Current Insights into Growing Microalgae for Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Biomass Generation

Ilyes Dammak (), Mariem Fersi, Ridha Hachicha and Slim Abdelkafi ()
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Ilyes Dammak: Laboratory of Biochemistry and Enzymatic Engineering of Lipases (LR03ES09), National School of Engineers of Sfax (ENIS), University of Sfax, Sfax 3038, Tunisia
Mariem Fersi: Laboratory of Enzymatic Engineering and Microbiology (LR03ES08), National School of Engineers of Sfax (ENIS), University of Sfax, Sfax 3038, Tunisia
Ridha Hachicha: Laboratory of Enzymatic Engineering and Microbiology (LR03ES08), National School of Engineers of Sfax (ENIS), University of Sfax, Sfax 3038, Tunisia
Slim Abdelkafi: Laboratory of Enzymatic Engineering and Microbiology (LR03ES08), National School of Engineers of Sfax (ENIS), University of Sfax, Sfax 3038, Tunisia

Resources, 2023, vol. 12, issue 10, 1-28

Abstract: Municipal wastewater (MWW) provides a promising platform for microalgae cultivation due to its rich content of essential nutrients. Recent research has showcased the multifaceted benefits of microalgae-based wastewater treatment, from the potent depollution capabilities of these organisms to their biomass potential for ecofriendly applications. A significant advantage lies in the ability of these systems to promote environmental sustainability without producing secondary pollutants, aligning with the circular economy model. This approach encompasses various stages, from cultivating microalgae to biomass separation and subsequent valorization. However, challenges arise when scaling these systems to industrial levels. A predominant barrier is the difficulty in maintaining consistent control over all the factors influencing wastewater phytoremediation. This can compromise both biomass survival and the efficiency of pollution removal and valorization. Notably, using native microalgal consortiums from the effluent appears to be a promising strategy. These autochthonous communities often demonstrate superior adaptability and treatment capacity, emphasizing the importance of further exploring their potential to provide effective and economically viable solutions for wastewater treatment.

Keywords: green biomass; municipal wastewater; microalgae; phytoremediation; treatment process (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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