Sugarcane ethanol production generates considerable quantities of vinasse, its main wastewater. Microalgae cultivation is a promising option for effluent remediation, since the generated biomass can be feedstock for biofuel and bio-based chemical production. Due to vinasse high turbidity, pretreatment is necessary to clarify this effluent, adapting it as a mixotrophic culture medium. In this context, the present research evaluated the integrated process of electrocoagulation (EC) of sugarcane vinasse with aluminum or iron electrodes and subsequent cultivation of green microalgae Desmodesmus subspicatus. Results indicate pH neutralization and high turbidity removal efficiency by EC with both electrode materials. Aluminum EC and subsequent microalgae cultivation removed 66 and 75% of initial total organic carbon and total nitrogen, respectively, with biomass productivity of 1.45 g L-1day-1 and maximum specific growth rate of 0.095 h-1. Microalgae productivity was inferior in vinasse pretreated by iron EC, suggesting possible interference of ferric compounds in the microalgal development.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.