4.8 Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Abstract This chapter addresses the phycoremediation as an alternative treatment
process for the removal of pollutants from water and wastewaters. Simultaneously,
the phycoremediation produces microalgae biomass that is a valuable source of
feedstock. Microalgae are one of the most substantial examples of the biorefinery
concept, since microalgae biosynthesis of high-added-value compounds such as
long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, phenolic compounds, sterols, proteins,
amino acids, peptides, vitamins, among others. In addition, microalgae can
degrade/absorb pollutants such as heavy metals, drug residues (antibiotics and
hormones), nitrogen, and phosphorus. Moreover, microalgae increase the degradation capacity of the local microbiota as bacteria, yeasts, and fungi by supplying them
with oxygen and nutrients. Regarding the crucial current environmental problem
(worldwide), it is essential to develop low-cost technologies that aim to significantly
reduce the environmental impact of manufacturing, in particular, technologies that
are related to integrated processes such as phycoremediation and production of highadded-value molecules.
Keywords Microalgae · Polluted water · Phycoremediation · Biorefinery
4.1 Introduction
High chemical organic demand wastewaters are inherently produced by industries,
mainly the food industry. These wastewaters have high organic content, thus they
can threaten the environment when disposed improperly, mainly due to eutrophication, color (it harms aquatic life), and phytotoxicity. Paddy rice, for instance,
generates high volumes of yellowish wastewater (chemical organic demand %
from 400 to 4500 mg/L) (Umamaheswari and Shanthakumar 2019); whereas
swine wastewater (chemical organic demand % 500–60,000 mg/L) and dairy wastewater (chemical organic demand % 900–38,000 mg/L) (Ansari et al. 2017). In this
sense, phycoremediation (including seaweeds, microalgae, cyanobacteria, and lower
plants) is one of the most promising alternatives for wastewater treatments, since
they are virtually found throughout the earth. In addition, phycoremediation is an
economically viable process that leads to greenhouse gas mitigation, can
bioremediate metals, hydrocarbons, and pesticides and inherently produces highadded-value molecules (algae biomass) that can be used for multipurpose as
bioenergy (biogas and biofuels), fertilizer, bio-ore for precious heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and other valuable chemicals—biorefinery concept (Phang
et al. 2015; Podder and Majumder 2016; Ansari et al. 2019).
102
W. Michelon et al.
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Abstract This chapter addresses the phycoremediation as an alternative treatment
process for the removal of pollutants from water and wastewaters. Simultaneously,
the phycoremediation produces microalgae biomass that is a valuable source of
feedstock. Microalgae are one of the most substantial examples of the biorefinery
concept, since microalgae biosynthesis of high-added-value compounds such as
long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, phenolic compounds, sterols, proteins,
amino acids, peptides, vitamins, among others. In addition, microalgae can
degrade/absorb pollutants such as heavy metals, drug residues (antibiotics and
hormones), nitrogen, and phosphorus. Moreover, microalgae increase the degradation capacity of the local microbiota as bacteria, yeasts, and fungi by supplying them
with oxygen and nutrients. Regarding the crucial current environmental problem
(worldwide), it is essential to develop low-cost technologies that aim to significantly
reduce the environmental impact of manufacturing, in particular, technologies that
are related to integrated processes such as phycoremediation and production of highadded-value molecules.
Keywords Microalgae · Polluted water · Phycoremediation · Biorefinery
4.1 Introduction
High chemical organic demand wastewaters are inherently produced by industries,
mainly the food industry. These wastewaters have high organic content, thus they
can threaten the environment when disposed improperly, mainly due to eutrophication, color (it harms aquatic life), and phytotoxicity. Paddy rice, for instance,
generates high volumes of yellowish wastewater (chemical organic demand %
from 400 to 4500 mg/L) (Umamaheswari and Shanthakumar 2019); whereas
swine wastewater (chemical organic demand % 500–60,000 mg/L) and dairy wastewater (chemical organic demand % 900–38,000 mg/L) (Ansari et al. 2017). In this
sense, phycoremediation (including seaweeds, microalgae, cyanobacteria, and lower
plants) is one of the most promising alternatives for wastewater treatments, since
they are virtually found throughout the earth. In addition, phycoremediation is an
economically viable process that leads to greenhouse gas mitigation, can
bioremediate metals, hydrocarbons, and pesticides and inherently produces highadded-value molecules (algae biomass) that can be used for multipurpose as
bioenergy (biogas and biofuels), fertilizer, bio-ore for precious heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and other valuable chemicals—biorefinery concept (Phang
et al. 2015; Podder and Majumder 2016; Ansari et al. 2019).
102
W. Michelon et al.