Wastewater treatment using Scenedesmus almeriensis: effect of operational conditions on the composition of the microalgae-bacteria consortia

Primary urban wastewater was treated in outdoor raceways using microalgae-bacteria consortia dominated by Scenedesmus almeriensis. The current study aimed at assessing the effect of operational conditions, namely, culture depth and dilution rate, on following: (i) biomass productivity, (ii) nutrient removal capacity (iii) composition consortium presence unwanted microorganisms. Optimum rates to process large quantities during summer achieve high productivities were 0.3–0.5 day?1. Under optimum nitrogen phosphorus higher than 90% while chemical oxygen demand 70%. Operating different depths had a striking consortium. relative abundance nitrifiers increased with minimised 0.05 m: larger led enhanced nitrifying activity therefore nitrate production accumulation system. Results demonstrate potential microalgae-based treatment processes importance selecting suitable conditions maximise both, minimising occurrence bacteria.