Development of nuisance periphytic algae in laboratory streams in relation to enrichment and velocity

Accrual of periphyton biomass in artificial channels responded more to increased SRP (soluble reactive phosphorus) concentration over a range of 2 to 75 µg l−1 than to velocity ranging from 5 to 75 cm s−1. Accrual increased in proportion to increased SRP up to about 25 µg l−1; but further increase was not as pronounced above that concentration, presumably due to a saturation of uptake rates. Velocity enhanced accrual between 5 and 25 cm s−1, apparently by maximizing the nutrient concentration gradient between surrounding water and the cell surface. This enhancement effect may prevail at velocities ≤15 cm s−1, as had been suggested previously. Velocities up to 75 cm s−1 did not cause scouring and loss of biomass from surfaces, however, a result which was unexpected. Review of the literature suggested that a biomass of 100 to 150 mg chl a m−2 may represent a nuisance condition. That level was attained in these experiments at between 15 and 25 µg l−1 SRP , which is suggested as a critical P concentration in running water. Although field observations are necessary to verify the validity of these levels, a mechanism-based model of periphyton accrual represented the observed pattern of development in these artificial channels.

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