The objective of this research is to evaluate a coastal prediction system under various real world scenarios to test the efficacy of the system as a management tool in Tampa Bay. The prediction system, comprised of a three-dimensional numerical circulation model and a Lagrangian based particle tracking model, simulates oceanographic scenarios in the bay for past (hindcast), present (nowcast) and future (forecast) time frames. Instantaneous velocity output from the numerical circulation model drives the movement of particles, each representing a fraction of the total material, within the model grid cells. This work introduces a probability calculation that allows for rapid analysis of bay-wide particle transport. At every internal time step a ratio between the number of particles in each individual model grid cell to the total number of particles in the entire model domain is calculated. These ratios, herein called transport quotients, are used to construct probability maps showing locations in Tampa Bay most likely to be impacted by the contaminant. The coastal prediction system is first evaluated using dimensionless particles during an anhydrous ammonia spill. In subsequent studies biological and chemical characteristics are incorporated into the transport quotient calculations when constructing probability maps. A salinity tolerance is placed on particles representing Karenia brevis during hindcast simulations of a harmful algal bloom in the bay. Photobleaching rates are incorporated into probability maps constructed from hindcast simulations of seasonal colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) transport. The coastal prediction system is made more robust with the inclusion of biological parameters overlaid on top of the circulation dynamics. The system successfully describes the basic physical mechanisms underlying the transport of contaminants in the bay under various real world scenarios. The calculation of transport quotients during the simulations in order to develop probability maps is a novel concept when simulating particle transport but one which can be used in real-time to support the management decisions of environmental agencies in the bay area.

No description available.

This study explored spatiotemporal patterns in movement, diet, and baseline phycotoxin concentrations in immature bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) of the Indian River Lagoon (IRL), an estuary of national significance that has been considerably impacted by multiple toxic harmful algal blooms (HABs). Long-term spatial use of the system was assessed for 29 acoustically tagged sharks over a 4 year period (2017–2020). Tissue samples for diet and toxin analysis were collected from a separate cohort of 50 individuals between 2018 and 2020. UPLC-MS/MS was used to screen tissues for 14 algal toxins. Young bull sharks were found to be mainly piscivorous and displayed high residency to the IRL as well as to specific regions of the IRL, with small activity spaces. Multiple phycotoxins were detected in screened tissues, indicating that young bull sharks in the IRL may be compromised by trophic transfer of HABs while they reside in this important nursery. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2021. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

No description available.

Algal biofuels present a promising future alternative to petroleum based fuels. Water nutrient recycling is a key step to increase the sustainability of algae biofuel production facilities. This thesis discusses the process of nutrient and water recycling in high rate algae raceway ponds (HRAP) fed primary treated municipal wastewater. Research was conducted primarily at the San Luis Obispo Water Resource Reclamation Facility (SLOWRRF). Nine 30 m2, 0.3 m deep HRAP’s were operated continuously from June 1, 2013 to April 17, 2014. The ponds were arranged in three sets of triplicate ponds, with two pond sets run on 3-day hydraulic residence time (HRT), and the third on a 2-day HRT. The biomass productivity of the 2-day HRT and 3-day HRT were compared. The two sets of 3-day HRT ponds were run in series to determine the effect on productivity associated with recycling growth media without supplemental nutrient addition. The first pond in series was referred to as round 1 and the second as round 2. Due to solids accumulation in the 2-day HRT ponds in summer proper biomass productivity values could not be determined. 4-inch standpipes were determined to cause the solids accumulation when large flocs were present in ponds. As a possible solution to the solids accumulation issue, a ramped standpipe was designed and installed in one pond per triplicate set. In winter the 2-day HRT pond was roughly 37% more productive than the 3-day HRT. In summer the round 1 (3-day HRT) ponds were roughly 33% more productive than the round 2 (3-day HRT) ponds. In winter the round 1 (3-day HRT) ponds were roughly 19% more productive than the round 2 (3-day HRT) ponds. The type of standpipe (ramped or 4-inch) did not cause a significant amount of solids accumulation in either of the 3-day HRT ponds. The type of standpipe did make a difference in the 2-day HRT ponds. On average the 4-inch standpipe pond had 35% higher TSS than the ramped standpipe ponds. In addition to these field experiments, laboratory aerobic degradation experiments were conducted to determine the nutrient release of previously digested sludge in aerobic ponds. Pretreatment of algae sludge did not have a significant effect on nutrient release of previously anaerobically digested algae sludge in aerobic conditions. The maximum soluble nitrogen generated in the aeration reactors was between 56% for the treated sludge, and 66% for the untreated sludge.

The objective of this thesis is to develop a biological wastewater treatment system that utilizes algal growth to simultaneously create renewable energy in the form of biodiesel and digester biogas, remove polluting nutrients, and abate greenhouse gases. Research under the Department of Energy Aquatic Species Program during 1978-1996 concluded that cultivating algae for biofuels was cost prohibitive at that time and that an integrated approach should be studied that combined wastewater treatment with algal biofuel production. Nutrient removal, in particular nitrogen and phosphorus, from wastewater is a growing regulatory need and the use of algae cultivation could create a unique marriage between waste treatment and biofuel production. To investigate this possible synergy, bench-scale tests were conducted to determine potential algal lipid productivity with mixed-cultures of algae grown on anaerobically-pretreated dairy wastewater in batch mode. The total lipid content of the algae ranged from 8% to 29% of algal mass. Maximum biomass concentration reached 920 mg/L, measured as volatile suspended solids, on Day 13 of incubation. In contrast, maximum total lipid content was reached at Day 6, corresponding to a lipid productivity of 2.8 g/m^2/day, or 1,200 gallons/acre/year if scaled up. Nutrient removal over 12 days of incubation was nearly complete. Total ammonia (NH3+NH4+) was reduced 96% to 1.1 mg/L as N, and phosphate (PO4^3-) was reduced >99% from an initial concentration of 2.5 mg/L PO4 as P.

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Určení vlivu volby zkušebního organismu na výsledek stanovení toxických účinků. Porovnání výsledků stanovení akutní toxicity mikrometodou při použití 5 různých druhů sladkovodních řas (podle TNV 75 7741), vyhodnocení rozdílů v citlivosti použitých druhů, optimalizace metodických postupů.

This diploma thesis deals with the evaluation of algal test methods and passes judgement on their availibility for ecotoxicological analysis of chosen chemical substances. By counting of algal cells and spectrophotometry was determined influence of potassium bichromate on growth of freshwater algae Desmodesmus subspicatus.

This diploma thesis deals with a use of algal test in ecotoxicology. A freshwater algae, Desmodesmus subspicatus, was used to asses the ecotoxicity of selected chemical substances. A spectrophotometry method, of VIS spectrum, was used in evaluation of the EC50. A correlation, between a number of algal cells and the wavelength absorbance at 683 nm, has been determined for this purpose. Following chemicals were tested, 2-[2-[(2,6-dichlorophenyl)amino]phenyl]acetic acid, (RS)-2-[4-(2-methylpropyl)phenyl]propanoic acid and N-(4-hydro-xyphenyl)acetamide. An EC50 value was determined for all these substances and also their ecotoxicity has been evaluated.