A photobioreactor using Nannochloropsis oculata marine microalgae for removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and sorption of metals in produced water.

The objective of the present work is to evaluate the potential of the removal of PAHs and metal sorption for the treatment of petroleum produced water using a photobioreactor system with Nannochloropsis oculata microalgae. A set of photobioreactors with different gradients of produced water concentration diluted in saline water was designed, establishing five gradients (v/v): 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%. These concentrations were established to test the removal of PAHs.