Growth dynamics and pollutant removal efficiency of the cyanobacterium Komvophoron sp. in flowback and produced water

This study explores the use of a native hypersaline microalgae strain from Oklahoma, Komvophoron sp., for dual purposes: treating Flowback (FW) and Produced Water (PW), and generating algal biomass. The wastewaters were analyzed before and after treatment, and the resulting biomass was characterized for moisture, volatile matter, fixed carbon, and ash content. Komvophoron sp. thrived in both FW and PW, achieving higher biomass concentrations when cultivated in PWs compared to FWs despite nutrient limitations. It also showed high specific growth rates in both water types. The biomass had an energy content of 16–17 MJ kg - ¹, suitable for biofuel feedstock, although salinity slightly reduced this value. Algal cultivation fully removed ammonia and significantly reduced nitrate, phosphate, boron, and metals such as zinc, manganese, and iron. This approach shows strong potential for reducing the environmental impact of hydraulic fracturing while producing biomass for biofuels and other industrial uses.