Microalgae Cultivation in Wastewater for Nutrient Removal

Wastewater is the spent or used water containing dissolved or suspended solids such as pollutants and microbes, including nutrients. The wastewater discharged into the water bodies are hazardous to environment and cause various health problems in human beings. Eutrophication is one such major environmental problem caused due to the discharge of nutrient rich wastewater into the nearby water bodies. Several methods, commonly chemical treatment and conventional biological methods are used to remove nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen) from wastewater. However, high cost and more sludge production, are the major disadvantages limiting its use and hence researchers are now focusing on microalgae for nutrient removal from wastewater as it is less expensive and results in less sludge production. This paper provides a short review on the current scenario in the cultivation of microalgae in wastewater for nutrient removal. The resulting biomass from the treatment process can be used for the biodiesel production or for bioactive compound extraction.