Potential utilisation of Water Hyacinth biomass following phytoremediation of wastewater

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Freshwater is in an important resource for the global community; although there are extensive water supplies available, the majority of this is saline and therefore expensive to exploit. Industrial wastewater constitutes a significant portion of freshwater; for example, mining and refinery process waters. This water contains a range of resources in often significant proportions. The release of these resources into the natural environment can be seen as contamination as well as a significant waste of resources. Algae has been shown to have high affinity for certain elements, through biosorption, and in some cases reduce them (e.g. Au3+ to Au). This could potentially offset the cost of growing algae and its subsequent use as a feedstock for bioenergy.This project would initially study the mechanisms of contaminant/resource immobilisation by freshwater algae, optimising the conditions for immobilisation through changes in biological and chemical conditions (e.g. salinity). This would involve the growth of algae in bioreactors; then analysing the functional groups on the surface of the algae, after condition optimisation, and the effects this has on the surface sorption of the resources targeted. Each resource will be tested in varying concentrations to determine the total potential surface sorption (with some potential for absorption). In tandem, resource immobilisation within natural systems will be conducted; determining effective species and waste water streams for the immobilisation of resources/contaminants. This will give a greater depth to the study by looking at real scenarios and therefore the theoretical potential for the implementation. The two studies will be used to develop a cost effective and efficient resource immobilisation within a set waste water stream. This will then be compared to current recovery/remediation techniques through a Cost-Benefit-Analysis (in collaboration) and determine the overall feasibility of using algae; taking into account the use of algal biomass as feedstock of bioenergy after remediation. Objectives:Identify and cultivate several species of algae with optimal properties for resource immobilisationOptimise conditions for resource immobilisation within a laboratory environment, through the use of algae as a bio-sorbent/bio-accumulatorIdentify relevant waste water systems with significant levels of resources and procure samplesDemonstrate resource immobilisation of natural samples within a laboratory environment, through the use of algae as a bio-sorbent/bio-accumulatorDevelop cost effective and efficient methods resource immobilisation of natural samples within a laboratory environmentCompare with current best practice of remediation and resource recovery/production