Application of rbcL based molecular diversity analysis to algae in wastewater treatment plants
1Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. sudghosh@umich.edu
Abstract:
The molecular diversity of algae in the final clarifier or denitrification filter outfall from three wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) with activated sludge based treatment was analyzed using the rbcL gene as a phylogenetic marker. The rbcL gene encodes the large subunit of the CO(2) fixing enzyme RuBisCO. Among algae identified at the WWTPs were diatoms, green algae, cyanobacteria, Eustigmatophyceae, and unknown heterokonts. A high level of diversity was observed within WWTPs with 19-24 unique rbcL sequences detected at each plant. Algae composition also varied between treatment plants. Our results show that the rbcL gene can be used as a phylogenetic marker for algae diversity analysis in a wastewater treatment context.
Related Concept Videos
Applications of Molecular Taxonomy
Modern Molecular Taxonomy
Red Algae
Microbial Wastewater Treatment


