Microbial Flocculants and Its Application in Wastewater Treatments: A Review

Abstract

Scarcity of water resources has compelled to develop techniques for effective wastewater treatments and reutilization of it. Industrial and municipal wastewaters are the biggest pollutants of natural water resources. Wastewaters from these sources are rich in suspended particles, dyes, toxic organic chemicals, heavy metals and nutrient content such as nitrogen and phosphorus. The removal of these chemicals and particles is biggest challenge for effective wastewater treatment and its disposal. Without proper treatment it poses a serious threat to environment and safety of living organisms. Physical and chemical methods are widely used in the treatments but due to certain limitations, other alternative methods are being explored. Biological methods are emerging as effective, environmental friendly and economical alternative treatment methods for wastewater. Microorganism produces EPS (extracellular polymer substrates) and it is also known as microbial or bioflocculants. Microbial flocculants have been widely studied for its capacity for flocculation, removal of dyes, metals and toxic chemicals. This article discusses the bioflocculants and its potential to treat the wastewater.

Keywords: Wastewater, EPS, bioflocculants, heavy metal, toxic chemicals