OBSERVATIONS ON A SEWAGE OXIDATION POND IN SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA
Abstract
The water chemistry of this facility indicated that during the period of maximum photosynthetic activity (May through August), ammonium compounds and phosphate phosphorus appeared to be readily utilized by the algae, but during the colder months these compounds built up significantly. Similarly, the biological oxygen demand (BOD) was generally low during the warmer months (30 mg/l or less) but increased appreciably with the advent of ice cover. The pH and dissolved oxygen content both indicate a photosynthetically healthy regime during the warmer months, but the latter parameter became depressed with occurrence of ice. Pond odor was not detectable until after ice cover had formed. Plankton analyses indicated 18 taxa of photosynthetically active algae, belonging principally to Chlorococcales and Volvocales. Of the last named order, 11 species are new for North America and presumably are new records as sewage-tolerant organisms. The Alaskan pond was compared with an experimental pond receiving comparable BOD loading at Fayette, Missouri, and the results are discussed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1965
- Accession Number
- AD0614996
Entities
People
- D. K. Hilliard