Extraction of some pollutive ions using different biomasses in oxidation ponds

Y. Hanumantha Rao, K. Rohini K

Abstract

In this work the advantage of mechanism of self purification of oxidation pond is explored in controlling the pollution of Phosphate, Nitrogen compounds, Fe2+, Mn2+, Zn2+, Cu2+, and Pb2+ by cultivating biomasses: Chlamydomonas, Cosmarium, Spirulina, Schizothrix, Cylindrospermum and Chara, right in the pond itself. With increase in time, the extractability of the ions is found be increasing and after 30 days of growth of biomasses, more than 96% of these pollutants have been extracted by the biomasses. Once the biomasses are removed, the pond waters are purged.