Algae/bacteria consortium in high rate ponds: Influence of solar radiation on the phytoplankton community

Abstract

Using multivariate statistical tools, the composition of the phytoplankton community was related to the characteristics of the domestic sewage used as culture medium in three high rate ponds (HRPs) submitted to different solar radiation levels. A total of 32 genera of phytoplankton were identified in the ponds; the class Chlorophyceae was the most abundant during the entire sampling period, with a larger number of individuals of the genus Desmodesmus in the summer and fall, and of the genus Chlorella in the winter and spring. The lowest occurrence of phytoplankton was observed in the fall, with behavior similar to the evolution of solar radiation throughout the year. Blocking over 30% of the solar radiation allowed for less variability of the phytoplankton community and favored the growth of biomass with higher density of individuals, as well as higher concentrations of chlorophyll-a and dissolved oxygen. On the other hand, the pond with 80% of shading presented the lowest mean density of organisms; from the perspective of wastewater treatment, however, it can be considered the most efficient in terms of organic matter and nutrient removal. According to the regression analysis, the algal biomass in HRPs can be maximized mostly if we consider the positive effect of carbon and phosphorus and the limiting effect of nitrogen and non-biodegradable organic load. For the conditions evaluated in this study, the photoinhibition phenomenon was not observed. Other aspects such as competition with other microorganisms for space and nutrients, or predation by zooplankton, seemed to be more significant for the growth and development of algal biomass.