Ammonia, pH and dissolved inorganic carbon supply drive whole pond metabolism in full-scale wastewater high rate algal ponds

Sutherland, DL; Park, J; Ralph, PJ; Craggs, R

Ammonia, pH and dissolved inorganic carbon supply drive whole pond metabolism in full-scale wastewater high rate algal ponds

Sutherland, DL Park, J Ralph, PJ Craggs, R

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Publisher:: Elsevier BV
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Algal Research, 2021, 58, pp. 102405
Issue Date:: 2021-10-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Sutherland, DL
dc.contributor.author	Park, J
dc.contributor.author	Ralph, PJ
dc.contributor.author	Craggs, R
dc.date.accessioned	2022-01-09T02:32:55Z
dc.date.available	2022-01-09T02:32:55Z
dc.date.issued	2021-10-01
dc.identifier.citation	Algal Research, 2021, 58, pp. 102405
dc.identifier.issn	2211-9264
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/152829
dc.description.abstract	High rate algal ponds are an established cost-effective and efficient upgrade to conventional wastewater treatment ponds for the biological treatment of wastewaters. However, few studies have investigated ecosystem metabolism and its drivers in these ponds. Hourly, daily and seasonal changes in rates of gross primary production, net ecosystem production and ecosystem respiration were determined from automated dissolved oxygen, pH and temperature measurements in full-scale high rate algal ponds over a two-year period. The open water metabolism model was used to assess the dynamics of pond metabolism against a number of measured environmental variables. For the most part, net ecosystem production was positive, meaning that the pond was in net autotrophy, with microalgal photosynthetic production exceeding respiratory organic matter consumption. pH had a negative influence on ecosystem respiration, with respiration rates increasing as diurnal pH increased. Similarly, free ammonia concentration reduced gross primary production rates. Modelled CO2 addition to maintain pH 8, resulted in decreased ecosystem respiration and increased net ecosystem production, particularly in summer with a 50% increase in net ecosystem production. However, modelled CO2 addition did not influence net ecosystem production during winter. The use of the Datasondes coupled with the open water metabolism model provides a cost-effective tool for improved high rate algal pond management through the capture of high frequency metabolism parameters. Better understanding of how the high rate algal pond environment affects both photosynthesis and respiratory losses, will help improve real-time management of the pond, including ammonia and CO2 loading management, to improve effluent quality and biomass yields and reduce excess CO2 off-gassing to atmosphere.
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	Elsevier BV
dc.relation.ispartof	Algal Research
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.algal.2021.102405
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.subject	0607 Plant Biology, 0904 Chemical Engineering, 1003 Industrial Biotechnology
dc.title	Ammonia, pH and dissolved inorganic carbon supply drive whole pond metabolism in full-scale wastewater high rate algal ponds
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	58
utslib.for	0607 Plant Biology
utslib.for	0904 Chemical Engineering
utslib.for	1003 Industrial Biotechnology
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - C3 - Climate Change Cluster
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access	*
dc.date.updated	2022-01-09T02:32:53Z
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	58

Abstract:

High rate algal ponds are an established cost-effective and efficient upgrade to conventional wastewater treatment ponds for the biological treatment of wastewaters. However, few studies have investigated ecosystem metabolism and its drivers in these ponds. Hourly, daily and seasonal changes in rates of gross primary production, net ecosystem production and ecosystem respiration were determined from automated dissolved oxygen, pH and temperature measurements in full-scale high rate algal ponds over a two-year period. The open water metabolism model was used to assess the dynamics of pond metabolism against a number of measured environmental variables. For the most part, net ecosystem production was positive, meaning that the pond was in net autotrophy, with microalgal photosynthetic production exceeding respiratory organic matter consumption. pH had a negative influence on ecosystem respiration, with respiration rates increasing as diurnal pH increased. Similarly, free ammonia concentration reduced gross primary production rates. Modelled CO2 addition to maintain pH 8, resulted in decreased ecosystem respiration and increased net ecosystem production, particularly in summer with a 50% increase in net ecosystem production. However, modelled CO2 addition did not influence net ecosystem production during winter. The use of the Datasondes coupled with the open water metabolism model provides a cost-effective tool for improved high rate algal pond management through the capture of high frequency metabolism parameters. Better understanding of how the high rate algal pond environment affects both photosynthesis and respiratory losses, will help improve real-time management of the pond, including ammonia and CO2 loading management, to improve effluent quality and biomass yields and reduce excess CO2 off-gassing to atmosphere.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/152829