Algae-based method could help treat waste water in India, say researchers
A self-activated microalgae’s ability to produce oxygen through photosynthesis can save energy costs while offering a non-chemical solution.
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Indian researchers have proposed a theory for a sustainable wastewater treatment method using a microalgae-bacterial consortium to remove toxic ammonium. The method, proposed in a recently published study, leverages algae’s photosynthesis mechanism to produce oxygen, cutting energy costs by up to 90% compared to traditional aeration methods.
This is pertinent given that India’s wastewater situation is critical. According to a 2022 Niti Aayog report, India generates approximately 39,604 million litres per day of wastewater in rural regions, while in the urban centres, the wastewater generation has been estimated as 72,368 MLD for the year 2020-’21.
Most of the wastewater in India is generated from agricultural runoff, industrial effluents, and sewage, all of which contain various toxic chemicals. One of the most concerning pollutants in significant quantities is ammonium. Formed from gaseous ammonia, ammonium is a highly toxic nitrogen compound that can exist as nitrate, nitrite, or ammonia. It poses serious risks to living organisms, being lethal to animal cells and harmful to aquatic life. Ammonium can also cause water acidification and contribute to eutrophication, where excessive nutrients in the water lead to harmful algal blooms.
“It is crucial to remove ammonium from wastewater to prevent damage to aquatic life and maintain the overall quality of surface and groundwater,” says Kannan...
