Phycoremediation Efficacy of Different Microalgae Species in Treating Poultry Slaughterhouse Wastewater in Bauchi Local Government Area, Bauchi State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study explores the phycoremediation efficiency of two freshwater microalgae species in poultry slaughterhouse wastewater (PSWW) of Bauchi Poultry House. The research aimed to isolate and identify these species based on their morphological appearance, determine their efficiency based on physicochemical parameters, and molecularly characterize the species with the best performance. The data was analyzed using an independent t-test in SPSS version 27.  Chlorella and Chlorogonium species were identified based on morphological appearance. The results showed significant differences in nitrate phycoremediation between days 0 and 7, and 14 for Chlorella and Chlorogonium species (p< 0.05), while no significant difference was observed between days 14 and 21 (p> 0.05). The phycoremediation efficacy of phosphate showed significant differences between days 0 and 7, while only Chlorella species showed significant differences between days 7 and 14 (p<0.05).  Total dissolved solids (TDS) showed significant differences in phycoremediation efficiency (p<0.05) between day 0 and day 21 in PSHWW effluents for Chlorella and Chlorogonium species.  Biological Oxygen demand (BOD) phycoremediation efficacy showed no significant difference in the PSWW effluent between day 0 and day 7, but a significant difference (p<0.05) was recorded between days 7 to 21 in the two algal species. The phycoremediation efficacy of the two species in PSWW effluents showed increased pH levels between days 0 and 21.  However, comparing the phycoremediation efficacy of Chlorella and Chlorogonium species in PSWW effluents showed no significant differences in nitrates, phosphates, TDS, BOD, and pH. The sequence and phylogenetic tree analysis of the microalgae species with the best phycoremediation was found to be Chlorella vulgaris using the 18S gene. In conclusion, Chlorella vulgaris and Chlorogonium species were all efficacious and should be recommended for public health precautions for PSWW.