Abril Ivett Priscilla Gomez-Guzman
University of Guadalajara, Mexico
Title: Evaluation of nutrient removal (NO3-N, NH3-N and PO4-P) with Chlorella vulgaris, Pseudomonas putida, Bacillus cereus and the consortium of these microorganisms in the secondary treatment of municipal wastewater effluents
Biography
Biography: Abril Ivett Priscilla Gomez-Guzman
Abstract
Microalgae and some bacteria offer a promising technology for the removal of nutrients such as Nitrogen and Phosphorus in municipal wastewater. In this investigation the microalgae Chlorella vulgaris, the bacteria Pseudomonas putida, Bacillus cereus and the consortium microalga/bacteria of these microorganism were used as model in the removal of nutrients using a model wastewater. The results of removal of nutrientes with Chlorella vulgaris was 24%, 80.6% and 4.30% for NO3-N, NH3-N and PO4-P, respectivley. For Bacillus cereus the removal of nutrients was 8.4%, 28.8% and 3.8% of NO3-N, NH3-N and PO4-P. With Pseudomonas putida was 5%, 41.8% and 4.3% of NO3-N, NH3-N and PO4-P (in 168 hours respectively). The consortium of Chlorella vulgaris/Bacillus cereus/Pseudomonas putida were able to remove the 29.4%, 4.2% and 0% of NO3-N, NH3-N and PO4-P in 240 hours. The highest biomass production was found with Bacillus cereus 450 mg/L followed by Pseudomonas putida 444 mg/L, the consortium 205 mg/L and Chlorella vulgaris 88.9 mg/L. This study showed that Chlorella vulgaris consume first NH3-N as a source of Nitrogen and when it is exhausted then consume NO3-N, it happen when both compounds are available in the medium. In the removal of phosphate (PO4-P) the microorganisms Chlorella vulgaris and Bacillus cereus were able to remove a higher amount because they can assimilate this nutrient even in stress conditions (like changes in pH) such as happening in the municipal wastewater.