Comparative assessment on the influences of effluents from conventional activated sludge and biological nutrient removal processes on algal bloom in receiving waters

Abstract

The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of effluents from conventional activated sludge (CAS) and biological nutrient removal (BNR) processes on algal bloom in receiving waters. We made multiple effluent sampling from one CAS and two BNR facilities, characterized their effluents, and conducted bioassay using river and ocean water. The bioassay results showed that CAS effluents brought similar productivity in both river and ocean water, while BNR effluents were more reactive and productive in ocean water. Unexpectedly, nitrogen-based biomass yields in ocean water were up to six times larger for BNR effluents than CAS effluent. These results indicated that nitrogen in BNR effluents, although its total concentration is lower than that of CAS effluent, is more reactive and productive in ocean water. The ocean water bioassay further revealed that effluents of BNR and CAS led to considerably different phytoplankton community, indicating that different characteristics of effluents could also result in different types of algal bloom in receiving waters. The present study suggests that effects of upgrading CAS to BNR processes on algal bloom in receiving waters, especially in estuary and ocean, should be further examined.