Salinity-driven shifts in microalgal–bacterial granules: Unlocking nutrient removal, microbial synergy, and biomass potential
3
Issued Date
2025-11-01
Resource Type
eISSN
23521864
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105017430808
Journal Title
Environmental Technology and Innovation
Volume
40
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Environmental Technology and Innovation Vol.40 (2025)
Suggested Citation
Pham M.D.T., Bui X.T., Phan N.N., Nguyen H.V., Nguyen T.T., Nguyen D.T.M., Lin C., Tra V.T., Visvanathan C. Salinity-driven shifts in microalgal–bacterial granules: Unlocking nutrient removal, microbial synergy, and biomass potential. Environmental Technology and Innovation Vol.40 (2025). doi:10.1016/j.eti.2025.104553 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/112452
Title
Salinity-driven shifts in microalgal–bacterial granules: Unlocking nutrient removal, microbial synergy, and biomass potential
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
This study revealed the effect of moderate salinity on microalgal-bacterial granules (MBG)-based wastewater treatment. Four photobioreactors were simultaneously operated under low-cost conditions (no aeration, pH adjustment, and artificial light) at salinities of 0 ‰, 5 ‰, 10 ‰, and 15 ‰. Results showed that MBG systems sustained effective performance at salinities up to 15 ‰, with NH₄⁺ and total phosphorus (TP) removal efficiencies of 64–71 % and 40–98 %, respectively, compared to 58 % and 29 % under non-saline conditions. Biodiversity in MBG systems declined and stabilized at 5–10 ‰, but rose markedly at 15 ‰. Nitrobacter, Sphingopyxis and Rhodocyclales genera increased with salinity, while Bacteria_unclassified, Cyanophyceae_unclassified, and Sphingomonas declined. Protein content increased at salinities below 10 ‰, carbohydrate accumulation was promoted above 10 ‰, while lipid content remained relatively stable across 5–15 ‰ salinity. Overall, this study highlighted MBG's potential in saline wastewater treatment and provided insight into MBG's biomass component and microbial community at the salinity range up to 15 ‰.