Wastewater treatment with microalgae
- Univ. of California, Berkeley (United States)
In locations where total solar energy inputs average 400 langeleys or more, microscopic algae, grown in properly designed ponds, can contribute significantly and economically to wastewater treatment. While growing, microalgae produce an abundance of oxygen for microbial and biochemical oxidation of organics and other reduced compounds and for odor control. Microalgae also accelerate the inactivation of disease bacteria and parasitic ova by increasing water temperature and pH. Microalgae remove significant amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus and adsorb most polyvalent metals, including those that are toxic. After growth in properly designed paddle wheel mixed high rate ponds, microalgae settle readily, leaving a supernatant free of most pollutants. Such effluents are suitable for irrigation of ornamental plants, crops not eaten raw, aquaculture, and grounwater recharge. The settled and concentrated microalgae may be used for fertilizer, for fermentation to methane, or, assuming no toxicity, for fish, bivalve, or animal feed.
- OSTI ID:
- 6652178
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9208211--
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Phycology; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Phycology; (United States) Vol. 28:3; ISSN 0022-3646; ISSN JPYLAJ
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
320604* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Municipalities & Community Systems-- Municipal Waste Management-- (1980-)
ALGAE
ALKANES
GROWTH
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
LIQUID WASTES
MANAGEMENT
METHANE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLANTS
POLLUTANTS
PONDS
PROCESSING
REMOVAL
SURFACE WATERS
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTE WATER
WASTES
WATER
WATER TREATMENT