Abstract

Sewage disposal has become a major ecological problem in metropolitan areas and semi-urban communities, with effluents from both residential and industrial activities discharged directly into water bodies, constituting a major cause of water pollution. Twelve mesocosms were set up, each receiving approximately 15 liters of water containing algae. Weekly sampling for physical chemical parameters, phytoplankton biomass, and biochemical components was done for four weeks. The results revealed that 41 species of phytoplankton were identified throughout the course of four weeks, and that pH remained around neutral levels, with increases in dissolved oxygen (DO) as the number of weeks increased. Furthermore, the physico-chemical indicators showed a decrease with an increase in the number of weeks (total dissolved solids, 70.50 %, nitrate 97.44 %, phosphorus 100%, ammonium 92.26%, potassium 91.35%, zinc 96.52%, manganese 98.63%, iron 92.90%, copper 97.56%, nickel 98.66%). While biological components such as fat, glucose, and protein had increased with number of days. These findings prove mesocosm as the optimum and cost-efficient method of wastewater treatment for enterprises before the release of effluents into water bodies that eventually join rivers.

Key Words:Mesocosm, Phytoplankton, Phycoremediation, Wastewater, Effluent