The production of bio-energy from a consortium of algal species - Proof of concept trials at the rural Brandwacht domestic waste water treatment plant, South Africa

Abstract

With increased environmental pollution from untreated or partially treated wastewater and resultant eutrophication, there is an increased need for remediation. It is foreseen that treatment of wastewater will form part of the production of goods in the near future. Phycoremediation makes use of macroalgae or microalgae and could be used to treat wastewater. This technique has the potential to be used as an alternative biomass source for bioenergy production. The usefulness of biological wastewater treatment by microalgae coupled with biofuel production, is even more attractive as a result of an increase in global warming, depletion of fossil fuels and the need to manage greenhouse gases. The current study utilizes a specific consortium of algal species (isolated and cultured in the laboratory) to reduce nutrients and create conditions suitable for reduction of E. coli in wastewater as well as the determination of algae biomass for bioenergy production.