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

Abstract

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 themore » 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.« less

Authors:
; ;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Univ. of California, Berkeley
OSTI Identifier:
5690463
DOE Contract Number:  
EY-76-S-03-0034-279
Resource Type:
Conference
Journal Name:
Biotechnol. Bioeng. Symp.; (United States)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 8
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
09 BIOMASS FUELS; 59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES; 32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION; ALGAE; CULTIVATION; WASTE WATER; WASTE PROCESSING; AMMONIA; BIOMASS; BIOSYNTHESIS; LIQUID WASTES; MEDIUM TEMPERATURE; NITROGEN; NITROGEN FIXATION; OXIDATION; PONDS; SEWAGE; CHEMICAL REACTIONS; CRYOGENIC FLUIDS; ELEMENTS; ENERGY SOURCES; FLUIDS; HYDRIDES; HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS; MANAGEMENT; NITROGEN COMPOUNDS; NITROGEN HYDRIDES; NONMETALS; OXYGEN COMPOUNDS; PLANTS; PROCESSING; RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES; SYNTHESIS; WASTE MANAGEMENT; WASTES; WATER; 140504* - Solar Energy Conversion- Biomass Production & Conversion- (-1989); 550700 - Microbiology; 320604 - Energy Conservation, Consumption, & Utilization- Municipalities & Community Systems- Municipal Waste Management- (1980-)

Citation Formats

Weissman, J C, Eisenberg, D M, and Benemann, J R. Cultivation of nitrogen-fixing blue-green algae on ammonia-depleted effluents from sewage oxidation ponds. United States: N. p., 1978. Web.
Weissman, J C, Eisenberg, D M, & Benemann, J R. Cultivation of nitrogen-fixing blue-green algae on ammonia-depleted effluents from sewage oxidation ponds. United States.
Weissman, J C, Eisenberg, D M, and Benemann, J R. 1978. "Cultivation of nitrogen-fixing blue-green algae on ammonia-depleted effluents from sewage oxidation ponds". United States.
@article{osti_5690463,
title = {Cultivation of nitrogen-fixing blue-green algae on ammonia-depleted effluents from sewage oxidation ponds},
author = {Weissman, J C and Eisenberg, D M and Benemann, J R},
abstractNote = {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.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5690463}, journal = {Biotechnol. Bioeng. Symp.; (United States)},
number = ,
volume = 8,
place = {United States},
year = {Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1978},
month = {Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1978}
}

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