微生物活性对沉积物营养盐释放的影响。在无藻条件下,不同处理水体的总氮和总磷含量随时间的波动较大,分别变化在0.42~11.71 mg/L和0.02~0.32 mg/L之间;中后期各微生物处理氮磷含量的顺序为氯化汞>葡萄糖、对照>甲醛。藻类分解条件下,水体的总氮和总磷含量远高于无藻条件,含量变幅分别为5.43~34.76 mg/L和0.28~1.80 mg/L;初期水体氮磷含量较高,之后随时间呈下降趋势。试验前期,有藻各处理总氮表现为氯化汞>葡萄糖>对照>甲醛,总磷为氯化汞>葡萄糖、甲醛>对照;后期各处理间差异减小。相同微生物活性下,有藻处理水体的氮磷含量均明显高于无藻条件。试验结束时,无藻组各处理沉积物的微生物活性均较低;而有藻条件下相对较高,各处理顺序为对照>葡萄糖、氯化汞>>甲醛。绿潮藻类分解条件下,微生物对天鹅湖沉积物的氮磷释放有着明显影响;微生物活性越强,沉积物氮磷的释放量越大。     

δ~(15)N和δ~(18)O指标识别环境中N_2O生成机理

δ15N和δ18O指标在识别环境N2 O生成机理中具有重要的作用。本文主要讨论δ15N指标在识别海洋、土壤和污染水体N2 O生成机理中的作用 ;分析硝化和反硝化作用引起的同位素分馏特征 ;并对δ18O指标的应用进行了探讨。     

光照、温度和氮磷限制对6种典型鱼毒性藻类生长及产毒的影响

为了探究温度、光照、和营养盐对鱼毒性藻类产毒的影响,本文分析了6种我国沿海典型具溶血活性的鱼毒性藻类在不同温度(15℃,25℃,30℃)、光照强度(20 mol/m2/s,60 mol/m2/s,100 mol/m2/s)、氮磷限制(1:1;1:16;1:128)条件下的生长和溶血活性的变化。结果表明,鱼毒性藻类的溶血活性在不同生长期差异明显。海洋卡盾藻(香港株)(Chattonella marina)、卵圆卡盾藻(C.ovata)、米氏凯伦藻(Karenia mikimotoi)、赤潮异弯藻(Heterosigma akashiwo)在对数期溶血活性较高,衰亡期溶血活性较低,而球形棕囊藻(Phaeocystis globosa)与小定鞭藻(Prymnesium parvum)在稳定期溶血活性最高,对数期溶血活性最低。藻类的培养环境和营养条件对鱼毒性藻类溶血毒素的合成有明显的影响,在光照强度、温度和氮磷限制条件下,藻类单个细胞的溶血活性会发生明显变化,6种藻类的溶血活性均随光照强度的升高而增强,在培养温度15~30℃范围内,除球形棕囊藻外,其他5种藻类的单个藻细胞溶血活性随温度的上升而增加,氮磷限制可促进溶血毒素的合成。     

三峡库区蓄水175m对汉丰湖不同生物类群δ13C、δ15N值的影响

于2010年蓄水前(7月)和蓄水后(12月)应用稳定碳、氮同位素方法对汉丰湖食物网中初级生产者和消费者δ13C、δ15N值变化规律进行了调查分析.结果显示:汉丰湖初级生产者颗粒有机物(POM)、固着藻类和水生植物δ13C、δ15N值分别为-28.45‰~-24.78‰、3.72‰~5.76‰,-25.81‰~-21.22‰、3.23‰~4.81‰,-27.99‰~-23.74‰、8.06‰~12.48‰.从蓄水前到蓄水后初级生产者(POM、固着藻类、水生植物)δ13C、δ15N(除水生植物)值均呈现贫乏趋势;消费者δ15N值变化规律与初级生产者一致,但其δ13C值无明显变化;汉丰湖鱼类食物网营养级长度均为3级,消费者中杂食性鱼类居多其碳源主要来源于固着藻类.新形成的汉丰湖水生生态系统已经形成了相对稳定的食物网结构.     

嘉陵江出口段水体碱性磷酸酶活性特征

于2011~2016年间,从嘉陵江重庆主城段水域的"磷营养状态-总碱性磷酸酶活性变化-藻华"之间的相关关系入手,通过原位实验总结TAPA与ALGAE及SRP变化规律,结合碱性磷酸酶反应动力学实验确定酶活参数,探讨酶活变化在"藻华"中的生态学意义.结果表明：消落期时,SRP为藻类生长活动主要的磷源."藻华"敏感期SRP含量全年最低,为0.012~0.021mg/L;TAPA全年最高,为10.503~11.587nmol/（L·min）.特征参数V_m和米氏常数K_m值的变化规律验证了"藻华"敏感期各样点碱性磷酸酶对底物的亲合力增高,酶的水解速率有了显著提升;碱性磷酸酶在其他形态的磷转化为SRP的过程中有很大的促进作用,为藻类等微生物生长提供充足的SRP,以利于其在适宜的生境中迅速增殖.     

15N和18O在桂林岩溶水氮污染源示踪中的应用

为确定桂林东区岩溶含水层氮污染特征及其迁移转化过程,选择桂林东区地下水与地表水共27个采样点,分别在雨季和旱季进行取样分析.结果显示:桂林东区地下水NO3--N污染较严重,是最主要的无机氮形态.雨季地下水采样点的NO3--N平均浓度为12.5mg/L,超过了世界卫生组织的地下水饮用标准界限(10mg/L);旱季地下水采样点的NO3--N平均含量为8.8mg/L,虽有明显的降低,但也濒临超标.而少数地表水采样点由于受到直接排污影响,NH4+和NO2-浓度较高,其余离子浓度均较低.该区地下水中硝酸盐的δ15N值范围在5‰~25‰,δ18O值范围在5‰~10‰,表明该区地下水硝酸盐来源为家畜粪便和生活污水,也可能有土壤有机氮和化肥的混合,并发生微生物的硝化作用产生同位素分馏.其中一部分采样点NO3-的N、O同位素比值在1.3~2.1的变化范围内,而另有一部分采样点NO3-的N、O同位素比值不在这个范围之内,表明该区地下水中反硝化作用并不明显,存在空间差异性.     

基于苔藓氮含量及d15N分析探讨农村大气氮沉降状况

2009~2010年在江西抚州市崇仁县10个乡镇采集了85个细叶小羽藓样品,通过对苔藓氮含量及氮同位素(d15N)的测定,估算了该地区大气氮沉降水平,并探讨了大气氮输入的主要来源.结果表明,研究区苔藓平均氮含量变化范围为2.24%~3.43%,其中农业覆盖率较大郭圩乡和礼陂镇苔藓氮含量均超过3%(平均值分别为3.07%、3.43%).研究区大气氮沉降的变化范围为29.62~54.39kg/(hm2·a),反映了大气氮沉降成为农村生态系统氮输入的重要补充.苔藓平均d15N值为-3.11‰~0.078‰,指示研究区主要受农业氨源的影响.崇仁县城区苔藓d15N为-1.7‰,低于其它农业乡镇(d15N为0‰±1‰),表明该地区还受到城市污水和人畜排泄物所释放的氨影响;孙坊镇苔藓d15N 变化范围为-5.89‰~0.61‰,提示大气氮沉降除受到农业排放的氨作用以外,还存在露天垃圾填埋场挥发氨的贡献.