Journal of Marine Science: Research & Development
Open Access

Abstract

Excessive generation of wastes and wastewater due to the gradual increase in human population and the resulting load of organic and inorganic pollutants in aquatic bodies, has led to the eutrophication and deterioration of our water resources including oceans. Wastewater reclamation technologies need to be appropriate and sustainable, operated and maintained easily and efficiently in removing contaminants. Phycoremediation, the use of microalgae is desirable since they are able to serve a dual role of bioremediation of wastewater as well as generating biomass for various value added products like food, medicine, biofuel and biofertilizer. In this talk, the annual variation in microalgal diversity and physicochemical characteristics of sewage wastewater will be discussed, which was analysed throughout the year at monthly time intervals. The level of nitrates, Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity and alkalinity showed a significant variation, however, the values were above permissible limits given by WHO. Observations on the microalgal diversity revealed the presence of members belonging to groups - Euglenophyta, Cyanophyta, Bacillariophyta, Chlorophyta and Xanthophyta, with the predominance (~50%) of Cyanophycean members. Phormidium sp. was the dominant genus which was present throughout the year. Two consortia (filamentous and unicellular) of native strains were developed, and compared with a non-native consortium of screened germplasm strains. The consortium of native filamentous strains was able to remove significantly higher amount of nutrients, and improved the water quality of wastewater. This talk will highlight the utility of microalgal consortia in wastewater treatment viz. a microalgal biomass production in the wastewater.

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