Scribd
Upload
2 views2 pages

Abstract

This study evaluates the use of native microalgae for treating industrial effluents through their nutrient uptake and biomass production. Experiments showed optimal growth under autotrophic and mixotrophic conditions with continuous light exposure, indicating their suitability for wastewater treatment. Future research will focus on nutrient uptake efficiency and integrating microalgae systems with conventional activated sludge processes.

Uploaded by

Owais Baig
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
2 views2 pages

Abstract

This study evaluates the use of native microalgae for treating industrial effluents through their nutrient uptake and biomass production. Experiments showed optimal growth under autotrophic and mixotrophic conditions with continuous light exposure, indicating their suitability for wastewater treatment. Future research will focus on nutrient uptake efficiency and integrating microalgae systems with conventional activated sludge processes.

Uploaded by

Owais Baig
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Treatment of Industrial Effluent Using a Combined Culture of Microalgae and Activated

Sludge for Bioresource Recovery


Owais Baig1, Abdullah Basra1, Hazik Hanif1, Muhammad Nabeel1, Muhammad Algaish1,
Tanzeel Usman1, Siraj Ahmed2, Ghulam Mujtaba2

1
Department of Chemical Engineering Dawood University of Engineering & Technology,
Karachi, Sindh 74800, Pakistan
2
Department of Energy & Environment Engineering Dawood University of Engineering &
Technology, Karachi, Sindh 74800, Pakistan
(ghulam.mujtaba1@[Link])
ABSTRACT

Microalgae-based wastewater treatment is a sustainable approach that utilizes the nutrient


uptake and biomass production capabilities of microalgae to treat industrial effluents. This
study focused on evaluating the growth characteristics of native microalgae under various
conditions to determine their suitability for wastewater treatment. Initially, native microalgae
were cultivated under controlled conditions, yielding an optical density (OD) of 0.87 Abs and
a dry cell weight (DCW) of 0.87 g/L, confirming successful growth and biomass generation.
In the first experiment, autotrophic, mixotrophic, and heterotrophic conditions were analyzed.
Autotrophic samples exhibited an OD increase from 0.165 to 0.712 Abs, pH rise from 6.63 to
6.9, and a final DCW of 0.96 g/L over four days. Mixotrophic samples showed significant
growth, with OD rising from 0.143 to 0.408 Abs, pH increasing from 6.56 to 6.98, and DCW
reaching 1.18 g/L. In contrast, heterotrophic samples displayed reduced growth, with pH
dropping from 6.6 to 5.94 and no green coloration, indicating poor viability. The second
experiment tested microalgae under photoautotrophic, photoheterotrophic, and mixotrophic
conditions with varying light exposure. Photoautotrophic samples showed optimal growth,
with OD increasing from 0.784 to 1.54 Abs, DCW from 0.2 to 0.93 g/L, and chlorophyll
content from 0.0055 to 0.0194 mg/L over four days. Mixotrophic samples under full light
also demonstrated enhanced growth, while light-dark cycle and photoheterotrophic conditions
resulted in comparatively lower growth. These findings suggest that native microalgae grow
best under autotrophic and mixotrophic conditions with continuous light exposure, making
them suitable for nutrient removal in wastewater treatment. Future work will focus on
analyzing nitrate and phosphate uptake to further assess nutrient removal efficiency, studying
the biochemical composition of microalgae biomass (lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins), and
integrating the microalgae-based system with conventional activated sludge processes to
enhance industrial wastewater treatment efficiency.

Keywords: Microalgae, wastewater treatment, biomass, nutrient removal, optical density,

dry cell weight.

You might also like