Evaluation of microalgae nutrient removal efficiency from wastewater cultivated in a photobioreactor under non-ideal conditions.

Abstract

The scope of this project is to Study the long-term performance and wastewater nutrients removal efficiency by microalgae in a PBR under no favourable conditions. COD, TN, TP, NH4+-N, NO3--N, PO43--P, TSS and pH values will be measured on daily basis before and after microalgae treatment to evaluate the removal efficiency and if there exist cause-effect relationships between parameters. The parameters to be evaluated if they have any effect over the nutrient removal efficiency are temperature and HRT.

Results show a low removal efficiency when compared with other studies. In this case, due to the conditions under which the microalgae have been cultivated. The lack of CO2 bubbling and the presence of inhibitory substances like the high concentration of ammonium in the wastewater could be the main reason.

Flow cytometry has shown to be a remarkable tool to identify changes in the communities and understand the niches of each species and the type of interaction between species in the media. Can be concluded that C. sorokiniana and T. obliquus are species able to coexist within the same environment without becoming competitors.