Ecobiological aspects of algae cultivation in wastewaters for recycling of nutrients and biofuel applications

Abstract

Algae-based wastewater treatment is an ecofriendly option, which involves complex interactions among the micro/macro flora and fauna. The use of consortia (algal polycultures, algae–bacteria/algae–fungi consortia and biofilms/mats) for wastewater treatment has proved more effective in nutrient recycling, bioremediation and biomass production. The present review focuses on ecobiological aspects of wastewaters, the interactions among the biotic components in natural and engineered aquatic systems, nutrient recycling, and the potential of algae-based wastewater treatment technologies for algae biomass and biofuel production. Although wastewater treatment coupled with production of biofuels is a promising option, concerted research efforts are needed in the future to develop commercial-scale technologies for biofuel production from algae cultivated in wastewaters.

Acknowledgements

S Chinnasamy, SK Ratha, S Bhaskar, R Rengasamy and DM Lewis are thankful to the management of Aban in India and Muradel Pty Ltd in Australia for the support extended to this work. N Renuka is thankful to the University Grants Commission (New Delhi, India) and Chairman, Department of Botany, Panjab University (Chandigarh, India) for PhD registration and providing research facilities. A Sood, and R Prasanna are grateful for the facilities provided by the Division of Microbiology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute (New Delhi, India). The authors also thank T Lundquist (California Polytechnic State University, CA, USA) and M Zivojnovich (HydroMentia, Inc., USA) for providing photos of HRAP and ATS systems treating wastewaters, respectively. The authors gratefully acknowledge B Green (GO2 Water, Inc., USA) for providing information on AIWPS.

Financial & competing interest disclosure

S Chinnasamy, SK Ratha and S Bhaskar work for Biotechnology division of Aban Infrastructure Private Ltd, which provides funding support for the research related to algae bioremediation and biofuels. DM Lewis has professional affiliations with Muradel Pty Ltd (Australia) and GO2 Water, Inc. (USA), which are currently working on developing commercial-scale algae-based technologies. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.