Growth characteristics of Microcystis aeruginosa and their effects on coagulation process efficiency

In this study, coagulation efficiencies for each growth phase of Microcystis aeruginosa, one of the main species involved in eutrophication in South Korea, were examined at the laboratory scale to obtain data on removal characteristics of this organism during the coagulation process. This study also defines the optimum growth conditions to culture M. aeruginosa in a laboratory environment. The optimum growth conditions of M. aeruginosa were at a concentration of 0.8 mg/L of phosphorus, a concentration of 10 mg/L of nitrogen, 2,000 lx of illumination, and an alkali condition. Coagulation efficiency varies with growth phases, which is due to the different rates of metabolism at each phase. Results provide the optimal growth conditions to obtain M. aeruginosa in a laboratory, and characterize coagulation efficiencies at each growth stage for water treatment facilities to establish procedures to manage eutrophicated water.