Jimboomba sewage treatment plant effluent storage

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Council

On-ground work

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Logan City Council

$7,300

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10 February 2016

Ongoing

The use of Diatomix in this effluent storage was to reduce the growth of Blue-green algae (BGA - Cyanobacteria).  Poor water quality can reduce the uses for the water as well as the times when it can be released.

Funding amount for this project is provided on an annual basis.

The use of Diatomix should reduce the nutrient profile of the water, lowering the concentrations of ammonia, nitrate and orthophosphate. The increased growth of diatom algae, boosted by Diatomix micronutrients, means diatoms need more nitrogen and phosphorus and this is the cause of the nutrient reductions. By creating consistent diatom algae growth, this in turn will provide a food source for the higher levels of the food chain. This means that the nitrogen and phosphorus moves from dissolved inorganic nutrient into biologically bound nutrient that cannot feed weeds, other algae and cause eutrophication downstream.

Over time the clarity of water has increased as the types of algae grown in the water have changed from suspended algae into benthic or periphyton algae (particularly diatoms) that grown in biofilms on surfaces in the water (e.g. twigs, leaves, reeds and rushes).  The increased water clarity assists in UV light reaching deeper into the water and reducing pathogenic bacteria.

As well as the changes to the concentrations of ammonia and nitrate, there was a change to the ratio of ammonia and nitrate.  Anecdotally, the biodiversity at the site has improved with the increased presence of eels, birds and turtles.

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