The DOI matches its Crossref record; 87 of the 87 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Multifaceted roles of microalgae in the application of wastewater biotreatment: A review
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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In the citing paper
“Microalgae have the potential to mitigate carbon dioxide and make use of the micronutrients that are present in the effluents.”
From Microalgae-based wastewater treatment: Mechanisms, challenges, recent advances, and future prospects (2023) · cites this paper as [55]
In the citing paper
“The concentrations of essential nutrients, such as N, and other nonrenewable resources, such as P, existing in WW are sufficient to assist in carbon neutrality [55].”
From Microalgae-based wastewater treatment: Mechanisms, challenges, recent advances, and future prospects (2023) · cites this paper as [55]
In the citing paper
“Furthermore, microalgal biomass can be used for other purposes, for instance, as a feedstock to produce carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, and lipids [55].”
From Microalgae-based wastewater treatment: Mechanisms, challenges, recent advances, and future prospects (2023) · cites this paper as [55]
In the citing paper
“Therefore, the utility of microalgae can assist in reducing global warming without causing pollution [55].”
From Microalgae-based wastewater treatment: Mechanisms, challenges, recent advances, and future prospects (2023) · cites this paper as [55]
In the citing paper
“Microalgae-based WWT technology is a more effective approach because bioremediation is achieved in a single step [55].”
From Microalgae-based wastewater treatment: Mechanisms, challenges, recent advances, and future prospects (2023) · cites this paper as [55]
In the citing paper
“Each microalgae biomass transforms about 1.8 pounds of CO2 [55,64].”
From Microalgae-based wastewater treatment: Mechanisms, challenges, recent advances, and future prospects (2023) · cites this paper as [55]
Citations
Cites
1 retracted
Cheah, W. Y., Show, P. L., Yap, Y. J., Zaid, H. F. M., Lam, M. K., Lim, J. W., Ho, Y., & Tao, Y. (2019) · Bioengineered · doi:10.1080/21655979.2019.1704536 · Cited by 88
RetractedMohan, D., Sarswat, A., Ok, Y. S., & Pittman, C. U. (2014) · Bioresource Technology · doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2014.01.120 · Cited by 2,313
Microalgae biorefinery: High value products perspectives
Chew, K. W., Yap, J. Y., Show, P. L., Suan, N. H., Juan, J. C., Ling, T. C., Lee, D.-J., & Chang, J.-S. (2017) · Bioresource Technology · doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2017.01.006 · Cited by 1,336
Wang, L., Min, M., Li, Y., Chen, P. L., Chen, Y., Liu, Y., Yingkuan, W., & Ruan, R. R. (2009) · Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology · doi:10.1007/s12010-009-8866-7 · Cited by 1,097
Microalgae: A potential alternative to health supplementation for humans
Koyande, A. K., Chew, K. W., Rambabu, K., Tao, Y., Chu, D.-T., & Show, P.-L. (2019) · Food Science and Human Wellness · doi:10.1016/j.fshw.2019.03.001 · Cited by 908
Suganya, T., Varman, M., Masjuki, H. H., & Renganathan, S. (2016) · Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.rser.2015.11.026 · Cited by 793
Cheirsilp, B., & Torpee, S. (2012) · Bioresource Technology · doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2012.01.125 · Cited by 782
Microalgae-Based Wastewater Treatment for Nutrients Recovery: A Review
Li, K., Liu, Q., Fang, F., Luo, R., Lu, Q., Zhou, W., Huo, S., Cheng, P., Liu, J., Addy, M., et al. (2019) · Bioresource Technology · doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2019.121934 · Cited by 737
Production cost of a real microalgae production plant and strategies to reduce it
Acién, F. G., Fernández, J. M., Magán, J. J., & Molina, E. (2012) · Biotechnology Advances · doi:10.1016/j.biotechadv.2012.02.005 · Cited by 735
Integrated CO2 capture, wastewater treatment and biofuel production by microalgae culturing—A review
Razzak, S. A., Hossain, M. M., Lucky, R. A., Bassi, A. S., & de Lasa, H. (2013) · Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.rser.2013.05.063 · Cited by 664
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Research works printed but not linked: 1
- Alkhamis, 2013, Cultivation of Isochrysis galbana in phototrophic, heterotrophic, and mixotrophic conditions, BioMed Res. Int., 983465
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Items 401–403 of 403
Kumar, D., Kumar, G., Geetanjali, E., Shakya, R., Verma, D., Agrawal, S., & Sahoo, D. (2026) · River · doi:10.1002/rvr2.70067
Bioremediation and reuse in aquaculture: Optimizing resources and reducing impacts
Gálvez, A. O., de Lima, P. C. M., Abreu, J. D. L., Campos, C. V. F. D. S., Silva, D. A., de Oliveira, C. Y. B., & Brito, L. O. (2026) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-443-34689-7.00020-3
Synergistic Role of Lignocellulosic Nanomaterials and Microbial Consortia in Wastewater Treatment
Nath, S., Venkatramanan, V., Naha, A., Pallavi, J., & Soundharya, H. (2026) · Water Environment Research · doi:10.1002/wer.70636
Metadata
- 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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