Biodegradation of Benzo[a]Pyrene through the use of algae

AbstractIn this work for disposal of the biologically hard decomposed pollutant Benzo[a]Pyrene (BaP) photooxidation Chlorella kessleri was used. The simulation model system under the different experimental conditions (varying biomass and light intensity) was evaluated. For quantitative analysis of the decrease in BaP, GC/MS technique was used. The highest degradation efficiency was achieved in the case of biomass from the culture of live algae (29%) and light intensity at level of 13.5 W m−2. When the dry biomass was used, degradation under the same conditions was lower because of lack of enzymatic activity in the system.