title: Effects of biopellets composed of microalgae and fungi on cadmium present at environmentally relevant levels in water.
abstract: Removal of cadmium (Cd) present at low levels (1 µg L-1) in water was investigated using three different microorganism treatments: the microalga Chlorella vulgaris, the fungus Aspergillus niger, and for the first time biopellets composed of C. vulgaris and A. niger. After 5 days, all microorganism treatments resulted in significantly lower Cd concentrations compared with the control. Biopellets treatment resulted in significantly lower pH values than other microorganism treatments, indicating that the biopellets should be investigated further for their water treatment capacity, since pH is a factor affecting the fate of numerous pollutants in water. Use of biopellets as a method to simplify harvesting of microalgae from water is also suggested.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Biosystems and Technology , Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences , Alnarp , Sweden.|b Division of Natural Sciences , Kristianstad University , Kristianstad , Sweden.
authors.forename: Hristina
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bodin
authors.affiliation: a Department of Biosystems and Technology , Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences , Alnarp , Sweden.
authors.forename: Håkan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Asp
authors.affiliation: a Department of Biosystems and Technology , Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences , Alnarp , Sweden.
authors.forename: Malin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hultberg
mesh_terms: D001234:Aspergillus niger / Q000378:metabolism*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D018533:Biomass; D002104:Cadmium / Q000378:metabolism*; D019256:Cadmium Chloride / Q000378:metabolism*; D048408:Chlorella vulgaris / Q000378:metabolism*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D002104:Cadmium; D019256:Cadmium Chloride
keywords: biopellets; cadmium; fungi; microalgae; water treatment