Effectiveness of Scenedesmus sp. Biomass Grow and Nutrients Removal from Liquid Phase of Digestates

Abstract

One of the most important factors in determining the profitable production of microalgae biomass is the use of a cost effective growth medium that is rich in nutrients. The objective of the study was to determine the possibility of using digestates from anaerobic digestion of different feedstock mixtures as the media for Scenedesmus sp. cultivation. A different liquid digestate composition was obtained in terms of organic compounds, phosphorus, and nitrogen concentrations, depending on the substrates used in the anaerobic digestion. It was found that the highest biomass production was obtained when using digestate from anaerobic digestion of the feedstock mainly composed of microalgae biomass, which was characterized by low organic compounds concentration. In this case, the average biomass concentration reached 2382 mg total solids/L. A lower Scenedesmus sp. biomass yield was obtained using digestate from anaerobic digester processing feedstock based on maize silage and cattle menure. In the variants of the study, it was also found that the increase in the initial concentration of ammonia nitrogen in the growth medium up to 160 mg/L significantly reduced the growth of Scenedesmus sp. The results indicated the possibility of a high ammonia nitrogen and orthophosphates removal from anaerobic digestates by Scenedesmus sp. microalgae. Phosphorus concentration in the cultivation medium is a limiting factor for the growth of Scenedesmus sp., thus phosphorus supplementation should be considered when using liquid digestate as the culture medium. The optimization model indicated that the volume of liquid digestate that was used for preparing the cultivation medium, the initial concentration of organic compounds, and the initial concentration of ammonia nitrogen had a significant impact on the production of Scenedesmus sp. biomass.

The Promotive Effect of Cyanobacteria and Chlorella sp. Foliar Biofertilization on Growth and Metabolic Activities of Willow (Salix viminalis L.) Plants as Feedstock Production, Solid Biofuel and Biochar as C Carrier for Fertilizers via Torrefaction Process

“…The results shown are similar to those reported by Falch et al [19], Kreitow et al [20], Burja et al [21], Nain et al [13], Rana et al [33] and Kisielewska et al [34] who demonstrated positive effects of Cyanobacteria on wheat crops. In grapevines, the application of a mixture containing seaweed extract and amino acids increased growth and development, leaf size and berry value.…”

“…Secretion of large IAA amounts by bacteria interacting with plants was also described by Glick et al [42]. Similarly, Sergeeva et al [43] stated that Cyanobacteria, and especially symbiotic isolates obtained from it, are also capable of accumulating and The results shown are similar to those reported by Falch et al [19], Kreitow et al [20], Burja et al [21], Nain et al [13], Rana et al [33] and Kisielewska et al [34] who demonstrated positive effects of Cyanobacteria on wheat crops. In grapevines, the application of a mixture containing seaweed extract and amino acids increased growth and development, leaf size and berry value.…”

Performance of an Innovative Low-Cost Recycled Filling (LCRF) in Anaerobic Treatment of Dairy Effluent—A Pilot-Scale Study

“…It has been posited that improving N removal in anaerobic wastewater treatment (AWT) systems is one of the biggest challenges for researchers [ 39 , 40 ]. Studies so far have looked at upgrading anaerobic processes with activated sludge [ 41 ], plant filters [ 42 ], zeolites [ 43 ], absorption methods [ 44 ], struvite production [ 45 ] or intensive microalgal cultivation systems [ 46 ].…”

Anaerobic Reactor Filling for Phosphorus Removal by Metal Dissolution Method

“…Efforts are still being made to improve the technological efficiency of anaerobic processes. Reactors with an innovative design have been used [ 16 , 17 ], physical factors have been implemented [ 18 , 19 ], and the pre-preparation of biodegradable pollutants [ 20 ] or the integration of anaerobic wastewater treatment with microalgae technologies has been increasingly introduced [ 21 , 22 ].…”