Effect of alginate structure and microalgae immobilization method on orthophosphate removal from wastewater

Microalgae play an important role during the tertiary treatment of municipal wastewater. Cell immobilization techniques have been developed in order to improve the quality of the treated wastewater and avoid wash out of the biomass. Since cell immobilization method may affect the nutrient removal efficiency, ten strains of microalgae were immobilized in sodium alginate gel in different-diameter circular screens, and orthophosphate removal efficiency from municipal wastewater was studied. Results indicate that the alginate immobilization screen size and contact surface with wastewater affects the microalgae synthesis activity and thus orthophosphate removal efficiency. Increasing the contact surface by making smaller alginate screens will increase the cation exchange rate and reduce the orthophosphate concentration in the medium. Among all microalgae treatments, Scenedesmus rubescens MCCS 018, Chlamydomonas sp. MCCS 026, and Chroococcus dispersus MCCS 006 had the highest PO (4) (3-) -P removal efficiency of 68.8%, 71.9%, and 72.3% within 12 days.