Nutrients Sequestration from Slaughterhouse Wastewater with Kinetic Model Studies Using C. vulgaris for Lipid Production and Reduction in Freshwater Footprint: A Synergistic Approach

Abstract

A new issue resulting from shifting dietary preferences is effluent from slaughterhouses. Because non-point sources produce the majority of the wastewater from slaughterhouses, treating it is a laborious operation. In this study, Chlorella vulgaris (C. vulgaris) was chosen to sequestrate nutrients from slaughterhouses wastewater (at a concentration of 50%) for the removal of pollutants, the generation of lipids, and to enhance the processing of freshwater footprints. The maximum biomass was found 390 mg L−1. Algal growth kinetic investigations backed the Logistic model, which demonstrated greater fitness in predicting a number of important parameters than the modified Gompertz model. Additionally, C. vulgaris is effective at removing pollutant load (32–77% COD and 32–75% BOD) as well as nutrients (33–82% nitrate and 29–78% phosphate). An increasing opportunity for sustainable biofuels is shown by the lipid output (30.7%) throughout the algae culture phase. The first-order model was also useful in figuring out the pollution removal process rate constant. The slaughterhouse wastewater is the good substitute for nutrients removal as well as the production of lipid via reducing the freshwater footprint. Graphical Abstract: (Figure presented.) © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. 2023.