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Fan J, Yuan W, Zhang X, Ji B, Du X. Oxygen affinity and light intensity induced robust phosphorus removal and fragile ammonia removal in a non-aerated bacteria-algae system. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169013. [PMID: 38040345 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Non-aerated bacteria-algae system gaining O2 through photosynthesis presents an alternative for costly mechanical aeration. This study investigated oxygen supply and performance of nutrients removal at low and high light intensity (LL and HL). The results showed that P removal was high and robust (LL 97 ± 1.8 %, HL 95 % ± 2.9 %), while NH4+-N removal fluctuated dramatically (LL 66 ± 14.7 %, HL 84 ± 8.6 %). Oxygen generated at illumination of 200 μmol m-2 s-1, 6 h was sufficient to sustain aerobic phase for 2.25 g/L MLSS. However, O2 produced by algae was preferentially captured in the order of heterotrophic bacteria (HB), ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB), nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB). Oxygen affinity coupled with light intensity led to NOB suppression with stable nitrite accumulation ratio of 57 %. Free nitrous acid (FNA) and light stimulated the abundance of denitrifying polyphosphate accumulating organism (DPAO) of Flavobacterium, but with declined P-accumulating metabolism (PAM) of P release, P/C, K/P and Mg/P ratios. Flavobacterium and cyanobacteria Leptolyngbya, along with biologically induced CaP in extracellular polymeric substances was the key to robust P removal. AOB of Ellin6067 and DPAO of Flavobacteria offer a promising scenario for partial nitrification-denitrifying phosphorus removal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Fan
- College of Urban Construction, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China.
| | - Wu Yuan
- College of Urban Construction, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Xujie Zhang
- College of Urban Construction, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Bin Ji
- College of Urban Construction, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Xingyu Du
- College of Urban Construction, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China
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2
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Nordio R, Rodríguez-Miranda E, Casagli F, Sánchez-Zurano A, Guzmán JL, Acién G. ABACO-2: a comprehensive model for microalgae-bacteria consortia validated outdoor at pilot-scale. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 248:120837. [PMID: 37984038 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Modelling microalgae-bacteria in wastewater treatment systems has gained significant attention in the last few years. In this study, we present an enhanced version of the ABACO model, named ABACO-2, which demonstrates improved accuracy through validation in outdoor pilot-scale systems. ABACO-2 enables the comprehensive characterization of microalgae-bacteria consortia dynamics, allowing to predict the biomass concentration (microalgae, heterotrophic bacteria, and nitrifying bacteria) and nutrient evolution. The updated version of the model incorporates new equations for nutrient coefficient yields, oxygen mass balance, and microorganism cellular decay, while significantly reducing the number of calibrated parameters, simplifying the parameter identification. Calibration and validation were performed using data from a 80 m2 raceway reactor operated in a semicontinuous mode over an extensive period (May to November, total of 206 days) at a fixed dilution rate of 0.2 day-1 (corresponding to 5 days of hydraulic retention time), where untreated urban wastewater was used as culture medium. ABACO-2 exhibited robustness, accurately forecasting biomass production, population dynamics, nutrient recovery, and prevailing culture conditions across a wide range of environmental and water composition conditions. Mathematical models are essential instruments for the industrial development and optimization of microalgae-related wastewater treatment processes, thereby contributing to the sustainability of the wastewater treatment industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Nordio
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Universidad de Almería, E04120 Almería, Spain; CIESOL Solar Energy Research Centre, Joint Centre University of Almería-CIEMAT, 04120 Almería, Spain.
| | - Enrique Rodríguez-Miranda
- CIESOL Solar Energy Research Centre, Joint Centre University of Almería-CIEMAT, 04120 Almería, Spain; Department of Informatics, Universidad de Almería, E04120 Almería, Spain
| | - Francesca Casagli
- Biocore, INRIA centre d'Université Côte d'Azur, Sophia-Antipolis F-06902, France
| | - Ana Sánchez-Zurano
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Universidad de Almería, E04120 Almería, Spain; CIESOL Solar Energy Research Centre, Joint Centre University of Almería-CIEMAT, 04120 Almería, Spain
| | - José Luis Guzmán
- CIESOL Solar Energy Research Centre, Joint Centre University of Almería-CIEMAT, 04120 Almería, Spain; Department of Informatics, Universidad de Almería, E04120 Almería, Spain
| | - Gabriel Acién
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Universidad de Almería, E04120 Almería, Spain; CIESOL Solar Energy Research Centre, Joint Centre University of Almería-CIEMAT, 04120 Almería, Spain
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3
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Belachqer-El Attar S, Morillas-España A, Sánchez-Zurano A, Pessôa LC, Pinna-Hernández MG, de Jesus Assis D, López JLC, Acién G. Influence of culture media composition on the rheology of microalgae concentrates on a large scale. N Biotechnol 2023; 77:90-99. [PMID: 37532220 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2023.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Revised: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
The role of microalgae in the production of bioproducts and biofuels, along with their ability to provide a sustainable pathway for wastewater treatment, makes them promising alternatives to conventional processes. Nevertheless, large-scale downstream processing requires an understanding of biomass rheology that needs to be addressed further. This study aimed to characterize microalgal concentrates rheologically in different culture media. The presence of bacteria was quantified by photorespirometry and plate counting techniques. The culture medium was found to significantly influence viscosity, with primary wastewater exhibiting the highest viscosity and seawater plus pig slurry the lowest. The concentration of heterotrophic bacteria was directly related to the viscosity. Extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) in supernatant exhibited an inverse viscosity trend compared to biomass concentrates, with pig slurry cultures having higher concentrations. These findings emphasize the profound influence of culture medium and EPS on the rheology of microalgal biomass, underscoring the need for continued research aimed at facilitating and optimizing large-scale downstream processes within the framework of a circular economy and the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (6,8, and 12).
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Affiliation(s)
- Solaima Belachqer-El Attar
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain; Solar Energy Research Centre (CIESOL), 04120 Almería, Spain.
| | - Ainoa Morillas-España
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain; Solar Energy Research Centre (CIESOL), 04120 Almería, Spain
| | - Ana Sánchez-Zurano
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain; Solar Energy Research Centre (CIESOL), 04120 Almería, Spain
| | - Luiggi Cavalcanti Pessôa
- Graduate Program in Chemical Engineering (PPEQ), Polytechnic School, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil; Senai Cimatec University Center, Environment Department, Salvador, Brazil
| | - María Guadalupe Pinna-Hernández
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain; Solar Energy Research Centre (CIESOL), 04120 Almería, Spain
| | - Denilson de Jesus Assis
- Graduate Program in Chemical Engineering (PPEQ), Polytechnic School, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil; School of Exact and Technological Sciences, University Salvador, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - José Luis Casas López
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain; Solar Energy Research Centre (CIESOL), 04120 Almería, Spain
| | - Gabriel Acién
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain; Solar Energy Research Centre (CIESOL), 04120 Almería, Spain
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4
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5
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Kant Bhatia S, Ahuja V, Chandel N, Mehariya S, Kumar P, Vinayak V, Saratale GD, Raj T, Kim SH, Yang YH. An overview on microalgal-bacterial granular consortia for resource recovery and wastewater treatment. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 351:127028. [PMID: 35318147 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.127028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 03/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Excessive generation of wastewater is a matter of concern around the globe. Wastewater treatment utilizing a microalgae-mediated process is considered an eco-friendly and sustainable method of wastewater treatment. However, low biomass productivity, costly harvesting process, and energy extensive cultivation process are the major bottleneck. The use of the microalgal-bacteria granular consortia (MBGC) process is economic and requires less energy. For efficient utilization of MBGC, knowledge of its structure, composition and interaction are important. Various microscopic, molecular and metabolomics techniques play a significant role in understating consortia structure and interaction between partners. Microalgal-bacteria granular consortia structure is affected by various cultivation parameters like pH, temperature, light intensity, salinity, and the presence of other pollutants in wastewater. In this article, a critical evaluation of recent literature was carried out to develop an understanding related to interaction behavior that can help to engineer consortia having efficient nutrient removal capacity with reduced energy consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shashi Kant Bhatia
- Department of Biological Engineering, College of Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea; Institute for Ubiquitous Information Technology and Applications, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Vishal Ahuja
- Department of Biotechnology, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla 171005, India
| | - Neha Chandel
- School of Medical and Allied Sciences, GD Goenka University, Gurugram-122103, Haryana, India
| | | | - Pradeep Kumar
- Faculty of Applied Sciences and Biotechnology, Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences, Solan 173229, India
| | - Vandana Vinayak
- Diatom Nanoengineering and Metabolism Laboratory (DNM), School of Applied Sciences, Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya (A Central University), Sagar, Madhya Pradesh 470003, India
| | - Ganesh Dattatraya Saratale
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Dongguk University-Seoul, 32 Dongguk-ro, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si 10326, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Tirath Raj
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Hyoun Kim
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Yung-Hun Yang
- Department of Biological Engineering, College of Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea; Institute for Ubiquitous Information Technology and Applications, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea.
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6
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Sánchez-Zurano A, Rossi S, Fernández-Sevilla JM, Acién-Fernández G, Molina-Grima E, Ficara E. Respirometric assessment of bacterial kinetics in algae-bacteria and activated sludge processes. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 352:127116. [PMID: 35398212 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.127116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Algae-bacteria (AB) consortia can be exploited for effective wastewater treatment, based on photosynthetic oxygenation to reduce energy requirements for aeration. While algal kinetics have been extensively evaluated, bacterial kinetics in AB systems are still based on parameters taken from the activated sludge models, lacking an experimental validation for AB consortia. A respirometric procedure was therefore proposed, to estimate bacterial kinetics in both activated sludge and AB, under different conditions of temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and substrate availability. Bacterial activities were differently influenced by operational/environmental conditions, suggesting that the adoption of typical activated sludge parameters could be inadequate for AB modelling. Indeed, respirometric results show that bacteria in AB consortia were adapted to a wider range of conditions, compared to activated sludge, confirming that a dedicated calibration of bacterial kinetics is essential for effectively modelling AB systems, and respirometry was proven to be a powerful and reliable tool to this purpose.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Sánchez-Zurano
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain, CIESOL Solar Energy Research Centre, Joint Centre University of Almería-CIEMAT, 04120 Almería, Spain
| | - S Rossi
- Politecnico di Milano, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, P.zza L. da Vinci, 32, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - J M Fernández-Sevilla
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain, CIESOL Solar Energy Research Centre, Joint Centre University of Almería-CIEMAT, 04120 Almería, Spain
| | - G Acién-Fernández
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain, CIESOL Solar Energy Research Centre, Joint Centre University of Almería-CIEMAT, 04120 Almería, Spain
| | - E Molina-Grima
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Universidad de Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain
| | - E Ficara
- Politecnico di Milano, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, P.zza L. da Vinci, 32, 20133 Milan, Italy.
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7
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Aparicio S, Robles Á, Ferrer J, Seco A, Borrás Falomir L. Assessing and modeling nitrite inhibition in microalgae-bacteria consortia for wastewater treatment by means of photo-respirometric and chlorophyll fluorescence techniques. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 808:152128. [PMID: 34863736 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Total nitrite (TNO2 = HNO2 + NO-2) accumulation due to the activity of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) was monitored in microalgae-bacteria consortia, and the inhibitory effect of nitrite/free nitrous acid (NO2-N/FNA) on microalgae photosynthesis and inhibition mechanism was studied. A culture of Scenedesmus was used to run two sets of batch reactors at different pH and TNO2 concentrations to evaluate the toxic potential of NO2-N and FNA. Photo-respirometric tests showed that NO2-N accumulation has a negative impact on net oxygen production rate (OPRNET). Chlorophyll a fluorescence analysis was used to examine the biochemical effects of NO2-N stress and the mechanism of NO2-N inhibition. The electron transport rate (ETR), non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), and JIP-test revealed that the electron transport chain between Photosystems II and I (PS II and PS I) was hindered at NO2-N concentrations above 25 g N m-3. Electron acceptor QA was not able to reoxidize and could not transfer electrons to the next electron acceptor, QB, accumulating P680+ (excited PS II reaction center) and limiting oxygen production. A semi-continuous reactor containing a Scenedesmus culture was monitored by photo-respirometry tests and Chlorophyll a fluorescence to calibrate NO2-N inhibition (5-35 g N m-3). Non-competitive inhibition and Hill-type models were compared to select the best-fitting inhibition equations. Inhibition was correctly modeled by the Hill-type model and a half inhibition constant (KI) for OPRNET, NPQ, maximum photosynthetic rate (ETRMAX) and the performance index PIABS was 23.7 ± 1.2, 26.36 ± 1.10, 39 ± 2 and 26.5 ± 0.4, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphanie Aparicio
- CALAGUA - Unidad Mixta UV-UPV, Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Universitat de València, Avinguda de la Universitat s/n, 46100 Burjassot, València, Spain.
| | - Ángel Robles
- CALAGUA - Unidad Mixta UV-UPV, Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Universitat de València, Avinguda de la Universitat s/n, 46100 Burjassot, València, Spain
| | - José Ferrer
- CALAGUA - Unidad Mixta UV-UPV, Institut Universitari d'Investigació d'Enginyeria de l'Aigua i Medi Ambient - IIAMA, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camí de Vera s/n, 46022, València, Spain
| | - Aurora Seco
- CALAGUA - Unidad Mixta UV-UPV, Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Universitat de València, Avinguda de la Universitat s/n, 46100 Burjassot, València, Spain
| | - Luis Borrás Falomir
- CALAGUA - Unidad Mixta UV-UPV, Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Universitat de València, Avinguda de la Universitat s/n, 46100 Burjassot, València, Spain
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8
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The Oxygen Paradigm—Quantitative Impact of High Concentrations of Dissolved Oxygen on Kinetics and Large-Scale Production of Arthrospira platensis. CHEMENGINEERING 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/chemengineering6010014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The cultivation of Arthrospira platensis in tubular photobioreactors (tPBRs) presents a promising approach for the commercial production of nutraceuticals and food products as it can achieve high productivity and effective process control. In closed photobioreactors, however, high amounts of photosynthetically produced oxygen can accumulate. So far, there has been a wide range of discussion on how dissolved oxygen concentrations (DOCs) affect bioprocess kinetics, and the subject has mainly been assessed empirically. In this study, we used photorespirometry to quantify the impact of DOCs on the growth kinetics and phycocyanin content of the widely cultivated cyanobacterium A. platensis. The photorespirometric routine revealed that the illumination intensity and cell dry weight concentration are important interconnected process parameters behind the impact that DOCs have on the bioprocess kinetics. Unfavorable process conditions such as low biomass concentrations or high illumination intensities yielded significant growth inhibition and reduced the phycocyanin content of A. platensis by up to 35%. In order to predict the biomass productivity of the large-scale cultivation of A. platensis in tPBRs, a simple process model was extended to include photoautotrophic oxygen production and accumulation in the tPBR to evaluate the performance of two configurations of a 5000 L tPBR.
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9
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Comprehensive assessment of the microalgae-nitrifying bacteria competition in microalgae-based wastewater treatment systems: Relevant factors, evaluation methods and control strategies. ALGAL RES 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2021.102563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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10
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Rossi S, Visigalli S, Castillo Cascino F, Mantovani M, Mezzanotte V, Parati K, Canziani R, Turolla A, Ficara E. Metal-based flocculation to harvest microalgae: a look beyond separation efficiency. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 799:149395. [PMID: 34426344 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Metal-based flocculants are commonly used for biomass harvesting in microalgae-based bio-refineries. Besides the high separation efficiency, additional aspects should be considered, related to the toxicity of metals for the algal biomass. Partitioning tests for commonly used flocculants (i.e., FeCl3 and Al2(SO4)3) showed that metals were mostly transferred to the solid phase with more than 95% of dosed metal ending up into the biomass, and low metal concentrations in the liquid effluent (lower than 0.4 mg L-1 for both metals), thus allowing for water reuse. Photosynthesis inhibition was tested on microalgae and microalgae-bacteria cultures, using a standardized photo-respirometry protocol in which typical concentrations used during coagulation-flocculation were assessed. Modelling dose-response curves, concentrations corresponding to 50% inhibition (IC50) were obtained, describing short-term effects. The obtained IC50 ranged from 13.7 to 28.3 mg Al L-1 for Al, and from 127.9 to 195.8 mg Fe L-1 for Fe, showing a higher toxicity for the Al-based flocculant. The recovery of photosynthesis inhibition was also quantified, to evaluate the possibility of reusing/recycling the harvested biomass. The results highlighted that the residual photosynthetic activities, evaluated after 1 h and 24 h of exposure to metals were partially recovered, especially for Al, passing from 67.3% to 94.6% activity, respectively, while long-term Fe effects were stronger (passing from 64.9% to 77.6% activity). A non-toxic flocculant (cationic starch) was finally tested, excluding potential effects due to biomass aggregation, as the reduction of photosynthetic activity only reached 3.4%, compared to control. Relevant modifications to the light availability and the optical properties of algal suspensions were assessed, identifying a strong effect of iron which caused an increase of the light absorbance up to approximately 40% at high Fe concentrations. Possible implications of dosing metallic flocculants in MBWWT processes are discussed, and suggestions are given to perform inhibition tests on flocculating chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Rossi
- Politecnico di Milano, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (DICA), P.zza L. da Vinci, 32, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - S Visigalli
- Politecnico di Milano, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (DICA), P.zza L. da Vinci, 32, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - F Castillo Cascino
- Istituto Sperimentale Italiano Lazzaro Spallanzani, Località La Quercia, 26027 Rivolta d'Adda, Italy
| | - M Mantovani
- Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (DISAT), P.zza della Scienza 1, 20126 Milan, Italy
| | - V Mezzanotte
- Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (DISAT), P.zza della Scienza 1, 20126 Milan, Italy
| | - K Parati
- Istituto Sperimentale Italiano Lazzaro Spallanzani, Località La Quercia, 26027 Rivolta d'Adda, Italy
| | - R Canziani
- Politecnico di Milano, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (DICA), P.zza L. da Vinci, 32, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - A Turolla
- Politecnico di Milano, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (DICA), P.zza L. da Vinci, 32, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - E Ficara
- Politecnico di Milano, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (DICA), P.zza L. da Vinci, 32, 20133 Milan, Italy.
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11
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Mainardis M, Buttazzoni M, Cottes M, Moretti A, Goi D. Respirometry tests in wastewater treatment: Why and how? A critical review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 793:148607. [PMID: 34182438 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Respirometry tests are a widely employed method in wastewater treatment field to characterize wastewater streams, assess toxic/inhibitory effects to the biomass, calibrate mathematical models. Respirometry can allow to fractionize the chemical oxygen demand (COD) in biodegradable and inert fractions, but also provide information related to biomass kinetics and stoichiometry through standardized laboratory techniques. Considering the increasing number of emerging contaminants detected in wastewater effluents, such as pharmaceuticals, personal care products and pesticides, respirometry can be a useful tool to promptly assess any toxic or inhibitory effect in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) operations. Beside conventional activated sludge (CAS), in recent years respirometric methods have been applied to innovative fields, such as moving-bed bio-reactors (MBBRs), fungi and microalgae, exploiting natural remediation methods. In particular, respirometry application to microalgae, through the so-called photo-respirometry, has been investigated in the latest years in the treatment of high-nutrient loaded streams, allowing resource recovery in biomass form. In this work, respirometric methods are first introduced from a theoretical basis and then critically discussed by considering the experimental apparatus, the available characterization protocols and the fields of application; the most recent literature findings on respirometry are coupled with authors' experience in the field. A comparison between physicochemical methods and respirometry is made, considering common protocols for WWTP modelling and calibration. The future research needed on the topic is finally outlined, including the coupling of respirometry with microbial community analysis, potentially leading to an enhanced process understanding, an extended respirometry utilization to get specific kinetic and stoichiometric parameters for modelling purposes, and a wider respirometry application as diagnosis tool in WWTP operations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matia Mainardis
- Department Polytechnic of Engineering and Architecture, University of Udine, Via del Cotonificio 108, 33100 Udine, Italy.
| | - Marco Buttazzoni
- Department Polytechnic of Engineering and Architecture, University of Udine, Via del Cotonificio 108, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Mattia Cottes
- Department Polytechnic of Engineering and Architecture, University of Udine, Via del Cotonificio 108, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Alessandro Moretti
- Department Polytechnic of Engineering and Architecture, University of Udine, Via del Cotonificio 108, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Daniele Goi
- Department Polytechnic of Engineering and Architecture, University of Udine, Via del Cotonificio 108, 33100 Udine, Italy
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Flores-Salgado G, Quijano G, Vital-Jácome M, Buitrón G, Orozco-Soto SM, Vera-Bustamante P, Ibarra Zannatha JM, Thalasso F. Novel photo-microrespirometric method for the rapid determination of photosynthesis-irradiance (PI) curves in microalgal-bacterial systems. ALGAL RES 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2021.102414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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13
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Na H, Jo SW, Do JM, Kim IS, Yoon HS. Production of Algal Biomass and High-Value Compounds Mediated by Interaction of Microalgal Oocystis sp. KNUA044 and Bacterium Sphingomonas KNU100. J Microbiol Biotechnol 2021; 31:387-397. [PMID: 33323676 PMCID: PMC9705891 DOI: 10.4014/jmb.2009.09055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
There is growing interest in the production of microalgae-based, high-value by-products as an emerging green biotechnology. However, a cultivation platform for Oocystis sp. has yet to be established. We therefore examined the effects of bacterial culture additions on the growth and production of valuable compounds of the microalgal strain Oocystis sp. KNUA044, isolated from a locally adapted region in Korea. The strain grew only in the presence of a clear supernatant of Sphingomonas sp. KNU100 culture solution and generated 28.57 mg/l/d of biomass productivity. Protein content (43.9 wt%) was approximately two-fold higher than carbohydrate content (29.4 wt%) and lipid content (13.9 wt%). Oocystis sp. KNUA044 produced the monosaccharide fucose (33 μg/mg and 0.94 mg/l/d), reported here for the first time. Fatty acid profiling showed high accumulation (over 60%) of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) compared to saturated (29.4%) and monounsaturated fatty acids (9.9%) under the same culture conditions. Of these PUFAs, the algal strain produced the highest concentration of linolenic acid (C18:3 ω3; 40.2%) in the omega-3 family and generated eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5 ω3; 6.0%), also known as EPA. Based on these results, we suggest that the application of Sphingomonas sp. KNU100 for strain-dependent cultivation of Oocystis sp. KNUA044 holds future promise as a bioprocess capable of increasing algal biomass and high-value bioactive by-products, including fucose and PUFAs such as linolenic acid and EPA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ho Na
- Department of Biology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea,School of Life Sciences, BK21 Plus KNU Creative BioResearch Group, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Woo Jo
- Advanced Bio-Resource Research Center, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Mi Do
- Department of Biology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea,School of Life Sciences, BK21 Plus KNU Creative BioResearch Group, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Il-Sup Kim
- Advanced Bio-Resource Research Center, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea,Corresponding author I.S. Kim E-mail:
| | - Ho-Sung Yoon
- Department of Biology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea,School of Life Sciences, BK21 Plus KNU Creative BioResearch Group, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea,Advanced Bio-Resource Research Center, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea,H.S. Yoon E-mail:
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14
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Casagli F, Rossi S, Steyer JP, Bernard O, Ficara E. Balancing Microalgae and Nitrifiers for Wastewater Treatment: Can Inorganic Carbon Limitation Cause an Environmental Threat? ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:3940-3955. [PMID: 33657315 PMCID: PMC8028045 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c05264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The first objective of this study is to assess the predictive capability of the ALBA (ALgae-BActeria) model for a pilot-scale (3.8 m2) high-rate algae-bacteria pond treating agricultural digestate. The model, previously calibrated and validated on a one-year data set from a demonstrative-scale raceway (56 m2), successfully predicted data from a six-month monitoring campaign with a different wastewater (urban wastewater) under different climatic conditions. Without changing any parameter value from the previous calibration, the model accurately predicted both online monitored variables (dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature) and off-line measurements (nitrogen compounds, algal biomass, total and volatile suspended solids, chemical oxygen demand). Supported by the universal character of the model, different scenarios under variable weather conditions were tested, to investigate the effect of key operating parameters (hydraulic retention time, pH regulation, kLa) on algae biomass productivity and nutrient removal efficiency. Surprisingly, despite pH regulation, a strong limitation for inorganic carbon was found to hinder the process efficiency and to generate conditions that are favorable for N2O emission. The standard operating parameters have a limited effect on this limitation, and alkalinity turns out to be the main driver of inorganic carbon availability. This investigation offers new insights in algae-bacteria processes and paves the way for the identification of optimal operational strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Casagli
- Dipartimento
di Ingegneria Civile e Ambientale (DICA), Politecnico di Milano, 32, Piazza L. da Vinci, 20133 Milan, Italy
- Institut
National de Recherche en Informatique et en Automatique (INRIA), Biocore,
Université Cote d’Azur, 2004, Route des Lucioles − BP 93, 06902 Sophia-Antipolis, France
| | - Simone Rossi
- Dipartimento
di Ingegneria Civile e Ambientale (DICA), Politecnico di Milano, 32, Piazza L. da Vinci, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | | | - Olivier Bernard
- Institut
National de Recherche en Informatique et en Automatique (INRIA), Biocore,
Université Cote d’Azur, 2004, Route des Lucioles − BP 93, 06902 Sophia-Antipolis, France
| | - Elena Ficara
- Dipartimento
di Ingegneria Civile e Ambientale (DICA), Politecnico di Milano, 32, Piazza L. da Vinci, 20133 Milan, Italy
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15
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Abstract
Animal production inevitably causes the emission of greenhouse gases and the generation of large amounts of slurry, both representing a serious environmental problem. Photosynthetic microorganisms such as microalgae and cyanobacteria have been proposed as alternative strategies to bioremediate agricultural waste while consuming carbon dioxide and producing valuable biomass. The current study assessed the potential of the microalga Scenedesmus sp. to remove nutrients from piggery wastewater (PWW) and the influence of the microalga on the microbial consortia. Maximum N-NH4+ consumption was 55.3 ± 3.7 mg·L−1·day−1 while P-PO43− removal rates were in the range 0.1–1.9 mg·L−1·day−1. N-NH4+ removal was partially caused by the action of nitrifying bacteria, which led to the production of N-NO3−. N-NO3− production values where lower when microalgae were more active. This work demonstrated that the photosynthetic activity of microalgae allows us to increase nutrient removal rates from PWW and to reduce the coliform bacterial load of the effluent, minimising both their environmental impact and health risks. Microalgae assimilated part of the N-NH4+ present in the media to produce biomass and did not to convert it into N-NO3− as in traditional processes.
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16
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Flores-Salgado G, Thalasso F, Buitrón G, Vital-Jácome M, Quijano G. Kinetic characterization of microalgal-bacterial systems: Contributions of microalgae and heterotrophic bacteria to the oxygen balance in wastewater treatment. Biochem Eng J 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2020.107819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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17
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González-Camejo J, Robles A, Seco A, Ferrer J, Ruano MV. On-line monitoring of photosynthetic activity based on pH data to assess microalgae cultivation. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2020; 276:111343. [PMID: 32942218 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.111343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Microalgae performance of outdoor cultivation systems is influenced by environmental and operating dynamics. Monitoring and control systems are needed to maximise biomass productivity and nutrient recovery. The goal of this work was to corroborate that pH data could be used to monitor microalgae performance by means of data from an outdoor membrane photobioreactor (MPBR) plant. In this system, microalgae photosynthetic activity was favoured over other physical and biological processes, so that the pH data dynamics was theoretically related to the microalgae carbon uptake rate (CUR). Short- and long-term continuous operations were tested to corroborate the relationship between the first derivate of pH data dynamics (pH') and microalgae photosynthetic activity. Short-term operations showed a good correlation between gross pH' values and MPBR performance. An indicator of the maximum daily average microalgae activity was assessed by a combination of on-line pH' measurements obtained in the long-term and a microalgae growth kinetic model. Both indicators contributed to the development of advanced real-time monitoring and control systems to optimise microalgae cultivation technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- J González-Camejo
- CALAGUA - Unidad Mixta UV-UPV, Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Universitat de València, Avinguda de la Universitat s/n, 46100, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain.
| | - A Robles
- CALAGUA - Unidad Mixta UV-UPV, Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Universitat de València, Avinguda de la Universitat s/n, 46100, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - A Seco
- CALAGUA - Unidad Mixta UV-UPV, Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Universitat de València, Avinguda de la Universitat s/n, 46100, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - J Ferrer
- CALAGUA - Unidad Mixta UV-UPV, Institut Universitari d'Investigació d'Enginyeria de l'Aigua i Medi Ambient - IIAMA, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camí de Vera s/n, 46022, Valencia, Spain
| | - M V Ruano
- CALAGUA - Unidad Mixta UV-UPV, Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Universitat de València, Avinguda de la Universitat s/n, 46100, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
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18
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Sánchez Zurano A, Gómez Serrano C, Acién-Fernández FG, Fernández-Sevilla JM, Molina-Grima E. Modeling of photosynthesis and respiration rate for microalgae-bacteria consortia. Biotechnol Bioeng 2020; 118:952-962. [PMID: 33179264 DOI: 10.1002/bit.27625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In this article, the influence of culture conditions (irradiance, temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen) on the photosynthesis and the respiration rates of microalgae-bacteria consortia in wastewater treatment was analyzed. Specifically, some short photo-respirometric experiments, simulating outdoor raceway reactors, were performed to evaluate the response of microalgae, heterotrophic bacteria, and nitrifying bacteria to variations in environmental parameters. Results demonstrate that irradiance is the most dominant variable to determine microalgae photosynthesis rates. However, reduction in microalgae activity was not observed at higher irradiance, ruling out the existence of photoinhibition phenomena. Related to heterotrophic and nitrifying bacteria, their activities were strongly affected by the influence of temperature and pH. Moreover, the effect of dissolved oxygen concentrations on microalgae, and bacteria activities was studied, displaying a reduced photosynthetic rate at dissolved oxygen concentrations above 20 mg/L. Data have been used to develop an integrated model for each population (microalgae, heterotrophic bacteria, and nitrifying bacteria) based on considering the simultaneous influence of irradiance, temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen. The models fit the experimental results in the range of culture conditions tested, and they were validated using data obtained by the simultaneous modifications of the variables. These individual models serve as a basis for developing a global biologic microalgae-bacteria model for wastewater treatment to improve the optimal design and management of microalgae-based processes, especially outdoors, where the cultures are subject to variable daily culture conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Sánchez Zurano
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Almeria, Almería, Spain
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19
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Petrini S, Foladori P, Donati L, Andreottola G. Comprehensive respirometric approach to assess photosynthetic, heterotrophic and nitrifying activity in microalgal-bacterial consortia treating real municipal wastewater. Biochem Eng J 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2020.107697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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20
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Rossi S, Díez-Montero R, Rueda E, Castillo Cascino F, Parati K, García J, Ficara E. Free ammonia inhibition in microalgae and cyanobacteria grown in wastewaters: Photo-respirometric evaluation and modelling. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2020; 305:123046. [PMID: 32145697 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2020.123046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The inhibitory effects of free ammonia (FA) on microalgae/cyanobacteria in wastewater-treating photobioreactors (PBR) can strongly reduce their treatment efficiency, increasing the operational costs and undermining the stability of the system. Although FA-promoting conditions (high pH, temperature and ammoniacal nitrogen concentration) are commonly met in outdoor PBRs, photosynthesis inhibition from FA has been scarcely explored and is rarely considered in microalgae-bacteria growth models. Two pilot systems and a series of lab-scale monocultures were tested using a photo-respirometry approach, to evaluate the effects of FA (8.5-136 mg NH3 L-1) on photosynthesis. Two mathematical inhibition models were compared, with the aim of selecting best-fitting equations to describe photo-respirometric experiments. A set of calibrated inhibition parameters was obtained for microalgae and cyanobacteria, growing in monocultures or in mixed algae-bacteria consortia. Cyanobacteria were more sensitive to FA than green microalgae and mixed phototrophs-bacteria consortia showed a higher resistance compared to monocultures. Estimated inhibition parameters were used to describe common operational/environmental conditions in algae-bacteria systems, demonstrating the potential drop in photosynthetic activity under those relevant operational conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Rossi
- Politecnico di Milano, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (DICA), P.zza L. da Vinci, 3, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Rubén Díez-Montero
- GEMMA-Group of Environmental Engineering and Microbiology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya-BarcelonaTech, c/ Jordi Girona 1-3, Building D1, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Estel Rueda
- GEMMA-Group of Environmental Engineering and Microbiology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Escola d'Enginyeria de Barcelona Est (EEBE), Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya-BarcelonaTech, Av. Eduard Maristany 16, Building C5.1, 08019 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Federico Castillo Cascino
- Istituto Sperimentale Italiano Lazzaro Spallanzani, Località La Quercia, 26027 Rivolta d'Adda, Italy
| | - Katia Parati
- Istituto Sperimentale Italiano Lazzaro Spallanzani, Località La Quercia, 26027 Rivolta d'Adda, Italy
| | - Joan García
- GEMMA-Group of Environmental Engineering and Microbiology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya-BarcelonaTech, c/ Jordi Girona 1-3, Building D1, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elena Ficara
- Politecnico di Milano, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (DICA), P.zza L. da Vinci, 3, 20133 Milan, Italy.
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21
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Rossi S, Casagli F, Mantovani M, Mezzanotte V, Ficara E. Selection of photosynthesis and respiration models to assess the effect of environmental conditions on mixed microalgae consortia grown on wastewater. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2020; 305:122995. [PMID: 32105843 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2020.122995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed at evaluating the effects of different environmental conditions (irradiance, temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen) on a microalgae-bacteria consortium cultivated in a pilot-scale open pond and fed on the liquid fraction of anaerobic digestate. A standardized photo-respirometry protocol was followed to evaluate the activity of microalgae under different conditions. Two datasets (specific photosynthetic oxygen production rates and respiratory oxygen consumption rates) were obtained for each environmental parameter, throughout the entire range of conditions found in the outdoor cultivation system. Different kinetic models available in literature were fitted to experimental data and the resulting outputs were compared through model selection estimators, in order to select the most appropriate equations. The proposed set of equations constitute a modelling tool for the prediction of algal growth rates in algae-bacteria systems, as a function of environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Rossi
- Politecnico di Milano, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (DICA), P.zza L. da Vinci, 32, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - F Casagli
- Politecnico di Milano, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (DICA), P.zza L. da Vinci, 32, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - M Mantovani
- Università Degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (DISAT), P.zza della Scienza 1, 20126 Milan, Italy
| | - V Mezzanotte
- Università Degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (DISAT), P.zza della Scienza 1, 20126 Milan, Italy
| | - E Ficara
- Politecnico di Milano, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (DICA), P.zza L. da Vinci, 32, 20133 Milan, Italy.
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22
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Sánchez-Zurano A, Gómez-Serrano C, Acién-Fernández F, Fernández-Sevilla J, Molina-Grima E. A novel photo-respirometry method to characterize consortia in microalgae-related wastewater treatment processes. ALGAL RES 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2020.101858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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23
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González-Camejo J, Montero P, Aparicio S, Ruano MV, Borrás L, Seco A, Barat R. Nitrite inhibition of microalgae induced by the competition between microalgae and nitrifying bacteria. WATER RESEARCH 2020; 172:115499. [PMID: 31978839 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.115499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Outdoor microalgae cultivation systems treating anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) effluents usually present ammonium oxidising bacteria (AOB) competition with microalgae for ammonium uptake, which can cause nitrite accumulation. In literature, nitrite effects over microalgae have shown controversial results. The present study evaluates the nitrite inhibition role in a microalgae-nitrifying bacteria culture. For this purpose, pilot- and lab-scale assays were carried out. During the continuous outdoor operation of the membrane photobioreactor (MPBR) plant, biomass retention time (BRT) of 2 d favoured AOB activity, which caused nitrite accumulation. This nitrite was confirmed to inhibit microalgae performance. Specifically, continuous 5-d lab-scale assays showed a reduction in the nitrogen recovery efficiency by 32, 42 and 80% when nitrite concentration in the culture accounted for 5, 10 and 20 mg N·L-1, respectively. On the contrary, short 30-min exposure to nitrite showed no significant differences in the photosynthetic activity of microalgae under nitrite concentrations of 0, 5, 10 and 20 mg N·L-1. On the other hand, when the MPBR plant was operated at 2.5-d BRT, the nitrite concentration was reduced to negligible values due to increasing activity of microalgae and nitrite oxidising bacteria (NOB). This allowed obtaining maximum MPBR performance; i.e. nitrogen recovery rate (NRR) and biomass productivity of 19.7 ± 3.3 mg N·L-1·d-1 and 139 ± 35 mg VSS·L-1·d-1, respectively; while nitrification rate (NOxR) reached the lowest value (13.5 ± 3.4 mg N·L-1·d-1). Long BRT of 4.5 d favoured NOB growth, avoiding nitrite inhibition. However, it implied a decrease in microalgae growth and the accumulation of nitrate in the MPBR effluent. Hence, it seems that optimum BRT has to be within the range 2-4.5 d in order to favour microalgae growth with respect to AOB and NOB.
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Affiliation(s)
- J González-Camejo
- CALAGUA - Unidad Mixta UV-UPV, Institut Universitari d'Investigació d'Enginyeria de l'Aigua i Medi Ambient - IIAMA, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camí de Vera s/n, 46022, Valencia, Spain.
| | - P Montero
- CALAGUA - Unidad Mixta UV-UPV, Institut Universitari d'Investigació d'Enginyeria de l'Aigua i Medi Ambient - IIAMA, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camí de Vera s/n, 46022, Valencia, Spain
| | - S Aparicio
- CALAGUA - Unidad Mixta UV-UPV, Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Universitat de València, Avinguda de la Universitat s/n, 46100, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - M V Ruano
- CALAGUA - Unidad Mixta UV-UPV, Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Universitat de València, Avinguda de la Universitat s/n, 46100, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - L Borrás
- CALAGUA - Unidad Mixta UV-UPV, Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Universitat de València, Avinguda de la Universitat s/n, 46100, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - A Seco
- CALAGUA - Unidad Mixta UV-UPV, Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Universitat de València, Avinguda de la Universitat s/n, 46100, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - R Barat
- CALAGUA - Unidad Mixta UV-UPV, Institut Universitari d'Investigació d'Enginyeria de l'Aigua i Medi Ambient - IIAMA, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camí de Vera s/n, 46022, Valencia, Spain
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24
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González-Camejo J, Aparicio S, Jiménez-Benítez A, Pachés M, Ruano MV, Borrás L, Barat R, Seco A. Improving membrane photobioreactor performance by reducing light path: operating conditions and key performance indicators. WATER RESEARCH 2020; 172:115518. [PMID: 31991292 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.115518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Microalgae cultivation has been receiving increasing interest in wastewater remediation due to their ability to assimilate nutrients present in wastewater streams. In this respect, cultivating microalgae in membrane photobioreactors (MPBRs) allows decoupling the solid retention time (SRT) from the hydraulic retention time (HRT), which enables to increase the nutrient load to the photobioreactors (PBRs) while avoiding the wash out of the microalgae biomass. The reduction of the PBR light path from 25 to 10 cm increased the nitrogen and phosphorus recovery rates, microalgae biomass productivity and photosynthetic efficiency by 150, 103, 194 and 67%, respectively.The areal biomass productivity (aBP) also increased when the light path was reduced, reflecting the better use of light in the 10-cm MPBR plant. The capital and operating operational expenditures (CAPEX and OPEX) of the 10-cm MPBR plant were also reduced by 27 and 49%, respectively. Discharge limits were met when the 10-cm MPBR plant was operated at SRTs of 3-4.5 d and HRTs of 1.25-1.5 d. At these SRT/HRT ranges, the process could be operated without a high fouling propensity with gross permeate flux (J20) of 15 LMH and specific gas demand (SGDp) between 16 and 20 Nm3air·m-3permeate, which highlights the potential of membrane filtration in MPBRs. When the continuous operation of the MPBR plant was evaluated, an optical density of 680 nm (OD680) and soluble chemical oxygen demand (sCOD) were found to be good indicators of microalgae cell and algal organic matter (AOM) concentrations, while dissolved oxygen appeared to be directly related to MPBR performance. Nitrite and nitrate (NOx) concentration and the soluble chemical oxygen demand:volatile suspended solids ratio (sCOD:VSS) were used as indicators of nitrifying bacteria activity and the stress on the culture, respectively. These parameters were inversely related to nitrogen recovery rates and biomass productivity and could thus help to prevent possible culture deterioration.
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Affiliation(s)
- J González-Camejo
- CALAGUA - Unidad Mixta UV-UPV, Institut Universitari d'Investigació d'Enginyeria de l'Aigua i Medi Ambient - IIAMA, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camí de Vera s/n, 46022, Valencia, Spain.
| | - S Aparicio
- CALAGUA - Unidad Mixta UV-UPV, Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Universitat de València, Avinguda de la Universitat s/n, 46100, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - A Jiménez-Benítez
- CALAGUA - Unidad Mixta UV-UPV, Institut Universitari d'Investigació d'Enginyeria de l'Aigua i Medi Ambient - IIAMA, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camí de Vera s/n, 46022, Valencia, Spain
| | - M Pachés
- CALAGUA - Unidad Mixta UV-UPV, Institut Universitari d'Investigació d'Enginyeria de l'Aigua i Medi Ambient - IIAMA, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camí de Vera s/n, 46022, Valencia, Spain
| | - M V Ruano
- CALAGUA - Unidad Mixta UV-UPV, Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Universitat de València, Avinguda de la Universitat s/n, 46100, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - L Borrás
- CALAGUA - Unidad Mixta UV-UPV, Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Universitat de València, Avinguda de la Universitat s/n, 46100, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - R Barat
- CALAGUA - Unidad Mixta UV-UPV, Institut Universitari d'Investigació d'Enginyeria de l'Aigua i Medi Ambient - IIAMA, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camí de Vera s/n, 46022, Valencia, Spain
| | - A Seco
- CALAGUA - Unidad Mixta UV-UPV, Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Universitat de València, Avinguda de la Universitat s/n, 46100, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
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25
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González-Camejo J, Jiménez-Benítez A, Ruano MV, Robles A, Barat R, Ferrer J. Preliminary data set to assess the performance of an outdoor membrane photobioreactor. Data Brief 2019; 27:104599. [PMID: 31667317 PMCID: PMC6812031 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2019.104599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Revised: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
This data in brief (DIB) article is related to a Research article entitled 'Optimising an outdoor membrane photobioreactor for tertiary sewage treatment' [1]. Data related to the effect of substrate turbidity, the ammonium concentration at which the culture reaches nitrogen-deplete conditions and the microalgae growth rate under outdoor conditions is provided. Microalgae growth rates under different substrate turbidity were obtained to assess the reduction of the culture's light availability. Lab-scale experiments showed growth rates reductions of 22-44%. Respirometric tests were carried to know the limiting ammonium concentration in this microalgae-based wastewater treatment system. Growth rates (μ) of green microalgae Scenedesmus and Chlorella obtained under outdoor conditions; i.e. 0.40 d-1 (R2 = 0.993) and 0.43 d-1 (R2 = 0.995), respectively, can be useful to obtain optimum operating conditions of membrane photobioreactor (MPBR).
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Affiliation(s)
- J González-Camejo
- Calagua - Unidad Mixta UV-UPV, Institut Universitari d'Investigació d'Enginyeria de l'Aigua i Medi Ambient - IIAMA, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camí de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain
| | - A Jiménez-Benítez
- Calagua - Unidad Mixta UV-UPV, Institut Universitari d'Investigació d'Enginyeria de l'Aigua i Medi Ambient - IIAMA, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camí de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain
| | - M V Ruano
- Calagua - Unidad Mixta UV-UPV, Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Universitat de València, Avinguda de la Universitat s/n, 46100 Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - A Robles
- Calagua - Unidad Mixta UV-UPV, Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Universitat de València, Avinguda de la Universitat s/n, 46100 Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - R Barat
- Calagua - Unidad Mixta UV-UPV, Institut Universitari d'Investigació d'Enginyeria de l'Aigua i Medi Ambient - IIAMA, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camí de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain
| | - J Ferrer
- Calagua - Unidad Mixta UV-UPV, Institut Universitari d'Investigació d'Enginyeria de l'Aigua i Medi Ambient - IIAMA, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camí de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain
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Barbera E, Grandi A, Borella L, Bertucco A, Sforza E. Continuous Cultivation as a Method to Assess the Maximum Specific Growth Rate of Photosynthetic Organisms. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2019; 7:274. [PMID: 31681750 PMCID: PMC6811504 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2019.00274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Modeling the growth of photosynthetic organisms is challenging, due to the complex role of light, which can be limiting because of self-shading, or photoinhibiting in the case of high intensities. A case of particular interest is represented by nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria, whose growth is controlled not only by the light intensity, but also by the availability of atmospheric nitrogen in the liquid medium. The determination of the maximum specific growth rate is often affected by many variables that, in batch growth systems, may change significantly. On the other hand, in a continuous system, once the steady state is reached the values of all the process variables remain constant, including the biomass concentration and the specific light supply rate. In this work, the diazotrophic cyanobacterium Anabaena PCC 7122 was cultivated in continuous photobioreactors, to investigate the role of nitrogen, light and residence time on growth kinetics, and to retrieve the value of the maximum specific growth rate of this organism. In addition, the kinetic parameters for temperature and the half saturation constant for nitrogen (3 mg L−1) were measured by respirometric tests. Based on the results of continuous experiments, the specific maintenance rate was found to depend on the light intensity supplied to the reactor, ranging between 0.5 and 0.8 d−1. All these parameters were used to develop a kinetic model able to describe the biomass growth in autotrophic conditions. The maximum specific growth rate could hence be determined by applying the kinetic model in the material balances of the continuous photobioreactor, and resulted equal to 8.22 ± 0.69 d−1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Barbera
- Interdepartmental Center Giorgio Levi Cases, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.,Department of Industrial Engineering DII, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Alessia Grandi
- Interdepartmental Center Giorgio Levi Cases, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Lisa Borella
- Department of Industrial Engineering DII, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Alberto Bertucco
- Department of Industrial Engineering DII, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Eleonora Sforza
- Interdepartmental Center Giorgio Levi Cases, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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González-Camejo J, Aparicio S, Ruano MV, Borrás L, Barat R, Ferrer J. Effect of ambient temperature variations on an indigenous microalgae-nitrifying bacteria culture dominated by Chlorella. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2019; 290:121788. [PMID: 31326649 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2019.121788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Revised: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Two outdoor photobioreactors were operated to evaluate the effect of variable ambient temperature on an indigenous microalgae-nitrifying bacteria culture dominated by Chlorella. Four experiments were carried out in different seasons, maintaining the temperature-controlled PBR at around 25 °C (by either heating or cooling), while the temperature in the non-temperature-controlled PBR was allowed to vary with the ambient conditions. Temperatures in the range of 15-30 °C had no significant effect on the microalgae cultivation performance. However, when the temperature rose to 30-35 °C microalgae viability was significantly reduced. Sudden temperature rises triggered AOB growth in the indigenous microalgae culture, which worsened microalgae performance, especially when AOB activity made the system ammonium-limited. Microalgae activity could be recovered after a short temperature peak over 30 °C once the temperature dropped, but stopped when the temperature was maintained around 28-30 °C for several days.
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Affiliation(s)
- J González-Camejo
- CALAGUA - Unidad Mixta UV-UPV, Institut Universitari d'Investigació d'Enginyeria de l'Aigua i Medi Ambient - IIAMA, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camí de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain.
| | - S Aparicio
- CALAGUA - Unidad Mixta UV-UPV, Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Universitat de València, Avinguda de la Universitat s/n, 46100 Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - M V Ruano
- CALAGUA - Unidad Mixta UV-UPV, Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Universitat de València, Avinguda de la Universitat s/n, 46100 Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - L Borrás
- CALAGUA - Unidad Mixta UV-UPV, Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Universitat de València, Avinguda de la Universitat s/n, 46100 Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - R Barat
- CALAGUA - Unidad Mixta UV-UPV, Institut Universitari d'Investigació d'Enginyeria de l'Aigua i Medi Ambient - IIAMA, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camí de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain
| | - J Ferrer
- CALAGUA - Unidad Mixta UV-UPV, Institut Universitari d'Investigació d'Enginyeria de l'Aigua i Medi Ambient - IIAMA, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camí de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain
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Mixotrophy in Synechocystis sp. for the treatment of wastewater with high nutrient content: effect of CO2 and light. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng 2019; 42:1661-1669. [DOI: 10.1007/s00449-019-02162-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Marazzi F, Bellucci M, Rossi S, Fornaroli R, Ficara E, Mezzanotte V. Outdoor pilot trial integrating a sidestream microalgae process for the treatment of centrate under non optimal climate conditions. ALGAL RES 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2019.101430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Sforza E, Pastore M, Barbera E, Bertucco A. Respirometry as a tool to quantify kinetic parameters of microalgal mixotrophic growth. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng 2019; 42:839-851. [DOI: 10.1007/s00449-019-02087-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Sforza E, Pastore M, Spagni A, Bertucco A. Microalgae-bacteria gas exchange in wastewater: how mixotrophy may reduce the oxygen supply for bacteria. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 25:28004-28014. [PMID: 30066074 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-018-2834-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Microalgae-bacteria consortia application to wastewater treatment is considered as a potential and cheap strategy towards a self-sustaining oxygen-carbon dioxide gas exchange. However, microalgae can also carry out mixotrophy, thus reducing the net oxygen production, due to consumption of organic substrates. In this work, respirometric tests were used to quantify the oxygen reduction in the presence of biodegradable COD (chemical oxygen demand), which resulted up to 70%, depending on the biodegradability of the carbon substrate. The implication of mixotrophic metabolism on nutrient removal in urban wastewater was also measured by co-cultivating C. protothecoides with bacteria from activated sludge. To better understand the contribution of different populations, ad hoc experiments under controlled conditions were designed to quantify the nutrient consumption of bacteria and microalgae. Microalgae and bacteria were cultivated together and separately, with and without external bubbling, so to better ascertain the specific role of gas production and nutrient removal. Results showed that microalgae can remove up to 100 and 85% of P and N respectively, but the contribution on COD consumption may affect the net O2 supply to heterotrophic bacteria. However, a mutual COD consumption by microalgae and bacteria was proved by both experimental growth curves and mass balance application, based on stoichiometry experimentally adjusted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Sforza
- Department of Industrial Engineering DII, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 9, 35131, Padova, Italy.
- Interdepartmental Centre Giorgio Levi Cases, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 9, 35131, Padova, Italy.
| | - Martina Pastore
- Interdepartmental Centre Giorgio Levi Cases, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 9, 35131, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Alberto Bertucco
- Department of Industrial Engineering DII, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 9, 35131, Padova, Italy
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