Review on Challenges and Limitations for Algae-Based Wastewater Treatment

Abstract

Microalgae biomass production is recognized as a costeffective and sustainable alternative to currently used approaches to tertiary wastewater treatment. However, such limitations, as algae biomass separation from water, process efficiency in cold climate and the algae biomass ability to reduce micropollutant content in wastewater hamper this method from full-scale use. This review discusses the identified drawbacks and offers possible improvements and modifications for wastewater phycobioremediation.

Importance of ecological interactions during wastewater treatment using High Rate Algal Ponds under different temperate climates

“…The presence of diverse grazer communities, the variable characteristics of the wastewater influent, and rapid changes in climatic conditions are all invoked to explain the changes in microalgae diversity and the resultant changes in their performance for nutrient removal [7,8,9,10]. However, little is known about the effects of the interactions between microorganisms already present in the wastewater and those that are growing in the HRAPs on carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus removal under real-life operating conditions.…”

“…However, little is known about the effects of the interactions between microorganisms already present in the wastewater and those that are growing in the HRAPs on carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus removal under real-life operating conditions. The association of microalgae and bacteria is usually proposed as a source of O 2 and a CO 2 supplementation, respectively, although they may compete for nutrients [10]. A recent study pointed out the importance of the presence, in the wastewater, of microalgae that may strongly influence both the diversity of the microalgal community growing in the HRAP and its productivity [7].…”

Microalgae Water Bioremediation: Trends and Hot Topics

“…(Chlorophyta), have shown potential to metal pollution bioremediation [59]. Apart from chemical toxicity, the removal of pollutants from effluents can be affected by several biotic factors, namely, the production of toxic compounds, enzyme induction, the composition of the microbial community and the number of microorganisms [11,[26][27][28]. Therefore, it was important to address such issues in order to developed efficient remediation systems.…”

Comparison of the Performance and Microbial Community Structure of Two Outdoor Pilot-Scale Photobioreactors Treating Digestate

“…Microalgae-based processes have been successfully applied for the treatment and valorization of various municipal and industrial wastewaters, including secondary and tertiary effluents, piggery wastewater, digestate, and textile wastewater [3][4][5][6][7][8]. However, several drawbacks, including land requirement, uncompetitive harvesting and valorization costs, and a strict dependency on climatic and operational conditions still impede real implementation of algae-based wastewater treatment, especially in temperate zones [9].…”