Abstract

EFFLUENT TREATMENT BY OEDOGONIUM SP

Ruthira P.*, Ramya M., Meena M. and Samitha S.

ABSTRACT

Industrial effluents, particularly those containing heavy metals and organic pollutants, pose significant threats to aquatic ecosystems and human health. Among biological treatment methods, microalgae have gained attention for their ability to remove contaminants due to their high biosorption capacity and environmental sustainability. This study explores the potential of the green algae Oedogonium sp. in treating wastewater effluents. The research focuses on the algae's ability to remove heavy metals and nutrients from simulated industrial effluents. Batch experiments were conducted to evaluate the removal efficiency under varying conditions of pH, contact time, and initial pollutant concentration. Results indicate that Oedogonium sp. effectively reduces heavy metal concentrations by over 80% within 48 hours, particularly in slightly acidic to neutral pH ranges. Additionally,nutrient uptake showed significant reduction rates, suggesting its dual capacity for bioremediation of both metals and nutrients. The study highlights Oedogonium sp. as a promising, cost-effective, and eco-friendly alternative for wastewater treatment, offering advantages over conventional chemical methods. These findings suggest that incorporating microalgae like Oedogonium sp. in wastewater treatment systems could contribute to sustainable water management practices and pollution control. Further research on scaling up the process and optimizing operational conditions could enhance its practical applicability in industrial effluent treatment.

Keywords: Aquatic Ecosystem, Bioremediation, Environmental sustainability, Green- algae, Oedogonium sp.