Nitrate and phosphate removal by chitosan immobilized Scenedesmus

The effect of chitosan immobilization of Scenedesmus spp. cells on its viability, growth and nitrate and phosphate uptake was investigated. Scenedesmus sp. (strains 1 and 2) and Scenedesmus obliquus immobilized in chitosan beads showed high viability after the immobilization process. Immobilized Scenedesmus sp. strain 1 had a higher growth rate than its free living counterpart. Nitrate and phosphate uptake by immobilized cells of Scenedesmus sp. (strain 1), freely suspended cells and blank chitosan beads (without cells) were evaluated. Immobilized cells accomplished a 70% nitrate and 94% phosphate removal within 12 h of incubation while free-living cells removed 20% nitrate and 30% phosphate within 36 h of treatment. Blank chitosan beads were responsible for up to 20% nitrate and 60% phosphate uptake at the end of the experiment. Chitosan is a suitable matrix for immobilization of microalgae, particularly Scenedesmus sp., but this system should be improved before its application for water quality control.