Cited by 404Algal biology and biofuel productionWastewater Treatment and ReuseConstructed Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment

Multifaceted roles of microalgae in the application of wastewater biotreatment: a review

Chai, Wai Siong, Tan, Wee Gee, Halimatul Munawaroh, Heli Siti, Gupta, Vijai Kumar, Ho, Shih-Hsin, Show, Pau Loke·2021·Environmental Pollution

Abstract

Microalgae have become imperative for biological wastewater treatment. Its capability in biological purification of wastewaters from different origins while utilizing wastewater as the substrate for growth has manifest great potentials as a sustainable and economical wastewater treatment method. The wastewater grown microalgae have also been remarked in research to be a significant source of value-added bioproducts and biomaterial. This paper highlights the multifaceted roles of microalgae in wastewater treatment from the extent of microalgal bioremediation function to environmental amelioration with the involvement of microalgal biomass productivity and carbon dioxide fixation. Besides, the uptake mechanism of microalgae in wastewater treatment was discussed in detail with illustrations for a comprehensive understanding of the removal process of undesirable substances. The performance of different microalgae species in the uptake of various substances was studied and summarized in this review. The correlation of microalgal treatment efficacy with various algal strain types and the bioreactors harnessed for cultivation systems was also discussed. Studies on the alternatives to conventional wastewater treatment processes and the integration of microalgae with accordant wastewater treatment methods are presented. Current research on the biological and technical approaches for the modification of algae-based wastewater system and the maximization of biomass production is also reviewed and discussed. The last portion of the review is dedicated to the assertion of challenges and future perspectives on the development of microalgae-based wastewater treatment technology. This review serves as a useful and informative reference for readers regarding the multifaceted roles of microalgae in the application of wastewater biotreatment with detailed discussion on the uptake mechanism.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.116236

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Authors
Chai, W. S., Tan, W. G., Halimatul Munawaroh, H. S., Gupta, V. K., Ho, S.-H., & Show, P. L.
Affiliations
  • University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus (MY)
  • Scotland's Rural College (GB)
  • Harbin Institute of Technology (CN)
  • University of Nottingham (GB)
Corresponding author
Show, Pau Loke
Venue
Environmental Pollution
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2021-01
Volume
269
Pages
116236
ISSN
0269-7491 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3113134152
Cited by
404
References
87
Citations by year
2026: 34 · 2025: 48 · 2024: 68 · 2023: 81 · 2022: 113 · 2021: 60
FWCI
12.53
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Environmental Pollution (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Energy › Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment › Algal biology and biofuel production
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Waste Management and Disposal › Wastewater Treatment and Reuse
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Waste Management and Disposal › Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment
Keywords
microalgae, microalgae bioremediation, microalgae productivity, CO2 fixation, microalgal bioproducts, sustainable wastewater treatment
MeSH terms
Biodegradation, Environmental, Biomass, Microalgae, Wastewater

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