Lab-scale testing of operation parameters for algae based treatment of piggery wastewater

BACKGROUND: Microalgae–bacteria‐based processes are among the most promising low‐cost technologies to treat livestock wastewaters. The current literature reports the need for pretreatment or dilution of piggery wastewater for adequate microalgal growth. The aim of this study is to optimize the potential of microalgal–bacterial communities to treat undiluted and untreated piggery wastewater by investigating the influence of some operational parameters such as phosphorus and CO₂ availability and hydraulic retention time on the nitrogen removal efficiency and biomass productivity. RESULTS: The microalgal community (dominated by Chlorella spp.) developed quickly and remained quite stable. The rates of biomass production and NH₄‐N removal were 55 ± 30 mg TSS L⁻¹ day⁻¹ and 13 ± 3 mg NH₄‐N L⁻¹ day⁻¹ respectively. CO₂ adjustment had a positive effect on microalgal growth and NH₄‐N removal. CONCLUSION: Data confirm the ability of the microalgal–bacterial consortium to grow on undiluted and untreated piggery wastewater under semi‐continuous conditions. Synergy between algae and bacteria seems positive since photosynthesis produces the oxygen needed for ammonia oxidation. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry