Nutrients Environmental Impact Of Wastewater (12e) Flashcards
Important nutrients measured in wastewater? (2)
• N.
• P.
Why monitor nutrients?
To determine whether the nutrients that are essential to the growth & survival of living organisms (N & P) are in adequate supply to the needs of plants, algae & microbes.
What forms are N & P found in? (2)
• Particulate phases.
• Dissolved phases.
3 types of nutrients?
• Organic particulate.
• Inorganic particulate.
• Dissolved organic.
Organic particulate nutrients?
= include living & dead organic matter like bacterial, plant and animal tissue.
Inorganic particulate nutrients?
= include minerals & nutrients absorbed to suspended inorganic sediment particles.
Dissolved organic nutrients?
= include many types of biological molecules that contain N & P like proteins.
Dissolved inorganic forms of P?
PO4 (3-)
Dissolved inorganic forms of N? (3)
• NO3 (-).
• N2.
• NH4 (+)
What does the availability of nutrients depend on?
The chemical form of the nutrient.
Nitrogen fixation?
= process where blue-green algae & bacteria can use nitrogen gas (N2) to convert it into organic nitrogen (N).
What form of N do plants, bacteria & fungi use?
NH4 (Ammonium).
What do phytoplankton & most plants assimilate?
Orthophosphate.
Impact/Result of high N & P?
Eutrophication.
Eg of Eutrophication effect in SA?
Zoo lake.
