Determination of Algae and Macrophyte Species Distribution in Three Wastewater Stabilization Ponds Using Metagenomics Analysis
This study involved the evaluation of algae and macrophyte species distributions in three wastewater stabilization ponds (WSPs) at a wastewater treatment plant in Ontario, Canada, which has experienced high pH levels at the final effluent and excessive algae growth during the summer since 2003. From...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2015-06-01
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| Series: | Water |
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| Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/7/7/3225 |
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| author | Jack Wallace Pascale Champagne Geof Hall Zhaochu Yin Xudong Liu |
| author_facet | Jack Wallace Pascale Champagne Geof Hall Zhaochu Yin Xudong Liu |
| author_sort | Jack Wallace |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study involved the evaluation of algae and macrophyte species distributions in three wastewater stabilization ponds (WSPs) at a wastewater treatment plant in Ontario, Canada, which has experienced high pH levels at the final effluent and excessive algae growth during the summer since 2003. From samples collected from the system, the relative abundances of specific algae and aquatic plant (macrophyte) taxa were assessed and correlated to water chemistry data. A strong shift from the dominance of green algae, chlorophyceae, in WSP#2, to the dominance of aquatic macrophytes, embryophyta, in WSP#4, was observed and corresponded to field observations. Correlation of the abundances to nutrient parameters suggested that the macronutrient rich conditions in WSP#2 allowed floating green algae to proliferate against macrophytes. In WSP#1 and WSP#4, macrophytes competed against algae and thrived, due to their adaptability to lower nutrient conditions. The pH increases occurred primarily in WSP#2 and were not buffered or reduced in WSP#1 and WSP#4. Two alternatives strategies for pH control were recommended for the system: decreasing algae growth in WSP#2 through duckweed seeding or macronutrient loading reduction; or designing and implementing a constructed wetland (CW) in WSP#4 with soil and vegetation to buffer pH prior to release. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T18:17:54Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6f635e9910a44043829833994c9470db |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4441 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T18:17:54Z |
| publishDate | 2015-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Water |
| spelling | doaj.art-6f635e9910a44043829833994c9470db2022-12-22T03:21:33ZengMDPI AGWater2073-44412015-06-01773225324210.3390/w7073225w7073225Determination of Algae and Macrophyte Species Distribution in Three Wastewater Stabilization Ponds Using Metagenomics AnalysisJack Wallace0Pascale Champagne1Geof Hall2Zhaochu Yin3Xudong Liu4Department of Civil Engineering, Queen's University, Ellis Hall, 58 University Avenue, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, CanadaDepartment of Civil Engineering, Queen's University, Ellis Hall, 58 University Avenue, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, CanadaDepartment of Civil Engineering, Queen's University, Ellis Hall, 58 University Avenue, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, CanadaQueen's University Genomics Lab at Ongwanada, Ongwanada Resource Centre, 191 Portsmouth Avenue, Kingston, ON K7M 8A6, CanadaQueen's University Genomics Lab at Ongwanada, Ongwanada Resource Centre, 191 Portsmouth Avenue, Kingston, ON K7M 8A6, CanadaThis study involved the evaluation of algae and macrophyte species distributions in three wastewater stabilization ponds (WSPs) at a wastewater treatment plant in Ontario, Canada, which has experienced high pH levels at the final effluent and excessive algae growth during the summer since 2003. From samples collected from the system, the relative abundances of specific algae and aquatic plant (macrophyte) taxa were assessed and correlated to water chemistry data. A strong shift from the dominance of green algae, chlorophyceae, in WSP#2, to the dominance of aquatic macrophytes, embryophyta, in WSP#4, was observed and corresponded to field observations. Correlation of the abundances to nutrient parameters suggested that the macronutrient rich conditions in WSP#2 allowed floating green algae to proliferate against macrophytes. In WSP#1 and WSP#4, macrophytes competed against algae and thrived, due to their adaptability to lower nutrient conditions. The pH increases occurred primarily in WSP#2 and were not buffered or reduced in WSP#1 and WSP#4. Two alternatives strategies for pH control were recommended for the system: decreasing algae growth in WSP#2 through duckweed seeding or macronutrient loading reduction; or designing and implementing a constructed wetland (CW) in WSP#4 with soil and vegetation to buffer pH prior to release.http://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/7/7/3225algaelagoonsmacrophytesmetagenomicswastewater |
| spellingShingle | Jack Wallace Pascale Champagne Geof Hall Zhaochu Yin Xudong Liu Determination of Algae and Macrophyte Species Distribution in Three Wastewater Stabilization Ponds Using Metagenomics Analysis Water algae lagoons macrophytes metagenomics wastewater |
| title | Determination of Algae and Macrophyte Species Distribution in Three Wastewater Stabilization Ponds Using Metagenomics Analysis |
| title_full | Determination of Algae and Macrophyte Species Distribution in Three Wastewater Stabilization Ponds Using Metagenomics Analysis |
| title_fullStr | Determination of Algae and Macrophyte Species Distribution in Three Wastewater Stabilization Ponds Using Metagenomics Analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Determination of Algae and Macrophyte Species Distribution in Three Wastewater Stabilization Ponds Using Metagenomics Analysis |
| title_short | Determination of Algae and Macrophyte Species Distribution in Three Wastewater Stabilization Ponds Using Metagenomics Analysis |
| title_sort | determination of algae and macrophyte species distribution in three wastewater stabilization ponds using metagenomics analysis |
| topic | algae lagoons macrophytes metagenomics wastewater |
| url | http://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/7/7/3225 |
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