Integrated Applications of Algal Biomass for Textile Effluent Treatment and Biomolecules Production

Abstract

In the research, two new strains of electrogenic microalgal species (Chlamydomonas sp. TRC-1 and Desmodesmus armatus sp. KB-1) were isolated from an outlet of an effluent treatment plant (ETP) located outside two textile dyeing mills. The principle role of isolating algal species was to utilize its potential to reduce pollutants due to their acclimatization in the effluent. Since the microalgal species were already pre-acclimatized to toxic effluent, certain essential parameters (pH, temperature, salinity and photoperiod) needed to be optimized before its application at a larger scale. Electrochemical analyses using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) were performed for the algal biomass to investigate its ability for bioelectricity generation. Furthermore, nanotechnology was integrated with algal biomass for rapid textile effluent treatment. Bioremedial efficiency was enhanced by nanotechnology using eco-friendly nano materials by developing a Bio-Nano-Composite. We have tried to fabricate an innovative, efficient, eco-friendly and self-sustainable bionanocomposite that not only degraded the toxic azo dye, but also proved to an efficient precursor of bioenergy (biofuel and bioelectricity). Additionally to employ a nanobiotechnological approach in the commercially available C. pyrenoidosa, the microalga was used as a substrate for the formation of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles. The improved activity of TiO2-GO nanocomposite might be attributed to enhanced charge separation, efficient charge transportation, extended light absorption range and increased adsorption of dye. This nanocomposite has great potential for removal of environmental contaminant and could be apply for effluent treatment. The present study, thus, offers sustainable solution for algae-mediated bioremediation of textile effluents and the spent algal biomass provides multifaceted applications towards bioenergy (precursor for biofuel and bioelectricity) as well as biomolecules (phytochemicals) production.