Microalgal biomass production and piggery wastewater remediation — using the soil isolates of Chlamydomonas sp. and desmodesmus sp

Microalgae are promising candidates for removing nutrients from wastewater with simultaneous biomass production for biodiesel. Nutrients like nitrogen and phosphate are the major pollutants in the waste water released from most of the agricultural industries including piggery. In Australia, the pig industry alone generates a volume of ~275,000L of wastes from ~ 15,000 pigs (800 t) in a day. The nutrient released along with the waste water goes unused. It also poses severe ecological hazards if it is released untreated into the fresh water streams. Waste water rich in carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous and other minerals are suitable nutrient sources for the growth of various algae. Combining wastewater remediation with algal biomass production is one of the most economical and environmentally sustainable ways to produce biodiesel and bio-products. In this study, growth, lipid accumulation and nutrient removal by Chlamydomonas sp. and Desmodesmus sp. in piggery wastewater was determined. (author)