Studying the efficiency of the multiple biofilters in the reduction of pollutants from wastewater

Abstract

The Microorganisms: yeast Sporobolomyces yunnanensis, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa and Kluyveromyces marxianusin growth of 184 × 106 ± 15 cell\ml, and bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus cereus in the growth of 9 - 15× 108 ± 5 cell\ml, and algae Chlorella vulgaris in the growth of 45 × 105 ± 5 cell\ ml were selected as a bio filter to reduce organic and nonorganic pollutants from wastewater by COD, TOC, TN and TP concentrations of 455, 151, 9.5 and 31 ppm in treatment period 4, 6 and 18 hr. and pH of 7-8 in 25 Co as a Batch culture system. The yeasts showed ability to reduce COD concentration by 50-64% in 18 hr. treatment period, and the bacteria showed the ability to reduce COD, TOC, TN and TP concentrations by 59-69%, 57-66%, 53-63% and 40-55% in 18 hr. treatment period. At the same time, algae showed efficiency in reducing TN and TP by 81, 82%. The selective microorganisms showed high efficiency as a biofilter to reduce pollutants concentrations from wastewater in three serial steps by a treatment period of 6 hr in each step with a high ability to reduce COD, TOC, TN, and TP concentrations by 83, 91, 100, and 100% in 18 hr. treatment period. Ultimately, this study demonstrated the high efficiency of the multiple biofilters consisting of bacteria, yeasts, and algae in reducing the concentration of pollutants in sewage wastewater.