Periphyton responses to enrichment and temperature increase aiming the application of bioreactors to remove phosphorus from eutrophic environments

Abstract

Aquatic ecosystems, especially in urban areas, are subject to a series of environmental stressors that can compromise water quality, causing changes in the structure of biological communities and reducing the integrity of ecosystems. Eutrophication is the environmental problem that most affects aquatic ecosystems. Many studies have shown the ability of periphyton to be used as a bioreactor for removing substances from water, such as phosphorus, mitigating the negative effects of eutrophication. However, with global warming, the negative effects of eutrophication tend to become more intense. The increase in temperature on the planet can affect the restoration of aquatic ecosystems and harm bioremediation techniques, such as the periphyton bioreactor (green technology). Temperature and nutrient availability can alter the metabolism and functioning of algal communities. Thus, this research project aims to evaluate the effects of increased temperature and combined and isolated enrichment by N and P on the periphytic algal community structure and phosphorus content stored by the periphyton bioreactor. The effects of enrichment on periphyton will be evaluated in mesocosms inside growth chambers with controlled environmental conditions, simulating two temperature scenarios (current and future). The main periphyton parameters analyzed will be chlorophyll-a, P content, ash-free dry mass and periphytic algal community structure (density, biovolume, species richness and diversity). This project will contribute to advances in bioremediation of eutrophic environments and periphyton ecology in tropical lake ecosystems considering current and future scenarios.