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Dissolved organic phosphorus bioremediation from food-waste centrate using microalgae
Donna L Sutherland1, Anna Bramucci1
1Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo NSW, 2007, Australia.
Journal of Environmental Management
|April 11, 2022
Summary
Wastewater microalgae effectively remove over 98% of dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP) when DOP is abundant. Microalgal bioremediation shows promise for treating phosphorus-rich wastewater, though efficiency varies with nutrient ratios.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Biotechnology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP) is a significant component of wastewater effluent, posing risks to aquatic ecosystems.
- Effective removal of DOP from wastewater is crucial for environmental protection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of microalgae in bioremediating dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP) from food-waste digestate.
- To investigate the role of microalgal species and their associated microbiomes in DOP removal.
Main Methods:
- Cultivation of microalgal consortia with anaerobically digested food-waste centrate.
- Measurement of DOP, dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP), and total dissolved phosphorus removal.
- Assay of alkaline phosphatase activity in axenic and non-axenic cultures.
- Quantification of microalgal biomass production.
Main Results:
- Microalgal consortia achieved >98% DOP removal at a high DOP:DIP ratio, but only 5% at a 1:1 ratio.
- Alkaline phosphatase production varied among species; activity decreased in Desmodesmus communis but increased significantly in Tetradesmus dimorphus with microbial presence.
- DOP removal rates ranged from 17% to 91% across species and treatments, with evidence of luxury phosphorus uptake.
Conclusions:
- Microalgal bioremediation is effective for DOP removal from wastewater, particularly when organic phosphorus is abundant.
- Microbial interactions significantly influence phosphatase activity and DOP removal efficiency.
- Microalgal wastewater treatment systems offer a potentially cost-effective method for DOP removal and recovery.
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