Nitrate removal from liquid effluents using microalgae immobilized on chitosan nanofiber mats

Abstract

Mats of electrospun chitosan nanofibers were found effective in immobilizing microalgal cells. These immobilized microalgal cells were also used as a durable model system for wastewater treatment which has been demonstrated by the removal of around 87% nitrate from liquid effluents ([NO3 --N]initial 30 mg L-1). Virtuous nitrate removal rates were derived by superimposing physicochemical adsorption and biological nutrient consumption phenomena for chitosan and microalgae, respectively. © 2012 The Royal Society of Chemistry.