Comparative study on the Impact of Simulated Industrial Smokes nutrient uptake dynamic in Wastewater Treatment

This study investigated the effects of different artificial smokes (coal, rice straw, and petroleum) on the growth, nutrient uptake, and carbon dioxide (CO2) bio fixation of a dominant microalgal strain (Scenedesmus obliquus) isolated from Nile River water. The microalgae were cultured in secondary treated wastewater under controlled conditions, with and without exposure to the simulated smokes. The results demonstrated that the isolated microalgal strain exhibited remarkable tolerance to all three types of smoke exposure. While all smoke types positively impacted algal growth and nutrient uptake, rice straw smoke was found to be the most beneficial, leading to the highest biomass production and nutrient removal efficiency. Coal smoke exposure also showed a positive effect, albeit to a lesser extent. Interestingly, petroleum smoke exposure had a minimal impact on algal growth and nutrient uptake, suggesting that the microalgal strain may possess inherent tolerance to petroleum-derived pollutants. These findings highlight the potential of microalgae as a sustainable and efficient technology for wastewater treatment and CO2 mitigation, even in environments contaminated with industrial emissions.