Knowledge Agora



Scientific Article details

Title Real-time integration of microalgae-based bioremediation in conventional wastewater treatment plants: Current status and prospects
ID_Doc 25272
Authors Nishshanka, GKSH; Thevarajah, B; Nimarshana, PHV; Prajapati, SK; Ariyadasa, TU
Title Real-time integration of microalgae-based bioremediation in conventional wastewater treatment plants: Current status and prospects
Year 2023
Published
DOI 10.1016/j.jwpe.2023.104248
Abstract With rising water scarcity leading to a risk of affecting 1.69 to 2.37 billion people in urban residents, the treatment and reuse of wastewater have been identified as one of the main avenues to preserve global water resources. Thus, wastewater treatment plants with capacities ranging from 8000 to 200,000 tons/day have been implemented to treat wastewater and discharge effluent with improved quality parameters. Nonetheless, the generation of 160,000-210,000 tons/year of sludge and the requirement for advanced treatment to achieve nondetectable residues are significant concerns for highly effective wastewater treatment. In this context, microalgae with the potential of effective nutrient removal from wastewater streams have been exploited in wastewater treatment at primary, secondary and tertiary treatment stages. Microalgae-based bioremediation generates valuable biomass with metabolites, namely lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates, which could be utilized in the value-added production of biofuels, biofertilizers, etc. Moreover, microalgae integrated wastewater treatment systems would substantially remove residual pollutants, nutrients, and pathogens with high removal efficiencies. Hence, the integration of microalgae into the conventional wastewater treatment process enhances the process sustainability while contributing to the concept of a circular bioeconomy. Nevertheless, limited studies are available on the potential of integrating microalgae in the conventional wastewater treatment plants for realworld applications, although several reviews are available in the literature focusing the microalgae-based wastewater treatment in a general context. Thus, the current review aims to address this gap in the literature by comprehensively assessing the prospects of integrating phycoremediation as the secondary and tertiary/ advanced wastewater treatment processes, while discussing the challenges and future perspectives in the research domain.
Author Keywords Microalgae; Wastewater treatment plant; Resource recovery; Circular economy; Advanced treatment
Index Keywords Index Keywords
Document Type Other
Open Access Open Access
Source Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED)
EID WOS:001077636800001
WoS Category Engineering, Environmental; Engineering, Chemical; Water Resources
Research Area Engineering; Water Resources
PDF
Similar atricles
Scroll