Prediction of Photosynthetic Biomass Production
189
were obtained. This is due to the incorporation of nutrient into the algae biomass as well
as precipitation of phosphates and the evolution of NH 3 due to the high surface pH
which develops in the pond during daytime.
CONCLUSIONS
The use of specially designed ponds as a controlled wastewater treatment where the
photosynthetic activity of algae is maximized is demonstrated in the Jerusalem project.
The rate of algae production and the concentration of algae with respect to the dilution
rate (or detention time) used can be formulated and calculated according to the incident
solar irradiance levels.
This can be done by using algae growth kinetics and continuous mixed culture
theories. The predicted levels of algae production and concentrations are close to actual
levels, although in determining the optimal dilution rate, some corrections should be
made.
The removal efficiency of organic matter and nutrients in the pond system is relatively
high, provided the algae biomass is separated from the effluent.
REFERENCES
1 GOTAAS, H.B., OSWALD, W.J. and LUDWIG, H.F., "Photosynthetic Reclamation of Organic
Wastes". The Scientific Monthly, 79.6. 368-378 (1954).
2 OSWALD, W.J. and GOTAAS, H.B., "Photosynthesis in Sewage Treatment", Trans., Am. Soc. Civil
Engrs., 122: 73-105 (1957).
3 OSWALD, W.J., "The Coming Industry of Controlled Photosynthesis", Amer. Jour. Pub. Health.
52, 235 (1962).
4 McGARRY, M.G. and PESCOD, M.B., "Stabilization Pond Design Criteria for Tropical Asia", Proc.
2nd Intl. Symp. Waste Treatment Lagoons, Kansas City, Mo. (1970).
5 McGARRY, M.G. and TONGKASAME, C , "Water Reclamation and Algae Harvesting", Jour.
Water Poll. Cont. Fed. 43, 5, 824-835 (1971).
6 SHELEF, G. and
SCHWARZ, M. "Photosynthetic Wastewater Treatment for Small
Communities", 1st Annual Report, The Environmental Health Lab., The Hebrew Univ. Jerusalem
(1970).
7 SHELEF, G. and SCHWARZ, M„ "Photosynthetic Wastewater Treatment and Reclamation", 2nd
Annual Report, The Environ. Health Lab., The Hebrew Univ., Jerusalem (in press).
8 HINZ, H.F. et al, "Nutritive Value of Algae Grown on Sewage", Jour. Animal Sei. 25, 675 (1966).
9 McGARRY, M.G., The Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, (Private communication).
10 VAN VUUREN, L.R.J. and VAN DUUREN, F.A., "Removal of Algae from Wastewater
Maturation Pond Effluent", Jour. Wat. Poll. Control Fed. 37, 9, 1256 (1965).
11 VAN VUUREN, L.R.J., MEIRING, P.G.J., HENZEN, M.R. and KOLBE, F.F., "The Flotation of
Algae in Water Reclamation", Int. Jour. Air and Water Poll. Pergamon Press 9, 823-832 (1965).
12 PASVEER, A., "A Simple Method for Treating Small Quantities of Wastewater", Tech. Sanit.
Memic. 53, 254(1958).
13 BROWN, L.R., KENNEDY, M.V. and TISCHER, R.G„ "An Algal Medium Produced from Human
Wastes", Devpt. Ind. Micro. Vol. 6, 245-249 (1964).
14 SHELEF, G., OSWALD, WJ. and GOLUEKE, CG., "The Continuous Culture of Algal Biomass on
Wastes" in: Continuous Cultivation of Microorganisms, edited by I. Malek et al, Academic Press
(1970).
15 TAMIYA, H., et al, "Kinetics of Growth of Chlorella" in Algal Culture from Laboratory to Pilot
Plant. Ed. J.S. Burlew, Publ. No. 600. Carnegie Inst. of Wash. (1953).
16 RABINOWITCH, E.I., Photosynthesis and Related Processes, Vol. 11, Part 2. Intersci. Publ. Inc.,
N.Y. (1956).
17 MYERS, J., "Algal Cultures", in Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. Intersci. Encyclopedia,
Inc., N.Y. (1957).
18 SHELEF, G., OSWALD, W.J. and GOLUEKE, CG., "Kinetics of Algal Systems in Waste
Treatment" Light Intensity and Nitrogen Concentration as Growth-Limiting Factors". San. Engn.
Res. Lab. Report No. 68-4, Univ. of Calif., Berkeley (1968).
189
were obtained. This is due to the incorporation of nutrient into the algae biomass as well
as precipitation of phosphates and the evolution of NH 3 due to the high surface pH
which develops in the pond during daytime.
CONCLUSIONS
The use of specially designed ponds as a controlled wastewater treatment where the
photosynthetic activity of algae is maximized is demonstrated in the Jerusalem project.
The rate of algae production and the concentration of algae with respect to the dilution
rate (or detention time) used can be formulated and calculated according to the incident
solar irradiance levels.
This can be done by using algae growth kinetics and continuous mixed culture
theories. The predicted levels of algae production and concentrations are close to actual
levels, although in determining the optimal dilution rate, some corrections should be
made.
The removal efficiency of organic matter and nutrients in the pond system is relatively
high, provided the algae biomass is separated from the effluent.
REFERENCES
1 GOTAAS, H.B., OSWALD, W.J. and LUDWIG, H.F., "Photosynthetic Reclamation of Organic
Wastes". The Scientific Monthly, 79.6. 368-378 (1954).
2 OSWALD, W.J. and GOTAAS, H.B., "Photosynthesis in Sewage Treatment", Trans., Am. Soc. Civil
Engrs., 122: 73-105 (1957).
3 OSWALD, W.J., "The Coming Industry of Controlled Photosynthesis", Amer. Jour. Pub. Health.
52, 235 (1962).
4 McGARRY, M.G. and PESCOD, M.B., "Stabilization Pond Design Criteria for Tropical Asia", Proc.
2nd Intl. Symp. Waste Treatment Lagoons, Kansas City, Mo. (1970).
5 McGARRY, M.G. and TONGKASAME, C , "Water Reclamation and Algae Harvesting", Jour.
Water Poll. Cont. Fed. 43, 5, 824-835 (1971).
6 SHELEF, G. and
SCHWARZ, M. "Photosynthetic Wastewater Treatment for Small
Communities", 1st Annual Report, The Environmental Health Lab., The Hebrew Univ. Jerusalem
(1970).
7 SHELEF, G. and SCHWARZ, M„ "Photosynthetic Wastewater Treatment and Reclamation", 2nd
Annual Report, The Environ. Health Lab., The Hebrew Univ., Jerusalem (in press).
8 HINZ, H.F. et al, "Nutritive Value of Algae Grown on Sewage", Jour. Animal Sei. 25, 675 (1966).
9 McGARRY, M.G., The Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, (Private communication).
10 VAN VUUREN, L.R.J. and VAN DUUREN, F.A., "Removal of Algae from Wastewater
Maturation Pond Effluent", Jour. Wat. Poll. Control Fed. 37, 9, 1256 (1965).
11 VAN VUUREN, L.R.J., MEIRING, P.G.J., HENZEN, M.R. and KOLBE, F.F., "The Flotation of
Algae in Water Reclamation", Int. Jour. Air and Water Poll. Pergamon Press 9, 823-832 (1965).
12 PASVEER, A., "A Simple Method for Treating Small Quantities of Wastewater", Tech. Sanit.
Memic. 53, 254(1958).
13 BROWN, L.R., KENNEDY, M.V. and TISCHER, R.G„ "An Algal Medium Produced from Human
Wastes", Devpt. Ind. Micro. Vol. 6, 245-249 (1964).
14 SHELEF, G., OSWALD, WJ. and GOLUEKE, CG., "The Continuous Culture of Algal Biomass on
Wastes" in: Continuous Cultivation of Microorganisms, edited by I. Malek et al, Academic Press
(1970).
15 TAMIYA, H., et al, "Kinetics of Growth of Chlorella" in Algal Culture from Laboratory to Pilot
Plant. Ed. J.S. Burlew, Publ. No. 600. Carnegie Inst. of Wash. (1953).
16 RABINOWITCH, E.I., Photosynthesis and Related Processes, Vol. 11, Part 2. Intersci. Publ. Inc.,
N.Y. (1956).
17 MYERS, J., "Algal Cultures", in Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. Intersci. Encyclopedia,
Inc., N.Y. (1957).
18 SHELEF, G., OSWALD, W.J. and GOLUEKE, CG., "Kinetics of Algal Systems in Waste
Treatment" Light Intensity and Nitrogen Concentration as Growth-Limiting Factors". San. Engn.
Res. Lab. Report No. 68-4, Univ. of Calif., Berkeley (1968).