Microalgae-based biorefineries for sustainable resource recovery from wastewater

Extensive and improper utilization of water from industrial, municipal, and agricultural activities generate 380 trillion L/y of wastewater worldwide. Wastewaters from different sources contain enormous amounts of nutrients such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Thus, the recovery of these nutrients via appropriate sustainable process becomes a necessity. Among various processes microalgae-based technologies has attracted considerable attention and its strategies for sustainable and low-cost treatment of wastewater has allowed removal of over 70% nutrient loads from the wastewater. After the treatment of wastewater, the harvested microalgae biomass contains value-added biomolecules which can used for bioenergy production and nanoparticle synthesis. At present, high operational costs represent a major limitation for the development of microalgae-based biorefineries. Thus, the main aim of the review is to provide the knowledge about the potential of low-cost microalgae-based integrated biorefinery for wastewater treatments and resource recovery. Also, this review provides the insight of microalgae biomass-based bioenergy products, nanoparticles synthesis their application within the concept of circular bioeconomy. Furthermore, this review also provides information on different established industries which used microalgae for wastewater treatment.

Automated summary

Improper utilization of water from various activities leads to 380 trillion L/y of wastewater worldwide. Microalgae-based technologies have shown potential for sustainable and low-cost treatment of wastewater and nutrient recovery. However, high operational costs currently limit the development of microalgae-based biorefineries.