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The role of rhizofiltration and allelopathy on the removal of cyanobacteria in a continuous flow system

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Abstract

A continuous flow filtration system was designed to identify and quantify the removal mechanisms of Cyanobacteria (Microcystis aeruginosa) by hydroponic biofilters of Phalaris arundinacea compared to synthetic filters. The filtration units were continuously fed under plug-flow conditions with Microcystis grown in photobioreactors. Microcystis cells decreased at the two flow rates studied (1.2 ± 0.2 and 54 ± 3 cm3 minˉ1) and results suggested physical and chemical/biological removal mechanisms were involved. Physical interception and deposition was the main removal mechanism with packing density of the media driving the extent of cell removal at high flow, whilst physical and chemical/biological mechanisms were involved at low flow. At low flow, the biofilters decreased Microcystis cell numbers by 70% compared to the controls. The decrease in cell numbers in the biofilters was accompanied by a chlorotic process (loss of green colour), suggesting oxidative processes by the release of allelochemicals from the biofilters.

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Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

From Thames Water, the authors thank specially Dr. Paul Rutter for his support and Nick Sutherland for assisting with the experimental set-up logistics. Thanks to Helen Shapland and Kevin O’Reilly, Trace Organics laboratory, Scientific Centre, Wessex Water Ltd., for allowing us the use of their HPLC. The authors are especially grateful to Toni Hall, Alexander T. Jennings and Gary Hunt for their assistance with developing the HPLC allelochemicals method.

Funding

This project was fully sponsored by Thames Water Utilities Ltd. The design of the study presented in this manuscript, collection, analysis, and interpretation of data, and writing the manuscript are the views of the authors. Lady Margaret Hall, University of Oxford sponsored attendance to conferences where aspects of this work were presented.

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  1. Ana Teresa Castro-Castellon

    Present address: School of Science, Bath Spa University, Newton Park, Newton St Loe, Bath, BA2 9BN, UK

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PJ, UK

    Ana Teresa Castro-Castellon, Yaldah Azimi & Nicholas Peter Hankins

  2. School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QY, UK

    Jocelyne Mary Rose Hughes

  3. Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Wallingford, Oxford, OX10 8BB, UK

    Daniel Steven Read

  4. Thames Water Innovation, Thames Water Utilities Ltd., Reading, UK

    Michael James Chipps

Authors
  1. Ana Teresa Castro-Castellon
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Contributions

Conceptualization, experimental design, methodology, material preparation, data collection, formal analysis, investigation, writing original draft, and reviewing and editing were performed by Ana T. Castro Castellon. Resources, experimental design, data analysis, and validation were performed by Daniel S. Read. Conceptualization and writing original draft: Yaldah Azimi and Jocelyne M.R. Hughes. Supervision, project administration and resources: Jocelyne M.R. Hughes, Nicholas P. Hankins, and Michael J. Chipps. Funding acquisition by Michael J. Chipps. All authors reviewed, commented, and edited on previous versions of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Ana Teresa Castro-Castellon.

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Responsible editor: Vitor Manuel Oliveira Vasconcelos

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Castro-Castellon, A.T., Hughes, J.M.R., Read, D.S. et al. The role of rhizofiltration and allelopathy on the removal of cyanobacteria in a continuous flow system. Environ Sci Pollut Res 28, 27731–27741 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-12343-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-12343-9

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