Immobilization of Chlorella sorokiniana GXNN 01 in alginate for removal of N and P from synthetic wastewater

► Chlorella sorokiniana GXNN 01 can rapidly grow under HA and MNA conditions. ► The growth of immobilized cells had a lag period for 1 d. ► Acetate addition inhibited photosynthetic activity of algal cells. ► Immobilized cells had a higher N removal rate under AA, HA and MNA conditions. ► The P removal rates were >80% by immobilized cells when acetate addition.