Studies on reduction of inorganic pollutants from wastewater by Chlorella pyrenoidosa and Scenedesmus abundans

The aim of this study was to identify the potential for cultivation of Chlorella pyrenoidosa and Scenedesmus abundans in raw and autoclaved domestic wastewater (sewage) for nutrient removal, in a batch process. The growth was observed by measuring chlorophyll content. The inoculum size of 10% and 20% was used and the growth of microalgae and nutrient removal was monitored on daily basis. The maximum removal of ammonium nitrogen, phosphate and nitrates by Chlorella pyrenoidosa in raw samples was observed as 99%, 96% and 80%, respectively, whereas the maximum removal of ammonium nitrogen, phosphate and nitrates by Scenedesmus abundans in raw samples was observed as 98%, 95% and 83%, respectively. The maximum chlorophyll content was observed as 11.33 mg/l and 7.23 mg/l for C. pyrenoidosa and S. abundans, respectively, in raw samples. The experimental results reveal that both the microalgae are capable to grow and remove the nutrients from domestic wastewater.