Microalgae and wastewater treatment

Abstract

Organic and inorganic substances which were released into the environment as a result of domestic, agricultural and industrial water activities lead to organic and inorganic pollution. The normal primary and secondary treatment processes of these wastewaters have been introduced in a growing number of places, in order to eliminate the easily settled materials and to oxidize the organic material present in wastewater. The final result is a clear, apparently clean effluent which is discharged into natural water bodies. This secondary effluent is, however, loaded with inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus and causes eutrophication and more long-term problems because of refractory organics and heavy metals that are discharged. Microalgae culture offers an interesting step for wastewater treatments, because they provide a tertiary biotreatment coupled with the production of potentially valuable biomass, which can be used for several purposes. Microalgae cultures offer an elegant solution to tertiary and quandary treatments due to the ability of microalgae to use inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus for their growth. And also, for their capacity to remove heavy metals, as well as some toxic organic compounds, therefore, it does not lead to secondary pollution. In the current review we will highlight on the role of micro-algae in the treatment of wastewater.

Application of Phycoremediation Using Microalgae <i>Scenedesmus s</i><i>p. </i>as Wastewater Treatment in Removal of Heavy Metals from Food Stall Wastewater

“…As conclusion, microalgae scenedesmus sp. are capable in reducing the pollutant in food stall restaurant as reported by in the previous study by [9,10,12].…”

Removal of Nutrients and Selected Heavy Metals in Wet Market Wastewater by Using Microalgae <i>Scenedesmus </i>Sp.

“…According to previous studies, microalgae are known to sequester heavy metal [3]. Table 3 below shows the highest percentage removal of nutrients and heavy metals for each five different concentration while Fig.…”

“…and Chlorella sp. have good efficiency for heavy metals removal such as Iron (Fe) and Zinc (Zn) [3].…”

“…This problem may lead to uncomfortable condition to buyers, sellers and residents at wet market area [1]. Moreover, the wastewater flow directly into drainage in that area may cause the drain clogged and the problem getting worst if no action taken by responsible person [2].Microalgae had been choose as new technology to treat wastewater because it cheap and easily to handle because of their capabilities during photosynthesis process and eutrophication if wastewater contains excessive amount of nitrogen and phosphorus which able to incorporate with some nutrients such nitrogen and phosphorus [3]. From previous studies, there still less information about wet market wastewater treatment using microalgae cause the researches were focused on special media from laboratory, municipal wastewater, industrial wastewater and animal wastewater [4,5].…”

The effect of carbon source on nitrate and ammonium removal from drinking water by immobilised Chlorella sorokiniana

“…Nitrogen removal by algae depends on numerous factors: the algae species, media composition and different environmental parameters such as light illumination, pH and temperature (Abdel-Raouf et al 2012;Rasoul-Amini et al 2014). The media composition is highly correlated to nutrient and carbon source availabilities.…”