The conventional wastewater treatment of today was developed aiming to mitigate problems occurring in wastewater recipients such as oxygen depletion and eutrophication. The focus of wastewater management has however broadened and major concern is now focused on the sustainability of the wastewater treatment process itself. Algae based wastewater treatment is an alternative to conventional treatment. It has the potential to yield an acceptable effluent quality at a lower ecological cost. This Degree Project was conducted as part of MOBIT, a project at Mälardalen University. The MOBIT project was aimed at the development of an algae based wastewater treatment process in an activated sludge environment. The aim of this Degree Project was to propose a model describing the dynamics of such a system. The model was constructed in Simulink, based on the River Water Quality Model no. 1. The River Water Quality Model no. 1 was chosen as the basis for modelling because it included the state variables and processes necessary to describe the dynamics of bacteria, algae and pH. The River Water Quality Model no. 1 was, as the name suggests, developed to describe a river system. It was hence considered important to evaluate if the model was applicable to an activated sludge environment. A major obstacle was the fact that no algae based activated sludge system had been studied prior the start of the MOBIT project, the project was pioneering. The lack of system understanding and of measurement data aggravated the evaluation. However, the proposed model was compared to the Activated Sludge Model No. 1 which was known to describe an activated sludge system accurately. The model structure of the River Water Quality Model no. 1 was considered a good starting point for future modelling of the algae based activated sludge process. However, the model set-up proposed in this report does not describe the system sufficiently well. Better system understanding and measurement data is needed in order to develop and calibrate the model. / Dagens konventionella avloppsvattenrening har utvecklats för att minimera utsläpp av näringsämnen och kolföreningar då sådana utsläpp medför övergödning och syrebrist i mottagande vatten. På senare tid har reningsprocessen i sig hamnat i fokus då den är såväl energi- som resurskrävande. Algbaserad avloppsvattenrening är ett alternativ som har potential att ge tillfredsställande rening med ett betydligt mindre ekologiskt fotavtryck. Det här examensarbetet var en del av MOBIT, ett projekt vid Mälardalens högskola. MOBIT syftade till att utvärdera algbaserad avloppsvattenrening i form av en aktivslamprocess. Syftet med examensarbetet var att ta fram en modell för det planerade systemet. Modellen byggdes i Simulink och den baserades på en befintlig modell, River Water Quality Model no. 1. Den befintliga modellen valdes för att den inkluderade alla önskvärda tillståndsvariabler och processer, bland annat de som krävs för att beskriva alg-, bakterie- och pH-dynamik. Som namnet antyder utvecklades River Water Quality Model no. 1 för att beskriva ett flodsystem. Det var därför angeläget att utvärdera huruvida modellen var tillämpbar i en aktivslammiljö. Utvärderingen försvårades av att det vid tiden för examensarbetets utförande ännu inte fanns någon existerande algbaserad aktivslamprocess. Kunskapen om systemet var därför begränsad och det fanns ingen mätdata att kalibrera eller evaluera mot. I brist på mätdata jämfördes den framtagna modellen med en annan modell som var utvecklad för att beskriva just avloppsvattenrening, Activated Sludge Model No. 1. Arbetet resulterade i slutsatsen att River Water Quality Model no. 1 utgör en bra grund för modellering av den algbaserade aktivslamprocessen. Men, den modellkonfiguration som tas fram i denna rapport beskriver inte systemet särskilt bra. Bättre systemförståelse samt tillförlitlig mätdata krävs för att omarbeta och kalibrera den föreslagna modellen. / MOBIT

Algae offer as much as 30 times greater biomass productivity than terrestrial plants, and are able to fix carbon and convert it into a number of interesting products. The numerous challenges in algae production and use extend across the entire process chain. They include the selection of suitable algal phyla, cultivation (which takes place either in open ponds or in closed systems), extraction of the biomass from the suspension, through to optimal use of the obtained biomass. The basic suitability of aquatic biomass for material use and energy supply has been demonstrated in a large number of studies. Numerous research projects are concerned with identifying the optimal processes to enable its widespread implementation. [... aus der Einleitung]

The aim of this PhD thesis was to develop a model to predict the motion of algae in sea waters along a coastline. The method chosen was to use a large Eulerian industrial code to model the mean flow, and add Lagrangian model to predict the motion of individual particles. This Lagrangian modelis a three-step model. In the first modelling step, the mean flow characteristics at the location of the particles (solid bodies modelling the algae) are extracted from the Eulerian model and imputed into a stochastic model to find the turbulent fluid velocities. These fluid velocities are used in the second step to solve for the solid body velocities, by solving for the drag, momentum, buoyant and Basset history forces. The final modelling step is to use these solid body velocities to calculate the trajectories of particles. An exact integrator method was then developed to solve for these equations. The model was then validated using two experiments. Firstly sphere of different size were released in fluids of different densities, where a stationary quasi-homogeneous turbulence. This turbulence was generated by oscillating a pair of grids. In the second experiment spherical particles were released in anon-homogeneous turbulent flow. This flow was achieved by partially obstructing a channel, so that a recirculation zone was generated. The particle transport model was then tested numerically using the simulations of a real flow along the coasts of Normandy where numerical particles representing algae were released

The application of seaweed concentrates to plants has been shown to enhance growth and improve yield parameters. How these natural products elicit their beneficial responses is still unclear. While many of the growth responses have been attributed to cytokinins, it is obvious that this group of plant hormones cannot account for all the beneficial effects incurred from seaweed use. This study was therefore initiated to investigate the effects of a commercial seaweed concentrate (Kelpak) on several aspects of plant growth and development. Tentative determination of plant growth regulators in the seaweed concentrate (SWC) using bioassay systems, indicated the presence of compounds with gibberellin- , abscisic acid- and auxin-like properties. Tentative identification of the auxins present in the SWC and Ecklonia maxima using High Performance Liquid Chromatography revealed the presence of tryptophan, indole-3-acetamide, indole-3- acetic acid, indole-3-carboxylic acid and indole-3-acetaldehyde. The effect of SWC on the growth of nodal potato explants cultured in vitro was examined. 0.2% SWC significantly accelerated shoot growth and development. When applied at a concentration of 0.4% the number of axillary shoots per node increased. This treatment also stimulated the development of potato tubers on the shoots. The SWC was also shown to enhance the growth of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) roots cultured in vitro. Filtration of the SWC indicated a promotory filtrate phase and an inhibitory cell wall phase. ' The application of the SWC to nematode-infested roots, cultured in vitro, reduced the degree of infestation In susceptible roots but induced host/parasite compatibility in a resistant variety. One of the most pronounced effects noted with seaweed application was the promotion of adventitious roots on several species of garden plants. The application of similar dilutions to Eucalyptus cuttings increased the average root mass but had little effect on the number of roots initiated per cutting. The rooting factors, purified by HPLC, were tentatively identified as indole-3-acetamide, indole-3-acetic acid, indole-3-carbo. xylic acid or indole-3-acetaldehyde by co-chromatography with authentic standards. Finally, the effect of seaweed concentrate on the growth of tomato plants grown in nematode-infested soil was investigated. SWC applied as a soil drench, improved plant vigour, significantly increased shoot and root fresh weights and resulted in a marked reduction in the number of nematode galls per unit length and per unit weight of root. Plants treated with a foliar spray of SWC were invariably the first to produce ripe fruit. Total yield was improved by over 10%. Ashing the SWC indicated that the active constituents are possibly of an organic nature. Filtering the SWC confirmed earlier reports that promotory and inhibitory compounds are present in the concentrate. Chromatographic separation of the SWC into 10 Rf zones indicated the presence of several components with growth regulatory properties. It was found that the same fractions that improved plant growth also reduced nematode infestation. The significance of these findings and the possible relationship between the endogenous plant growth regulators in Ecklonia maxima and the effect of the SWC on plant growth is discussed. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1990.

The spring bloom of microalgae within the bottom of sea ice provides a significant contribution to primary production in the Arctic Ocean. The aim of this research was to improve observations of the ice algae bloom using a transmitted irradiance technique to remotely estimate biomass, and to examine the influence of physical processes on biomass throughout the sea ice melt season. Results indicate that bottom ice temperature is highly influential in controlling biomass variability and bloom termination. Snow depth is also significant as it buffers ice temperature from the atmosphere and largely controls transmission of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). The relationship between snow depth and biomass can change over the spring however, limiting biomass accumulation early on while promoting it later. Brine drainage, under-ice current velocity, and surface PAR in the absence of snow cover are also important factors. Overall this research helps to characterize the spring ice algae bloom in the Arctic by improving in situ biomass estimates and identifying primary factors controlling it.

The research presented in this thesis describes the development and application of a portable, high-resolution instrument, specifically designed for the at-site monitoring of algae and cyanobacteria in freshwaters. The instrument incorporates a miniature charge-coupled device (CCD) based spectrometer and a low power combined deutelium and tungsten light source, enabling the absorbance to be measured between 200 - 850 nm at a resolution of 1.3 nm. A transmission dip probe with removable tips of 5, 10 and 40 mm pathlengths forms the sampling device. A specifically developed control program allows easy operation of the instrument. A linear response from 0.0 - 1.2 AU and a combined signal to noise ratio of 576: 1 for the instrument components resulting in a high baseline stability of 1.0 mAU drift over five hundred measurements being observed. The instrument provides in-vivo absorbance characteristics with high resolution across the visible spectrum. Up to twelve specific spectral features were commonly identified in the absorbance spectra of algae and cyanobacteria between 400 - 750 nm. Individual spectral features were linked to specific pigments, some of which were found to be taxonomically distinct. Fourth derivative analysis was proven to provide further enhancement of subtle spectral features. The instrument has a linear range for chlorophyll a up to 1000 !lg rl and a detection limit of 8 )lg rl using the 40 mm pathlength probe. Physiological adaptation to light and nutrient conditions were shown to have a significant effect on the in-vivo absorbance spectrum, therefore providing potential information on physiological status and health of a natural sample. Spectral analysis using principal component analysis (PCA) with classification based on the soft independent modelling of class analogy (SIMCA) method was used to classify nine species from three taxonomic classes, including four cyanobacteria (Microcystis aeruginosa, Anabaena variabilis, Aphanizornenon flos-aquae, Synechnococcus sp.), four chlorophyceae (Chlorella vulgaris, Scenedesmus acuminatus, Spirogyra mirabilis, Staurastrurn chaetoceros) and a single bacillariophyceae (Asterionella Formosa). Classification using the SIMCA method proved to be highly reliable and robust. Moreover, the addition of noise was found to have very little effect on the classification. Under laboratory conditions all nine species were correctly classified using 'unknown' spectra. At-site classification of natural samples and laboratory simulations have shown the robustness and reliability of the developed portable instrument. In combination with the data analysis techniques, the instrument is well suited to the proactive at-site assessment of algal and cyanobacterial blooms in eutrophic freshwater environments.

When microalgae are exposed to changing environmental conditions, e.g., light-dark cycles or oscillations in nutrient availability (CO2, nitrogen, phosphate or silicate) they respond with metabolic changes in the carbon allocation pattern. Short time regulations in the time range of few seconds to minutes can be mirrored best by mass spectroscopy based metabolomics. However, these snap shots do not reflect the alterations in the carbon flow to the cellular macromolecules like protein, carbohydrate or lipid. In this review it is shown how the combination of FTIR spectroscopy and Chla-in-vivo-fluorescence based electron transport rates can reveal changes in the metabolic flux rates of carbon during a shift of the environmental conditions. The review will demonstrate in which time range FTIR spectroscopy can deliver significant information and how FTIR spectroscopy data can synergistically support metabolome analysis by mass-spectroscopy.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 89-96). / ix, 96 leaves, bound ill. 29 cm

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 28-33). / 50 leaves, bound ill. 29 cm

The aim of this thesis was to identify general structuring mechanisms in benthic food webs within the framework of ecological stoichiometry theory. Ecological stoichiometry is defined as the balance of multiple chemical substances in ecological interactions and explicitly considers the combined dynamics of key elements such as carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Ecological stoichiometry theory was developed for pelagic environments, thus it must be tested whether the same mechanisms are applicable to benthic environments. In this thesis, ecological stoichiometry theory was used as a framework to investigate nutrient pathways in benthic littoral ecosystems. I conducted one invertebrate field sampling and six experiments. In the experiments, factors such as grazing, light, nutrients and fish presence were manipulated. The results showed that stoichiometric variability in consumers could mostly be explained by taxa. However, there was some stoichiometric variability due to sampling season, site, and nutrient enrichment. Grazing mostly increased periphyton N and P content, although nutrient recycling effects were dependent on grazer stoichiometry. Grazing changed benthic algal community composition by increasing the proportion of grazing resistant algae species. Additionally, grazing decreased algal diversity, especially under nutrient poor conditions. The manipulation of fish presence revealed that fish affected primary producer biomass and stoichiometry through nutrient recycling. The manipulation of abiotic factors, such as light and nutrient addition could affect periphyton nutrient content, biomass and benthic algal chlorophyll a content. The separate addition of N or P led to an increase of the added nutrient in the periphyton. Increased light intensities led to a decreased cellular chlorophyll a content and increased C:nutrient ratios. This thesis arrives at the conclusion that periphyton-grazer-predator interactions in the benthic are bound by stoichiometric constraints. Nutrient recycling by benthic invertebrates and fish are important mechanism in benthic littoral ecosystems.