Possibilities of municipal waste water treatment by using phototrophic microorganisms under the Moscow climate conditions

Abstract

Application of phototrophic microorganisms for municipal waste water treatment today became promising technology that combines solving of environmental issues and production of valuable biomass. This technology related to biomass cultivation in open ponds by using waste heat, that taken place in the waste water. Also huge volumes of municipal waste water makes economically impossible to apply artificial illumination. Thus application of phototrophic microorganisms for municipal waste water treatment is strongly related to climate conditions. In this paper data concerning phototrophic microorganisms cultivation in Moscow climate conditions are presented. Euglena gracilis CCAP 1224/5Z strain was used, cultivation was provided at illumination from 500-1200 lux depending on natural illumination. All cultivations were provided on synthetic waste water. It was shown that speed of growth was approximately the same in case synthetic waste water and controls. Content of organic impurities was decreased no less 70% at all rounds of cultivation. Final biomass concentration in case of cultivation on waste water exceeded concentration in the control flasks. Thereby it was demonstrated that it is possible in Moscow climate conditions during spring-autumn period to apply phototrophic microorganism E. gracilis CCAP 1224/5Z strain for waste water treatment.