Optimization of nitrogen and phosphorus removal from meat processing wastewaters using microalgal biofilms

The conventional activated sludge processes are not able to completely treat the nitrogenand phosphorus compounds of meat processing wastewaters. Microalgal biofilm, which has theadvantages of easiness and inexpensiveness, can be applied as a post-treatment method.Methods: The optimal levels of micronutrients and N/P ratio were aimed in the cultivation ofScenedesmus quadricauda as a biofilm formed on the two types of commercially available bed packing.For this purpose, the Factorial design was run to maximize the removal of ammonium, nitrate andphosphate concentration in the synthetic meat processing wastewater.Results: Experimental data showed better results for the removal of biofilm formed on the spongefilter. In addition, a maximum removal efficiency of 55.6%, 47% and 48.% was respectively achievedfor ammonium, nitrate and phosphate at optimal N/P ratio of 10.5 and volumetric percentage of 50%of micronutrients.Conclusion: The results demonstrated that microalgal biofilm of Scenedesmus is able to remove thenutritional components of meat processing wastewaters. The process is needed to be optimized for theeffective treatment.