Algae is considered to be one of the most effective bioremediation agent and is being researched world-wide for treating the waste water emitted by various industries and sewage treatment plant. It’s suitability to extreme growth conditions, capability to remove heavy metals from the waste water and its capability to abate carbon -dioxide makes it an effective agent for waste water treatment.\u00a0\u00a0This blog post focuses on the key advantages of employing algae to clean up waste water. Some of the reasons for employing algae as a bioremediation agent include.<\/p>\n
Algae can \u00a0grow in extreme climatic conditions –<\/strong>\u00a0Its suitability for extreme growth conditions, microalgae could be found in various harsh environmental conditions. Different strains with such remarkable features are undoubtedly good candidates for various purposes in wastewater treatment.<\/p>\n Immense Capability to Remove Metals –\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Trace quantities of many metals such as nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr) and mercury (Hg) are important constituents of most wastewaters. Algae have the ability to accumulate the heavy metals and thereby remove toxic compounds from the wastewater. Many algae have immense capability to remove metals from wastewaters. Algae can effectively remove metals from multi-metal solutions.<\/p>\n Algae Produces Oxygen with Low Energy Input<\/strong> –\u00a0Algae wastewater treatment consumes low energy compared to more conventional systems. In a successful wastewater treatment test, algae grow simultaneously with the oxidizing bacteria, producing oxygen as fast as it is required by bacteria. In the process of bacterial oxidation of incoming waste, algae photosynthesis represents an ample supp1y of oxygen in the water of a pond being decontaminated.<\/p>\n High Efficiency to Fix Carbon-dioxide<\/strong> –\u00a0\u00a0Micro algae have the ability to fix CO2 with efficiency 10 times greater than that of terrestrial plants. Typically 1.8 tons of CO2 are required to produce 1 ton of algae.<\/p>\n Produces Numerous Useful Products<\/strong>\u00a0–\u00a0The resulting algal biomass from wastewater treatment plant can be converted into feedstock for fish, poultry, pigs, or even cows helping to reduce the overall costs of food. It can also be used in various sustainable energy generation systems. Various other products derived from \u00a0waste water algae\u00a0\u00a0can be found from my previous post –\u00a0Link\u00a0<\/a>.<\/p>\n Doesn’t\u00a0Require Complex Systems for\u00a0<\/strong>Operation<\/b>–\u00a0The intensive chemical or bacterial biodegradation technologies are not easily transferable to the polluted sites; neither is the transport of wastewater to decontamination plants. A more versatile and feasible way has to be designed to suit this special demand. Microalgae may play a central role in this case. It offers a cost effective treatment option. It does not require complex systems for operation.<\/p>\n \u00a0Ease of Handling<\/strong>–\u00a0Microalgae can be harvested by precipitation, centrifugation or filtration, and preserved as a dry powder or immobilized as solid pills for easy transport to the remediation sites.<\/p>\n Low Cost and Flexibility of Culture<\/strong> –\u00a0Wastewater often contains enough inorganic nutrients to meet the requirements of algal growth. Thus, the total cost for microalgae cultivation and maintenance on site should be low relative to that for the more delicate and sophisticated treatment options.<\/p>\n Other advantages include:<\/span><\/p>\n Consumption of nutrients by algae represents an alternative solution for meeting new nutrient discharge criteria. Read more from Oilgae\u2019s Algae-Based Waste Water Treatment <\/a><\/strong>\u2013 The one and only such report in the world\u00a0 Oilgae has published a unique report to assist those keen on understanding the algae-based waste water treatment technology and those wanting to venture into this industry. The Oilgae\u2019s guide to waste water treatment is a comprehensive guide to understanding the algae-based waste water treatment, technolgies, challenges and the players that are involved in this industry. Link<\/strong> –http:\/\/www.oilgae.com\/ref\/report\/wastewater_treatment\/wastewater_treatment.html \u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Read Related Blogs:<\/p>\n Commonly Used Algae Strains for Waste Water Treatment<\/a><\/p>\n Similarities and Differences of Treating Municipal Waste Water and Industrial Waste Water Using Algae<\/a><\/p>\n Algae Clean Waste Water to Produce Numerous Useful Products<\/a><\/p>\n Issues and Challenges Associated with Cleaning Waste Water Using Algae<\/a><\/p>\n
\nPotential sale of nutrient credits generated through nutrient reductions
\nPotential revenues from sale of biofuels produced
\nPotential sale of carbon credits
\nBringing basic sanitation services to the millions who lack them \u2013 this is a top public health priority for many countries.
\nLow capex and opex compared to other treatment processes.<\/p>\n