Phosphorus removal in attached-growth waste stabilization ponds | |
| Author | Janolino, Ruel B. |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no. EV-88-20 |
| Subject(s) | Sewage lagoons Sewage lagoons |
| Note | A Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Attached- growth waste stabilization pond CAGWSP> is an innovation to the conventional waste stabilization pond CWSP>. Its treatment efficiencies can improve with the use of attached - growth media submerged in the pond, due to the increased densities of algal and bacterial populations, hence a new possibility of upgrading the existing treatment pond technology. Phosphorus C P> removal is one of the major drawbacks of WSP because its removal efficiency for this nutrient is usually low. Hence, P content of WSP effluent is a prime cause in the eutrophication of the receiving water bodies. In contrast, as shown by this research, AGWSP has a remarkable efficiency in P removal. The lab-scale AGWSP unit achieved a removal efficiency of 88 % as compared to 57 % of the WSP unit at a hydraulic retention time of 15 days. Results from this study showed that the quantity of plastic media that can be used in the AGWSP has an optimum amount for effective removal of P. Excessive use of the media did not produce better results since the closely-packed media prevented light from effectively reaching the lower media layers. Algal uptake of P was found to be the controlling mechanism of P removal. However, biological aberrations, like algal bloom and zooplanktons grazing on algae, were observed to greatly influence the normal rate of P removal. Prolonged dark periods increased the effluent P values due to less algal uptake of P. |
| Year | 1988 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Environmental Engineering and Management (EV) |
| Chairperson(s) | Chongrak Polprasert |
| Examination Committee(s) | Orth, Hermann M. ; Samorn Muttamara |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Australian Government |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1988 |