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Microalgae for Simultaneous Removal of Organic and

Nitrogenous Compounds from Wastewater

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Zuhra , Nur Malahayati , Nikita Emalya , Wahyu Rinaldi and Yunardi 1,

1 Department of Chemical Engineering, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh 23111,
Indonesia
2 Master student in Chemical Engineering, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh
23111, Indonesia

E-mail: yunardi@unsyiah.ac.id

Abstract. The increasing population growth and rapid urbanization, particularly in the
developing countries, have significantly contributed to the amount and the quality of domestic
wastewater. Although in certain cities, centralized wastewater treatment facility is available, it
mainly aims at removing organic substances as the system uses the conventional one. Even after
the treatment, the effluent is still rich with nutrients pollutants, particularly nitrogenous
compounds originated from bathrooms and kitchens. Consequently, excessive nitrogenous
matter in the effluent will end up in the water bodies which can lead to eutrophication,
stimulating algal bloom, changing the balance of organism and degrading the water quality. As
the conventional wastewater treatment system is expensive to invest and operate, it is also more
suitable to remove the organics, leading to a burden for developing nations to implement.
Therefore, an alternative cheaper and reliable method for wastewater treatment should be
available that fits for the need of the developing countries. In recent years many research have
shown that microalga have capability of simultaneously reducing organic and nitrogenous
substances in the wastewater for further developed as sources for producing medicines, healthy
foods, ingredients, chemicals, biofuels, electricity, animal feeds, and many more. In this paper,
we will review and discuss the potential application of microalgae in wastewater
treatment, with attention to simultaneously removal of organics and nitrogenous
substances in wastewater.

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