Nitrogen Removal from Landfill Leachate by Microalgae

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2016

Authors

Sérgio F. L. Pereira (Author) Other; Ana L. Gonçalves (Author) Other; Francisca C. Moreira (Author) FEUP; Tânia F. C. V. Silva (Author) FEUP; Vítor J. P. Vilar (Author) FEUP; José C. M. Pires (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: International Journal Of Molecular Sciences

Vol. 17 No. 11

Final page: 1926

ISSN: 1661-6596

Publisher: MDPI

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 14 Citations

Scopus - 24 Citations

Scientific classification

CORDIS: Technological sciences > Engineering > Process engineering > Bioprocess engineering ; Technological sciences > Engineering > Project engineering

FOS: Engineering and technology > Environmental engineering

Associated Projects

LSRE-LCM - Laboratório de Processos de Separação e Reação - Laboratório de Catálise e Materiais

UI0511 - PROJECTO ESTRATÉGICO - UI 511 - 2013-2014

LEPABE - Laboratório de Engenharia de Processos, Ambiente, Biotecnologia e Energia

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00M-84T

DOI: 10.3390/ijms17111926

Abstract (EN): Landfill leachates result from the degradation of solid residues in sanitary landfills, thus presenting a high variability in terms of composition. Normally, these effluents are characterized by high ammoniacal-nitrogen (N-NH4+) concentrations, high chemical oxygen demands and low phosphorus concentrations. The development of effective treatment strategies becomes difficult, posing a serious problem to the environment. Phycoremediation appears to be a suitable alternative for the treatment of landfill leachates. In this study, the potential of Chlorella vulgaris for biomass production and nutrients (mainly nitrogen and phosphorus) removal from different compositions of a landfill leachate was evaluated. Since microalgae also require phosphorus for their growth, different loads of this nutrient were evaluated, giving the following N:P ratios:12:1, 23:1 and 35:1. The results have shown that C. vulgaris was able to grow in the different leachate compositions assessed. However, microalgal growth was higher in the cultures presenting the lowest N-NH4+ concentration. In terms of nutrients uptake, an effective removal of N-NH4+ and phosphorus was observed in all the experiments, especially in those supplied with phosphorus. Nevertheless, N-NO3- removal was considered almost negligible. These promising results constitute important findings in the development of a bioremediation technology for the treatment of landfill leachates.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 14