The researchers at Biosphere 2 treated the polluted water by running it over mats of algae because algae have the ability to absorb excess nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, from the water.
Here's how it relates to the nitrogen and phosphorus cycles:
1. **Nitrogen Cycle:** Excess nitrogen in the water can lead to issues like algal blooms, which can harm aquatic ecosystems. Algae can take up nitrogen from the water during photosynthesis. By utilizing the algae mats, the researchers facilitated the removal of nitrogen from the polluted water, helping to restore the nitrogen balance in the ecosystem.
2. **Phosphorus Cycle:** Phosphorus is another essential nutrient for algae growth. However, an excess of phosphorus can also lead to water pollution and ecological problems. Algae can absorb phosphorus from the water for their growth. By employing the algae mats, the researchers effectively reduced the phosphorus levels in the water, aiding in the restoration of a healthy phosphorus cycle within the ecosystem.
In summary, by using algae mats to treat the polluted water at Biosphere 2, the researchers were able to harness the natural nutrient-absorbing abilities of algae to restore the nitrogen and phosphorus cycles in the ecosystem, thus helping to mitigate the water pollution issues caused by nutrient imbalances.
