Growth and uptake kinetics of nitrate and phosphate by benthic microalgae for phytoremediation of eutrophic coastal sediments

• Published in: Bioresource technology 2013-02, Vol.129, p.387-395
• Main Authors: Kwon, Hyeong Kyu, Oh, Seok Jin, Yang, Han-Soeb
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Achnanthes; Amphora; Benthic microalgae; Biodegradation, Environmental; Biological and medical sciences; Biotechnology; Cell Proliferation; Coastal; Environment and pollution; Eutrophic coastal sediments; Eutrophication - physiology; Eutrophication - radiation effects; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Geologic Sediments - chemistry; Geologic Sediments - microbiology; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; Kinetics; Light; Metabolic Clearance Rate; microalgae; Microalgae - metabolism; Microalgae - radiation effects; Navicula; Nitrate; Nitrates; Nitrates - isolation & purification; Nitrates - metabolism; nitrogen; Nitzschia; nutrient content; nutrient uptake; Nutrients; Phosphate; Phosphates; Phosphates - isolation & purification; Phosphates - metabolism; Phytoremediation; Quotas; Radiation Dosage; sediments; Uptakes; Water Pollutants, Chemical - metabolism; Water Purification - methods; Wavelengths
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2012.11.078

► We investigated the uptake rates of nitrate and phosphate by 4 benthic microalgae. ► The uptake rate were high in the order of blue, mixed, red, yellow wavelength. ► The Nitzschia sp. showed the highest specific uptake rates under all wavelengths. ► The Nitzschia sp. may be a useful species for phytoremediation. In the present study, the effect of monochromatic light (blue, yellow and red) and mixed wavelength on the nutrient uptake and growth kinetics of benthic microalgae Achnanthes sp., Amphora sp., Navicula sp. and Nitzschia sp. were investigated. The maximum uptake rate (ρmax) for nitrate and phosphate obtained by short-term experiments were high in the order of blue, mixed, red, yellow wavelength, and among the 4 benthic microalgae, Nitzschia sp. was the highest ρmax. The half-saturation constant (Ks) was higher than other taxon. The specific maximum growth rate (μmax′) and minimum cell quota (q0) for the nitrogen and phosphorus-limited condition, Nitzschia sp. showed the highest μmax′ and q0 values among the 4 benthic microalgae. These results suggest that the benthic microalgae are adapted to high nutrient concentration. In particular, Nitzschia sp., which have a higher capability of storage and uptake, may be a useful species for phytoremediation.