Potential of cyanobacterial biofilms in phosphate removal and biomass production. (15th July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rai, Jyoti; Kumar, Dhananjay; Pandey, Lalit K.; Yadav, Arpana; Gaur, J.P.
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental management. Volume 177(2016)
• Page Start: 138
• Page End: 144
• Publication Date: 2016-07-15
• Subjects: Phosphate removal -- Biofilm -- Filamentous cyanobacteria -- Artificial substrate -- Oscillatoria -- Phormidium; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Environment -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Periodicals; 363.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2016.04.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-4797

Abstract

Abstract: Four cyanobacterial biofilms, raised from cyanobacterial mats and dominated by Phormidium and Oscillatoria spp., were successfully grown attached to polyester mesh discs, and were tested for their probable application in PO 4 3 − -P removal from domestic sewage and other nutrient enriched wastewaters. Biofilm # 2, dominated by Phormidium fragile, best removed PO 4 3 − -P; nevertheless, some of it also grew outside the substrate making harvesting difficult. Other biofilms also efficiently removed PO 4 3 − -P from the medium in the following order: Biofilm # 1 > Biofilm # 3 > Biofilm # 4. Their growths were restricted to discs and are therefore better candidates as they can be efficiently harvested after PO 4 3 − -P removal. PO 4 3 − -P removal was primarily due to its uptake during growth of the biofilm rather than because of precipitation as pH of the medium remained <8.5. NO 3 − -N concentration in the medium determined PO 4 3 − -P removal efficiency of the test biofilms and therefore optimum N:P ratio is necessary for optimizing PO 4 3 − -P removal. The test biofilms could also efficiently remove NO 3 − -N from the medium. Highlights: Cyanobacterial mats were able to form firmly adhering biofilms on polyester mesh. These biofilms appreciably removed PO 4 3 − -P from culture medium. Biofilm is easier to harvest than phytoplankton after PO 4 3 − -P removal. Non-limiting NO 3 − -N is necessary for optimizing PO 4 3 − -P removal by biofilm.