Guwahati, Nov. 11 -- A research team from IIT Guwahati led by Prof Kannan Pakshirajan has developed a groundbreaking method to remove ammonium from wastewater by using a combination of microalgae and bacteria.

The finding by IIT Guwahatioffers a sustainable solution also cutting down energy consumption compared to traditional wastewater treatment methods.

Ammonium in wastewater, derived from sources like domestic sewage, industrial waste, agricultural runoff and landfills, poses serious environmental risks.

It can lead to harmful algal blooms, increased water acidity and oxygen depletion in aquatic ecosystems.

Traditional ammonium removal methods involve oxygenation, which accounts for up to 90 per cent of a treatment plant's energy c...