Utilization of cyanobacteria in photobioreactors for orthophosphate removal from water

• Published in: Applied biochemistry and biotechnology Vol. 91-93; no. 1-9; pp. 185 - 193
• Main Authors: GAFFNEY, Alexea M, MARKOV, Sergei A, GUNASEKARAN, M
• Format: Conference Proceeding Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Springer 2001; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Anabaena - metabolism; Anabaena variabilis; Bacteria; Biological and medical sciences; Biological Transport, Active; Biological treatment of waters; Bioreactors; Biotechnology; Cells, Immobilized; Environment and pollution; Fresh Water - analysis; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; Phosphates - isolation & purification; Phosphates - pharmacokinetics; Photobiology; Reservoirs; Water Pollutants, Chemical - isolation & purification; Water Pollutants, Chemical - pharmacokinetics; Water Supply - analysis; Phosphates; Water treatment; Bioreactor; Photobioreactor; Cyanobacteria; Immobilization; Bacteria; Entrapped microorganism; Anabaena variabilis; Uptake; Biological purification
• ISSN: 0273-2289; 1559-0291; 0273-2289
• DOI: 10.1385/ABAB:91-93:1-9:185

The effectiveness of photosynthetic free-living and polyurethane foam (PU) immobilized Anabaena variabilis cells for removal of orthophosphate (P) from water in batch cultures and in a photobioreactor was studied. Immobilization in PU foams was found to have a positive effect on P uptake by cyanobacteria in batch cultures. The efficiency of P uptake by immobilized cells was higher than by free-living cells. A laboratory scale photobioreactor was constructed for removal of P from water by the immobilized cyanobacteria. The photobioreactor was designed so that the growth medium (water) from a reservoir was pumped through a photobioreactor column with immobilized cyanobacteria and back to the reservoir. This created a closed system in which it was possible to measure P uptake. No leakage of cells into the photobioreactor medium reservoir was observed during the operation. The immobilized cells incorporated into a photobioreactor column removed P continuously for about 15 d. No measurable uptake was demonstrated after this period. Orthophosphate uptake efficiency of 88-92% was achieved by the photobioreactor.