Chapter 20 - Application of microalgae in industrial effluent treatment, contaminants removal, and biodiesel production: Opportunities, challenges, and future prospects

Abstract

Due to release of uncontrolled domestic, agricultural, and industrial wastewater into the aquatic system, various hazardous contaminants can be found in the environment all over the world. Various conventional treatment methods are available for the remediation of wastewaters, but these methods are expensive and are not economically feasible. One of the feasible solutions for wastewater treatment, microalgae are known to effectively remove a variety of nutrients or pollutants present in wastewaters, such as nitrogen, phosphate, organic carbons, pharmaceutical compounds, dye compounds, and heavy metals. Microalgae are versatile organisms which perform multiple roles in the bioremediation of wastes and wastewater and generate valuable biomass which may have many applications in food, biofuels, and pharmaceutical industries. Microalgal systems are currently being utilized to reduce high pollution load from wastewaters. Microalgal cultivation for biomass production can be used in various applications, such as biofuels/bioenergy or bioactive compounds. This chapter gives detailed information about the diversity of microalgae in various types of wastewaters and assesses their role in industrial waste and wastewater treatment. In addition, updated research, challenges, and the way forward for microalgae biofuels are also presented. In the future, the management of wastes and biofuels production through microalgae can be the best alternative method to conventional technologies for an eco-green and sustainable environment.