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Abstract
The application of biodecolourization of textile effluents is a cost effective, environmental friendly and appropriate alternative measure in the treatment of textile effluents. In this study, two microalgae namely; Chlorella vulgaris and Sphaerocystis schroeteri were used. Yellow coloured dye was used for this study and dye solution were prepared in different concentrations of 1mg/l, 5mg/l, 10mg/l and 20mg/l. Significant decolourization was recorded in a 14 day experiment carried out by reading the absorbance of the dye solution inoculated with microalgae. Maximum decolourization by both algae was obtained at 10mg/l. In Chlorella vulgaris, maximum decolourization was 43.12% (10mg/l) while in Sphaerocystis schroeteri, maximum decolourization was 45.03% (10mg/l). The order of highest percentage decolourization for Chlorella vulgaris was 10mg/l, 20mg/l, 5mg/l, 1mg/l, while in Sphaerocystis schroeteri, the order was 10mg/l, 5mg/l, 20mg/l, 1mg/l. During the study, maximum dye decolourization, irrespective of the concentration and algae was obtained on the final day. In Chlorella vulgaris, the minimum and maximum decolourizations respectively, were 19.42% and 43.12%, but in Sphaerocystis schroeteri, the minimum and maximum decolourization respectively, were 24.27% and 45.03%. However, decolourization was significantly dependent on dye concentration. Comparatively, there was no significant difference between the percentage decolourization by the two microalgae.