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Phycoremediation of automobile exhaust gases using green microalgae

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12 November 2021 Editor's Note: Readers are alerted that the reliability of data presented in this manuscript is currently in question. Appropriate editorial action will be taken once this matter is resolved.

Abstract

In the present study, an effort has been made to utilize the microalgae Chlorella vulgaris to sequester automobile exhaust gas from a petroleum-based engine of a two-wheeler motorcycle. C. vulgaris was subjected to un-suspended/attached non-enclosure cultivation onto a silicone matrix coated on a stainless steel pipe, protracted to the motorcycle silencer outlet through which the exhaust gas passed out. The automobile exhaust gas contained 13% of carbon dioxide (CO2), 7.5% of carbon monoxide (CO), 0.2% of nitric oxide (NO), 0.08% of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), 0.1% of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and 0.05% of sulfur trioxide (SO3) concentrations, which were removed up to 65%, 59%, 66%, 68%, 65% and 67%, respectively, by C. vulgaris from the attached growth experiment. The present study results showed that the exhaust gases played a crucial role in inducing biomass and lipid yields up to ≥ 3.2 g/L and ≥ 1.1 g/L, respectively. The tolerance of C. vulgaris to the exhaust gas components’ toxicity and its efficiency in treating those gas constituents with simultaneous biomass and lipids yields was better than anticipated in the present study.

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  • 12 November 2021

    Editor's Note: Readers are alerted that the reliability of data presented in this manuscript is currently in question. Appropriate editorial action will be taken once this matter is resolved.

Abbreviations

APHA:

American Public Health Association

GHG:

Greenhouse gases

CO2 :

Carbon dioxide

CO:

Carbon monoxide

NOx:

Oxides of nitrogen

NO:

Nitric oxide

NO2 :

Nitrogen dioxide

SOx:

Oxides of sulfur

SO2 :

Sulfur dioxide

SO3 :

Sulfur trioxide

GC:

Gas chromatography

GC–MS:

Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

OD:

Optical density

FAME:

Fatty acid methyl esters

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Dr. Himabindu Vurimindi, Professor, Centre for Alternative Energy Options, Institute of Science and Technology, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad, kukatpally, Hyderabad-500085, Telangana, India, for her constant encouragement and technical support to carry out this research work.

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  1. Department of Environmental Sciences, Vardhaman College of Engineering Autonomous, Shamshabad, Kacharam, Hyderabad, Telangana, 501218, India

    Pooja Kandimalla, Priyanka Vatte & Chandra Sekhar Rao Bandaru

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  1. Pooja Kandimalla
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Correspondence to Pooja Kandimalla.

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The authors, namely Pooja Kandimalla, Priyanka Vatte and Chandra Sekhar Rao Bandaru, of this manuscript entitled: “Phycoremediation of automobile exhaust gases using green microalgae” certify that they have no conflict of interest.

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Kandimalla, P., Vatte, P. & Bandaru, C.S.R. Phycoremediation of automobile exhaust gases using green microalgae. Environ Dev Sustain 23, 6301–6322 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-020-00873-0

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