ABSTRACT

This chapter presents an overview of some culture system technologies, ranging in stage of development from well tested to experimental, which may be suitable for the treatment of agricultural wastewater. Algal mats in these environments are dominated by cyanobacteria, but the species composition varies from location to location. The algal mats improve salt recovery by increasing the rate of evaporation as a result of absorption of solar irradiance and reduced input of new water. Nutrient uptake by the algal mat and promotion of ecosystem balance improves the quality of the salt produced. Open culture systems are characterized as being open to the atmosphere. Tertiary treatment involves the removal of the cultured algae. The culture of a single species in an open system is accomplished by rendering conditions in the system so hostile that only select species can thrive. Closed culture systems are characterized as being closed to the atmosphere.