| ABSTRACT |
Industrial wastewater from ethanol production contains elevated levels of ammonium, nitrate, and phosphorus that require effective treatment prior to discharge. This study introduces a dual-function phycoremediation approach utilizing Chlorella vulgaris (microalgae) grown directly in ethanol wastewater as both a nutrient removal agent and cultivation medium. Unlike conventional systems that rely on synthetic growth media, this strategy harnesses the inherent nutrient content of industrial
effluent to support microalgal growth while simultaneously reducing pollutant concentrations. The study emphasizes optimization of operational parameters to maximize simultaneous removal of nitrogen and phosphorus species, providing a sustainable and resource-efficient treatment alternative. Optimal conditions for Chlorella vulgaris cultivation and nutrient removal were 50% wastewater concentration and 12-hour lighting exposure, while pH (7) and microalgae dosage (375 mL) were maintained constant. The maximum nutrient removal efficiencies were 56.7% (ammonium), 84.4% (nitrate), and 71.9% (phosphorus). The results confirm the feasibility of using ethanol wastewater as both growth medium and treatment substrate. The approach enables simultaneous removal of ammonium, nitrate, and phosphorus without synthetic growth media. Optimization of operational conditions enhances nutrient reduction efficiency, offering a resource-efficient and sustainable phycoremediation strategy.
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