Phycoremediation of municipal wastewater

removal of nutrients and contaminants of emerging concern

David Škufca (Author), Ana Kovačič (Author), Franja Prosenc (Author), Tjaša Griessler Bulc (Author), David John Heath (Author), Ester Heath (Author)

Abstract

High-rate algal ponds (HRAP) are an alternative to conventional wastewater treatment that could contribute to the circular economy by valorising reclaimed water and algal biomass. This short communication presents the removal of nutrients and contaminants of emerging concern (CEC) in a pilot-scale HRAP treating primary municipal wastewater. Average removal of total organic carbon, total nitrogen, NH4-N, total phosphorus and PO4-P, was 67%, 76%, 87%, 41% and 46%, respectively. In addition, 12 CECs were detected in the influent and five in the effluent. Removals were as follows: naproxen 60%, ibuprofen 51%, methylparaben 92%, 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone 76% and oxybenzone 80%, and are comparable with literature data for conventional wastewater treatment and other HRAPs. In conclusion, studies of nature-based solutions such as HRAPs show encouraging results but need further research to understand the risks and requirements of safe wastewater and biomass reuse.

Keywords

high rate algal pond;contaminants;nutrients;phycoremediation;

Data

Language:	English
Year of publishing:	2021
Typology:	1.01 - Original Scientific Article
Organization:	UL ZF - University College of Health Studies
UDC:	502/504
COBISS:	58688003
ISSN:	0048-9697
Views:	175
Downloads:	71
Average score:	0 (0 votes)
Metadata:

Other data

Secondary language:	English
Secondary keywords:	ribnik z visoko stopnjo alg;onesnaževalci;hranila;fikoremediacija;
Type (COBISS):	Article
Pages:	str. 1-6
Issue:	ǂVol. ǂ782
Chronology:	Aug. 2021
DOI:	10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146949
ID:	14206945