Removal of nutrients by algae from municipal wastewater contaminated with heavy metals

Abstract

Selected species of algae (green algae and blue green algae) were cultivated in municipal wastewater using PBR (photo-bioreactor) bottles. Uptake of nutrients by these algae species was measured on different dates. From the results of the experiments, it was observed that a combination of certain blue green algae species (cyanobacteria) was able to remove most of the nutrients from the wastewater. The presence of heavy metal ions in the wastewater also affected the nutrient-absorbing capacity of different algae species. Further research on several blue green algae species would be helpful in utilizing these algae species in treatment of municipal wastewater.