SciELO - Scientific Electronic Library Online

 
vol.23 issue3STRUCTURE OF A POLYCHAETE COMMUNITY IN A MANGROVE IN THE NORTHERN COAST OF BRAZILACUTE EXPOSITION OF COMMON SNOOK JUVENILES TO SUBLETHAL LEVELS OF NITRATE author indexsubject indexarticles search
Home Pagealphabetic serial listing  

Services on Demand

Journal

Article

Indicators

Related links

  • On index processCited by Google
  • Have no similar articlesSimilars in SciELO
  • On index processSimilars in Google

Share


Acta Biológica Colombiana

Print version ISSN 0120-548X

Abstract

SAAVEDRA, Antonella SARDI et al. Phytoplankton Functional Groups in a High-Rate Algal Pond Used for the Bioremediation of Landfill Leachate. Acta biol.Colomb. [online]. 2018, vol.23, n.3, pp.295-303. ISSN 0120-548X.  https://doi.org/10.15446/abc.v23n3.69537.

The functional group (FG) approach is used to predict the response of the composition of phytoplankton species to changes in the environmental conditions. We assessed for the first time the dynamics of phytoplankton communities in a High-Rate Algal Pond (HRAP), implemented for the bioremediation of landfill leachate, and using morphology-based functional groups (MBFG), under the American tropics conditions. These groups were later correlated with the physical and chemical variables of the system. Water samples were taken for biological, physical and chemical analysis for seven months. In addition, phytoplankton biovolumes were estimated and a canonical correlation analysis was performed to explain the relation between physical and chemical variables and FGs. Subsequently, the HRAP treated a medium-age leachate characterized by high concentrations of nutrients. Four MBFGs were identified (IV, V, VI and VII). Group V, conformed by phytoflagellates, was found to be dominant during the entire study period. This group proliferate in environments with high concentrations of organic matter, while contributing to the transformation of the contaminants present in the leachate. The largest biovolumes of Groups V and VII occurred during periods of low water levels and dissolved organic carbon. Finally, we show that the MBFG technique may be useful in understanding the dynamics of the phytoplankton community in the HRAP used for the treatment of landfill leachate.

Keywords : functional groups; landfill leachate; microalgae.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )