Wastewater treatment using a microalgae consortium mainly composed of chlorella, in Mexico

The bioremediation capacity of microalgae found in the wastewater channels in Irrigation District 03 (DR03) in Mexico was studied. The study evaluated the effect of pH, aeration, light intensity, and water source on the productivity, culture time, and composition of the microalgal biomass, predominantly made up of Chlorella vulgaris spp. Parameters such as Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), total solids (TS), and turbidity were monitored to assess the efficiency and bioremediation capacity of the microbial consortium. The yield production of microalgal biomass was measured to evaluate the amount produced per unit volume of treated water. Two culture conditions were assessed: uncontrolled and controlled conditions of aeration and lighting. Under controlled culture conditions, a productivity of 0.031 g L−1 d−1 biomass with 17% lipidic fraction and 37.65% ash content was observed, along with a reduction in COD and turbidity by 57 and 85%, respectively. A biomass productivity of 0.024 g L−1 d−1 was obtained.