title: Nutrient removal from agricultural drainage water using algal turf scrubbers and solar power.
abstract: The objectives of this study were to determine nutrient removal rates and costs using solar-powered algal turf scrubber (ATS) raceways and water from an agricultural drainage ditch. Algal productivity using daytime-only flow was 3-lower compared to productivity using continuous flow. Results from this and other studies suggest a non-linear relationship between flow rate and nitrogen removal rates. Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) removal rates averaged 125 mg N, 25 mg P m(-2) d(-1) at the highest flow rates. Nutrient removal rates were equivalent to 310 kg N and 33 kg P ha(-1) over a 7 month season. Projected nutrient removal costs ($90-$110 kg(-1) N or $830-$1050 kg(-1) P) are >10-fold higher than previous estimates for ATS units used to treat manure effluents.
authors: Department of Environmental Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA; Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA. Electronic address: pkangas@umd.edu.
authors: Patrick
authors: P
authors: Kangas
authors: Department of Environmental Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA; Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA.
authors: Walter
authors: W
authors: Mulbry
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D018533:Biomass; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D004560:Electricity; D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000378:metabolism*; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012993:Solar Energy; D062065:Wastewater / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000191:economics; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000191:economics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D018508:Water Purification / Q000191:economics
chemical_list: D009584:Nitrogen; D010758:Phosphorus; D062065:Wastewater; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Algal turf scrubber; Chesapeake Bay; Cost; Nitrogen; Phosphorus