Phycoremediation Processes for Secondary Effluent from Sewage Treatment Plants Using Photosynthetic Microorganisms: A Review

Taking into account the worrying scenario of water scarcity, it is essential to enable more efficient technologies for wastewater treatment. Wastewater may be treated by conventional biological processes that remove pathogenic organisms, particulate and soluble organic compounds, other components. However, secondary effluents from treatment plants still contain toxic elements or high concentrations inorganic nutrients (mainly nitrogen phosphorus), which growth photosynthetic microorganisms in bodies, resulting eutrophication. In this context, cultivation sewage allows removal such wastewater, reducing possibility Moreover, microalgal biomass, produced tertiary treatment, harvested different methods with potential applications, as fertilizer biofuel.