Removal of nitrate, nitrite, ammonium and phosphate ions from water by the aerial microalga Trentepohlia aurea

Abstract

The aerial microalga Trentepohlia aurea has beeninvestigated in relation to removal characteristics of nitrate, nitrite,ammonium and phosphate ions. When the alga was cultured in medium with veryhighconcentrations of ammonium, nitrate and phosphate ions, it showed relativelyhigh growth and removal rates. It also grew quite well with high nitriteconcentration (< 141 mg NO2-N L−1).The removal rate was 0.28 mg NO2-N L−1day−1 in the 40-day culture, when it was cultured in modifiedBold's basal medium with added 51 mg NO2-NL−1. In addition, we examined simultaneous removal of nutrientions. The biomass was 1.5 times higher in medium which N- and P-sourcesufficient than in ordinary medium. Higher removal ratios of nitrite andnitratefrom medium were shown in a 30-day culture, reaching 37% and 32%, respectively.It is concluded that T. aurea has the potential for use inthe purification of wastewater.