Researchers at Mendel University in Brno, Czechia are working on innovative algae cultivation techniques aimed at removing fertilizers and pharmaceutical residues from water. Their experiments using specialized bioreactors are showing effective results in laboratory settings.
Jan Veselský, a member of the Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory at Mendel University, is investigating how different strains of algae can be used in wastewater treatment. The research involves a unique multi-section container where various algae types grow while water flows underneath, allowing for targeted contamination removal.
“Each section houses different algae paired with specific bacteria to tackle a range of residues, including pesticides and pharmaceuticals,” Veselský explained. For practical testing, the team utilizes larger bioreactors, which circulate partially purified water through the algae, enabling extensive purification cycles over several days.
The algae collaborate with a diverse community of bacteria and fungi to break down pollutants into non-toxic substances. Pavel Chaloupský, director of the Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory, highlighted the team’s findings, noting significant reductions in harmful substances. For instance, in tests involving paracetamol and ibuprofen, the team observed as much as an 80% decrease within five days. Phosphorus was reduced by 90 to 95% within hours, while nitrogen reductions were approximately 80% over a week.
The algae treatment process is intended as a final step in wastewater purification before the water is returned to the environment. The research team plans to validate their technology by conducting tests at a wastewater treatment facility in Židlochovice, near Brno.
While similar algae-based technologies are being explored in the United States, the approach remains largely experimental in Europe. Beyond water purification, the processed algae may also serve as fuel for biogas plants or as organic fertilizers, pending further safety assessments.
