Differentiation among major algal groups is important for the ecological and biogeochemical characterization of water bodies, and for practical management of water resources. It helps to discern the taxonomic groups that are beneficial to aquatic life from the organisms causing harmful algal blooms. An LED-induced fluorescence (LEDIF) instrument capable of fluorescence, absorbance, and scatteri...

Microalgae have great potential to be a feedstock for producing biofuel. One of the major impediments towards the industrial-scale manufacturing of biofuel from microalgae is the ineffective separation of microalgae from water. In this communication, we first carried out froth flotation tests to harvest freshwater microalgae (Chlorella sp. BR2) and marine microalgae (Tetraselmis sp. M8) from di...

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the effect of turbid water on a fluourometric device designed to detect phycocyanin and chlorophyll a in cyanobacteria cells in vivo. Cell densities corresponding to the Blue Green Algae Alert levels endorsed by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council and adopted by numerous water resource managers were coalesced with a range of tot...

As human populations increase and land-use intensifies, toxic and unsightly nuisance blooms of algae are becoming larger and more frequent in freshwater lakes. In most cases, the blooms are predominantly blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria), which are favored by low ratios of nitrogen to phosphorus. In the past half century, aquatic scientists have devoted much effort to understanding the causes of...

Although the biological importance of ultraviolet light (UVR) attenuation has been recognised in marine and freshwater environments, it is not generally considered in in vitro ecotoxicological studies using algal cell suspensions. In this study, UVA and UVB extinction were determined for cultures of algae with varying cell densities, and the data were used to calculate the corresponding extinct...

Some freshwater phytoplankton species are plastic in their morphology, physiological characteristics, genetic structure, and biochemical composition. These characteristics of planktonic algae vary considerably under different environmental conditions in aquatic ecosystems. Algae such as Staurastrum sometimes lose their spiny form, and large multi-f ilament ‘f lakes’ of Aphanizomenon grows as si...

Thallium (Tl) is a highly volatile and toxic heavy metal regarded to cause pollution even at very low concentrations of several parts per million. Despite the extremely high risk of Tl in the environment, limited information on removal/recovery exists. The study focussed on the use of green algae to determine the sorption potential and recovery of Tl. From the study, removal efficiency was achi...

Aquaculture has been a fast-growing industry because of significant increases in demand for fish and seafood throughout the world. Its economic importance is increasing economically. Aquaculture -also known as fish or shellfish farming -refers to the breeding, rearing, and harvesting of plants and animals in all types of water environments including ponds, rivers, lakes, and the ocean. Research...

While the commercialization of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) is rapidly expanding, the environmental impact of this nanomaterial is not well understood. Therefore, the present study evaluates the acute aquatic toxicity of SWCNTs towards two freshwater microalgae (Raphidocelis subcapitata and Chlorella vulgaris), a microcrustacean (Daphnia magna), and a fish (Oryzias latipes) based on ...

Freshwater biofilms are currently being studied to determine their effect on the capacity of hydroelectric power scheme canals and the structure of their turbulent wall layers. Mean velocity boundary layer profiles and total drag measurements have been conducted in a purpose built recirculating water tunnel on freshwater biofilms grown in a hydroelectric canal. Two different fouled surfaces wer...