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Ruales E, Gómez-Serrano C, Morillas-España A, González-López C, Escolà Casas M, Matamoros V, Garfí M, Ferrer I. Resource recovery and contaminants of emerging concern mitigation by microalgae treating wastewater. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 367:121950. [PMID: 39068780 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the recovery of agricultural biostimulants and biogas from microalgae treating wastewater, in the framework of a circular bioeconomy. To this end, municipal wastewater was treated in demonstrative raceway ponds, and microalgal biomass (Scenedesmus sp.) was then harvested and downstream processed to recover biostimulants and biogas in a biorefinery approach. The effect of microalgal biostimulants on plants was evaluated by means of bioassays, while the biogas produced was quantified in biochemical methane potential (BMP) tests. Furthermore, the fate of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) over the process was also assessed. Bioassays confirmed the biostimulant effect of microalgae, which showed gibberellin-, auxin- and cytokinin-like activity in watercress seed germination, mung bean rooting, and wheat leaf chlorophyll retention. In addition, the downstream process applied to raw biomass acted as a pre-treatment to enhance anaerobic digestion performance. After biostimulant extraction, the residual biomass represented 91% of the methane yield from the raw biomass (276 mLCH4·g-1VS). The kinetic profile of the residual biomass was 43% higher than that of the unprocessed biomass. Co-digestion with primary sludge further increased biogas production by 24%. Finally, the concentration of CECs in wastewater was reduced by more than 80%, and only 6 out of 22 CECs analyzed were present in the biostimulant obtained. Most importantly, the concentration of those contaminants was lower than in biosolids that are commonly used in agriculture, ensuring environmental safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelyn Ruales
- GEMMA - Group of Environmental Engineering and Microbiology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya - BarcelonaTech, c/ Jordi Girona 1-3, Building D1, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cintia Gómez-Serrano
- UAL - Chemical Engineering Department, Universidad de Almería, Carretera Sacramento s/n, E-04120, Almería, Spain
| | - Ainoa Morillas-España
- UAL - Chemical Engineering Department, Universidad de Almería, Carretera Sacramento s/n, E-04120, Almería, Spain
| | - Cynthia González-López
- UAL - Chemical Engineering Department, Universidad de Almería, Carretera Sacramento s/n, E-04120, Almería, Spain
| | - Mònica Escolà Casas
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, IDAEA-CSIC, c/Jordi Girona, 18-26, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Víctor Matamoros
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, IDAEA-CSIC, c/Jordi Girona, 18-26, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marianna Garfí
- GEMMA - Group of Environmental Engineering and Microbiology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya - BarcelonaTech, c/ Jordi Girona 1-3, Building D1, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ivet Ferrer
- GEMMA - Group of Environmental Engineering and Microbiology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya - BarcelonaTech, c/ Jordi Girona 1-3, Building D1, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain.
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2
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Sheik AG, Krishna SBN, Patnaik R, Ambati SR, Bux F, Kumari S. Digitalization of phosphorous removal process in biological wastewater treatment systems: Challenges, and way forward. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 252:119133. [PMID: 38735379 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Phosphorus in wastewater poses a significant environmental threat, leading to water pollution and eutrophication. However, it plays a crucial role in the water-energy-resource recovery-environment (WERE) nexus. Recovering Phosphorus from wastewater can close the phosphorus loop, supporting circular economy principles by reusing it as fertilizer or in industrial applications. Despite the recognized importance of phosphorus recovery, there is a lack of analysis of the cyber-physical framework concerning the WERE nexus. Advanced methods like automatic control, optimal process technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), and life cycle assessment (LCA) have emerged to enhance wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) operations focusing on improving effluent quality, energy efficiency, resource recovery, and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Providing insights into implementing modeling and simulation platforms, control, and optimization systems for Phosphorus recovery in WERE (P-WERE) in WWTPs is extremely important in WWTPs. This review highlights the valuable applications of AI algorithms, such as machine learning, deep learning, and explainable AI, for predicting phosphorus (P) dynamics in WWTPs. It emphasizes the importance of using AI to analyze microbial communities and optimize WWTPs for different various objectives. Additionally, it discusses the benefits of integrating mechanistic and data-driven models into plant-wide frameworks, which can enhance GHG simulation and enable simultaneous nitrogen (N) and Phosphorus (P) removal. The review underscores the significance of prioritizing recovery actions to redirect Phosphorus from effluent to reusable products for future considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdul Gaffar Sheik
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, 4001, South Africa.
| | - Suresh Babu Naidu Krishna
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, 4001, South Africa
| | - Reeza Patnaik
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, 4001, South Africa
| | - Seshagiri Rao Ambati
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy, Visakhapatnam, 530003, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Faizal Bux
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, 4001, South Africa
| | - Sheena Kumari
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, 4001, South Africa.
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3
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Kumar A, Mishra S, Singh NK, Yadav M, Padhiyar H, Christian J, Kumar R. Ensuring carbon neutrality via algae-based wastewater treatment systems: Progress and future perspectives. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 360:121182. [PMID: 38772237 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
The emergence of algal biorefineries has garnered considerable attention to researchers owing to their potential to ensure carbon neutrality via mitigation of atmospheric greenhouse gases. Algae-derived biofuels, characterized by their carbon-neutral nature, stand poised to play a pivotal role in advancing sustainable development initiatives aimed at enhancing environmental and societal well-being. In this context, algae-based wastewater treatment systems are greatly appreciated for their efficacy in nutrient removal and simultaneous bioenergy generation. These systems leverage the growth of algae species on wastewater nutrients-including carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus-alongside carbon dioxide, thus facilitating a multifaceted approach to pollution remediation. This review seeks to delve into the realization of carbon neutrality through algae-mediated wastewater treatment approaches. Through a comprehensive analysis, this review scrutinizes the trajectory of algae-based wastewater treatment via bibliometric analysis. It subsequently examines the case studies and empirical insights pertaining to algae cultivation, treatment performance analysis, cost and life cycle analyses, and the implementation of optimization methodologies rooted in artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms for algae-based wastewater treatment systems. By synthesizing these diverse perspectives, this study aims to offer valuable insights for the development of future engineering applications predicated on an in-depth understanding of carbon neutrality within the framework of circular economy paradigms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Kumar
- School of Hydrology and Water Resources, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210044, China.
| | - Saurabh Mishra
- Institute of Water Science and Technology, Hohai University, Nanjing China, 210098, China.
| | - Nitin Kumar Singh
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Marwadi University, Rajkot, Gujarat, India.
| | - Manish Yadav
- Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limite, Bhubaneswar, India.
| | | | - Johnson Christian
- Environment Audit Cell, R. D. Gardi Educational Campus, Rajkot, Gujarat, India.
| | - Rupesh Kumar
- Jindal Global Business School (JGBS), O P Jindal Global University, Sonipat, 131001, Haryana, India.
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4
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Arbour AJ, Bhatt P, Simsek H, Brown PB, Huang JY. Life cycle assessment on environmental feasibility of microalgae-based wastewater treatment for shrimp recirculating aquaculture systems. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2024; 399:130578. [PMID: 38479627 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2024.130578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
This life cycle assessment (LCA) study analyzed the environmental consequences of integrating microalgae-based wastewater treatment into a shrimp farm with recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). Microalgae treatment produced <10 % of the system's freshwater eutrophication potential (FEP), marine eutrophication potential (MEP) and global warming potential, which was dominantly contributed by electricity use. Microalgae treatment performed comparably to activated sludge treatment for FEP reduction, and was more effective in remediating marine eutrophication. Replacing coal in electricity mix, particularly with renewables, reduced the system's impacts by up to 90-99 %. Performing the LCA based on system expansion generally obtained higher impacts compared to allocation. Utilizing algal biomass for biogas production reduced the MEP; however, production of feed ingredient and biodiesel were not environmentally beneficial. This study proved the use of microalgae for aquaculture wastewater treatment to be environmentally feasible, the results can guide more sustainable RAS operations and design of full-scale microalgae treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- April J Arbour
- Department of Food Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Pankaj Bhatt
- Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Halis Simsek
- Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Paul B Brown
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Jen-Yi Huang
- Department of Food Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States; Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States; Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States.
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5
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Mohit A, Mishel VK, Remya N. Life cycle assessment and technoeconomic analysis of biofuels produced from polyculture microalgae cultivated in greywater. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 356:120711. [PMID: 38537468 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
This study evaluated the environmental and economic impacts of substituting synthetic media with greywater for cultivating microalgae in the biofuel production process. Life cycle assessment (LCA) and technoeconomic assessment (TEA) were employed to compare the impacts of two scenarios - one containing bold's basal (BB) media and another containing greywater as growth mediums for microalgae cultivation. Scenarios 1 and 2 mitigated 1.74 and 2.14 kg CO2 per kg of biofuel production, respectively. Substituting BB media with greywater resulted in a 16.3% reduction in energy requirements, leading to a 79.3% increase in net energy recovered. LCA findings demonstrate a reduction in all seven environmental categories. TEA reveals that, despite a 21.7% higher capital investment, scenario 2 proves more economically viable due to a 39.8% lower operating cost and additional revenue from wastewater treatment and carbon credits. The minimum selling price of biofuel dropped from Rs 73.5/kg to Rs 36.5/kg, highlighting the economic and environmental advantages of substituting BB media with greywater in microalgal biofuel production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aggarwal Mohit
- School of Infrastructure, Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 752050, India
| | - V Kuttickal Mishel
- School of Infrastructure, Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 752050, India
| | - Neelancherry Remya
- School of Infrastructure, Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 752050, India.
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6
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Li Y, Wu X, Liu Y, Taidi B. Immobilized microalgae: principles, processes and its applications in wastewater treatment. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 40:150. [PMID: 38548998 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-024-03930-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Microalgae have emerged as potential candidates for biomass production and pollutant removal. However, expensive biomass harvesting, insufficient biomass productivity, and low energy intensity limit the large-scale production of microalgae. To break through these bottlenecks, a novel technology of immobilized microalgae culture coupled with wastewater treatment has received increasing attention in recent years. In this review, the characteristics of two immobilized microalgae culture technologies are first presented and then their mechanisms are discussed in terms of biofilm formation theories, including thermodynamic theory, Derjaguin-Landau-Verwei-Overbeek theory (DLVO) and its extended theory (xDLVO), as well as ionic cross-linking mechanisms in the process of microalgae encapsulated in alginate. The main factors (algal strains, carriers, and culture conditions) affecting the growth of microalgae are also discussed. It is also summarized that immobilized microalgae show considerable potential for nitrogen and phosphorus removal, heavy metal removal, pesticide and antibiotic removal in wastewater treatment. The role of bacteria in the cultivation of microalgae by immobilization techniques and their application in wastewater treatment are clarified. This is economically feasible and technically superior. The problems and challenges faced by immobilized microalgae are finally presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanpeng Li
- School of Water and Environment, Chang`an University, Yanta Road #126, Yanta District, Xi`an, 710054, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Subsurface Hydrology and Ecological Effects in Arid Region, Ministry of Education, Chang`an University, Xi`an, 710054, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xuexue Wu
- School of Water and Environment, Chang`an University, Yanta Road #126, Yanta District, Xi`an, 710054, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Liu
- School of Water and Environment, Chang`an University, Yanta Road #126, Yanta District, Xi`an, 710054, People's Republic of China
| | - Behnam Taidi
- LGPM, CentraleSupélec, Université Paris Saclay, 3 rue Joliot-Curie, 91190, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
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Geng Y, Xiong Z, Yang L, Lian CA, Pavlostathis SG, Qiu Z, Chen H, Luo Q, Liu Y, Liu Z, Shao P, Zou JP, Jiang H, Luo S, Yu K, Luo X. Bidirectional Enhancement of Nitrogen Removal by Indigenous Synergetic Microalgal-Bacterial Consortia in Harsh Low-C/N Wastewater. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:5394-5404. [PMID: 38463002 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c10322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Conventional microalgal-bacterial consortia have limited capacity to treat low-C/N wastewater due to carbon limitation and single nitrogen (N) removal mode. In this work, indigenous synergetic microalgal-bacterial consortia with high N removal performance and bidirectional interaction were successful in treating rare earth tailing wastewaters with low-C/N. Ammonia removal reached 0.89 mg N L-1 h-1, 1.84-fold more efficient than a common microalgal-bacterial system. Metagenomics-based metabolic reconstruction revealed bidirectional microalgal-bacterial interactions. The presence of microalgae increased the abundance of bacterial N-related genes by 1.5- to 57-fold. Similarly, the presence of bacteria increased the abundance of microalgal N assimilation by 2.5- to 15.8-fold. Furthermore, nine bacterial species were isolated, and the bidirectional promotion of N removal by the microalgal-bacterial system was verified. The mechanism of microalgal N assimilation enhanced by indole-3-acetic acid was revealed. In addition, the bidirectional mode of the system ensured the scavenging of toxic byproducts from nitrate metabolism to maintain the stability of the system. Collectively, the bidirectional enhancement system of synergetic microalgae-bacteria was established as an effective N removal strategy to broaden the stable application of this system for the effective treatment of low C/N ratio wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanni Geng
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Heavy Metals Pollutants Control and Resource Utilization, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang 330063, P. R. China
- School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, P. R. China
| | - Zhensheng Xiong
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Heavy Metals Pollutants Control and Resource Utilization, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang 330063, P. R. China
| | - Liming Yang
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Heavy Metals Pollutants Control and Resource Utilization, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang 330063, P. R. China
| | - Chun-Ang Lian
- School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, P. R. China
| | - Spyros G Pavlostathis
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0512, United States
| | - Zhiguang Qiu
- School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, P. R. China
| | - Houxing Chen
- ECO-ADVANCE CO., LED, Ganzhou, Jiangxi 341000, P. R. China
| | - Qingchun Luo
- ECO-ADVANCE CO., LED, Ganzhou, Jiangxi 341000, P. R. China
| | - Yuanqi Liu
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Heavy Metals Pollutants Control and Resource Utilization, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang 330063, P. R. China
| | - Zhuochao Liu
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Heavy Metals Pollutants Control and Resource Utilization, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang 330063, P. R. China
| | - Penghui Shao
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Heavy Metals Pollutants Control and Resource Utilization, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang 330063, P. R. China
| | - Jian-Ping Zou
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Heavy Metals Pollutants Control and Resource Utilization, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang 330063, P. R. China
| | - Hualin Jiang
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Heavy Metals Pollutants Control and Resource Utilization, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang 330063, P. R. China
| | - Shenglian Luo
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Heavy Metals Pollutants Control and Resource Utilization, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang 330063, P. R. China
| | - Ke Yu
- School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, P. R. China
| | - Xubiao Luo
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Heavy Metals Pollutants Control and Resource Utilization, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang 330063, P. R. China
- School of Life Science, Jinggangshan University, Ji'an 343009, P. R. China
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8
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Song X, Kong F, Liu BF, Song Q, Ren NQ, Ren HY. Combined transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses of temperature response of microalgae using waste activated sludge extracts for promising biodiesel production. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 251:121120. [PMID: 38237459 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Waste activated sludge (WAS) as one of the major pollutants with a significant annual production, has garnered significant attention regarding its treatment and utilization. If improperly discharged, it not only caused environmental pollution but also led to the wastage of valuable resources. In this study, the microalgae growth and lipid accumulation using waste activated sludge extracts (WASE) under different temperature conditions were investigated. The highest lipid content (59.13%) and lipid productivity (80.41 mg L-1 d-1) were obtained at cultivation temperatures of 10 and 25 °C, respectively. It was found that microalgae can effectively utilize TN/TP/NH4+-N and other nutrients of WASE. The highest utilization rates of TP, TN and NH4+-N were achieved at a cultivation temperature of 10 °C, reaching 84.97, 77.49 and 92.32%, respectively. The algal fatty acids had carbon chains predominantly ranging from C14 to C18, making them suitable for biodiesel production. Additionally, a comprehensive analysis of transcriptomics and metabolomics revealed up-regulation of genes associated with triglyceride assembly, the antioxidant system of algal cells, and cellular autophagy, as well as the accumulation of metabolites related to the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and lipids. This study offers novel insights into the microscopic mechanisms of microalgae culture using WASE and approaches for the resource utilization of sludge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueting Song
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, 73 Huanghe Road, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Fanying Kong
- School of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Bing-Feng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, 73 Huanghe Road, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Qingqing Song
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, 73 Huanghe Road, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Nan-Qi Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, 73 Huanghe Road, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Hong-Yu Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, 73 Huanghe Road, Harbin 150090, China.
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Xu Y, Wei C, Liu D, Li J, Tian B, Li Z, Xu L. Life-cycle and economic assessments of microalgae biogas production in suspension and biofilm cultivation systems. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2024; 395:130381. [PMID: 38281545 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2024.130381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Biogas production via anaerobic digestion is highly attractive for microalgae. The technology of microalgae cultivation has profound impacts on biogas production system as it is the most energy-consuming process. However, a comprehensive evaluation of the environmental and economic benefits of different cultivation systems has yet to be sufficiently conducted. Here, life-cycle and economic assessments of open raceway ponds, photobioreactors and biofilm systems were investigated. Results showed greenhouse gas emissions of all systems were positive because more than two-thirds of carbon in fuel gas was lost and the fixed carbon in product gas and solid fertilizer was less than the emitted carbon during energy input. Particularly, biofilm system achieved the least greenhouse gas emissions (9.3 g CO2-eq/MJ), net energy ratio (0.7) and levelized cost of energy (0.9 $/kWh), indicating the optimum cultivation system. Open raceway ponds and photobioreactors failed to achieve positive benefits because of low harvesting efficiency and biomass concentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilin Xu
- School of Chemical Engineering, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069 China
| | - Chaoyang Wei
- School of Chemical Engineering, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069 China.
| | - Dawei Liu
- School of Chemical Engineering, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069 China
| | - Jingying Li
- School of Chemical Engineering, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069 China
| | - Bin Tian
- School of Chemical Engineering, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069 China
| | - Zhuo Li
- School of Chemical Engineering, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069 China
| | - Long Xu
- School of Chemical Engineering, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069 China
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10
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Bhatt A, Sahu N, Dada AC, Kumar Prajapati S, Arora P. Assessing sustainability of microalgae-based wastewater treatment: Environmental considerations and impacts on human health. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 354:120435. [PMID: 38402790 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
An integrated life cycle assessment (LCA) and quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) were conducted to assess microalgae-mediated wastewater disinfection (M-WWD). M-WWD was achieved by replacing ultraviolet disinfection with a microalgal open raceway pond in an existing sewage treatment plant (STP) in India. Regarding impacts on human health, both M-WWD and STP yielded comparable life cycle impacts, around 0.01 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) per person per year. However, QMRA impacts for M-WWD (0.053 DALYs per person per year) were slightly lower than that for STP while considering exposure to E. coli O157:H7 and adenovirus. Additionally, a comparative LCA resolved the dilemma about the appropriate utilization of microalgal biomass. Among biodiesel, biocrude, and biogas production, the lowest impacts of 0.015 DALYs per person per year were obtained for biocrude for 1 m3 water treated by M-WWD. Electricity consumption in microalgae cultivation was a major environmental hotspot. Overall, M-WWD, followed by production of microalgal biocrude, emerged as a sustainable alternative from environmental and public health perspectives. These findings set the foundation for pilot-scale M-WWD system development, testing, and economic evaluation. Such comprehensive investigations, encompassing LCA, QMRA, and resource recovery scenarios, offer crucial insights for stakeholders and decision-makers in wastewater treatment and environmental management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankita Bhatt
- Department of Hydro and Renewable Energy, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Nitin Sahu
- Department of Hydro and Renewable Energy, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India
| | | | - Sanjeev Kumar Prajapati
- Department of Hydro and Renewable Energy, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Pratham Arora
- Department of Hydro and Renewable Energy, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India.
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11
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Rossi S, Carecci D, Marazzi F, Di Benedetto F, Mezzanotte V, Parati K, Alberti D, Geraci I, Ficara E. Integrating microalgae growth in biomethane plants: Process design, modelling, and cost evaluation. Heliyon 2024; 10:e23240. [PMID: 38163195 PMCID: PMC10755323 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
The integration of microalgae cultivation in anaerobic digestion (AD) plants can take advantage of relevant nutrients (ammonium and ortho-phosphate) and CO2 loads. The proposed scheme of microalgae integration in existing biogas plants aims at producing approximately 250 t·y-1 of microalgal biomass, targeting the biostimulants market that is currently under rapid expansion. A full-scale biorefinery was designed to treat 50 kt·y-1 of raw liquid digestate from AD and 0.45 kt·y-1 of CO2 from biogas upgrading, and 0.40 kt·y-1 of sugar-rich solid by-products from a local confectionery industry. An innovative three-stage cultivation process was designed, modelled, and verified, including: i) microalgae inoculation in tubular PBRs to select the desired algal strains, ii) microalgae cultivation in raceway ponds under greenhouses, and iii) heterotrophic microalgae cultivation in fermenters. A detailed economic assessment of the proposed biorefinery allowed to compute a biomass production cost of 2.8 ± 0.3 €·kg DW-1, that is compatible with current downstream process costs to produce biostimulants, suggesting that the proposed nutrient recovery route is feasible from the technical and economic perspective. Based on the case study analysis, a discussion of process, bioproducts and policy barriers that currently hinder the development of microalgae-based biorefineries is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Rossi
- Politecnico di Milano, DICA – Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2, P.zza Leonardo da Vinci, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Davide Carecci
- Politecnico di Milano, DICA – Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2, P.zza Leonardo da Vinci, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Francesca Marazzi
- University of Milano – Bicocca, DISAT – Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 1, P.zza della Scienza, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Francesca Di Benedetto
- Politecnico di Milano, DICA – Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2, P.zza Leonardo da Vinci, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Valeria Mezzanotte
- University of Milano – Bicocca, DISAT – Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 1, P.zza della Scienza, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Katia Parati
- Istituto Sperimentale Italiano Lazzaro Spallanzani, Aquaculture division, 26027 Rivolta d’Adda, Italy
| | | | | | - Elena Ficara
- Politecnico di Milano, DICA – Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2, P.zza Leonardo da Vinci, 20133 Milano, Italy
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12
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Bellver M, Díez-Montero R, Escola M, Matamoros V, Ferrer I. Phycobiliprotein recovery coupled to the tertiary treatment of wastewater in semi-continuous photobioreactors. Tracking contaminants of emerging concern. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2023:129287. [PMID: 37286047 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.129287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
This study evaluated a tertiary wastewater treatment technology using cyanobacteria to recover value-added phycobiliproteins. The presence of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in wastewater, cyanobacteria biomass and pigments recovered were also analyzed. For this, a wastewater-borne cyanobacterium (Synechocystis sp. R2020) was used to treat secondary effluent from a municipal wastewater treatment plant, with and without nutrients supplementation. Then, the stability of phycobiliprotein production was assessed by operating the photobioreactor in semi-continuous mode. Results showed similar biomass productivity with and without nutrients supplementation (153.5 and 146.7 mg L-1 d-1, respectively). Upon semi-continuous operation, the phycobiliprotein content was stable and reached up to 74.7 mg gDW-1. The phycocyanin purity ratio ranged from 0.5 to 0.8, corresponding to food grade (> 0.7). Out of 22 CECs detected in secondary effluent, only 3 were present in the phycobiliprotein extract. In order to identify applications, prospective research should focus on CECs removal during pigment purification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Bellver
- GEMMA - Environmental Engineering and Microbiology Research Group, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya·BarcelonaTech, c/ Jordi Girona 1-3, Building D1, E-08034, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rubén Díez-Montero
- GEMMA - Environmental Engineering and Microbiology Research Group, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya·BarcelonaTech, c/ Jordi Girona 1-3, Building D1, E-08034, Barcelona, Spain; GIA - Group of Environmental Engineering, Department of Water and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, Universidad de Cantabria, Avda. Los Castros s/n, 39005 Santander, Spain
| | - Monica Escola
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, IDAEA-CSIC, c/Jordi Girona, 18-26, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Víctor Matamoros
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, IDAEA-CSIC, c/Jordi Girona, 18-26, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ivet Ferrer
- GEMMA - Environmental Engineering and Microbiology Research Group, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya·BarcelonaTech, c/ Jordi Girona 1-3, Building D1, E-08034, Barcelona, Spain.
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13
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Marangon BB, Magalhães IB, Pereira ASAP, Silva TA, Gama RCN, Ferreira J, Castro JS, Assis LR, Lorentz JF, Calijuri ML. Emerging microalgae-based biofuels: Technology, life-cycle and scale-up. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 326:138447. [PMID: 36940833 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Microalgae biomass is a versatile feedstock with a variable composition that can be submitted to several conversion routes. Considering the increasing energy demand and the context of third-generation biofuels, algae can fulfill the increasing global demand for energy with the additional benefit of environmental impact mitigation. While biodiesel and biogas are widely consolidated and reviewed, emerging algal-based biofuels such as biohydrogen, biokerosene, and biomethane are cutting-edge technologies in earlier stages of development. In this context, the present study covers their theoretical and practical conversion technologies, environmental hotspots, and cost-effectiveness. Scaling-up considerations are also addressed, mainly through Life Cycle Assessment results and interpretation. Discussions on the current literature for each biofuel directs researchers towards challenges such as optimized pretreatment methods for biohydrogen and optimized catalyst for biokerosene, besides encouraging pilot and industrial scale studies for all biofuels. While presenting studies for larger scales, biomethane still needs continuous operation results to consolidate the technology further. Additionally, environmental improvements on all three routes are discussed in light of life-cycle models, highlighting the ample research opportunities on wastewater-grown microalgae biomass.
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Affiliation(s)
- B B Marangon
- Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Viçosa (Universidade Federal de Viçosa/UFV), Av. Peter Henry Rolfs, S/n, Campus Universitário, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570-900, Brazil.
| | - I B Magalhães
- Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Viçosa (Universidade Federal de Viçosa/UFV), Av. Peter Henry Rolfs, S/n, Campus Universitário, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570-900, Brazil.
| | - A S A P Pereira
- Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Viçosa (Universidade Federal de Viçosa/UFV), Av. Peter Henry Rolfs, S/n, Campus Universitário, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570-900, Brazil.
| | - T A Silva
- Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Viçosa (Universidade Federal de Viçosa/UFV), Av. Peter Henry Rolfs, S/n, Campus Universitário, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570-900, Brazil.
| | - R C N Gama
- Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Viçosa (Universidade Federal de Viçosa/UFV), Av. Peter Henry Rolfs, S/n, Campus Universitário, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570-900, Brazil.
| | - J Ferreira
- Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Viçosa (Universidade Federal de Viçosa/UFV), Av. Peter Henry Rolfs, S/n, Campus Universitário, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570-900, Brazil.
| | - J S Castro
- Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Viçosa (Universidade Federal de Viçosa/UFV), Av. Peter Henry Rolfs, S/n, Campus Universitário, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570-900, Brazil.
| | - L R Assis
- Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Viçosa (Universidade Federal de Viçosa/UFV), Av. Peter Henry Rolfs, S/n, Campus Universitário, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570-900, Brazil.
| | - J F Lorentz
- Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Viçosa (Universidade Federal de Viçosa/UFV), Av. Peter Henry Rolfs, S/n, Campus Universitário, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570-900, Brazil.
| | - M L Calijuri
- Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Viçosa (Universidade Federal de Viçosa/UFV), Av. Peter Henry Rolfs, S/n, Campus Universitário, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570-900, Brazil.
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14
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Huang KX, Vadiveloo A, Zhou JL, Yang L, Chen DZ, Gao F. Integrated culture and harvest systems for improved microalgal biomass production and wastewater treatment. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2023; 376:128941. [PMID: 36948428 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.128941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Microalgae cultivation in wastewater has received much attention as an environmentally sustainable approach. However, commercial application of this technique is challenging due to the low biomass output and high harvesting costs. Recently, integrated culture and harvest systems including microalgae biofilm, membrane photobioreactor, microalgae-fungi co-culture, microalgae-activated sludge co-culture, and microalgae auto-flocculation have been explored for efficiently coupling microalgal biomass production with wastewater purification. In such systems, the cultivation of microalgae and the separation of algal cells from wastewater are performed in the same reactor, enabling microalgae grown in the cultivation system to reach higher concentration, thus greatly improving the efficiency of biomass production and wastewater purification. Additionally, the design of such innovative systems also allows for microalgae cells to be harvested more efficiently. This review summarizes the mechanisms, characteristics, applications, and development trends of the various integrated systems and discusses their potential for broad applications, which worth further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai-Xuan Huang
- School of Petrochemical Engineering & Environment, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan 316000, China; National Engineering Research Center for Marine Aquaculture, Zhoushan 316000, China
| | - Ashiwin Vadiveloo
- Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Perth 6150, Australia
| | - Jin-Long Zhou
- School of Petrochemical Engineering & Environment, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan 316000, China; Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Petrochemical Environmental Pollution Control, Zhoushan 316000, China
| | - Lei Yang
- School of Petrochemical Engineering & Environment, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan 316000, China; Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Petrochemical Environmental Pollution Control, Zhoushan 316000, China
| | - Dong-Zhi Chen
- School of Petrochemical Engineering & Environment, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan 316000, China; Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Petrochemical Environmental Pollution Control, Zhoushan 316000, China
| | - Feng Gao
- School of Petrochemical Engineering & Environment, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan 316000, China; Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Petrochemical Environmental Pollution Control, Zhoushan 316000, China.
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15
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Cao TND, Mukhtar H, Le LT, Tran DPH, Ngo MTT, Pham MDT, Nguyen TB, Vo TKQ, Bui XT. Roles of microalgae-based biofertilizer in sustainability of green agriculture and food-water-energy security nexus. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 870:161927. [PMID: 36736400 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
For years, agrochemical fertilizers have been used in agriculture for crop production. However, intensive utilization of chemical fertilizers is not an ecological and environmental choice since they are destroying soil health and causing an emerging threat to agricultural production on a global scale. Under the circumstances of the increasing utilization of chemical fertilizers, cultivating microalgae to produce biofertilizers would be a wise solution since desired environmental targets will be obtained including (1) replacing chemical fertilizer while improving crop yields and soil health; (2) reducing the harvest of non-renewable elements from limited natural resources for chemical fertilizers production, and (3) mitigating negative influences of climate change through CO2 capture through microalgae cultivation. Recent improvements in microalgae-derived-biofertilizer-applied agriculture will be summarized in this review article. At last, the recent challenges of applying biofertilizers will be discussed as well as the perspective regarding the concept of circular bio-economy and sustainable development goals (SDGs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Thanh Ngoc-Dan Cao
- Department of Bioenvironmental Systems Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei 10617, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Hussnain Mukhtar
- Department of Bioenvironmental Systems Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei 10617, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Linh-Thy Le
- Faculty of Public Health, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City (UMP), Ward 11, District 5, Ho Chi Minh city 72714, Viet Nam; Key Laboratory of Advanced Waste Treatment Technology & Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), 268 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Viet Nam
| | - Duyen Phuc-Hanh Tran
- Department of Civil Engineering, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan 32023, Taiwan, ROC; Key Laboratory of Advanced Waste Treatment Technology & Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), 268 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Viet Nam
| | - My Thi Tra Ngo
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Waste Treatment Technology & Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), 268 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Viet Nam
| | - Mai-Duy-Thong Pham
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Waste Treatment Technology & Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), 268 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Viet Nam; Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh (VNUT.HCM), Linh Trung ward, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Viet Nam
| | - Thanh-Binh Nguyen
- Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City 81157, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Thi-Kim-Quyen Vo
- Faculty of Biology and Environment, Ho Chi Minh City University of Food Industry (HUFI), 140 Le Trong Tan street, Tan Phu district, Ho Chi Minh city 700000, Viet Nam; Key Laboratory of Advanced Waste Treatment Technology & Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), 268 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Viet Nam
| | - Xuan-Thanh Bui
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Waste Treatment Technology & Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), 268 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Viet Nam; Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh (VNUT.HCM), Linh Trung ward, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Viet Nam.
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16
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Zheng S, Wu A, Wang H, Chen L, Song J, Zhang H, He M, Wang C, Chen H, Wang Q. Purification efficiency of Pyropia-processing wastewater and microalgal biomass production by the combination of Chlorella sp. C2 cultivated at different culture temperatures and chitosan. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2023; 373:128730. [PMID: 36791980 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.128730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
To elucidate the impacts of culture temperature on nutrient removal efficiency of Pyropia-processing wastewater (PPW) and microalgal biomass production, Chlorella sp. C2 was employed and cultivated in raw PPW under different temperatures. Results showed that, after incubating for 7 days, higher biomass (0.50 g/L) and total lipids (21.84 %) were attained at 35 °C. The maximal chemical oxygen demand (COD), phycobiliprotein, total nitrogen and total phosphorus removal rates were observed at 30-35 °C and separately reached 62.41 %, 92.61 %, 92.19 % and 98.33 %. Interestingly, COD removal efficiencies of Chlorella cells, cultivated for 3, 5 and 7 days at 30-35 °C, 15-25 °C and 10 °C respectively, could reach >75 % with assistance from 60-80 mg/L chitosan. Meanwhile, the clarification efficiency of chitosan on algal cells reached >95 %. It suggests that Chlorella strain cultured at altered temperatures could efficiently remove PPW nutrients assisted by moderate chitosan, simultaneously achieving the rapid harvest of microalgae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyan Zheng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China; Co-Innovation Center of Jiangsu Marine Bio-industry Technology, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China; Jiangsu Institute of Marine Resources Development, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China
| | - Aihua Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China
| | - Hongyan Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China
| | - Lei Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China
| | - Jiamei Song
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China
| | - Huai Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China
| | - Meilin He
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biology, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Changhai Wang
- Co-Innovation Center of Jiangsu Marine Bio-industry Technology, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China; Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biology, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Hui Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Qiang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China; Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China.
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17
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Parmar P, Kumar R, Neha Y, Srivatsan V. Microalgae as next generation plant growth additives: Functions, applications, challenges and circular bioeconomy based solutions. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1073546. [PMID: 37063190 PMCID: PMC10101342 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1073546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Sustainable agriculture practices involve the application of environment-friendly plant growth promoters and additives that do not negatively impact the health of the ecosystem. Stringent regulatory frameworks restricting the use of synthetic agrochemicals and the increase in demand for organically grown crops have paved the way for the development of novel bio-based plant growth promoters. In this context, microalgae biomass and derived agrochemicals offer novel sources of plant growth promotors that enhance crop productivity and impart disease resistance. These beneficial effects could be attributed to the presence of wide range of biomolecules such as soluble amino acid (AA), micronutrients, polysaccharides, phytohormones and other signaling molecules in microalgae biomass. In addition, their phototrophic nature, high photosynthetic efficiency, and wide environmental adaptability make them an attractive source of biostimulants, biofertilizers and biopesticides. The present review aims to describe the various plant growth promoting metabolites produced by microalgae and their effects on plant growth and productivity. Further, the effects elicited by microalgae biostimulants with respect to different modes of applications such as seed treatments, foliar spray and soil/root drenching is reviewed in detail. In addition, the ability of microalgae metabolites to impart tolerance against various abiotic and biotic stressors along with the mechanism of action is discussed in this paper. Although the use of microalgae based biofertilizers and biostimulants is gaining popularity, the high nutrient and water requirements and energy intensive downstream processes makes microalgae based technology commercially unsustainable. Addressing this challenge, we propose a circular economy model of microalgae mediated bioremediation coupled with biorefinery approaches of generating high value metabolites along with biofertilizer applications. We discuss and review new trends in enhancing the sustainability of microalgae biomass production by co-cultivation of algae with hydroponics and utilization of agriculture effluents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Parmar
- Applied Phycology and Food Technology Laboratory, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)- Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research -Human Resource Development Centre (CSIR-HRDC), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Raman Kumar
- Applied Phycology and Food Technology Laboratory, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)- Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research -Human Resource Development Centre (CSIR-HRDC), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Yograj Neha
- Applied Phycology and Food Technology Laboratory, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)- Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Vidyashankar Srivatsan
- Applied Phycology and Food Technology Laboratory, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)- Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research -Human Resource Development Centre (CSIR-HRDC), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
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18
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Conceptual Design of an Autotrophic Multi-Strain Microalgae-Based Biorefinery: Preliminary Techno-Economic and Life Cycle Assessments. FERMENTATION-BASEL 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/fermentation9030255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
Microalgae represent a promising solution in addressing the impacts associated with the current agricultural and manufacturing practices which are causing irreparable environmental damage. Microalgae have considerable biosynthetic potential, being a rich source of lipids, proteins, and high-value compounds. Under the scope of the H2020-BBI MULTI-STR3AM project, an innovative large-scale production system of valuable commodities for the food, feed, and fragrance sectors is being developed on the basis of microalgae, reducing costs, increasing the scale of production, and boosting value chain sustainability. In this work, we aimed to create a process model that can mimic an industrial plant to estimate mass and energy balances, optimize scheduling, and calculate production costs for a large-scale plant. Three autotrophic microalgae strains (Nannochloropsis sp., Dunaliella sp. and Spirulina sp.) were considered for this assessment, as well as the use of locally sourced CO2 (flue gas). The developed process model is a useful tool for obtaining the data required for techno-economic analysis (TEA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) of industrial biorefinery-based processes. Nannochloropsis sp. was the most economic option, whereas Dunaliella sp. was the most expensive strain to produce due to its lower productivity. Preliminary environmental assessments of the climate change impact category revealed that water recirculation and the use of flue gas could lead to values of 5.6, 10.6, and 9.2 kgCO2eq·kgAFDW−1 for Nannochloropsis sp., Dunaliella sp., and Spirulina sp., respectively, with electricity and NaCl as the main contributors. The obtained data allow for the quantification of the production costs and environmental impacts of the microalgal biomass fractions produced, which will be fundamental for future comparison studies and in determining if they are higher or lower than those of the replaced products. The process model developed in this work provides a useful tool for the evaluation and optimization of large-scale microalgae production systems.
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Pessi BA, Baroukh C, Bacquet A, Bernard O. A universal dynamical metabolic model representing mixotrophic growth of Chlorella sp. on wastes. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 229:119388. [PMID: 36462256 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.119388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
An emerging idea is to couple wastewater treatment and biofuel production using microalgae to achieve higher productivities and lower costs. This paper proposes a metabolic modeling of Chlorella sp. growing on fermentation wastes (blend of acetate, butyrate and other acids) in mixotrophic conditions, accounting also for the possible inhibitory substrates. This model extends previous works by modifying the metabolic network to include the consumption of glycerol and glucose by Chlorella sp., with the goal to test the addition of these substrates in order to overcome butyrate inhibition. The metabolic model was built using the DRUM framework and consists of 188 reactions and 173 metabolites. After a calibration phase, the model was successfully challenged with data from 122 experiments collected from scientific literature in autotrophic, heterotrophic and mixotrophic conditions. The optimal feeding strategy estimated with the model reduces the time to consume the volatile fatty acids from 16 days to 2 days. The high prediction capability of this model opens new routes for enhancing design and operation in waste valorization using microalgae.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Caroline Baroukh
- LIPME, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, CNRS, Castanet Tolosan, France
| | - Anais Bacquet
- LOV, UMR 7093, Sorbonne university, CNRS, Villefranche-sur-mer, France
| | - Olivier Bernard
- Biocore, INRIA, Université Côte d'Azur, Sophia Antipolis, France; LOV, UMR 7093, Sorbonne university, CNRS, Villefranche-sur-mer, France
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Álvarez-González A, Uggetti E, Serrano L, Gorchs G, Ferrer I, Díez-Montero R. Can microalgae grown in wastewater reduce the use of inorganic fertilizers? JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 323:116224. [PMID: 36126597 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.116224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Alternatives to conventional inorganic fertilizers are needed to cope with the growing global population and contamination due to the production and use of those inorganic compounds. The recovery of nutrients from wastewater and organic wastes is a promising option to provide fertilization in a circular economy approach. In this context, microalgae-based systems are an alternative to conventional wastewater treatment systems, reducing the treatment costs and improving the sustainability of the process, while producing nutrient-rich microalgal biomass. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the use of microalgal biomass produced during domestic wastewater treatment in high rate algal ponds as a biofertilizer in basil crops (Ocimum basilicum L.). Wastewater was successfully treated, with removal efficiencies in the secondary treatment of 69, 91 and 81% in terms of chemical oxygen demand (COD), total inorganic nitrogen (TIN) and phosphates (PO43-P), respectively. The microalgal biomass, composed mainly by Scenedesmus, presented the following composition: 12% of dry weight and nutrients concentration of 7.6% nitrogen (N), 1.6% phosphorus (P) and 0.9% potassium (K). The study compared the performance of 3 different fertilizers: 1) microalgae fertilizer (MF), 2) inorganic fertilizer (IF) as positive control and 3) the combination of both microalgae and inorganic fertilizer (MF + IF). Comparable plant growth (i.e., number of leaves, shoot fresh and dry weight and leaf fresh weight) was observed among treatments, except for leaf dry weight, which was significantly higher in the IF + MF and MF treatments (28 and 27%, respectively) in comparison with the control. However, the microalgae treatment provided the lowest chlorophyll, N and K leaf content. In conclusion, this study suggests that combining microalgae grown in wastewater with an inorganic fertilizer is a promising nutrients source for basil crops, enhancing the circular bioeconomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Álvarez-González
- GEMMA - Group of Environmental Engineering and Microbiology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya·BarcelonaTech, Jordi Girona 1-3, Building D1, 08034, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Enrica Uggetti
- GEMMA - Group of Environmental Engineering and Microbiology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya·BarcelonaTech, Jordi Girona 1-3, Building D1, 08034, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Lydia Serrano
- Department of Agri-Food Engineering and Biotechnology, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya BarcelonaTech, c/ Esteve Terradas 8, 08860, Castelldefels, Spain
| | - Gil Gorchs
- Department of Agri-Food Engineering and Biotechnology, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya BarcelonaTech, c/ Esteve Terradas 8, 08860, Castelldefels, Spain
| | - Ivet Ferrer
- GEMMA - Group of Environmental Engineering and Microbiology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya·BarcelonaTech, Jordi Girona 1-3, Building D1, 08034, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rubén Díez-Montero
- GEMMA - Group of Environmental Engineering and Microbiology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya·BarcelonaTech, Jordi Girona 1-3, Building D1, 08034, Barcelona, Spain; GIA - Group of Environmental Engineering, Department of Water and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, Universidad de Cantabria, Avda. Los Castros s/n, 39005, Santander, Spain
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