57

Effects of Nitrogen and Phosphorus on Eutrophication in

Water Bodies and Nitrogen and Phosphorus Removal
1 2*

2

1

microcystins, anatoxin-a homoanatoxin-a

88 27 - 2557

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Abstract
Excessive amounts of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) compounds from human
activities such as agriculture, residential areas and industry can cause plankton bloom or
eutrophication in freshwater bodies. The bloom of phytoplankton causes many negative
problems on economy, society and environment. The major problems caused by
eutrophication include loss of biodiversity of both plants and animals due to improper
environmental conditions, problems of water filtration systems for drinking water. The
phytoplankton bloom of blue green algae in particular also creates toxins such as
microcystins, anatoxin-a and homoanatoxin-a, which directly affect the health of humans
and animals. Moreover, eutrophication results in the loss of beautiful scenery due to
unpleasant hue and odor caused by rotten algae and influences recreational activities
such as swimming. Due to adverse impact of eutrophication, a new concept in the
treatment of nitrogen and phosphorus from sewage of industry and community is
introduced, which is relatively new to Thailand. Presently Thailand has an effluent
standard for BOD and TKN but no TN.These standards that might not be sufficient to solve
water pollution problems. If there is a new standard set for nitrogen and phosphorus,
then the effluent will be able to re-use and thus saving the raw water to use in the
drinking water. It will also be beneficial to agriculture and most importantly, low N and P
from wastewater treatment will help to reduce the problems of eutrophication in
freshwater bodies.

Keywords
nitrogen, phosphorus, eutrophication, wastewater treatment

1.

(autotrophs)




(limiting factors)

10-20 [1, 2]






[1, 3]

(detritus)

3


2
(total
nitrogen: TN) (total
phosphorus: TP)
(phosphorus threshold

value) [4]

10

10 17

17

100 /.

50
/.

2.
(eutrophication)
(nutrient pollution) [5]

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60

succession
(trophic levels)

(oligotrophic)
(mesotrophic)
(eutrophic)

40 /.
100 /.
[4]


cyanobacteria (blue green algae)

nitrogen
fixation [6]

Aphanizomenon flos-aquae


Anabaena

(N2-fixing filamentous algae)

Microcystis

3.

Microcystis aeruginosa

[7]
[8]
10

2541

[9]


[10, 11])
Chaichana [11]
Auracoseira





[13]

[14, 3]

4.

[15]

[1, 16]

Anabaena circinalis


Microcystis aeruginosa
microcystins, anatoxin-a homoanatoxin-a [17]

[17-20]

microcystins
[21]
88 27 - 2557

61

62

[22]

[22, 23]

5.

)
2.0 /.
- 10 . /.
(total
phosphorus, TP)

0.2 . /.

/
(physical/chemical processes)
(chlorination) (ion
exchange) (air stripping)

(nitrification process)
(denitrification
process)

endogenous
decay

(ATP)
luxury uptake






(Biological
Nutrient Removal, BNR)

(BNR)

(oxidation ditch)

(extended aeration)
(circuit-flow activated sludge process)

(horizontal surface aerator)




15

24
96
1

88 27 - 2557

63

64

1 (oxidation ditch) [24]

anoxic zone
10
(BNR)

6.

88 27 - 2557

65

66

7.
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[2]



[3]


[4]

[5]

[6]
[7]


[8]

[9]


[10]


[11]

[12]


[13]

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