Response of algae to sewer misconnections Dave Chandler, Prof. David Lerner, Prof. Philip Warren, Prof. Lorraine

21/04/2015© The University of Sheffield 2 Why are algae important Primary producers Oxygen provision Carbon fixing Nutrient retention Metal retention

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21/04/2015© The University of Sheffield 5 Representative substances in misconnection effluent UKWIR (2012) 36% 7% 6% 2%

21/04/2015© The University of Sheffield 6 Representative substances in misconnection effluent UKWIR (2012) Majority discharge soaps/detergents 36% 7% 6% 2%

21/04/2015© The University of Sheffield 7 Representative substances in misconnection effluent UKWIR (2012) Majority discharge soaps/detergents Washing machines make up approx. 1/3 36% 7% 6% 2%

21/04/2015© The University of Sheffield 8 Experimental design

21/04/2015© The University of Sheffield 9 Experimental design Collect algae from rivers

21/04/2015© The University of Sheffield 10 Experimental design Collect algae from rivers Grow algal communities on tiles

21/04/2015© The University of Sheffield 11 Experimental design Collect algae from rivers Grow algal communities on tiles Produce artificial washing machine effluents

21/04/2015© The University of Sheffield 12 Experimental design Collect algae from rivers Grow algal communities on tiles Produce artificial washing machine effluents Expose algal to effluents at different concentrations

Experimental concept 21/04/2015© The University of Sheffield 13 Control 0% effluent A 0.1% effluent B 1% effluent C 10% effluent D 50% effluent Phosphorus containing detergent Phosphorus free detergent

21/04/2015© The University of Sheffield 14 Chlorophyll a results

21/04/2015© The University of Sheffield 15 Chlorophyll a results Chlorophyll a concentration (mg/cm 2 )

21/04/2015© The University of Sheffield 16 Chlorophyll a results Chlorophyll a concentration (mg/cm 2 )

21/04/2015© The University of Sheffield 17 Chlorophyll a results Chlorophyll a concentration (mg/cm 2 )

21/04/2015© The University of Sheffield 18 Conclusions Detergent pollution reduces algal abundance Different detergents produce similar responses Follow up work Investigate changes in algal community structure Investigate impacts of misconnections in the field Expand to other groups of