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.

BROWN_LAURA_THESIS3.docx (1131 kB)
Revised Thesis

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