MICROALGAE AND WASTE-WATER TREATMENT

The performance of microalgae aquaculture wastewater treatment system predominated mainly by Scenedesmus and Chlorella was assessed. Treatme nt induced a progressive reduction in both COD and BOD to values below the discharge limits. Different patterns were obtained for removal of phosphorus, nitrogen, and ammonia; however, the algal culture efficie ncies reached 100% in their removal by the end of the treatment period . The applied aquatic systems demonstrated percentage reduction of hea vy metals in the range between 52.3 and 100% in the batch system and 6 4.2 and 100% in the continuous system. Wastewater supported algal grow th by inducing the incorporation of a significantly higher content of the individual amino acids Asp, Thr, Ser, Glu, Gly, and Tyr, and a mar kedly higher level of Pro. However, His, Lys, and Arg were markedly re duced compared to their levels in synthetic-medium-grown algae. (C) 19 95 Academic Press,Inc.