Water Quality Lab Report: Water Pollution and Algal Growth

Water Quality Lab Report: Water Pollution and Algal Growth
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Abstract
This research study examined the impact of different volumes of nitrogen and phosphorus pollutants on the growth of algae in waterways. The objective of the study was to establish the effect of the two nutrients on the growth of algae in aquatic ecosystems.
Additionally, this study also investigated the effect of acid rain as a pollutant to algal growth. Three hypotheses were critical for this study. The first hypothesis stated that algal growth was expected to increase as the concentration of nitrogen pollution increased. Secondly, it was hypothesized that as the level of phosphorus concentration increased, it was anticipated that algal growth would increase, and vice versa. Lastly, the study hypothesized that an increase in the contamination of acid rain would reduce the growth of algae. The study data findings supported the three hypotheses. As was expected, the study confirmed that elevated levels of nitrogen and phosphorus supported algal growth. On the other hand, it was confirmed that high levels of acid rain reduced the growth of algae in waterways.
Water Quality Lab Report: Water Pollution and Algal Growth
Introduction
In recent decades, many ecologically important and economically viable freshwater bodies have experienced harmful algal blooms and degradation of the water quality. Eutrophication and widespread degradation of water quality is hazardous to aquatic life and has been blamed for its decline. Tang, Li, and Acharya (2016) argue that the introduction of a complete water quality management system is not only essential but necessary to control eutrophication and protect the aquatic ecosystem. A single critical solution that water managers can adopt is to effectively reduce the external nutrient inputs to the marine ecosystem (Ahlvik, Ekholm, Hyytiдinen, and Pitkдnen, 2014; Tang, Li, and Acharya, 2016). Therefore, it remains essential that practical and feasible nutrient reduction targets are developed to reduce eutrophication potentials and improve water quality.
The presence of algae in the waterways is critical and fulfills a myriad of ecosystems. For instance, the canopy-forming perennial macroalgae, such as fucoids and laminarians, are a source of food and habitat for a diverse fish fauna and other organisms in the water, stores carbon emissions, and supports nutrient cycling. Notably, together with sea grasses on soft-bottom habitats, algae account for up to 40 percent of the primary productivity of the coastal zone and a substantial portion of global marine plant biomass (Worm and Lotze, 2006; Worm et al., 1999). However, these perennial macroalgae and their associated communities have recently experienced a severe decline in abundance in various regions such as the Baltic or the Adriatic Sea. Their place has been taken by few species of bloom-forming annual algae that do not provide the same biogeochemical and habitat functions as perennial algae (Worm and Lotze, 2006). Instead, their proliferation the water bodies has significant adverse effects on the coastal ecosystems and their inhabitants.

Excessive nutrients loads are to blame for algal blooms in lakes and o...