A
TECHNICAL WRITING REPORT
ON
HIGH-RATE ALGAL PONDS
FOR
WASTEWATER TREATMENT
Submitted By
TVISHA RACHEL BINOY
(721CH1002)
Under the supervision of
Prof. Ravi Kumar Reddy Addula
(Assistant Professor)
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INDEX
1. Table of Figures……………………………………………………………………3
2. Abstract…………………………………………………………………………….4
3. Introduction………………………………………………………………………...5
4. Parameters of Influence…………………………………………………………….7
5. Materials and Methods…………………………………………………………….10
6. Literature Results and Discussion…………………………………………………11
7. Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………13
8. References…………………………………………………………………………14
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TABLE OF FIGURES
Figure No. Page No.
2.1 7
2.2 7
Table 2.1 8
3.1 10
4.1 (a-b) 11
4.2 12
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Abstract:
Algae as a means of wastewater management has caught interest in recent times mainly due to
their sustainability and eco-friendly nature. They are capable of absorbing nitrogen and
phosphorous compounds from industrial effluents or fertilizers into their biomass, thereby
helping to purify the surrounding water. They can also produce biomass simultaneously, in
which the proteins present make it suitable for animal feed, the lipids present in the biomass
can be converted to biofuel and the carbohydrates present can be fermented into ethanol. They
also produce oxygen during photosynthesis, which is then taken up by aerobic bacteria to
degrade organic pollutants. They also assimilate CO2 in the process, which helps with carbon
capture goals. Hence, an algal pond system can be made in order to treat wastewater, of which
the factors affecting them and their efficiency will be exhibited in this study.
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CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
Wastewater treatment is an essential and growing demand due to urbanization and population
growth, for which innovative methods and optimization of existing methods is required.
Wastewater consists of domestic, industrial, pharmaceutical, agricultural and biological
pollutants. These pollutants mainly consist of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, along
with organic and inorganic compounds. When discharged into water bodies without adequate
treatment, these nutrients contribute to eutrophication, resulting in excessive algal blooms,
reduction in dissolved oxygen and death of aquatic life. Conventional wastewater treatment
technologies, such as activated sludge processes and chemical precipitation, are widely used
but are often associated with high energy consumption, operational costs, and sludge
generation. These limitations have led to the exploration of alternative, sustainable treatment
approaches.
Microalgae-based wastewater treatment has emerged as a promising solution that integrates
pollutant removal with resource recovery. Microalgae are photosynthetic microorganisms
capable of utilizing sunlight, carbon dioxide, and inorganic nutrients to grow and produce
biomass. Their ability to assimilate nitrogen and phosphorus into cellular components makes
them highly effective in reducing nutrient loads in wastewater. Additionally, during
photosynthesis, microalgae release oxygen, which supports aerobic bacteria in degrading
organic pollutants. They also absorb CO2, which helps with carbon capture. This way,
mechanical aeration is reduced, thereby lowering energy requirements.
This study looks into the mechanisms and applications of microalgae in wastewater treatment.
One study focuses on nutrient removal processes, highlighting the various biological and
physicochemical pathways through which microalgae eliminate nitrogen and phosphorus from
wastewater. These mechanisms include assimilation into biomass, ammonia volatilization
under high pH conditions, and phosphorus precipitation. The efficiency of these processes is
influenced by environmental factors such as light intensity, temperature, pH, and nutrient
availability, which must be carefully controlled for optimal performance. The second study
emphasizes nutrient recovery and biomass utilization, presenting microalgae as a key
component in circular bioeconomy systems. It highlights the potential of algal biomass to be
converted into valuable products such as biofuels, fertilizers, animal feed, and biochemicals.
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Microalgae cultivation systems play a crucial role in determining the effectiveness of
wastewater treatment. Open systems, such as raceway ponds, are cost-effective and simple to
operate but are susceptible to contamination and environmental fluctuations. Closed systems,
such as photobioreactors, provide better control over growth conditions and higher productivity
but involve higher capital costs. Hybrid systems combining both approaches are being explored
to balance efficiency and cost. The selection of appropriate system design depends on factors
such as wastewater characteristics, climatic conditions, and economic feasibility.
Overall, microalgae-based wastewater treatment represents a sustainable and innovative
approach that addresses both environmental and economic concerns by integrating nutrient
removal with biomass production and resource recovery.
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CHAPTER 2
PARAMETERS OF INFLUENCE
2.1: Nutrients and their availability for algae growth:
The main nutrients removed by algae from the wastewater are nitrogen and phosphorus, via
the processes of nitrogen assimilation and phosphorylation respectively. Inorganic forms of
nitrogen such as nitrites and nitrates are reduced ultimately to ammonium, its organic form by
the algae. The ammonium is then incorporated into the amino acid glutamine, which is used
for cellular structure and function. In phosphorylation, phosphates are taken up into the cells
via phosphate transporters present on the cell membrane to create phospholipids and nucleic
acids. During photosynthesis, phosphorous is used to generate ATP for energy transfer.
Fig 2.1: Nitrogen assimilation
Fig 2.2: Phosphorylation
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Nutrient availability influences nutrient uptake by algae. Slow growing macroalgae develop
nutrient storage pools by nitrogen and phosphorous accumulation during nutrient surplus times.
These are then used during nutrient deficient times, alongside reducing their growth rate and
optimizing carbon intake. Opportunistic algae, focus on developing high affinity uptake
systems to sustain high growth, making them ideal for use in wastewater due to its high nutrient
loading.
Nitrogen behaves as the limiting factor to the growth rate of both microalgae and macroalgae,
with ammonium being the preferred N source. Ammonium is more readily absorbed by algae
due to the lower energy requirement for cells to assimilate it.. High N concentrations increase
the internal N content in the algal biomass, leading to improved assimilation of inorganic N
into amino acids and proteins. Algae that grow in N-rich wastewater have 4 times higher crude
protein content when compared to seawater algae.
2.2: Nitrogen to Phosphorous Ratio:
Nitrogen to phosphorous ratio plays a critical role in the effectiveness of simultaneous nutrient
uptake and biomass growth. The suitable ratio of N and P for macroalgae growth is between
10 N:1P and 80 N:1P with optimal ratio of 30 N:1P, while it is 5–30 N:1P for microalgae.
Optimal N:P ratio is mostly strain dependent, so careful consideration is needed to select strains
ideal for the N:P ratio present in wastewater.
Wastewater Specific Category Chemical N/P Ratio
Sources Oxygen Demand
(mg/l)
Municipal Raw sewage 231 5.9
Wastewater Secondary Effluent 42.2 17-53.2
Centrate 2250-2390 0.36-0.62
Agricultural Dairy Manure 38,230 12.42
Wastewater Digested Dairy Manure 23,760 13.84
Industrial Slaughterhouse Waste 734-3560 1.41-20.98
Wastewater Soybean Processing 8087-13215 4.16-4.74
Starch 5130 0.12
Brewery 547-6730 1.44-10.67
Table 2.1: Nutrient Levels of Wastewater
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2.3 Morphological Structure:
Opportunistic, filamentous, delicately branched, or monostromatic macroalgae
(e.g. Cladophora glomerata, Enteromorpha ahlneriana, and Scytosiphon lomentaria) have high
surface-area-to-volume ratio. Filamentous and finely branched forms expose a large surface
relative to their biomass, allowing more direct contact with surrounding water. This enhances
the diffusion of dissolved nutrients such as nitrogen (ammonium, nitrate) and phosphorus into
algal cells. Similarly, monostromatic algae—composed of a single cell layer—minimize
internal transport limitations, enabling rapid absorption across the entire thallus. and larger
numbers of hairs protruding from the thallus. Their simple morphology and thin tissues reduce
resistance to nutrient transport. Delicate structures allow nutrients to diffuse quickly to all cells
without significant internal barriers. This leads to faster metabolic processing and incorporation
into biomass.
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CHAPTER 3
MATERIALS AND METHODS
3.1: Materials Required:
Excavators, Bricks, Clay or HDPE lining to prevent seepage, Paddlewheel system, Algal
inoculum, Wastewater, Inlet and Outlet pipes, Monitoring system, Sampling ports.
3.2: Method of Algal Pond Construction:
Shallow basins were designed that maximize sunlight exposure and support algal growth. The
pond is first excavated and shaped into a closed-loop channel with a depth of about 0.2–0.4 m
to ensure adequate light penetration. Embankments are made with soil and protected with
bricks to prevent soil erosion. The base is lined with impermeable materials such as compacted
clay or HDPE to prevent seepage and groundwater contamination. Inlet and outlet structures
are constructed using concrete to regulate the flow of wastewater. A paddlewheel system,
powered by an electric motor, is installed to maintain continuous circulation of wastewater in
the channel. This mixing prevents sedimentation and ensures uniform exposure of algal cells
to sunlight. Algal inoculum is introduced into the pond, where, under sunlight, perform
photosynthesis, utilizing nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus from the wastewater.
Additional infrastructure includes piping systems, valves, and basic monitoring equipment
such as pH and dissolved oxygen meters.
Fig 3.1: Construction of Algal Ponds
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CHAPTER 4
LITERATURE RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.1: Effect Of Nitrogen to Phosphorous Ratio:
The results indicate that the biomass production is highly dependent on the N/P ratios.
Increasing the N/P ratios up to 10 increases the biomass production continuously, reaching a
maximum value of approximately 2.97 g/L/day. Beyond this point, the biomass production
decreases gradually and reaches a constant value around an N/P ratio of 30, which gives a
biomass production of approximately 0.40–0.78 g/L/day. It is also interesting to note that
between the N/P ratios of 11–19, an optimum and enhanced biomass production of
approximately 2.0 g/L/day is observed. At the N/P ratios of approximately 20–25 the biomass
productivity is moderate, i.e., approximately 1–2 g/L/day. An N/P ratio of more than 11 reduces
the influence on biomass productivity in the wastewater.
a) b)
Fig 4.1: (a-b) Effect of N/P Ratio on Biomass Production
The graph shows the effect of the nitrogen to phosphorus (N:P) ratio on microalgal density
during the stationary growth stage. Algal density increases as the N:P ratio rises from 2.5:1 to
10:1, reaching a maximum at 10:1. This indicates that balanced nutrient availability promotes
optimal algal growth. At lower ratios (2.5:1 and 5:1), nitrogen is limiting, resulting in reduced
biomass. Beyond the optimum, at 25:1 and especially 50:1, algal density decreases due to
phosphorus limitation. The statistical groupings (a, b, c) confirm significant differences.
Overall, the graph demonstrates that an optimal N:P ratio (~10:1) maximizes algal biomass
production.
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Fig 4.2: Time taken for Carbon fixation
Fig 4.2 shows the variation of inorganic carbon species—free CO₂, bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻), and
carbonate (CO₃²⁻)—during algal cultivation for wastewater treatment. In Step 1 of microalgae
inoculation, bicarbonate is the dominant species, with concentrations around 300–340 mg/L.
This indicates that bicarbonate acts as the primary carbon source for algal growth. Algae
preferentially utilize dissolved CO₂ for photosynthesis, but when CO₂ is limited, they convert
bicarbonate into CO₂ for carbon fixation. In Step 2 of fresh undiluted wastewater addition, a
significant decline in bicarbonate concentration is observed, along with near depletion of free
CO₂. This suggests active uptake of inorganic carbon by algae during photosynthesis. As CO₂
is consumed, the equilibrium shifts, causing more bicarbonate to convert into CO₂, which is
subsequently fixed into algal biomass. The slight increase in carbonate indicates a rise in pH
due to photosynthetic activity, which drives the conversion of bicarbonate to carbonate.
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CHAPTER 5
CONCLUSION
This study shows the role of algal systems in treating wastewater through the removal of
nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous, and carbon fixation. The mechanisms of nitrogen
assimilation and phosphorylation enable algae to convert inorganic nutrients into essential
cellular components, supporting both growth and metabolic function. It is observed that
biomass productivity of algae is heavily influenced by the N/P ratio of the wastewater it grows
in, with the ideal range being from 10-19, after which it becomes moderate and then decreases.
The role of carbon fixation is observed in the experiments considering the addition of carbonate
ions, and the most significant decrease was observed in the concentration of bicarbonate ions,
followed by free CO2. This shows that algae can reduce carbon content by fixing it into their
biomass during photosynthesis. Overall, algae ponds for wastewater treatment show promise
to satisfy the growing demand for sustainable waste management systems.
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REFERENCES
1. Nguyen, L.N., Aditya, L., Vu, H.P. et al. Nutrient Removal by Algae-Based
Wastewater Treatment. Curr Pollution Rep 8, 369–383 (2022).
2. Kun Li, Qiang Liu, Fan Fang, Ruihuan Luo, Qian Lu, Wenguang Zhou, Shuhao Huo,
Pengfei Cheng, Junzhi Liu, Min Addy, Paul Chen, Dongjie Chen, Roger Ruan.
Microalgae-based wastewater treatment for nutrients recovery: A review, Bioresource
Technology,Volume 291, 2019.
3. Iasimone, V. De Felice, A. Panico, F. Pirozzi. Experimental study for the reduction of
CO2 emissions in wastewater treatment plant using microalgal cultivation, Journal of
CO2 Utilization,Volume 22, 2017.
4. Lillo, Cathrine. (2007). Light Regulation of Nitrate uptake, Assimilation and
Metabolism. 10.1007/978-1-4020-2728-4_6.
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