For microalgae, a landfill is not a site where discarded waste accumulates, rather it is a site that promotes growth and diversity. Heterogeneous pools filled with leachate can provide a unique combination of physio-chemical properties that can shape various algal assemblages. By collecting water samples from numerous pools throughout a landfill, cell concentration and identification was made to determine the make up of the algal community. Analysis of a variety of physical, biological, and chemical parameters of each pool was done to determine any relation between environmental conditions, ordinal distribution, and algal diversity, which was determined using the Margalef’s species richness index. A total of 19 orders were identified among the sampled sites with Chlamydomonadales, Naviculales, and Oscillatoriales occurring most frequently. pH was found to have a significant influence on algal cell concentration for all sites. By gaining a better understanding of algal communities and how their environment shapes them, further advancements can be made in the detoxification of leachate, cultivation for commercial use and CO2 mitigation. Studying algae within landfills can lead to a more sustainable way of obtaining a renewable resource that are both environmentally and economically beneficial while promoting better environmental management and climate change control.
Promotor(s) & Supervisor: Jose Manuel Rico Ordas
Thesis Institute: University of Oviedo
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