Phycoremediation of industrial wastewater: review of algae consortia

Abstract

Industrialisation, population growth, and concomitant demand for fresh water have immensely impacted water quality and scarcity. In particular, wastewater generated from industries generally produces high amounts of nutrients, heavy metals, and chemicals that degrade the environment. Several algal species have been studied and utilized for their role in the treatment of various types of wastewater. Conventional wastewater treatment options are often expensive and energy-demanding, and generally ineffective at completely removing contaminants. Conversely, phycoremediation technology is an emerging green approach used to remove various types of pollutants from the environment while producing valuable compounds. Compared to conventional methods, phycoremediation presents as an eco-friendly and economically attractive alternative. This paper serves as a review of an algal-based treatment technology in wastewater remediation for industry, describing the most common microalgal consortia used for this purpose. Phycoremediation challenges and strategies to urgently accelerate steps towards achieving a clean and safe environment are presented, while examples of applications in industries are also provided.