Matthew Sells

Citation

Thesis Title
Elevating phosphorus accumulation in waste stabilisation pond algae

Read article at Massey Research Online:

Phosphorus release from wastewater into natural water systems is a known trigger of harmful algal blooms and eutrophication. Thousands of communities around the world rely on algal ponds for their wastewater treatment. While these algal ponds are effective at removing certain pollutants, phosphorus removal is usually poor, resulting in high phosphorus concentrations being released into the receiving natural water systems. Mr Sells investigated the conditions to elevate phosphorus accumulation in algae, and, using this information, developed and examined an innovative algal-based phosphorus removal process. This process successfully triggered phosphorus accumulation in algae. Further research was conducted on single algal cells using a novel image analysis technique developed as part of this study that showed phosphorus accumulation in algae is predictable, albeit at the algal genus level. These findings pave the way forward for the development of a new algal-based biotechnology capable of harvesting phosphorus from wastewater.

Supervisors
Professor Andrew Shilton
Associate Professor Nicola Brown