Abstract
Anabaena doliolum and Chlorella vulgaris immobilized on chitosan were more efficient at removing NO3 −, NO2 p−, PO4 3− and CR2O7 2− from wastewaters than cells immobilized on agar, alginate, carrageenan or even free cells. Carrageenan-immobilized cells, however, were better at removing NH4 + and Ni2+. The PO4 3− uptake capacity was significantly increased in cells starved of PO4 3− for 24 h. Agar-immobilized cells, though having good metal and nutrient uptake efficiency, had only a slow growth rate. Chitosan is recommended as an algal support for wastewater detoxification.
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The authors are with the Laboratory of Algal Biology, Department of Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221005, India
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Mallick, N., Rai, L.C. Removal of inorganic ions from wastewaters by immobilized microalgae. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 10, 439–443 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00144469
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00144469