EFFECT OF PALM OIL MILL EFFLUENT ON THE GROWTH OF TWO FRESHWATER ALGAE

ABSTRACT

A study on the effect of palm oil mill effluent on Haematoccous sp and Gloeotrochia sp was carried out. The experiment was carried out for 14 days using concentration at 0% (control) 1%, 5%, 15%, 20% and 25% of palm oil mill effluent, affected the growth of Haematoccous sp and Gloeotrochia sp. Samples were analysed throughout the experiment for physiochemical parameters using standard methods. The result showed that the different concentration of oil palm mill effluent affect the growth of Haematoccous sp and Gloeotrochia sp and was inhibited at 15%, 20% and 25% treatment. The pH value at the beginning of all the experiment for all the treatment were stable and around 4.5 but increase slightly at the end of experiment across all treatment. The chemical oxygen demand increased with increase in concentration of palm oil mill effluent for both Haematoccous sp and Gloeotrochia sp. There was significant difference in the growth respond of the microalgae to the oil palm mill effluent