Date of Award
Summer 8-2018
Degree Type
Masters Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Marine Science
Committee Chair
Donald G. Redalje
Committee Chair Department
Marine Science
Committee Member 2
Scott Milroy
Committee Member 2 Department
Marine Science
Committee Member 3
Kevin Dillon
Committee Member 3 Department
Coastal Sciences, Gulf Coast Research Laboratory
Abstract
In this study, two species of microalgae, Scenedesmus sp. isolated locally and Chlorella sorokiniana (UTEX 1230) were grown in municipal wastewater collected from Stennis Space Center, MS in order to assess whether or not the microalgae could remediate the wastewater into a clean and usable form while also producing the biomaterials necessary for fuel and other useful byproducts. Each species was cultured in 16 ˚C and 30 ˚C to assess functional variabilities at different times of the year. The microalgae’s ability to decrease nutrient concentrations in the wastewater and produce lipids and protein was assessed at three different growth stages: log, stationary, and extended stationary phase. The two species were able to significantly decrease particulate organic nitrogen and phosphate concentrations in the wastewater medium while also producing lipid and protein. Scenedesmus sp. was able to produce higher lipid, protein and biomass suggesting that this species is a better candidate for wastewater remediation and biofuel production in the area of interest. However, C. sorokiniana also showed promising results, and the findings suggest that both species are good candidates for wastewater remediation and biofuel production in south Mississippi.
Copyright
2018, Laura Brown
Recommended Citation
Brown, Laura, "Creating Renewable Energy through the Pairing of Wastewater Remediation and Biofuel Production with Two Species of Microalgae" (2018). Master's Theses. 372.
https://aquila.usm.edu/masters_theses/372
Revised Thesis