Symbiotic Bioremediation og Effective Microorganism (EM-1) and Microalagae (Chlorella sp.) in Reducing Ammonia ang Phosphorus from Aquaculture Wastewater

• Main Authors: Azizah, Endut, Lanananc, Fathurrahman, Siti Hajar, Abdul Hamid, Wan Nur Sakinah, Din
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English; English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: SH Aquaculture. Fisheries. Angling
• Online Access: http://eprints.unisza.edu.my/235/1/FH03-ESERI-14-01066.jpg; http://eprints.unisza.edu.my/235/2/FH03-ESERI-14-01067.jpg; http://eprints.unisza.edu.my/235/
• Institution: Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin

Bioremediation of aquaculture wastewater utilizing naturally occurring bacteria and microalgae have been widely used since 1990s in open pond. However, bioremediation of either effective microorganism (EM) or microalgae independently required continuous supply of oxygen and carbon dioxide, respectively to sustain their growth and treatment efficiency. EM bioremediation would produce CO2 and consume O2 whereas microalgae is vice versa. On top of that, both EM and microalgae simultaneously function as degradation of organic matter. However, symbiotic relations of these two microorganisms would benefits in designing more robust, economical and least maintenance on the wastewater treatment system.Aquaculture wastewater normally consist of high concentration of total ammoniacal nitrogen (TAN) and total phosphorus (TP). TAN and TP are the limiting nutrient in most aquatic ecosystems. In this study, competition between Chlorella sp. and EM-1 was the main focus in determining the optimum mixing ratio for aquaculture wastewater treatment. This study was done based on the objectives to model the EM- 1 and alorella sp. bioremediation kinetics separately and as symbiotic treatment. Mixing ratio, organic loading rate (OLR) and hydraulic retention time (HRT) were varied to determine the optimum bioremediation kinetics. Results showed that integration of EM-1 and Chioreila sp. was significantly higher as compared to separate system in reducing TAN and TP from aquaculture wastewater. The output of this study will help to unveil the potential of multi-trophic treatment technology especially in recirculating aquaculture wastewater treatment system as well as enhancing the development of clean and green technology.