Community Structure and Function During Periods of High Performance and System Upset in a Full-Scale Mixed Microalgal Wastewater Resource Recovery Facility
Authors: Alam Md Mahbubul , Hodaei Mahdi , Hartnett Elaine , Gincley Benjamin , Khan Farhan , Kim Ga-Yeong , Pinto Ameet J. , Bradley Ian M. 
Published: January 2024

Microalgae have the potential to exceed current nutrient recovery limits from wastewater, enabling water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs) to achieve increasingly stringent effluent permits. The use of photobioreactors (PBRs) and the separation of hydraulic retention and solids residence time (HRT/SRT) further enables increased biomass in a reduced physical footprint while allowing operational parameters (e.g., SRT) to select for desired functional communities. However, as algal technology transitions to full-scale, there is a need to understand the effect of operational and environmental parameters on complex microbial dynamics among mixotrophic microalgae, bacterial groups, and pests (i.e., grazers and pathogens) and to implement robust process controls for stable long-term performance. Here, we examine the first full-scale, intensive WRRF utilizing mixed microalgal for tertiary treatment in the US (EcoRecover, Clearas Water Recovery Inc.) during a nine-month monitoring campaign. We investigated the temporal variations in microbial community structure (18S and 16S rRNA genes), which revealed that stable system performance of the EcoRecover system was marked by a low-diversity microalgal community (DINVSIMPSON= 2.01) dominated byScenedesmussp. (MRA = 55%-80%) that achieved strict nutrient removal (effluent TP < 0.04 mg·L-1) and steady biomass production (TSSmonthly avg.= 400-700 mg·L-1). Operational variables including pH, alkalinity, and influent ammonium (NH4+), correlated positively (p< 0.05, method = Spearman) with algal community during stable performance. Further, the use of these parameters as operational controls along with N/P loading and SRT allowed for system recovery following upset events. Importantly, the presence or absence of bacterial nitrification did not directly impact algal system performance and overall nutrient recovery, but partial nitrification (potentially resulting from NO2-accumulation) inhibited algal growth and should be considered during long-term operation. The microalgal communities were also adversely affected by zooplankton grazers (ciliates, rotifers) and fungal parasites (Aphelidium), particularly during periods of upset when algal cultures were experiencing culture turnover or stress conditions (e.g., nitrogen limitation, elevated temperature). Overall, the active management of system operation in order to maintain healthy algal cultures and high biomass productivity can result in significant periods (>4 months) of stable system performance that achieve robust nutrient recovery, even in winter months in northern latitudes (WI, USA).

Graphical abstract

Highlights

Microbial dynamics were examined for first full-scale, intensive (small footprint) algal wastewater treatment process (EcoRecover) for advanced P removal.

Mixed microbial communities during stable performance were dominated byScenedesmusand Cyanobacteria and positively correlated with pH, alkalinity, and influent NH4+, among other parameters.

Bacterial nitrification did not benefit or hinder nutrient recovery, but partial nitrification and NO2-accumulation inhibited algal growth.

Taxa specific pest dynamics are described, with major outbreaks occurring during high temperature in summer months.

Control of operational parameters, and recovery of stable system performance and algal biomass was achieved following system upsets.