Potential use of cyanobacterial species in bioremediation of industrial effluents

Abstract

This study investigated the potential degradation of industrial effluents by environmental species of cyanobacteria. Cyanobacterial species isolated from the Pharmaceutical and Textile industries Mandideep, Bhopal were exposed. Isolation and utilization of the locally generated cyanobacterial biomass for remediation of private industrial activities will generate a source of revenue in Bhopal localities. Biodegradation and biosorption capacity of some potential cyanobacterial species: Oscillatoria sp., Synechococcus sp., Nodularia sp., Nostoc sp. and Cyanothece sp. dominated the effluents and mixed cultures showed varying sensitivity. Contaminant was removed by all the species, either as individuals or mixtures, at both concentrations. The abundance of cyanobacteria in this
effluent was due to favorable contents of organic matter, rich calcium and nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates with less dissolved oxygen. Removal efficiencies of the different contaminants were evaluated and compared. Results confirmed the high efficiencies of the investigated species for the removal of the target contaminants which were species and contaminant-dependent. The contaminants removal efficiency (RE) percentage of cyanobacterial species ranged between 69.5 and 99.6% with a maximum of 97.0 to 99.6% at 5 ppm, 83.9% and 99.7% at 10 ppm and maximum between 95.5 and 99.7%. Mixed culture RE percentages ranged between 91.6 and 100% at 5 ppm with a maximum range of 99.3 to 100%, while at 10 ppm, the RE percentage ranged between 90.4 and 100%, with a maximum range of 96.0 to 100%. Results indicate the potential of natural resources as efficient agents for pollution control.

Key word: Cyanobacteria, industrial effluents, bioremediation.