Newly Identified Algal Strains Rich in Phosphorus Could Improve Wastewater Treatment

Several algal strains with high capacities for phosphorus accumulation were isolated from wastewater. These strains have the potential to boost phosphorus recovery in wastewater treatment systems along with recovering harmful or valuable metals. Phosphorus in wastewater is a major contributor to harmful algal blooms in water bodies around the globe, with the potential to harm wildlife, livestock and even humans. To prevent this, wastewater treatment plants often rely on chemical- and energy-intensive techniques to remove phosphorus before it can impact downstream water bodies.National Renewable Energy Laboratory researchers sought to develop new technology for phosphorus removal from wastewater by maximizing the ability of algae