Removal of Nitrogen and Phosphorus by Cladophora surera (Chlorophyta)

SINISCALCHI, A.G.; CROCE, M.E.; PARODI, E.R.

Halifax

Congreso; ISAP 2011. 4* Congress of International Society of Applied Phycology; 2011

International Society of Applied Phycology - National Research Councilñ of Canada

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of high levels of phosphorus and nitrogen on productivity, nutrients uptake rates, nutrients content in cells of Cladophora surera. Specimens of C. surera grown under controlled conditions in laboratory, using sterilized eutrophic water as culture medium. The relative growth rate (RGR) and the net rate of incorporation (NRI) were estimated. Nutrients (NO3, NO2, NH4, TDP and SRP) in the culture medium were controlled every 3 days. In addition, algal biomass and the contents of N and P were recorded. Removal of PRS, NH4 and NO3 by C. surera was 22%, 88 % and 94%, respectively. NTI values by C. surera were: 1.8 µg.d-1. mg DW -1 for NO3, 3.4 and 2.1 µg.d -1. mg DW -1 for NH4 and  PRS, respectively. Algal biomass increased 24%. The RGR was 5.16 mg.d-1. The cellular content of N and P increased 123% and 62% respectively. The results indicate that C. surera is a suitable organism that could be used as a biofilter in order to remove N and P from eutrophic waters.