Sunlight-driven recycling to increase nutrient use-efficiency in agriculture

Perin, Giorgio; Yunus, Ian Sofian; Valton, Marine; Alobwede, Emanga; Jones, Patrik R.

doi:10.1016/j.algal.2019.101554

Cited by 13 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 145 publications

(169 reference statements)

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“…To treat these waters, methods ranging from 'passive' low energy forms to 'active' energy intensive can be implemented. Most of these biological processes are however considered as 'under development' and constant research and optimisation is needed to improve the nutrient uptake efficiencies of these technologies [9,10]. Wastewater treatment using microalgal cultivation (passive method) currently requires cost effective technical/biological development; for instance, using new methods such as membrane technology [11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Wastewater treatment using microalgal cultivation (passive method) currently requires cost effective technical/biological development; for instance, using new methods such as membrane technology [11]. Algal biotechnology has been successfully used as a bioremediation method [12]; however, this research usually focuses on small scale laboratory testing with little research on growth of algae on real wastewater streams [9], this issue will be addressed in the study.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Regarding active methods to deal with N & P remediation, physicochemical approaches are currently used world-wide [13]. These methods use nutrient precipitation to obtain solids from wastewater and require additional chemicals that can cause pollution [9]. Struvite has been identified as an alternative to phosphate recovery processes [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Struvite requires an alkaline environment and the addition of elemental magnesium which is difficult to contain and a rare mineral [13]. Scale of struvite method also needs to be developed to make it an ecologically and financially effective technology [9].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For this reason, Nannochloropsis oceanica (N. oceanica) was the model species in this study. This marine species can grow in seawater from the ocean [23] or waste brine water [9,24]. Brine (highly concentrated NaCl water) is the main residue produced during the desalination process through reverse osmosis.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Large-Scale Waste Bio-Remediation Using Microalgae Cultivation as a Platform

et al. 2019

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Municipal and agricultural waste treatment is one of the key elements of reducing environmental impact with direct effects on the economy and society. Algal technology has been tested to enable effective recycling and valorisation of wastewater nutrients including carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus. An integrated evaluation and optimisation of the sustainability of an algal bio-refinery, including mass and energy balances, carbon, water and nutrient use and impact analysis, was assessed. A bio-refinery approach of waste remediation using algal cultivation was developed at Swansea University, focusing on nutrient recovery via algal biomass exploitation in pilot facilities. Mass cultivation (up to 1.5 m3) was developed with 99% of nitrogen and phosphorus uptake by microalgal cultures. Nannochloropsis oceanica was used as a biological model and grown on three waste sources. The compounds obtained from the biomass were evaluated for animal feed and as a potential source of energy. The bioremediation through algal biotechnology was examined and compared to alternative nutrient recovery passive and active methods in order to know the most efficient way of excess nutrient management. Conclusions emphasise the high potential of algal biotechnology for waste remediation and nutrients recovery, despite the need for further development and scalable applications of this new technology.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%