Using a macroalgal cultivation system in wastewater bioremediation : a case study of Bolungarvík, Iceland

• Main Author: Nikonov, Ivan, 1996-
• Other Authors: Háskólinn á Akureyri
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2022
• Subjects: Háskólasetur Vestfjarða; Haf- og strandsvæðastjórnun; Meistaraprófsritgerðir; Dreifbýli; Fráveitukerfi; Mengunarvarnir; University Centre of the Westfjords; Coastal and marine management; Wastewater; Pollution; Bolungarvík; Haf; Iceland
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1946/42005

Remote Icelandic communities are often characterized by limited information about composition, distribution and volume of wastewater. This study used an experimental wastewater treatment plot and measured changes in the concentrations of pollutants entering the port area of the Bolungarvík municipality from wastewater outlets. Concentrations of total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN), total organic carbon (TOC), and total suspended solids (TSS) were the indicators for the quality assessment of the port waters of Bolungarvík, which serve as a receiving water body for the town’s wastewater. A cultivation system with attached algae was deployed in front of one of the effluent outfalls in an attempt to reduce concentrations of the aforementioned pollutants. Pollutants were measured at four designated sample sites: sites number 1 and 2 were assigned for the tested outlet (test pipe) and sites number 3 and 4 were assigned for the control outlet with no plot in its direct vicinity (control pipe). Volume and discharge of wastewater of domestic origin was calculated for the catchments of test and control pipes, as well as the anthropogenic load of the pollutants from each of the catchments. Results on pollutants concentration changes were analyzed using a non-parametric Wilcoxon rank sum test. The results showed no significant differences between site 1 and 2 for TP, TOC, and TSS. A significant difference was found between TN at site 1 and site 2 on the test pipe. No significant differences existed between sites 3 and 4. The test pipe contributes to the largest total water discharge of 8.99 l/s, while the discharge from the control outlet is 3.95 l/s, which corresponds to the third largest in the municipality. Average annual total load from households varies significantly between the catchments of the test pipe and control pipe, which in conjunction with different total wastewater volume determines the differences in concentrations of the pollutants. The results addressed in this Master’s thesis can be considered as a ...