Using Macroaglae as a bioremediator near nutrient-rich estuaries
Abstract
Estuary ecosystems are becoming increasingly pressured by excess nutrients
from terrestrial human activities such as agriculture and industrial waste that is
produced. This increase in excess nutrients of Nitrogen and Phosphorous can
cause drastic changes in the natural cycling of nutrients through a process known
as eutrophication. With the increase in awareness of bioremediation as a possible
environmental management of pollution, this study attempts to identify the most
effective macroalgae in the uptake of excess nutrients in order to be used in
nutrient-rich estuaries in order to prevent the process of eutrophication that may
lead to a dead zone. Macroalgaes proposed for this study (Chaetomorpha linum,
Gracilaria tikvahiae, and Caulerpa racemosa) show not only ecological benefits
but also economical benefits for coastal areas across the globe. Each species of
algae was exposed to high concentrations of nitrate and phosphate and observed
for a total of nine hours for each nutrient. Test samples were taken at twentyminute
intervals in order to better determine which algae species is more efficient
in the uptake of nutrients for better environmental management near nutrient rich
estuaries. It was found that there was no significant difference in the uptake of
nitrate (p-value=.05), but for phosphate, Gracilaria tikvahiae was statistically more
efficient than Chaetomorpha linum (p=.012) and Caulerpa racemosa (p=.029).
This study was done in order to better understand environmental management of
excess nutrients using different algae species and furthering the knowledge for
bioremediation techniques.
Description
Using Macroaglae as a bioremediator near nutrient-rich estuaries