Generalities
28
a potential candidate for a sustainable alternative to wastewater treatment (Pittman et al.,
2010).
The idea of using algae for wastewater treatment dates back over 60 years, when Oswald and
Gotaas (1957) pioneered the use of microalgae for wastewater treatment. Since then, a great
deal of research has been carried out into the potential of microalgae for treating wastewater
from a variety of sources (Oswald & Gotaas, 1957).
In the 1970s, there was renewed interest in microalgae as a means of wastewater treatment due
to growing concerns about eutrophication (excessive nutrient enrichment) of water bodies.
Researchers recognized that microalgae could play a crucial role in reducing nitrogen and
phosphorus levels in wastewater due to their photosynthetic abilities to convert solar energy
into useful biomass and incorporate nutrients that cause eutrophication (De la Noue & De
Pauw, 1988).
In the 1980s and 1990s, several pilot-scale projects were launched to test the feasibility of using
microalgae for wastewater treatment. These studies demonstrated that microalgae-based
wastewater treatment systems could effectively remove nutrients, organic matter and suspended
solids from wastewater while producing valuable biomass (Al-Homaidan et al., 2012).
In recent years, there has been growing interest in the use of microalgae as a sustainable and
cost-effective solution for wastewater treatment. Several large-scale projects have been
launched in different parts of the world, including Europe, Asia and America, to explore the
bio-remediation potential of these microorganisms (Plohn et al., 2021).
To reduce the economic costs of wastewater treatment processes using microalgae, the biomass
produced is used to produce high-value-added molecules, biogas, biodiesel and hydrogen, etc.
(Filali, 2012). These processes are generally coupled with the removal of CO2 from industrial
off-gases, leading to integrated processes (Figure 14).
28
a potential candidate for a sustainable alternative to wastewater treatment (Pittman et al.,
2010).
The idea of using algae for wastewater treatment dates back over 60 years, when Oswald and
Gotaas (1957) pioneered the use of microalgae for wastewater treatment. Since then, a great
deal of research has been carried out into the potential of microalgae for treating wastewater
from a variety of sources (Oswald & Gotaas, 1957).
In the 1970s, there was renewed interest in microalgae as a means of wastewater treatment due
to growing concerns about eutrophication (excessive nutrient enrichment) of water bodies.
Researchers recognized that microalgae could play a crucial role in reducing nitrogen and
phosphorus levels in wastewater due to their photosynthetic abilities to convert solar energy
into useful biomass and incorporate nutrients that cause eutrophication (De la Noue & De
Pauw, 1988).
In the 1980s and 1990s, several pilot-scale projects were launched to test the feasibility of using
microalgae for wastewater treatment. These studies demonstrated that microalgae-based
wastewater treatment systems could effectively remove nutrients, organic matter and suspended
solids from wastewater while producing valuable biomass (Al-Homaidan et al., 2012).
In recent years, there has been growing interest in the use of microalgae as a sustainable and
cost-effective solution for wastewater treatment. Several large-scale projects have been
launched in different parts of the world, including Europe, Asia and America, to explore the
bio-remediation potential of these microorganisms (Plohn et al., 2021).
To reduce the economic costs of wastewater treatment processes using microalgae, the biomass
produced is used to produce high-value-added molecules, biogas, biodiesel and hydrogen, etc.
(Filali, 2012). These processes are generally coupled with the removal of CO2 from industrial
off-gases, leading to integrated processes (Figure 14).