Effects of wastewater contaminants on algal structure and function in the White River in Muncie, Indiana

Wastewater is a main source of pollution entering waterways particularly in agricultural and industrial locations. Nutrient loading is a primary wastewater contaminant, which can adversely affect aquatic organisms. However, nutrients associated with wastewater often promotes the growth of algae, which can be used a biological method to help decrease nutrients in aquatic ecosystems. This study quantified the effects of wastewater effluent on algal growth, community structure, and function. Samples were collected from sites above and below wastewater effluent. Diversity, chlorophyll a production, and dry mass of filamentous green algae and epilithon were all higher below effluent indicating the nutrients from the wastewater cause higher algal biomass.