Microalgae-based swine wastewater treatment: Strain screening, conditions optimization, physiological activity and biomass potential

Using microalgae to treat swine wastewater (SW) can achieve wastewater purification and biomass recovery at the same time. The algae species suitable for growth in SW were screened in this study, and the response surface combined with the desirability function method was used for multi-objective optimization to obtain high algal biomass and pollutant removal. Chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and biomass composition were analyzed to evaluate the cell physiological activity and its application potential. Chlorella sp. HL was selected as the most suitable species for growth in SW, and after 9 d of cultivation, the maximum specific growth rate and highest algal density were achieved 0.51 d-1 and 2.43 × 107 cells/mL, respectively. In addition, the removal of total phosphate and chemical oxygen demand were reached 69.13% and 72.95%, respectively. The optimum conditions for maximum algal density and highest pollutant removal were determined as the light intensity of 58.73 μmol/m2/s, inoculation density of 5.0 × 106 cells/mL, and a light/dark ratio of 3 using response surface model, and the predicted overall desirability value was 0.96. The potential maximum quantum yield of PSII (Fv/Fm) of Chlorella sp. HL in the early stage of cultivation was 0.60-0.70, while under high light and long photoperiod, the value of Fv/Fm and performance index of Chlorella decreased, trapped and dissipated energy flux per reaction center increased. The higher heating value of 18.25 MJ/kg indicated that the Chlorella cultivated in SW could be a good feedstock for biofuel production.