The increase in natural water bodies pollution caused by intensive animal farming requires the development of innovative sustainable treatment processes. This study assessed the influence of piggery wastewater (PWW) load, air dosing, CO2/NaHCO3− supplementation and pH control on PWW treatment by mixed cultures of purple phototrophic bacteria (PPB) under infrared radiation in batch photobioreactors. PPB was not able to grow in raw PWW but PWW dilution prevented inhibition and supported an effective light penetration. Despite the fact that PPB were tolerant to O2, carbon recovery decreased in the presence of air (induced by stripping). CO2 supplementation was identified as an effective strategy to maximize the removal of carbon during PPB-based PWW treatment with removal efficiencies of 72% and 74% for TOC and VFAs. However, the benefits derived from CO2 addition were induced by the indirect pH control exerted in the cultivation medium. Thus, PPB supported an optimal pollutant removal performance at pH 7, with removal efficiencies of 75%, 39% and 98% for TOC, TN and VFAs.
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