Algal production systems for wastewater treatment (an example of school-based scientific research)

Abstract

School-based scientific research can provide students with an exciting opportunity for applying and extending their scientific knowledge. The present article reports on a study of how algae could be used to improve the design of wastewater detoxification systems. Following on from a statement of the didactic basis of the approach, a problem is set within the context of pollution in the Mersey estuary. A number of pilot experiments are then reported which give some details of the work carried out and also illustrate how the underlying basis to the approach was realized. The article concludes with some general comments about school-based scientific research.

Keywords:

• Algae
• Biotechnology
• School-based research