Microalgae for saline wastewater treatment: a critical review

Abstract

Saline wastewater contains numerous pollutants such as nutrients, heavy metals, micropollutants, and organic pollutants. This kind of wastewater needs to be treated prior to discharging. Compared to other technologies for saline wastewater treatment, the microalgae process is considered to be ‘green’ or environmentally friendly as it generates no secondary pollutants and creates profit. To elucidate the issue, this review investigated the following: (1) the nature of saline wastewater; (2) adaptation of microalgae in saline wastewater; (3) pollutants’ remediation by microalgae in saline wastewater; (4) comparisons with other technologies; and (5) future perspectives. Most importantly, during microalgae process, the saline wastewater is transformed from a waste into a source for biofuel and pigment production. This trend implies to heal the environment, cut remediation expenses and raise revenue.

Key Words:

• Heavy metals
• microalgae
• nutrients
• PPCPs
• saline wastewater

Acknowledgement

The authors are grateful to the collaborations among CTWW, Joint Research Center for Protective Infrastructure Technology and Environmental Green Bioprocess and Tianjin Polytechnic University.

Additional information

Funding

This review research was supported by the Center for Technology in Water and Wastewater (CTWW), University of Technology, Sydney (UTS, RIA NGO) and Korean Ministry of Environment as a “Global Top Project”, Project No. 2016002200005.