SANJAY VERMA1 AND SHARAD KHAWAL
Abstract
Primary treated effluent from pickling process of steel industry can be safely and economically treated with microalgae. Algae contain proteins, carbohydrate, and rich source of carbon which grow in presence of sunlight. The most important operational factors for successful wastewater treatments with microalgae are depth and hydraulic retention time of the effluent in the container. With a view to remove toxicity from the effluent three experiments were set up, two at laboratory scale and one at pilot level. For different depth and surface area, algae reduce the toxicity in the form of reduction in heavy metals (Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn). Better results were obtained in the day time instead of night cycle as the temperature range of 28°C-32°C is adequate for the growth of microalgae. It was concluded that algal treatment could alleviate the adverse effect of dissolved salts.