Cultivation of nitrogen-fixing blue-green algae on ammonia-depleted effluents from sewage oxidation ponds

Conference · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1978 · Biotechnol. Bioeng. Symp.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5690463

Weissman, J C; Eisenberg, D M; Benemann, J R

The data presented represent an initial, limited attempt on a small scale to cultivate nitrogen-fixing blue-green algae on both chemically defined media and low nitrogen sewage pond effluents. The rates of blue-green algal biomass production were low compared to those of green algae. Nevertheless, it appears that cultivation of nitrogen-fixing blue-green algae is possible on sewage effluents where these algae could be used as a method of tertiary treatment. Unless cold-adapted strains can be isolated, use of these algae may be limited to regions with warmer climates. The endurance of most of the outdoor culture allows optimism that these effluents are not inhibitory to growth and that supplementation wil be minor. The sensitivity to high light intensities is a factor that limits the maximal productivity of these organisms by requiring that they be cultivated at high density. At 25/sup 0/C, we have attained 6 to 8 g/m/sup 2//day with an eight-day detention time (250 mg/liter) in the spring. This rate can undoubtedly be increased to about 12 g/m/sup 2//day in the summer and possibly twice that at optimal temperatures. This rate would allow such systems to be considered in agricultural fertilizer production. Production of sewage pond effluents suitable for the growth of nitrogen-fixing algae is feasible in one- or two-stage systems fed with sewage influents. In the two-stage system, levels of fixed nitrogen are reduced in a continuously diluted high-rate pond with the growth of green algae. These algae, and the remaining nitrogen, are removed in second-stage batch ponds where a growth or insolation process results in efficient algal settling. It may be possible that complete NH/sub 4//sup +/-N removal and production of rapidly settleable flocs can be achieved in a one-stage system by adjusting the sewage strength with effluent recycling in fast-mixed ponds. 3 figures, 7 tables.

• Research Organization: Univ. of California, Berkeley
• OSTI ID: 5690463
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Biotechnol. Bioeng. Symp.; (United States) Journal Volume: 8
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ALGAE
AMMONIA
BIOMASS
BIOSYNTHESIS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
CULTIVATION
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUIDS
HYDRIDES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
LIQUID WASTES
MANAGEMENT
MEDIUM TEMPERATURE
NITROGEN
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN FIXATION
NITROGEN HYDRIDES
NONMETALS
OXIDATION
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLANTS
PONDS
PROCESSING
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SEWAGE
SYNTHESIS
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTE WATER
WASTES
WATER