Progress on microalgae cultivation in wastewater for bioremediation and circular bioeconomy

Satya ADM 1 , Cheah WY 2 , Yazdi SK 1 , Cheng YS 3 , Khoo KS 4 , Vo DN 5 Show all authors , Bui XD 6 , Vithanage M 7 , Show PL 8

Affiliations 

  • 1 Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Jalan Broga, 43500, Semenyih, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
  • 2 Centre of Research in Development, Social and Environment (SEEDS), Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, UKM, Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia. Electronic address: cheahwaiyan@ukm.edu.my
  • 3 College of Future, National Yunlin University of Science and Technology, 123 University Road Section 3, Douliou, 64002, Yunlin, Taiwan; Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National Yunlin University of Science and Technology, 123 University Road Section 3, Douliou, 64002, Yunlin, Taiwan
  • 4 Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Yuan Ze University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
  • 5 Institute of Applied Technology and Sustainable Development, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City, 755414, Viet Nam
  • 6 The University of Danang, University of Science and Technology, 54 Nguyen Luong Bang st., 550 000, Danang, Viet Nam
  • 7 Ecosphere Resilience Research Center, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, 10250, Sri Lanka
  • 8 Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Jalan Broga, 43500, Semenyih, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia; Department of Sustainable Engineering, Saveetha School of Engineering, SIMATS, Chennai, 602105, India; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Subtropical Water Environment and Marine Biological Resources Protection, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, 325035, China. Electronic address: PauLoke.Show@nottingham.edu.my
Environ Res, 2023 Feb 01;218:114948.
PMID: 36455634 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114948

Abstract

Water usage increased alongside its competitiveness due to its finite amount. Yet, many industries still rely on this finite resource thus recalling the need to recirculate their water for production. Circular bioeconomy is presently the new approach emphasizing on the 'end-of-life' concept with reusing, recycling, and recovering materials. Microalgae are the ideal source contributing to circular bioeconomy as it exhibits fast growth and adaptability supported by biological rigidity which in turn consumes nutrients, making it an ideal and capable bioremediating agent, therefore allowing water re-use as well as its biomass potential in biorefineries. Nevertheless, there are challenges that still need to be addressed with consideration of recent advances in cultivating microalgae in wastewater. This review aimed to investigate the potential of microalgae biomass cultivated in wastewater. More importantly, how it'll play a role in the circular bioeconomy. This includes an in-depth look at the production of goods coming from wastes tattered by emerging pollutants. These emerging pollutants include microplastics, antibiotics, ever-increasingly sewage water, and heavy metals which have not been comprehensively compared and explored. Therefore, this review is aiming to bring new insights to researchers and industrial stakeholders with interest in green alternatives to eventually contribute towards environmental sustainability.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

MeSH terms
Similar publications