Algal Stimulation of the Berkeley PIT Lake System

Abstract

AbstractThis study was conducted to evaluate four species of algae (Chromulina freiburgensis Dofl., Chlorella ellipsoidea Gerneck, C. vulgaris Beijerinck, and Chlamydomonas acidophila Negoro) isolated from an acid pit lake for their bioremediative potential. The Berkeley Pit Lake system, located in Butte, MT, USA is an abandoned open‐pit mine. As a result of acid rock drainage the water in this pit is very acidic and contains high concentrations of dissolved metals. First, optimal nutrient levels for each species of algae were determined. Levels of nutrients tested include: 5, 10, 15 mg N/L, and 0, 3, 6 mg P/L. The experiment was conducted with sterile filtered Berkeley Pit water. Next, each species of algae were grown under optimal nutrient levels and dissolved metal removal potentials were examined, using Inductively‐Coupled Plasma–Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP–AES). In addition, field sampling was preformed to gain a better understanding of the microbial community within the pit. Finally, field parameters including, light, temperature, dissolved oxygen, specific conductivity, redox potential, and turbidity were examined to determine the actual conditions for microbial growth within the Berkeley pit.