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Microalgae cultivation using unsterilized cattle farm wastewater filtered through corn stover
Zhongjiang Wang1, Ziyue Wang1, Guixiang Wang1
1College of Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China.
Bioresource Technology
|March 31, 2022
Summary
This study shows that filtered cattle farm wastewater (CFW) effectively cultivates microalgae like Chlorella sp. and Kirchneriella obesa, achieving high yields and nutrient removal.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Microbiology
- Aquaculture
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Wastewater utilization for microalgae cultivation offers a sustainable approach.
- Cattle farm wastewater (CFW) contains nutrients but requires treatment for microalgae growth.
- Corn stover filtration is a potential pre-treatment method for CFW.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the feasibility of cultivating Chlorella sp. (FACHB-8) and Kirchneriella obesa (FACHB-2104) using corn stover-filtered CFW.
- To determine optimal conditions for microalgae growth and nutrient removal in filtered CFW.
- To compare microalgae yields in filtered CFW with those in unfiltered CFW and standard growth media.
Main Methods:
- Microalgae cultivation using unsterilized CFW pre-filtered through corn stover.
- Assessment of CFW physicochemical properties before and after filtration.
- Growth kinetics analysis using the DoseResp model.
- Optimization of cultivation parameters including filtered CFW to BG11 ratio and light intensity.
- Measurement of microalgae biomass yield and nutrient removal efficiencies (nitrogen, phosphorus, COD).
Main Results:
- Corn stover filtration significantly reduced CFW turbidity and suspended solids, enhancing microalgae adaptability.
- Filtered CFW supported microalgae yields comparable to the BG11 medium, outperforming unfiltered CFW by 14%-78%.
- Optimal conditions (3:6 filtered CFW to BG11 ratio, 8000 lx light) yielded 1.26 g/L (FACHB-8) and 1.22 g/L (FACHB-2104).
- High removal efficiencies were achieved: >95% for nitrogen, >99% for phosphorus, and >82% for chemical oxygen demand.
Conclusions:
- Corn stover-filtered CFW is a viable and effective medium for cultivating Chlorella sp. and Kirchneriella obesa.
- This method offers a sustainable solution for wastewater treatment and microalgae biomass production.
- Optimized cultivation parameters maximize microalgae yield and pollutant removal, demonstrating significant environmental benefits.
Keywords:
Cattle farm wastewaterCorn stover filtrationLight intensityMicroalgae cultivationMicroalgae growth kinetics
