A mathematical model for biological polishing

Abstract

The object of the dynamical model of biological polishing presented herein is to simulate the biogeochemical processes operating in the removal of heavy metals from mine drainage by means of periphytic algae. The model describes the growth of periphyton, and the interactions between periphyton, effluent, and fertilizer. Eventually it is hoped that it will serve as a management tool in that it will allow the user to determine the number of trees (or other substrate) and the amounts of nutrient to put into an effluent pool to maintain the metal concentrations below some legislatively set value year round.