Purification of waste water using Algal species

A novel alternative method for waste water treatment was developed using a special constructed column treatment plant. The microbial mats used for the study are dominated by the algal species like Ulva sp, Cladophora sp and Chlorella sp. Various parameters like Chemical oxygen demand (COD), Biological oxygen demand (BOD) were observed after the treatment process in three phases, free cell process, batch process and continuous flow process. Better results in percentage of reduction were observed with continuous flow process using chlorella sp and the reduction rate was 52.1 (COD) and 50.8(BOD) along with changes in dissolved oxygen (DO) and pH. The results clearly enunciate the potentials of chlorella sp for employing in waste water treatment. This is an innovative, economical and environmentally safe alternative for treating waste water