Microalgae-based wastewater treatment is a promising technology efficient for nutrient recycling and biomass production. Studies continuously optimize processes to reduce costs and increase productivity. However, changes in the operational conditions affect not only biomass productivity but the dynamics of the overall microbial community. This study characterizes a microalgae culture from an 80 m2 pilot-scale raceway reactor fed with untreated urban wastewater. Operational conditions such as pH, dissolved oxygen control strategies (On-off, PI, Event-based, no control), and culture height were varied to assess microbial population changes. Results demonstrate that increased culture height significantly promotes higher microalgal and bacterial diversity. pH, dissolved oxygen and culture height highly affects nitrifying bacteria activity and nitrogen accumulation. Furthermore, the system exhibited high disinfection capability with average Logarithmic Reduction Values (LRV) of 3.36 for E. coli and 2.57 for Clostridium perfringens. Finally, the fungi species detected included Chytridiomycota and Ascomycota, while purple photosynthetic bacteria were also found in significant abundance within the medium.

Exploring microbial growth dynamics in a pilot-scale microalgae raceway fed with urban wastewater: Insights into the effect of operational variables / R. Nordio, S. Belachqer-El Attar, E. Clagnan, A. Sánchez-Zurano, N. Pichel, E. Viviano, F. Adani, J.L. Guzmán, G. Acién. - In: JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT. - ISSN 0301-4797. - 369:(2024 Oct). [10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.122385]

Exploring microbial growth dynamics in a pilot-scale microalgae raceway fed with urban wastewater: Insights into the effect of operational variables

E. Clagnan;F. Adani;
2024

Abstract

Microalgae-based wastewater treatment is a promising technology efficient for nutrient recycling and biomass production. Studies continuously optimize processes to reduce costs and increase productivity. However, changes in the operational conditions affect not only biomass productivity but the dynamics of the overall microbial community. This study characterizes a microalgae culture from an 80 m2 pilot-scale raceway reactor fed with untreated urban wastewater. Operational conditions such as pH, dissolved oxygen control strategies (On-off, PI, Event-based, no control), and culture height were varied to assess microbial population changes. Results demonstrate that increased culture height significantly promotes higher microalgal and bacterial diversity. pH, dissolved oxygen and culture height highly affects nitrifying bacteria activity and nitrogen accumulation. Furthermore, the system exhibited high disinfection capability with average Logarithmic Reduction Values (LRV) of 3.36 for E. coli and 2.57 for Clostridium perfringens. Finally, the fungi species detected included Chytridiomycota and Ascomycota, while purple photosynthetic bacteria were also found in significant abundance within the medium.
Settore AGRI-06/B - Chimica agraria
   Reusing Effluents from Agriculture to unLock the potential of Microalgae
   REALM
   European Commission
   Horizon Europe Framework Programme
   101060991

   Developing early-warning systems for improved microalgae PROduction and anaerobic DIGestIOn
   PRODIGIO
   European Commission
   Horizon 2020 Framework Programme
   101007006
ott-2024
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/1137762
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