Phosphate, nitrogen, chromium and cadmium uptake by three green algae species isolated from an urban wastewater

Wastewater discharge is an environmental problem, especially in developing countries. Biological wastewater treatment seems to be an alternative for these countries due to its low cost. Algae are used in such wastewater treatment systems in many parts of the world. In addition to preventing environmental damage, the reuse of treated wastewater can be an alternative water supply in arid regions and during drought periods. In this paper, three algal (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, Chlorella pyrenoidosa and Scenedesmus quadricauda) species were isolated from an urban effluent collected from a Mediterranean city (Fez, Morocco, situated between 4 degree to 7 degree W and 33 degree to 35 degree N) and their ability to remove phosphate and nitrogen was tested under laboratory conditions. The toxicity and uptake of chromium and cadmium were also studied.