Phycoremediation of municipal wastewater: Removal of nutrients and contaminants of emerging concern

High-rate algal ponds (HRAP) are an alternative to conventional wastewater treatment that could contribute to the circular economy by valorising reclaimed water and algal biomass. This short communication presents the removal of nutrients and contaminants of emerging concern (CEC) in a pilot-scale HRAP treating primary municipal wastewater. Average removal of total organic carbon, total nitrogen, NH4-N, total phosphorus and PO4-P, was 67%, 76%, 87%, 41% and 46%, respectively. In addition, 12 CECs were detected in the influent and five in the effluent. Removals were as follows: naproxen 60%, ibuprofen 51%, methylparaben 92%, 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone 76% and oxybenzone 80%, and are comparable with literature data for conventional wastewater treatment and other HRAPs. In conclusion, studies of nature-based solutions such as HRAPs show encouraging results but need further research to understand the risks and requirements of safe wastewater and biomass reuse. (C) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V.

Automated summary

High-rate algal ponds (HRAP) are an alternative method for wastewater treatment that can contribute to the circular economy by valorising reclaimed water and algal biomass. Studies show that HRAPs have good removal efficiency for nutrients and contaminants, but further research is needed to understand the risks and requirements of safe wastewater and biomass reuse.