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Valorization of Human Urine with Mixed Microalgae Examined through Population Dynamics, Nutrient Removal, and Biogas Content

Author

Listed:
  • Hande Ermis

    (Department of Environmental Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul 34469, Turkey)

  • Unzile Guven Gulhan

    (PHI Tech Bioinformatics R&D Inc., Kocaeli 41400, Turkey)

  • Mehmet Sadik Akca

    (Department of Environmental Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul 34469, Turkey)

  • Tunahan Cakir

    (Department of Bioengineering, Gebze Technical University, Kocaeli 41400, Turkey)

  • Mahmut Altinbas

    (Department of Environmental Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul 34469, Turkey)

Abstract

The majority of nutrients in municipal wastewater originate from urine. However, when flush water is used, the urine is diluted and mixed with other organic household waste, losing its high-value stream content. This study investigated the effect of source-separated human urine on the population dynamics, nutrient removal, growth, and biogas content of mixed microalgae grown in 250 L raceway ponds. Overall, a maximum biomass concentration of 1847 mg/L was reached, with up to 90% nitrogen and 80% phosphorus removal efficiencies, along with 254.96 L/kg vs. biogas production. The microbial community analysis identified Chlorella sorokiniana (Chlorophyta , Trebouxiophyceae ) as the species with the highest abundance, after confirmation with four different markers (16S rRNA, 18S rRNA, 23S rRNA, and tufA). Moreover, principal component analysis was applied to capture the effect of environmental factors on culture diversity. The abundance of Chlorella sorokiniana increased almost sevenfold when the culture was exposed to open systems compared to the small-scale study carried out in 1 L Erlenmeyer bottles in laboratory conditions, both grown in urine and synthetic media (BBM). In conclusion, the present study contributes to the potential to valorize urine with microalgae by showing its high biogas content, and reveals that microalgae can adapt to adverse environmental conditions by fostering their diversity.

Suggested Citation

  • Hande Ermis & Unzile Guven Gulhan & Mehmet Sadik Akca & Tunahan Cakir & Mahmut Altinbas, 2023. "Valorization of Human Urine with Mixed Microalgae Examined through Population Dynamics, Nutrient Removal, and Biogas Content," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-16, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:8:p:6922-:d:1127958
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rawat, I. & Ranjith Kumar, R. & Mutanda, T. & Bux, F., 2011. "Dual role of microalgae: Phycoremediation of domestic wastewater and biomass production for sustainable biofuels production," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(10), pages 3411-3424.
    2. Guyue Zou & Yuhuan Liu & Qi Zhang & Ting Zhou & Shuyu Xiang & Zhiqiang Gu & Qiaoyun Huang & Hongbin Yan & Hongli Zheng & Xiaodan Wu & Yunpu Wang & Roger Ruan & Mingzhi Liu, 2020. "Cultivation of Chlorella vulgaris in a Light-Receiving-Plate (LRP)-Enhanced Raceway Pond for Ammonium and Phosphorus Removal from Pretreated Pig Urine," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-15, April.
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