Publication Details

Decolorization and total nitrogen removal from batik effluent using alginate immobilized freshwater microalgae Chlorella sp.

In this study, batik effluent treatment is carried out using immobilized Chlorella sp. in batch culture mode. This twopart study first determines the most suitable immobilized carrier matrix for the Chlorella sp. immobilization process. In this study, three immobilized carrier, namely starch, carboxylmethyl cellulose, and alginate were evaluated. Higher decolorization of batik effluent, at 77.9%, is obtained from the treatment using alginate as a immobilized matrix. Further optimization of the effects of pH, light intensity, and microalgae bead concentration on decolorization and total nitrogen (TN) removal by alginate- immobilized Chlorella sp. were determined using Box-Behnken design approach. The highest decolorization of batik effluent, at 80%, is achieved when the treatment is performed using 150 microalgal bead concentration, at pH 12, and 1000 lux. The maximum TN removal (71%) with uptake rates of 4.9 mg/L/d is observed for the cultivation at pH 7 with 150 microalgae bead concentration, and 1000 lux. The increase of pH value and microalgal bead concentration has a strong effect on decolorization and TN removal of batik effluent. These results demonstrate that the alginate immobilized Chlorella sp. has great potential to be used as an alternative approach to treat batik effluent before its discharge.