Treatment of Reverse Osmosis Concentrate Using Microalgae

Abstract

This study explored how Scenedesmus quadricauda microalga is involved in the degradation and subsequent assimilation of refractory organic matter during remediation of reverse osmosis concentrate. The algal cells were cultivated in the reverse osmosis concentrate with low to high salinities under the given conditions, which resulted in a remarkable increase in the biodegradability of dissolved organic matter, along with robust removal of nutrients (N and P). In this study, hydrogen peroxide from algal-treated wastewater was measured to investigate the mechanism of organic deformation which was associated with algal growth. The degradation of refractory organic matter with microalgae can be considered as more sustainable and cost-effective when compared to commonly used electrochemical oxidation techniques.