merged

Harvesting Microalgae Chlorella sp. Using Chitosan
Nik Nurul Tasnim Binti Mohamad Nor
Supervisor: Prof. Ir. Dr. Ahmad Bin Jusoh
Bachelor of Technology (Environment)
School of Ocean Engineering
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu
The usage of inorganic flocculants such as aluminum sulfate, ferric chloride and ferric
sulfate in wastewater treatment is effective but in contrast may cause the production
of large volumes of sludge and also negative impacts on human health. In this study,
the bio-flocculant which is chitosan obtained from the deacetylation of chitin from the
shrimp and also wastewater from aquaculture industry that contains freshwater
microalgae, Chlorella sp. have been prepared. The excellent interaction between
chitosan and the microalgae in the wastewater were shown by the formation of
coagulated microalgae, and less turbidity of wastewater after undergoing the
flocculation process. The effectiveness of using chitosan in wastewater treatment was
proven by the high percentage of microalgae removal after the flocculation process
and reduction in turbidity of the wastewater. The efficiency of chitosan in wastewater
treatment was identified from following parameters: chitosan dosage, mixing rate and
settling time.
53 | U M T U N D E R G R A D U A T E R E S E A R C H D A Y 2019