PHYCOREMEDIATION OF GREYWATER USING SPIRULINA PLATENSIS AND THE POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS OF THE PRODUCED BIOMASS

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Environmental Basic Sciences, Faculty of Graduate Studies and Environmental Research, Ain Shams University

2 Microbiology and Environmental Biotechnology, Faculty of Science (Girls Branch), Al-Azhar University

3 Department of Microbiology; Soil, Water and Environment Research Institute (SWERI), Agricultural Research Centre (ARC)

Abstract

Microalgae-based wastewater treatment represents an economical and sustainable solution to the global challenges of water and energy resource scarcity. This approach not only offers an eco-friendly method for biofuel production but also effectively removes nutrients and contaminants from wastewater. In this study, Spirulina platensis was cultivated in greywater (GW). Water quality was assessed by analyzing physicochemical parameters before and after the growth of Spirulina. The results showed substantial reductions in sodium (89%), chloride (72%), sulfate (76%), nitrogen (34%), and phosphate (45%). The study also showed decreases in Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) by 55%. The pH became more alkaline, while electrical conductivity (EC) decreased notably. Although GW proved to be a suitable medium for Spirulina growth, it was not as optimal as the control medium, as evidenced by marked reductions in optical density, dry weight, chlorophyll and carotenoid in Spirulina. However, the metabolic profile showed an increase significantly (p-value<0.0001 (in protein, lipid, and carbohydrate levels. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that cultivating Spirulina in GW not only positively altered its physicochemical properties but also resulted in an enhanced yield of Spirulina.
 

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