Hello intellect.

I am working with an algal consortium to treat wastewater derived from cattle (CRWW). Different dilutions of raw CFWW (FCWW/dH2O; v/v) were used for algal cultivation. As a control, the raw CFWW was taken at the same dilution without any algal inoculation. After batch cultivation for 10–12 days, I looked at the nutrient remediation profile and found that the control group—which did not have any algal cells—performed better than the phyco-remediation group because of its own microbial consortium.

Before treatment, the raw CFWW is extremely turbid, brownish in colour, and smells strongly. However, after batch completion, the colour of the phytoremediation case lightened relative to the control case, and both cases exhibited no smell. There is a range of 1200 to 1600 mg/L for the maximum soluble COD.

I need advice.

1. When dealing with raw, unsterile wastewater, is it a good idea to compare phyco-mediation with control (having microbes)?

2. Can I add a sterilization step before beginning phyco-remediation (such as using chemicals as our real-time treatment goal)?

3. Can we add any steps to the flocculation or coagulation process before the algal batch culture?

4. Alternatively, to improve microalgal doubling time and nutrient remediation as well, we must add some nutrients in the form of N/P.

5. Is there a competition between the algal cell and the natural microbiota of CFWW in the flask inoculated with algae, and if so, why does nutrient remediation become sluggish?

*****The microalgae consortium that was used as an inoculum was a CFWW-adopted culture that was in its active phase when it was added to the flask that had raw CFWW in it.