Freely-Suspended Marine Microalgae Nannochloropsis oculata and Isochrysis galbana for Palm Oil Mill Effluent Remediation

POME having the characteristics of high chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), mineral content such as nitrogen and phosphorus, that can lead to a serious pollution to the environment. COD level determines the amount of organic compounds in water while BOD level is the amount of dissolved oxygen that are present in the water. POME remediation in POME using microalgae is a sustainable and cost effective way. Algae, with their photosynthesis abilities, are able to produce lipids and hydrocarbons. Immobilization is among the techniques that could lead to continued use of algae over prolonged period. A combination of wastewater treatment and renewable bioenergy production will act as a benefit to the palm oil industry and renewable energy sector. In this study, palm oil mill effluent (POME) was used as an alternative medium for algal biomass and lipid filtered and centrifuged POME in seawater (1, 5, 10, 15%) on microalgal cell growth. Both N. oculata and I. galbana had enhanced cell growth after 16 days of flask cultivation. Algae cultivation with POME media also enhanced the removal of COD (93.6-95%), BOD (96-97%) and TOC (71-75%) from POME.