Nitrogen and phosphorous scavenging potential in microalgae

Abstract

Growth potential and N and P scavenging ability was examined in microalgal strains grown under secondary treated sewage effluent. The mean dry weight and the pigments were highest in microalgae under standard BG-11 medium in comparison to those grown in sewage effluent. There was a marked reduction in available nitrogen and phosphorous with the growth of microalgae in the sewage water. A significant correlation coefficient between N and P removal and dry weight and pigments has indicated the usefulness of sewage effluent for cultivation of microalgae with the efficient N and P scavenging ability. Chlorella vulgaris was most efficient in scavenging ammonical nitrogen while nitrate-scavenging ability was highest in Oscillatoria. All the microalgal genera also removed available phosphorous efficiently.