Effects of Pollutants on Algal Growth

Lab Report: Effects of Pollutants on Algal Growth
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Abstract
The primary goal of this study was to examine the relationship between phosphorus, nitrogen, and acid rain and algal growth. The objective was to determine the impact of different levels of phosphorous and nitrogen elements on algal growth. Additionally, the study sought to understand the influence of acid water on the growth of algal. Three hypotheses guided this study. First, it was hypothesized that algal growth would increase, given that the concentration of nitrogen pollution increased. Second, algal growth was expected to expand with the increase in the concentration of phosphorus pollution. Lastly, it was hypothesized that algal growth would decrease as the concentration of acid rain pollution increased. The results of this study were consistent with the expectations and supported the above hypotheses. This study confirms that excessive concentration of nitrogen and phosphorus pollutants in waterways promoted eutrophication, which is hazardous to aquatic life.
Lab Report: Effects of Pollutants on Algal Growth
Introduction
The term algae is used to describe a diverse group of polyphyletic eukaryotic organisms that mostly thrive in water bodies and depend on photosynthesis to convert solar energy into chemical energy for storage and their future use. Besides water, algae also require other nutrients to grow. Nitrogen and phosphorus are essential nutrients for the growth of phytoplankton and aquatic plants, including algae. Elevated levels of nitrogen and phosphorous, as well as other substances, find their way in the waterways through non-point sources such as agricultural runoff, fertilizer spills, construction sites, and urban areas. Additionally, other sources of nutrients include point sources such as sewage and industrial discharges (Shen, Niu, Wang, Wang, and Zhao, 2013; Ansari and Gill, 2014). Therefore, it is critical to understand the effect of excess nutrients in the waterways to algae and other aquatic organisms.
Excessive concentration of nitrogen and phosphorus in water bodies can be miserable to the aquatic life, including algae. Shen et al. (2013) assert that high levels of these elements in the water bodies remove the limitations of phosphorous and nitrogen experienced by phytoplankton leading to an algal bloom, also known as eutrophication. There is a high likelihood that eutrophication can promote the growth of bacteria and reduce the concentration of dissolved oxygen within the water, significantly altering aquatic life (Shen et al., 2013, p.2). Ansari and Gill (2014) note that episodes of oxygen are experienced following the eutrophication of water bodies as a result of the decomposition of the algal organic matter. Aleksandrov, Krek, Bubnova, and Danchenkov (2018) argue that eutrophication is one of the most critical environmental issues in water basins and can disrupt the aquatic life by causing death to countless organisms. Consequently, it is essential to understand the appropriate concentration of nitrogen and phosphorus in water bodies to avoid the adverse effects of eutrophication.
Despite their significance, elevated levels of nitrogen and phosphorous are considered pollu...