The Effect of External Feed Source on Color Removal with Algae in Real Textile Wastewater

Abstract

The textile wastewaters include mainly heavy metals, strong color, organic and inorganic compounds, which can be have mutagenic, carcinogenic and toxic effects to the environment. These wastewaters should be treated prior to discharge receiving environment. However, traditional textile wastewater treatment plants are generally designed for carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphate. The algae could be used as tertiary treatment process for color removal. In this study, it was aimed to show the influence of external feed source on algae by decolorization of textile wastewater. The mixed algal culture was used in this study, were taken from local region in Kahramanmaras/Turkey. The influent and effluent of the real wastewater was given to the mixed algal culture in 5% and 10% concentration. Modified BG-11 medium was added as external feed source. According to the results, the numbers of algae decreased with external feed source in influent and increased with effluent, generally. The color was measured as Pt-Co, 436, 525, and 620 nm in wave length. Color removal was determined both of control and the other groups with external feed source by Pt-Co (465 nm) and 436 nm wave lengths. TN and NO₂ values were generally increased adding external feed source to influent and effluent to textile wastewater. TOC values do not change with external feed source. The influent with external feed source has a negative effect on algae according to the hemocytometer results. Consequently, the algae were affected by the addition of external feed source to the textile wastewater.