Growth Analysis of Chlorella vulgaris and Impurity Removal in Poxim River Water Using Moringa oleifera as a Coagulant

The use of microalgae and natural coagulants in biological water treatment has been explored, as the use of chemical products can generate contaminants harmful to human health. Chlorella vulgaris primarily uses nitrogen and phosphorus as nutrients, managing to develop in various media where these and other compounds are present, removing them. In coagulation processes, Moringa oleifera is able to remediate effluents and raw water in a biodegradable manner, being an effective substitute for aluminum and iron-based coagulants and avoiding problems caused by them. Experiments with Chlorella vulgaris and Moringa oleifera were carried out in order to, firstly, analyze the growth of the microalga in the water of the Poxim River and verify its efficiency in removing chemical substances, followed by the evaluation of the capacity of Moringa oleifera in removing the microalga. The results showed that Chlorella vulgaris completely removed chlorite and glyphosate and reduced the concentration of other compounds, including nitrate, phosphorus, and iron. This study has proven that microalgae can be used to remove contaminants from raw water and that Moringa oleifera helps the microalgae to settle more quickly.