TO REMOVE THE TOXICITY FROM THE WASTEWATER BY USING MICROALGAE

Abstract

Rigorous research works are going on in the field of wastewater treatment. The recent research of wastewater
treatment by using microalgae is also proving more effective in removal of toxicity from wastewater.
Microalgae are known to sequester toxic compound. Discharge of toxic pollutant to wastewater collection system has
increased concurrently with increased in industrialization. Micro algae are efficient absorber of toxic compounds.
Bioaccumulation of metals by use of algae can be feasible method for remediating wastewater contaminated with metals. It is
established that marine and fresh water algae are capable of taking various toxic pollutants from wastewater and accumulate
it in their cells.
Algae are believed to be good accumulator of Zn. It can also accumulate the other heavy metals such as Cu (II), Pb (II) and Cr
(III) as well as Ni (II), Cd (II), Co (II), Fe (II) and Mn (II). The living algal cell accumulate trace nutrient metals (such as Co,
Mo, Cu, Mg, Zn, Cr, Pb and Se) intracellularlly by active biological transport.
This method of removing toxicity of wastewater by the use of microalgae is economical for removing toxic compound as well
as some heavy metal, resulting in good quality of reusable effluents. Microalgae provide the solution for tertiary and quandary
treatment, as it has an ability to use inorganic nitrogen and phosphorous for their growth. This is an environmentally sound
alternative for the toxicity removal from wastewater.