Microalgae-based wastewater treatment and utilization of microalgae biomass

Microalgae-based wastewater treatment is a promising technology for removing nutrients from wastewater while producing biomass that can be processed into fuels or value-added products. Successful implementation of microalgae-based treatment needs to overcome several challenges such as establishing desirable microalgae-bacteria consortia and controlling critical operating parameters such as light, temperature, sludge retention time (SRT), and hydraulic retention time (HRT). The high concentrations of pollutants in wastewater can also inhibit microalgae growth and diminish the nutrients removal efficiencies. This chapter aims to provide a comprehensive review of microalgae-based wastewater treatment and microalgae biomass utilization.