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Treatment of fish processing wastewater with microalgae-containing microbiota
B Riaño1, B Molinuevo, M C García-González
1Agricultural Technological Institute of Castilla y Léon, Ctra. Burgos, km. 119, 47071 Valladolid, Spain. bertariano@yahoo.es
Bioresource Technology
|October 11, 2011
Summary
Microalgae photobioreactors effectively treated fish processing wastewater (FPW) by removing ammonium, TCOD, and phosphate. Higher temperatures (31 °C) enhanced biomass productivity, indicating a promising wastewater treatment technology.
Area of Science:
- Environmental biotechnology
- Microalgae cultivation
- Wastewater treatment
Background:
- Fish processing wastewater (FPW) presents significant treatment challenges due to high organic load and nutrient content.
- Microalgae cultivation in photobioreactors offers a sustainable approach for wastewater remediation and biomass production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of microalgae photobioreactors in treating FPW.
- To assess the impact of temperature on treatment performance and biomass productivity.
- To investigate nutrient removal mechanisms, including ammonium, TCOD, and phosphate.
Main Methods:
- Two photobioreactors were inoculated with microalgae sourced from swine slurry and winery wastewater sludge.
- FPW was treated at two different temperatures (23 °C and 31 °C) with a decreasing hydraulic retention time (HRT) from 10 to 5 days.
- Ammonium, total chemical oxygen demand (TCOD), and phosphate removal efficiencies were monitored.
Main Results:
- Complete ammonium exhaustion was observed in both photobioreactors, with volatilization dominating at higher loads and biomass assimilation at lower loads.
- Approximately 70% removal of TCOD and phosphate was achieved, irrespective of the operating temperature.
- Biomass productivity was significantly higher (up to 55%) at 31 °C compared to 23 °C.
Conclusions:
- Microalgae photobioreactors are a viable technology for the effective treatment of fish processing wastewater.
- Elevated temperatures (31 °C) promote higher microalgal biomass productivity.
- The study demonstrates the potential for nutrient recovery and organic matter reduction in FPW.
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