Nutrient Removal by Algae-Based Wastewater Treatment

Abstract Algae cultivation complements wastewater treatment (WWT) principles as the process uptakes nutrients while assimilates CO 2 into biomass. Thus, application of algae-based WWT is on upward trajectory more attention for recovery and capture reducing its economic challenge in circular economy concept. However, complexity algal ecological characteristics induces techno-economic challenges industry implementation. Algae-based relies totally ability algae to uptake store Therefore, removal efficiency proportional biomass productivity. This mechanism limits applications low nutrient concentration wastewater. The hydraulic retention time (HRT) significantly long (i.e. > 10 days), compared a few hours bacteria-based process. Phototrophic are most used studies well pilot-scale trials. Application phototrophic faces supply illumination. Collectively, significant landscape required has limited organic removals, which require pretreatment wastewaters before flowing can be connection with remove partial capturing . Future research should strive achieve fast high growth rate, strong environmental tolerance species, simple downstream processing high-value There also clear urgent need systematic analysis both carbon credit assessment values facilitate identification prioritisation barriers lower cost WWT. Graphical abstract