This study evaluated the effects of water velocity, substrates, and phosphorus
concentrations on the growth of filamentous periphytic algae (FPA) in the two types of
artificial channel systems using treated wastewater. Controlled parameters included 5~
15cm s-¹for the water velocity;10and 20mm wire meshes, natural fiber net, gravel and
tile for the substrates; and 0.05~1.0mgP L-¹for the P concentration. Algal growth rate
of FPA was compared using both chl. a and dry weight change with time. Under the
controlled water velocity range, the growth of FPA increased with the velocity, but the
maximum growth rate was shown in the velocity of 10cm s-¹. The substrate that showed
the maximum growth of FPA differed between the artificial channel and indoor channel,
due to the influence of suspended matters which caused the clogging of the meshed
substrates. Under the controled range of P concentration, the growth rates of all three
FPA species (Spirogyra turfosa, Oedogonium foveolatum, Rhizoclonium riparium) increased
with the P increase, but they showed the differential growth rates among different P
concentrations. The results of this study suggest that under the circumstance having an
large amount of nutrients FPA develop the biomass rapidly and that even a little
increase over the threshold velocity causes the detachment of filamentous periphytic
algae. Thus, FPA dynamics in eutrophic streams, such as those receiving treated
wastewater,seem to be sensitive to the water velocity. On the other hand, detached
algal filaments could deteriorate water quality and ecosystem function in receiving
streams or downstream, and thus they need to be recognized as an important factor in
water quality management in eutrophic streams.