Effect of Sewage Wastewater on the Growth of Microalga-Arthrospira platensis (Nordstedt)

Abstract

This study presents the effect of sewage waste water on the growth of microalga Arthrospira platensis using appropriate standard methods. The results showed that different concentrations of sewage waste water affected the growth of Arthrospira platensis. A comparison of the growth responses of the different treatments revealed that there was significant difference (p<0.05) with the control (0%) and 5% treatments having the highest mean values for growth when compared with other treatments. Among the different treatments, 30% treatment had the highest inhibitive effect on the growth of the test microalga while growth was stimulated in control (0%) and 5% treatments.  The highest growth inhibition was observed in 30% treatment. Total dissolved solids, conductivity and pH showed significant increase in all treatments while there was a decrease in temperature and biological oxygen demand. A reduction in chemical oxygen demand was also observed in all treatments.