Bioremediation of synthetic dairy effluent using microalgae for biomass production and the removal of organic pollution load

¹ Department of Chemical Engineering, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai - 600 119, India
² Department of Biotechnology, Karpaga Vinayaga College of Engineering and Technology, Chengalpattu – 603 308, India
³ Centre for Waste Management, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, India
⁴ Centre of Excellence for Energy Research, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai – 600 119, India

^* Corresponding author: dawn@sathyabama.ac.in

Abstract

Dairy wastewater is distinguished by higher BOD and COD levels, as well as substantial amounts of dissolved or suspended solids such as fats, oils, and grease, nutrients such as ammonia or minerals and phosphates, and so demonstrates the significance of treatment prior to discharge. Bioremediation treats effluent by using the naturally occurring microorganisms and other aspects of the natural habitat. Bioremediation may be less expensive than other technologies for hazardous waste cleanup. The present study evaluates the ability of the microalgae Chlorella vulgaris to remove nutrients present in synthetic dairy effluents. Chlorella vulgaris was grown in culture medium with various concentrations of 2g/l, 4g/l and 6g/l respectively for 15 days. At the beginning and end of the investigation, the following variables were determined: ammonia, chloride, dissolved oxygen (DO), biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and pH. The amounts of nitrogen decline in dairy effluent have a significant impact on biomass production. The results showed that the amount of chemical compounds in the effluent had decreased namely, BOD 967mg/l, COD 2765 mg/l, chloride 246 mg/l, Ammonia 6.34 mg/l, Dissolved Oxygen 1.02 mg /l. The results demonstrated that the Chlorella vulgaris for the reduction of pollutants is found potential.