Co-culture of microalgae-activated sludge in sequencing batch photobioreactor systems: Effects of natural and artificial lighting on wastewater treatment

Co-culture using microalgae-activated sludge in Sequencing Batch Photobioreactors (PBRs) was investigated for wastewater treatment performance. This study evaluated the effect of natural and artificial lighting conditons on treatment performance under consideration of energy consumption. The results found that the removal of nu-trients and COD of natural lighting condition was only 10% and 13% lower than those of artificial lighting respectively. Generally, artificial lighting mode took an advantage in pollutants removal. However, standing at 0.294 kWh L-1, the total energy consumption of natural lighting was over two times less than that of artificial lighting. It reveals the natural lighting system played a dominant role for cutting energy costs significantly compared to artificial lighting one (similar to 57%). As a practical viewpoint on energy aspect and treatment performance, a natural lighting PBR system would be a sustainable option for microalgae-activated sludge co-culture system treating wastewater.

Automated summary

The study found that natural lighting conditions, while having slightly lower pollutant removal rates compared to artificial lighting, significantly reduced energy consumption, making it a sustainable option for wastewater treatment with microalgae-activated sludge co-culture system.