Current and Future Perspective of Microalgae for Simultaneous Wastewater Treatment and Feedstock for Biofuels Production

The depletion of renewable source of energy and wastewater treatment are one of the concerning issues for the growing population. To overcome these problems, algae can be acts as one of the potent sources for biofuels feedstocks as well as biosorbents for wastewater treatment. The cultivation of microalgae leads to the removal of nutrients, heavy metals, dyes, and pharmaceutical waste from wastewater. Extracted lipids from microalgae are utilized for biodiesel production and lipid extracted microalgae can act as feedstocks for the production of bioethanol, biobutanol, and biogas. Biochar formed from microalgae can act as biosorbents. Several factors like temperature, the intensity of light, CO2, nutrient concentration, and inoculum size affect the cultivation of microalgae. Dynamic models are proposed for algal growth kinetics in raceway ponds and photobioreactors. Similarly, biomass concentration, initial pH, contact time, temperature, initial metal and dyes concentration, etc. affect the biosorption process. Biosorption isotherm kinetics are employed for heavy metals and dyes removal from wastewater. Energy sustainability of microalgal biodiesel production is evaluated by the life cycle energy balance equation, circular economy, and life cycle assessment (LCA) analysis.

Automated summary

Algae play a crucial role in providing biofuels and biosorbents for wastewater treatment. Factors such as temperature, light intensity, CO2 concentration, and nutrient levels affect algae cultivation, while parameters like biomass concentration, pH, and contact time influence the biosorption process. Techniques such as biosorption isotherm kinetics and life cycle energy balance equations are used to evaluate the sustainability of microalgal biodiesel production.