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Microalgal Systems for Wastewater Treatment: Technological Trends and Challenges towards Waste Recovery

Author

Listed:
  • Etiele G. Morais

    (CCMAR—Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal)

  • Nathana L. Cristofoli

    (CCMAR—Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
    MED—Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal)

  • Inês B. Maia

    (CCMAR—Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal)

  • Tânia Magina

    (Necton Companhia Portuguesa de Culturas Marinhas, S.A. Belamandil, 8700-152 Olhão, Portugal)

  • Paulo R. Cerqueira

    (CCMAR—Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal)

  • Margarida Ribau Teixeira

    (CENSE—Centre for Research on the Environment and Sustainability, University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal)

  • João Varela

    (CCMAR—Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
    GreenCoLab—Green Ocean Technologies and Products Collaborative Laboratory, CCMAR, Algarve University, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal)

  • Luísa Barreira

    (CCMAR—Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal)

  • Luísa Gouveia

    (GreenCoLab—Green Ocean Technologies and Products Collaborative Laboratory, CCMAR, Algarve University, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
    LNEG-UBB—National Laboratory of Energy and Geology I.P., Bioenergy and Biorefineries Unit, Estrada do Paço do Lumiar 22, 1649-038 Lisbon, Portugal)

Abstract

Wastewater (WW) treatment using microalgae has become a growing trend due the economic and environmental benefits of the process. As microalgae need CO 2 , nitrogen, and phosphorus to grow, they remove these potential pollutants from wastewaters, making them able to replace energetically expensive treatment steps in conventional WW treatment. Unlike traditional sludge, biomass can be used to produce biofuels, biofertilizers, high value chemicals, and even next-generation growth media for “organically” grown microalgal biomass targeting zero-waste policies and contributing to a more sustainable circular bioeconomy. The main challenge in this technology is the techno-economic feasibility of the system. Alternatives such as the isolation of novel strains, the use of native consortia, and the design of new bioreactors have been studied to overcome this and aid the scale-up of microalgal systems. This review focuses on the treatment of urban, industrial, and agricultural wastewaters by microalgae and their ability to not only remove, but also promote the reuse, of those pollutants. Opportunities and future prospects are discussed, including the upgrading of the produced biomass into valuable compounds, mainly biofuels.

Suggested Citation

  • Etiele G. Morais & Nathana L. Cristofoli & Inês B. Maia & Tânia Magina & Paulo R. Cerqueira & Margarida Ribau Teixeira & João Varela & Luísa Barreira & Luísa Gouveia, 2021. "Microalgal Systems for Wastewater Treatment: Technological Trends and Challenges towards Waste Recovery," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-26, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:23:p:8112-:d:694559
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cai, Ting & Park, Stephen Y. & Li, Yebo, 2013. "Nutrient recovery from wastewater streams by microalgae: Status and prospects," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 19(C), pages 360-369.
    2. Molinuevo-Salces, Beatriz & Mahdy, Ahmed & Ballesteros, Mercedes & González-Fernández, Cristina, 2016. "From piggery wastewater nutrients to biogas: Microalgae biomass revalorization through anaerobic digestion," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 96(PB), pages 1103-1110.
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    Cited by:

    1. Raúl Barros & Sara Raposo & Etiele G. Morais & Brígida Rodrigues & Valdemira Afonso & Pedro Gonçalves & José Marques & Paulo Ricardo Cerqueira & João Varela & Margarida Ribau Teixeira & Luísa Barreira, 2022. "Biogas Production from Microalgal Biomass Produced in the Tertiary Treatment of Urban Wastewater: Assessment of Seasonal Variations," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-10, August.

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