Removal of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Organic Matter, and Heavy Metals from Pig-Farming Wastewater Using a Microalgae-Bacteria Consortium

Wastewater generated by the pork industry urgently requires the implementation of low-cost, high-benefit, and efficient treatment systems. Accordingly, a microalgae-bacteria consortia-based treatment system is proposed for the removal of contaminants released, by the pork-producing industry, in swine wastewater. In this study, different inoculum concentrations of the microalgae-bacteria consortium were tested to document variation in the removal of nutrients from the wastewater. At varying concentrations, it was efficient and did not present a significant difference in the removal kinetics. The treatment with the greatest amount of inoculum removed close to 87% of total nitrogen, approximately 70% of orthophosphate, and 77% of chemical oxygen demand. Removals of 84% iron, 44% copper, and 48% manganese were also obtained. These results demonstrate that microalgae-bacteria consortia are an economically viable and environmentally desirable option for the efficient treatment of wastewater from the pork industry.