Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg GmbH Yuk-Shan Wong Nora F.Y. Tam (Eds.) Wastewater Treatment with Algae , Springer Yuk-Shan Wong Nora F. Y. Tam The Hong Kong University The City University of Hong Kong of Science and Technology Dept. of Biology and Chemistry Research Centre Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Clear Water Bay, Kowloon Hong Kong Hong Kong Library of Congress Cataloging.in.Publication Data Wastewater treatment with algae I [edited by] Yuk·Shan Wong, Nora F.Y. Tam. p. cm .• (Environmental intelligence unit) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-3-662-10865-9 ISBN 978-3-662-10863-5 (eBook) DOI 10.1007/978-3-662-10863-5 1. Sewage· Purification· Phosphorus removal. 2. Chlorella. 3. Immobilized microorganisms. Industrial applications. I. Wong, Yuk·Shan. II. Tam, Nora F.Y. III. Series. TD758·5·P56W371997 628.3'5 • DCZl 97·18167 CIP This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other way, and storage in datas banks. Duplication of this publication or parts thereof is permitted only under the provisions of the German Copyright Law of September 9, 1965, in its current version, and permission for use must always be obtained from Springer·V erlag Berlin Heidelberg GmbH. Violations are liable for prosecution under the German Copyright Law. © Springer· Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 1998 Originally published by Springer·V erlag Berlin Heidelberg New York in 1998 Softcover reprint of the hardcover 1s t edition 1998 The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. Product liability: The publishers cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information about dosage and application contained in this book. In every individual case the user must check such information by consulting the relevant literature. Typesetting: Landes Bioscience Georgetown, TX, U.S.A. SPIN: 10637956 31/3111 • 5 4 2 3 2 1 0 • Printed on acid· free paper =====PREFACE ===== U ntreated or improperly treated wastewater has become a major pol lution problem for rivers and coastal waters. A related problem is our inability to recover its useful components (i.e., the nutrients con tained in the wastewater) such that we pay expensive cost to manufac ture fertilizer. Conventional approaches such as activated sludge sys tems involve tremendous capital investment and impose major short comings such as inefficient removal of phosphate, unpleasant odor and foaming problems. Recent years have witnessed an exponential increase of knowl edge in generating innovative treatment technology. The objective of publishing this book is thus to bring together scientists and engineers intimately involved in this field to discuss state-of-the-art research on the application of algae for wastewater treatment. Authors of this book describe different approaches and methodologies utilizing microalgae for removing nutrients, heavy metals and other organic pollutants in sewage and industrial effluents. This book also includes biosorption, bioaccumulation and biotransformation of metals in living and non living algal cells; and cell immobilization technology for algae and in duction of metal binding complexes such as metallothionein in metal resistant algal species. Modelling of metal ion uptake to predict the adsorption and membrane transport process of the living algal cells is also discussed. This book will be invaluable for researchers and engineers in en vironmental sciences and algal biotechnology to keep abreast of the subject. Additionally, advanced research students of biology and envi ronmental engineering will find it a useful source of information. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the contribut ing authors and the staff of Landes Bioscience for their valuable sup port and cooperation during the development and publication of this book. We also like to thank Miss Ellen M. Y. So for her help in prepar ing some of the manuscripts. Yuk-Shan Wong Nora F. Y. Tam June, 1997 CONTENTS 1. Immobilized Algal Technology for Wastewater Treatment Purposes .......................................... 1 Peter K. Robinson General ......................................................................................... 1 Immobilization ............................................................................ 1 Immobilized Algae ...................................................................... 2 Studies on Immobilized Algal Physiology and Biochemistry ..................................................................... 3 P0 -P Uptake Studies .................................................................. 7 4 The Future .................................................................................. 12 2. Removal of Copper by Free and Immobilized Microalga, Chlorella vulgaris ......................................................................... 17 Nora F. Y. Tam, Yuk-Shan Wong and Craig G. Simpson Introduction ............................................................................... 17 Heavy Metal Pollution in the Environment ............................ 17 Removal of Heavy Metal by Algal Cells ................................... 18 Heavy Metal Removal by Immobilized Microalgae .............. 20 Objectives ................................................................................... 20 Materials and Methods ............................................................. 21 Results and Discussion ............................................................. 25 Conclusions ................................................................................ 33 3. Biosorption of Heavy Metals by Microalgae in Batch and Continuous Systems ............................................................ 37 Zumriye Aksu Introduction ............................................................................... 37 Heavy Metal Pollution .............................................................. 37 The Usage of Algal Cells For Heavy Metal Ions Removal ...... 38 Biosorption Mechanisms of Algae ........................................... 41 Developing Biosorption Isotherms for Single- and Multi-Metal Ion Systems ............................................... 42 Biosorption of Heavy Metals by Microalgae in Batch Systems .................................................................... 44 Biosorption of Heavy Metals by Microalgae in Continuous Systems .......................................................... 48 Conclusions ................................................................................ 50 4. Microalgal Removal of Organic and Inorganic Metal Species from Aqueous Solution ...................................... 55 Simon V. A very, Geoffrey A. Codd and Geoffrey M. Gadd Introduction ............................................................................... 55 Methods ...................................................................................... 58 Results and Discussion ............................................................. 59 Concluding Remarks ................................................................ 66 5. Bioaccumulation and Biotransformation of Arsenic, Antimony, and Bismuth Compounds by Freshwater Algae .................................................................... 73 Shigeru Maeda and Akira Ohki Introduction ............................................................................... 73 Background Literature .............................................................. 74 Bioaccumulation of Arsenic by Freshwater Algae ................. 75 Bioaccumulation of Arsenic by C. Vulgaris Using Raceway-Type Open-Culture Tank ...... 76 Biotransformation of Arsenic by Freshwater Algae: Exposure to Inorganic Arsenic ............................................. 77 Biotransfermation of Arsenic by Freshwater Algae: Exposure to Organic Arsenic Compounds ......................... 80 Association Mode of Bioaccumulated Inorganic Arsenic .... 80 Biotransformation of Arsenic in Freshwater Food Chain ..... 83 Bioaccumulation of Antimony by Freshwater Algae ............. 85 Bioaccumulation of Bismuth by Freshwater Algae ............... 88 Conclusion ................................................................................. 88 6. Metal Ion Binding by Biomass Derived from Nonliving Algae, Lichens, Water Hyacinth Root and Sphagttum Moss .................................................................... 93 GeraldJ. Ramelow, Hua Yao and WeiZhuang Introduction ............................................................................... 93 Materials and Methods ............................................................. 95 Results and Discussion ............................................................. 97 7. Metal Resistance and Accumulation in Cyanobacteria ........ 111 Marli F. Fiore, David H. Moon and Jack T. Trevors Introduction .............................................................................. 111 Metal Uptake ............................................................................. 112 Mechanisms of Metal Tolerance ............................................. 113 Use of Cyanobacteria for Metal Bioremoval .......................... 117 8. Modelling the Uptake of Metal Ions by Living Algal Cells ................................................................... 12S Ian G. Prince, Y.P. Ting and Frank Lawson Introduction .............................................................................. 125 General Considerations in Modeling the Uptake Process ... 126 Adsorption and Membrane Transport Model ...................... 130 Conclusions ............................................................................... 141 9. Carrageenan as a Matrix for Immobilizing Microalgal Cells for Wastewater Nutrients Removal ............................... 145 P.S. Lau, Nora F. Y. Tam and Yuk-Shan Wong Introduction ............................................................................. 145 Materials and Methods ........................................................... 147 Results and Discussion ........................................................... 149 Concern and Limitation .......................................................... 158 Conclusion ............................................................................... 160 10. Dynamics ofPicoplankton and Microplankton Flora in the Experimental Wastewater Stabilization Ponds in the Arid Region of Marrakech, Morocco and Cyanobacteria Effect on Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholerae Survival ................................................... I. 16S Nour-Eddine Mezrioui and Brahim Oudra Introduction ............................................................................. 165 Micro-Algae in Wastewater Stabilization Ponds (A Review) ............................................................................ 166 Role of Micro-Algae on Biological Sewage Treatment ......... 167 Factors Influencing Algal Growth in Wastewater Stabilization Ponds .............................................................. 168 Dynamics of Picoplankton and Microplankton Flora in the Experimental Wastewater Stabilization Ponds in Marrakech, Morocco ....................................................... 169 Effect of Microalgae Growing on Wastewater Batch Culture on Escherichia Coli and Vibrio Cholerae Survival ............... 170 Results and Discussion- Sewage Physicochemical Characteristics ........................... 171 Composition of Algal Flora .................................................... 172 Seasonal Variation ofNanomicroplankton Algal Species and Biomass in Sewage Ponds ............................................. 173 Seasonal Variation ofPicoplankton Biomass and its Contribution to Total Algal Biomass in Sewage Ponds .... 174 Relationship Between Cyanobacteria and Bacteria .............. 178 Conclusions .............................................................................. 182 11. A Material Transformation Model For Biological Stabilization Ponds ................................................................... 189 Xianghua Wen Introduction ............................................................................. 189 Model Development ................................................................ 189 Model Calibration and Parameter Sensitivity Analysis ....... 193 Model Verification .................................................................. 195 Material Transformation Graphics ........................................ 197 Prospect of the Model Application ....................................... 200 Conclusions and Recommendations ..................................... 201 12. Limits to Growth ........................................................................ 203 Michael A. Borowitzka Introduction ............................................................................. 203 Limiting Factors to Algal Growth ......................................... 204 Operation of High Rate Oxidation Ponds ............................. 216 Conclusions .............................................................................. 218 Index ...................................................................................................... 227 r.=======EDITORS =======;-] Yuk-Shan Wong Research Centre Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Hong Kong Chapters 2 and 9 Nora F.Y. Tam Department of Biology and Chemistry City University of Hong Kong Hong Kong Chapters 2 and 9 1====== CONTRIBUTORS ===== Ziimriye Aksu Geoffrey M. Gadd Department of Chemical Department of Biological Sciences Engineering University of Dundee Hacettepe University Dundee, Scotland, U.K. Beytepe, Ankara, Turkey Chapter 4 Chapter3 P.S. Lau Simon V. Avery Research Centre Department of Biology Hong Kong University of Science Georgia State University and Technology Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong Chapter 4 Chapter 9 Michael A. Borowitzka Frank Lawson School of Biological Department of Chemical and Environmental Sciences Engineering Murdoch University Monash University Perth, W.A., Australia Clayton, Victoria, Australia Chapter 12 ChapterS Geoffrey A. Codd Shigeru Maeda Department of Biological Sciences Department of Applied Chemistry University of Dundee and Chemical Engineering Dundee, Scotland, U.K. Kagoshima University Chapter 4 Korimoto, Kagoshima, Japan Chapters Marli F. Fiore Molecular Biology Laboratory Nour-Eddine Mezrioui Centro de Energia Nuclear Faculte des Sciences na Agricultura Universite Cadi Ayyad University of Sao Paulo Semlalia, Bd Le Prince My Abdallah Piracicaba, SP, Brazil Marrakech, Morocco Chapter 7 Chapter 10 David H. Moon Craig G. Simpson Molecular Biology Laboratory Department of Biology Centro de Energia Nuclear and Chemistry na Agricultura City University of Hong Kong University of Sao Paulo Hong Kong Piracicaba, SP, Brazil Chapter 2 Chapter 7 Y.P. Ting Akira Ohki Department of Chemical Department of Applied Chemistry Engineering and Chemical Engineering National University of Singapore Kagoshima University Kent Ridge, Singapore Korimoto, Kagoshima, Japan Chapter 8 Chapters Jack T. Trevors Brahim Oudra Ontario Agricultural College Faculte des Sciences University of Guelph Universite Cadi Ayyad Guelph, Ontario, Canada Semlalia, Bd Le Prince My Chapter 7 Abdallah Marrakech, Morocco Xianghua Wen Chapter 10 Department of Environmental Engineering Ian G. Prince Tsinghua University Department of Chemical Beijing, People's Republic of China Engineering Chapter 11 Monash University Clayton, Victoria, Australia Hua Yao Chapter 8 Department of Chemistry McNeese State University Gerald J. Ramelow Lake Charles, Louisiana, U.S.A. Department of Chemistry Chapter 6 McNeese State University Lake Charles, Louisiana, U.S.A. WeiZhuang Chapter 6 Department of Chemistry McNeese State University Peter K. Robinson Lake Charles, Louisiana, U.S.A. Department of Applied Biology Chapter 6 University of Central Lancashire Preston, U.K. Chapter 1 1 CHAPTER Immobilized Algal Technology for Wastewater Treatment Purposes Peter K. Robinson General T his chapter comprises a brief review of the current literature dealing with the use of immobilized algae for wastewater treatment purposes, together with re sults from some of our own experimental studies on immobilized Chlorella emersonii for the removal of phosphate-phosphorus (P0 -P) from waste waters. 4 The intention of including these results is to highlight some of the practical advan tages of using immobilized systems, and also to introduce some of the problems and limitations of such systems at the laboratory scale. Consideration of the scale up of such processes is also included. Immobilization Immobilization may be defined as "the accumulation of a biocatalyst (cell or enzyme) either on surfaces or within particles" (based on ref. 1). Therefore the fun damental characteristic of an immobilized system is that the biocatalyst is fixed within a distinct phase (the biocatalyst phase) which is separate from the bulk phase, in which the substrates and ultimately the products are dissolved (Figure l.1a). This system heterogeneity gives rise to two major advantages of immobilized systems over their non-immobilized (free) counterparts: • A physical advantage in that the biocatalyst and product may be separated easily, enabling effective product recovery (downstream processing) and biocatalyst re-use. • A biological advantage in that the immobilized biocatalyst is often found to be more stable than the non-immobilized form (where stability may mean an enhanced rate of catalysis, prolonged duration of catalysis, or greater operational stability to extremes of pH or temperature). Wastewater Treatment with Algae, edited by Yuk-Shan Wong and Nora F.Y. Tam. © Springer -Verlag and Landes Bioscience 1998.