Heavy Metals Removal by Using Chlorella Vulgaris Microalgae/ Zinc Oxide Nanocomposite for Wastewater Treatment in Menyet El-Nasr, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Microalgae are a highly competitive candidate for the role of a potent nanofactory since they are abundant and genetically diverse microorganisms capable of accumulating harmful pollutants and heavy metals from wastewater. Microalgae are as significant as fungi, yeast, or bacteria in the synthesis of nanoparticles, and this fact has led to the development of a new field of study, phytonanotechnology, which focuses on the biosynthesis of nanometals via the mediation of algae. Aim: In order to remove heavy metals from water, we constructed nanocomposite from a chitosan, gelatin, and Chlorella vulgaris freshwater microalgae composite impregnated with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs). The created composite includes Chlorella vulgaris as a component due to the plant's exceptional phytoremediation capabilities. Methods: Transmission electron microscope (TEM), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Zeta-Potential, and polydispersity index (PDI) were used to characterize the shape and structure of nanocomposite beads. Results: Removal efficiency of heavy metals in wastewater were observed higher in the nanocomposite treated water than microalgae treated water respectively. Reduction % of NH4+, PO43-, NO3-, and SO42in nanocomposite treated water were observed to be 87.3%, 90%, 82.6% and 83.6%, respectively. Reduction % of NH4+, PO43-, NO3-, and SO42-in microalgae treated water were observed to be 68.9%, 53.8%, 52.1% and 62.4%, respectively. Conclusion: Results of this study well demonstrate the efficiency of the synthetized nanocomposite treatment of wastewater than microalgae treated water.