Phosphorus removal from landfill leachate by microalgae

Phosphorus is an essential constituent of all living organisms but it is non-renewable and its natural reserves are fast depleting. Phosphorus discharged in wastewater could be sustainably reused by microalgae. Knowledge about cellular phosphorus dynamics in microalgae has been rapidly advancing and luxury phosphorus (poly-P) uptake phenomenon by microalgae is becoming the focus point for many research studies. Ultra-membrane treated landfill leachate was used as a nutrient medium for the growth of indigenous microalgal species with simultaneous removal of phosphorus (P-PO(4)(−3)) and nitrogen (N-NH(4)(+) and N-NO(3)). Different concentrations of phosphorus (15–100 mg. L(-1) P-PO(4)(−3)) was added to leachate. Highest nitrogen removal (69.03% N-NH(4)(+)) was observed for 100 mg. L(-1) P-PO(4)(−3) supplemented medium. P removal efficiency was 100% for all the tested P-PO(4)(-3) concentrations. Intracellular poly-P was detected by florescence microscopy. Microalgae can be grown and utilized for the sustainable recovery of P and N from landfill leachate.