Exploring Mixed Indigenous Microalgae for the Removal of Organic and Inorganic Nutrients from Pharmaceutical Wastewater

Abstract

This study involved a comparative analysis of native mixed microalgae, collected from pond, river, hospital and industrial effluents for their nutrient (organic and inorganic) removal efficiency in pharmaceutical wastewater. After 6 days of cultivation, nitrate removal reached 62 – 74% and phosphate removal 86 – 92%. The highest nitrate removal efficiency was recorded with microalgae from the Malir River, while pond microalgae removed phosphates more efficiently. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) initially dropped but later increased in all reactors, with the highest COD observed in the reactor with industrial microalgae. Mixed microalgae from hospital wastewater revealed the highest biomass yield (2.6 g/L). This study demonstrates the potential of a microalgae consortium for pollutant removal from wastewater and subsequent biomass generation, which can be valorized into value-added products.