Removal of p-chlorophenol by the marine microalga Tetraselmis marina

The ability of Tetraselmis marina, a green coastal microalga, to remove chlorophenols under photoautotrophic conditions was investigated. T. marina was able to grow in the presence of 20 mg L-1 of the phenolic compounds tested. The EC50 (growth rate) value of p-chlorophenol (p-CP) to T. marina was found to be 25.5 mg L-1. The microalga was able to remove chlorophenols, showing higher efficiency for p-CP. The effect of photoregime and NaHCO3 concentration on p-CP removal was investigated. Under continuous illumination with 1 g L-1 NaHCO3 initial concentration T. marina removed 65% of 20 mg L-1 in a 10day cultivation period.