Microalgae Wastewater Treatment: A Brief History

Paddock, Matthew B.

doi:10.20944/preprints201912.0377.v1

Cited by 15 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 75 publications

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“…Algal cultures are being used for the treatment of wastewater from last 75 years, and today the biologists in United States, Thailand, Taiwan, and Mexico are taking substantial interest in this area due to their understanding of the biology, ecology, and engineering of large-scale algal culture systems (Raouf et al, 2012). Many factors like fear of food insecurity, rise of property cost, and consciousness toward the need for environmental protection have greatly promoted the development of microalgal water treatment systems (Paddock, 2019).…”

Section: The Role Of Bacteria and Microalgae In Wastewater Treatment ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Biological Approaches Integrating Algae and Bacteria for the Degradation of Wastewater Contaminants—A Review

et al. 2022

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The traditional approach for biodegradation of organic matter in sewage treatment used a consortium of bacterial spp. that produce untreated or partially treated inorganic contaminants resulting in large amounts of poor-quality sludge. The aeration process of activated sludge treatment requires high energy. So, a sustainable technique for sewage treatment that could produce less amount of sludge and less energy demanding is required for various developed and developing countries. This led to research into using microalgae for wastewater treatment as they reduce concentrations of nutrients like inorganic nitrates and phosphates from the sewage water, hence reducing the associated chemical oxygen demand (COD). The presence of microalgae removes nutrient concentration in water resulting in reduction of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and toxic heavy metals like Al, Ni, and Cu. Their growth also offers opportunity to produce biofuels and bioproducts from algal biomass. To optimize use of microalgae, technologies like high-rate algal ponds (HRAPs) have been developed, that typically use 22% of the electricity used in Sequencing Batch Reactors for activated sludge treatment with added economic and environmental benefits like reduced comparative operation cost per cubic meter, mitigate global warming, and eutrophication potentials. The addition of suitable bacterial species may further enhance the treatment potential in the wastewater medium as the inorganic nutrients are assimilated into the algal biomass, while the organic nutrients are utilized by bacteria. Further, the mutual exchange of CO2 and O2 between the algae and the bacteria helps in enhancing the photosynthetic activity of algae and oxidation by bacteria leading to a higher overall nutrient removal efficiency. Even negative interactions between algae and bacteria mediated by various secondary metabolites (phycotoxins) have proven beneficial as it controls the algal bloom in the eutrophic water bodies. Herein, we attempt to review various opportunities and limitations of using a combination of microalgae and bacteria in wastewater treatment method toward cost effective, eco-friendly, and sustainable method of sewage treatment.

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Section: The Role Of Bacteria and Microalgae In Wastewater Treatment ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Biological Approaches Integrating Algae and Bacteria for the Degradation of Wastewater Contaminants—A Review

et al. 2022

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“…Thus, experts considered algae a possible remedy to a Malthusian catastrophe and a promising solution for the upcoming years. Among the factors that most influenced microalgal studies were the fear of food insecurity, the housing boom, and the rise of environmentalist movements in America [26]. In 1967, Spirulina was recognized as a 'wonderful future food source' by the International Association of Applied Microbiology [27], but the agricultural revolution, the adoption of Nevertheless, over the past 40 years, numerous humanitarian and commercial projects which involved the cultivation of Spirulina have been implemented in developing countries, including Mexico, Myanmar, Thailand, India, Cambodia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Togo, Chad, Madagascar, Niger, and Burkina Faso.…”

Section: Spirulina: a Solution To Food Shortagementioning

confidence: 99%

Microalgae as Future Superfoods: Fostering Adoption through Practice-Based Design Research

et al. 2021

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Consumers’ eating habits are gradually changing. In the next few decades, this shift will not be solely dictated by individuals’ decisions but by the need to feed an ever-increasing population in the face of global resources’ impoverishment. Novel superfoods rich in nutrients and produced with sustainable methods, including microalgae, maybe a solution. However, their unusual aspect, the palatability, and the lack of knowledge by most people could be obstacles to adoption. This study aims at encouraging the use of microalgae as food, highlighting the importance that design plays in the transition towards more sustainable production and consumption patterns. Through practice-based design research, characterized by empirical experiments, a survey, an engaging workshop, and the development of a fully-functional open-source product, the authors conceptualize a theoretical framework within which similar product-service systems could thrive. This real-world experimentation is of interest for academics, professionals, makers in the field of design, etc. It suggests that multidisciplinarity, education, and replicability are the keys to addressing this topic and paves the way for further technical and humanistic research.

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“…Additionally, no studies has been undertaken to evaluate the combination of an algae-based desalination system with other systems (e.g., wastewater treatment system, RO system, multistage system). Conversely, algae-based wastewater treatment processes have been studied since the early 20th century, and different integrated systems have been gradually developed and invented (e.g., immobilized system, biofilm system, algae membrane bioreactor, algae biofuel production). These insightful considerations could also be applied to develop an integrated algae-based desalination system.…”

Section: Integrated Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

Algae-Based Approach for Desalination: An Emerging Energy-Passive and Environmentally Friendly Desalination Technology

Zhang

Fan

Gray

et al. 2021

ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng.

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Desalination processes are critical for producing freshwater from salty water, and an algae-based desalination approach has drawn increasing attention as a potential low-cost and passive-energy desalination technology, which could be a competitive solution to desalination in remote areas impacted by water shortages. As the first comprehensive review in this emerging research field, a systematic analysis of the published results from the relevant studies is presented, and algae salt removal mechanisms are summarized. It is suggested that both nonmetabolic biosorption and metabolic-dependent bioaccumulation make contributions to salt removal, but bioaccumulation had a relatively minor role and required a significantly longer time for the reaction compared to the biosorption process. To select the most appropriate algae species for an algae-based desalination process, salt acclimation and salt removal abilities are considered as the two key selection criteria. Process configuration, influent water characteristics, algae harvesting, and reuse should also be taken into consideration during algae screening and selection. Based on the advantages and limitations of an algae-based desalination system, we have suggested different implementation strategies for algae-based desalination systems. Utilization of algae for brackish water treatment could be a more viable option compared to the seawater desalination. Combining an algae-based desalination system with wastewater treatment or the RO process could potentially improve the overall system economic feasibility. The focus areas of future studies are recommended, including system life-cycle cost analysis, energy efficient separation of algae from the effluent, mathematical simulation of the salt removal process, and the effects of engineering approaches on the salt removal process.

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Microalgae Wastewater Treatment: A Brief History

Abstract: Microalgae wastewater treatment has long been promoted as a sustainable method to handle the influx of human waste due to population growth.

Cited by 15 publications

References 75 publications

Biological Approaches Integrating Algae and Bacteria for the Degradation of Wastewater Contaminants—A Review

Biological Approaches Integrating Algae and Bacteria for the Degradation of Wastewater Contaminants—A Review

Microalgae as Future Superfoods: Fostering Adoption through Practice-Based Design Research

Algae-Based Approach for Desalination: An Emerging Energy-Passive and Environmentally Friendly Desalination Technology

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