1 AIT Asian Institute of Technology

A study on the occurrence factors of algae bloom in Thailand

AuthorSungkhom Kidkla
Call NumberAIT Thesis no. EV-97-44
Subject(s)Water quality--Thailand
Algal blooms--Thailand
NoteA thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development
PublisherAsian Institute of Technology
Series StatementThesis ; no. EV-97-44
AbstractThis study was undertaken based on the water quality of various bodies in Thailand to determine the factors affecting algae bloom. Seasonal variation and nutrient levels in water bodies were investigated to assess the correlation with biomass productivity indicated by chlorophyll-a and ignition loss. The study period were conducted from February to May in four various water bodies; three shallow ponds in AIT campus (Library pond, AIT Center pond and Golf Course pond) and a deep Eastin lake in Bangkok. According to seasonal variation, water temperature increased with the change in season from February to May. The water temperature was recorded highest at 33 ° C in May. Turbidity in most of water bodies were relatively low which varied between 4 to 36 mg/L. Variation of pH was constant through the study period. In Eastin lake which algae were abundant, pH was ranged from 8.5 to 10. Light Intensity was relatively high, specially in February and beginning of May, it was as high as 80,900 to 97,000 lux. For nutrient levels, Ammonium Nitrogen (NH4-N) was undetectable. N itrate Nitrogen (N03-N) was found about 0.8 mg/Lin average and Nitrite Nitrogen (N02-N) was about 0.008 mg/L. No conclusive trend was observed with respect to total phosphorus content in most of instances. However, total phosphorus was significantly closer optimum condition for algae bloom in most of observation (0.01-1 mg/L). It was found that the concentration of nitrogen and phosphorus increased, especially, after raining. This was mainly due to the nutrients run-off from the nearby soil surface to the water bodies along the rainwater. The results showed that biomass productivity were highly effected by the variation of temperature and light intensity. Increase in temperature resulted in reduce quantity of biomass. Biomass productivity was relatively low in May while the water temperature was recorded highest. As same as light intensity, it was greater than the optimum rate for algae growth, biomass was obviously decreased. No significant effect of Nitrate-Nitrogen on biomass productivity. Considering to ratio of total nitrogen to total phosphorus, it was found that the ratio was mostly greater than 10: 1. Phosphorus was assumed to be the limiting factor which governed the growth of algae. Turbidity was relatively low at most water bodies, it had no correlation with the productivity of biomass. However, it may permit the strong light transparent to the surface water and effect to decreasing of biomass.
Year1997
Corresponding Series Added EntryAsian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. EV-97-44
TypeThesis
SchoolSchool of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD)
DepartmentOther Field of Studies (No Department)
Academic Program/FoSEnvironmental Engineering and Management (EV)
Chairperson(s)Ishibashi, Yoshinobu
Examination Committee(s)Lin, C. Kwei ;Takizawa, Satoshi
Scholarship Donor(s)Airport Authority of Thailand (AAT)
DegreeThesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1997


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