The effects of pH and temperature on orthophosphate removal by immobilized Chlorella vulgaris

Summary When Chlorella vulgaris was immobilized in calcium alginate beads, it removed more than 90% phosphate (10mg P/L) added to artificial wastewater at pH 3 to 9 and from 10 to 30°C. Free cells, however, only removed 40–60% of added phosphate at low pH (3–5) and at 10°C. Immobilized C. vulgaris is shown to have great potentialities for removing phosphate from low pH wastewater and at low temperature.