Wastewater from different sources with excessive nutrient loading, which is a major contributor to eutrophication, can be a promising medium alternative for microalgae cultivation with effective removal of N-NH 4 + , PO 4 3− P and organic matters. In this study, three groups of synthetic wastewater (SWW), an ammonium-rich stream (60 to 250 mg L − 1 NH 4 + ) containing a speci c type of organic matter, such as petroleum e uent (SWW1: 300 mg L − 1 glucose and 10 mg L − 1 phenol), molasses wastewater (SWW2: 600 mg L − 1 glucose), and agro-industrial wastewater (SWW3: no organic matters) were used for growing Chlorella sp. and for investigating its potential for nutrient removal as well as the production of biomass and lipid. The ndings showed that Chlorella sp. grown in SWW2 (i.e., the auto/mixotrophic culture with 14 days) served as e cient feedstock for lipid production, and showed the maximum lipid content and yield of 53% DCW and 188 mg L − 1 , respectively. Additionally, the maximum removal of 76% N-NH 4 + was observed under this condition. Higher removal of N-NH 4 + with 100% e ciency was seen in Chlorella sp. under SWW1 and SWW3 conditions. However, under SWW2 the cells had higher NH 4 + uptake rate than that under SWW1 and SWW3, resulting in highest biomass productivity in SWW2 grown cells. The spent media after Chlorella sp. cultivation were used for growing N 2 -xing cyanobacterium Fischerella muscicola TIRTS 8215 for the production of hydrogen. Among different spent media, Fischerella muscicola TIRTS 8215 cultivated in SWW1 spent medium obtained from 7-day Chlorella sp. cultivation had the highest hydrogen production of 200.8 µmol H 2 mg − 1 chl a.Overall, the present study employed biore nery approach using the microalga biomass as feed stock for lipid production with subsequent utilization of spent medium for growing the cyanobacterium for enhanced production of hydrogen.
