Cultivation of Microalgae in Industrial Waste Water
Innovation Competition to encourage the Novel innovations and to promote Start-ups was convened in Mumbai by Bhanushali Chamber of Commerce, Mumbai. The Innovations were awarded with Prizes.
In this issue we are bringing to you novel innovation on Algal Cultivation which leads to sustainable development…
Introduction
The development of autotrophic green algae took place 3.5 billion years ago. From the ancient times to the present the manifold algal species remain more important than most people realize. Algae are a diverse group of photosynthetic aquatic organisms belonging to the kingdom Plantae. These organisms are present widely throughout the earth and serve as an unexplored source of beneficial applications. The innovative method of Cultivation of Microalgae is developed by Swapnil Kadam using the Industrial Waste water as media source. The technique will bring in sustainability as well as help in the production of Microalgae in a very cost effective manner
Algae
Algae present in the oceans, rivers and lakes of the world are thought to produce about half of the oxygen produced on the planet. The algal species are adapted to extreme environmental conditions and diverse habitats which has made them tolerant against elevated nutrient levels.
Microalgae are small eukaryotic organisms which are found in a range of habitats such as marine or freshwater ecosystems and are responsible for the significant portion of ocean’s biogeochemical cycling. Microalgae and cyanobacterial species have a wide ecological role in assuring survival of life on earth. These organisms can perform photosynthesis due to the presence of a range of photosynthetic pigments. Microalgae utilize sunlight and CO2 to generate a variety of organic molecules and efficient biomass.
Pollution
Water pollution is a widespread problem which occurs when harmful substances such as chemicals, organic wastes, domestic wastes, xenobiotics, micro-organisms etc. are released into the water bodies. This results in deterioration of water quality and renders it to be toxic to humans and the environment. Surface water pollution has become a serious problem in India due to increasing human activities which has affected the quality of rivers and lakes. Industrialization, Civilization and the living standards of people are the factors related to water pollution.
Industrial Waste Water
Industrial waste water is generated by manufacturing or industrial processes. The waste water generated in specific industries can be a good source of nutrients for algal cultivation. After the treatment, this industrial effluent is let out into brooks and ditches. Even after the costly treatment processes incorporated by industries, the treated water does not meet the required standards of usable water. This adds to the amount of waste water pollution.
Microalga
Certain algal strains are capable of growing in industrial treated waste water as well as untreated waste water. Algal cultivation technology involves extensive usage of water resources for media preparation, washing or cleaning of bioreactors during maintenance. Incorporation of industrial waste water to satisfy the water demands of algal cultivation reduces dependency on water resources.
Waste Water as Media
Reuse of this waste water for cultivation of algae is a novel technology that serves the idea of conservation of natural resources and building of sustainable techniques. Reclaiming industrial waste water, treating it and reusing it can provide alternative supply in place of water requirements. Reuse and recycling of waste water enhances water security, sustainability, resilience and provides an opportunity to control the wastage of industrial water.
Even by the expensive treatment processes followed by the industries, treated water remains far away from the parameters of usable water. Post ETP treated industrial effluent water is let out into brooks and ditches which leads to the wastage of water and resources used in the treatment process.
Algal Culture
Microalgae possess inbuilt mechanism to capture CO2 from the atmosphere even in smallest concentration. This mechanism is referred to as Carbon Capture Mechanism (CCM). These micro-algae have the ability to absorb and accumulate nutrients such as nitrates, phosphates, heavy metal contaminants, organic and inorganic pollutants from wastewater sources. Also, they show high nutrient removal efficiency from wastewater. Microalgal species grow rapidly and have high photosynthetic efficiency to produce various bioproducts which makes them an appropriate candidate for serving as industrial raw materials. Microalgae can be grown in Industrial waste water by capturing carbon from atmosphere.
Novel solution
The water needs and resources should be managed efficiently which is a very crucial step towards achieving the country’s water mission goals. Reusing and recycling our water resources is essential in attaining sustainable development. The proposed Technology will benefit production of algae in industrial waste water to produce algal biomass . The novelty even leads to Sustainable Development.
-Team ScienceNow Digital
