Evaluación de la remoción de nutrientes y de la biomasa alcanzada mediante el cultivo de un consorcio de microalgas en aguas residuales.

Abstract

The nutrient removal capacity and the biomass achieved through the cultivation of a microalgae (Chlorella Vulgaris and Scnedesmus sp.) consortium, in waste water from the production process of the SIPIA S.A. food industry were evaluated. Growth of the consortium in this type of effluent, whith the capacity to reduce the high concentration of Biochemical Oxigen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxigen Demand (COD). According to the initial analyzes of the effluent, a high content of BOD 1712 mg O 2 /L mg and of COD 3455 mg O xxii 2 /L and a pH 4,23 acid, modified at pH 7 are presented. In the implementation of the methodology, 100%, 80% and 60 % effluent concentration and their respective control were used, first obtaining the inoculum volumen of the microalgae consortium, to proceed whith the pre-treatment that has a period of 21 days, reaching the exponential phase of the consortium in all treatment at 10 days of culture, the control only provied the optimum conditions of culture of the microalgae obtaining two exponentials phases whit diabolical behavior, presenting a greater cell density the concentration of effluent at 60% 4,75E+06 cel. ml −1 and followed by 80 % with 3,76E+06 cel. ml −1 . A BOD reduction characterization was performed whith the concentration of 100 % effluent with a 79 % reduction, and the COD parameter presented the control with an 88 % reduction, these results gave way to the next step which a BOD reduction of 94% and 91% of COD. The analysis of the biochemical composition of the biomass has low values in proteins, carbohydrates and fats, It is conclued that the microalgae consortium “can be used for the removal of pollutants in this type of effluent and it is recommended to evaluate the biochemical composition of the dry biomass.