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EFFECT OF PHYSICAL PRETREATMENT OF DAIRY WASTEWATER ON SCENEDESMUS SUBSPICATUS CHLOROPHYLL CONTENT AND MAGNESIUM REMOVAL
Abstract
Microalgae are increasingly recognized for their potential in nutrient recovery from wastewater. This study investigated the effect of physical pretreatment of dairy wastewater on the growth and nutrient assimilation of Scenedesmus subspicatus. Cultures were maintained for 14 days in three media: standard Bristol medium, untreated dairy wastewater, and physically pretreated dairy wastewater. Chlorophyll-a content and magnesium concentration were monitored on days 0, 7, and 14 to evaluate algal growth and nutrient uptake. Chlorophyll accumulation reached the highest values in pretreated wastewater (54.63 - 9.23 g/L), followed by untreated wastewater (23.98 - 6.19 g/L), whereas Bristol medium showed a decrease (4.88 - 1.49 g/L), indicating limited growth under these conditions. Magnesium concentrations changed during cultivation, decreasing from 4604.00 mg/L to 3376.00 mg/L in pretreated wastewater (26.67% removal), and from 5124.00 mg/L to 4966.00 mg/L in untreated wastewater (3.08% removal). These findings demonstrate that physical pretreatment of dairy wastewater enhances both algal growth and magnesium recovery. Since magnesium is a central component of chlorophyll and essential for photosynthesis, its uptake directly supports algal biomass production. Furthermore, microalgae assimilate not only magnesium but also other nutrients present in dairy wastewater, such as potassium, sulfur, and calcium, which can enrich the biomass. By removing excess nutrients from dairy wastewater, this approach contributes to water purification and prevents eutrophication. The resulting nutrient-rich algal biomass can be valorized as a biofertilizer, promoting circular economy strategies and supporting Sustainable Development Goals, including clean water and sanitation (SDG 6), responsible consumption and production (SDG 12), and life on land (SDG 15).
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