Following the articles on the ecology of wetlands applied in wastewater treatment by natural processes, the article will present part 2: Wetland algae.

GENERAL OVERVIEW OF ALGAE

Define

The types of algae are so rich and different that it is difficult to give an exact definition of them. Some algae are single-celled organisms about the size of bacteria, while others can grow to several feet in length like seaweed. Some algae are free-living while others do not or must associate with other organisms. Given their diversity in shape, size, and habitat, many researchers identify algae in a variety of ways.

Algae are, in general, a very diverse collection of species that live in a wide variety of aquatic and wetland environments. Or a collection of primitive plants, collectively known as algae.

The Role of Algae in wetland wastewater treatment

Algae are an important component of wetlands, being the earliest to appear and the predominant community here. Most algae depend on light for metabolism and growth and serve as the basis for food chains in wetland environments.

The organic compounds produced by the photosynthesis of algae will become stored energy to be used for respiration or enter the aquatic food chain and provide food for a variety of bacteria, and other heterotrophic organisms. Alternatively, this carbon can be deposited directly to form organic peat deposits in wetlands.

When light and nutrients are abundant, algae can form large populations and play a significant role in aquatic or wetland ecosystems’ overall food chain and nutrient cycling. However, with the development of macrophytes, the role of algae becomes less critical in the energy flow of the wetland.

SOME SOME ALGAE TYPES IN THE WELDEN

Plankton (Plankton)

Plankton mainly exists in unicellular and filamentous forms and grows mainly in wetlands. All groups of algae except Rhodophyceae, Charophyceae, and Phaeophyceae contribute species to the phytoplankton. Plankton is a “community” of plants adapted to the state of suspension, capable of passively moving with wind and currents, but many of them can move locally.

Potential applications of phytoplankton in wetland treatment systems: Plankton or free-floating algae are generally only important in wetland ecosystems if open or deep water bodies are present.

Filamentous algae

Filamentous algae, also known as pond scum, is a common aquatic plant in many different bodies of water. Filamentous algae form on sediments or bottom objects such as sediments, rocks, etc. The algae filaments can intermingle and form thick mats resembling wet wool. The carpet of filamentous algae usually floats to the water body’s surface.

Potential application of filamentous algae in wetland treatment systems: Filamentous algae occurring in wetlands in the form of mats can dominate dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations in the wetland water column. Algae-based wastewater treatment is a promising approach to removing polluting nutrients and converting them into useful products. Nitrogen, phosphorus, and trace metals are essential nutrients for algae growth. These are also the main elements that algae remove during wastewater treatment.