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Applications of Algal Biofilms for Wastewater Treatment and Bioproduct Production

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Algae and Environmental Sustainability

Part of the book series: Developments in Applied Phycology ((DAPH,volume 7))

Abstract

Developing full-scale algal growth systems on attached platforms is motivated by the need to reduce energy requirements and costs associated with conventional algae cultivation, harvesting, and downstream processes. Bioproducts from algae include fuels, feeds, pigments, and additional sustainable bioproducts, which serve as substitutes for petroleum-based chemicals. In addition, the development of robust algal biofilm technology offers the potential advantages of operating in deeper water columns, treating wastewaters that are characterized by high turbidity and/or color, and requiring less footprint area. The use of wastewater for algae cultivation has major advantages compared with using defined media added to clean water that include supplying both macro- and micronutrients that offset the cost of commercial fertilizers, utilizing currently existing infrastructure for handling, transporting, and containing large quantities of wastewater, recycling nutrients, and collecting revenues for wastewater remediation that offset the cost of cultivation. This chapter presents an examination of the current knowledge base for algae biofilms specifically related to developing an algae-based biorefinery that integrates wastewater treatment with bioproduct production. Topics examined include mathematical modeling challenges for predicting performance, scaling for production of large amounts of algae biomass, and culturing algae for municipal and industrial wastewater treatment. Results of the examination indicate needs for standardization of parameters for measuring and monitoring biofilm processes, for characterization of mixed algae cultures, and for the development of mathematical models that can predict the growth and yield of mixed algal cultures as biofilms. Results also indicate that the integration of wastewater treatment and bioproducts production has promising benefits with regard to reducing energy requirements and costs of an algal-based industry, with associated benefits of environmental sustainability.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Engineering, Utah State University, 4105 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT, 84322, USA

    Maureen Kesaano, Terence Smith, Jonathan Wood & Ronald C. Sims

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  1. Maureen Kesaano
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  2. Terence Smith
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  3. Jonathan Wood
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  4. Ronald C. Sims
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Correspondence to Maureen Kesaano .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Environmental Sciences, Central University of Jharkhand, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India

    Bhaskar Singh

  2. Centre for Environmental Sciences, Central University of Jharkhand, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India

    Kuldeep Bauddh

  3. Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa

    Faizal Bux

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Kesaano, M., Smith, T., Wood, J., Sims, R.C. (2015). Applications of Algal Biofilms for Wastewater Treatment and Bioproduct Production. In: Singh, B., Bauddh, K., Bux, F. (eds) Algae and Environmental Sustainability. Developments in Applied Phycology, vol 7. Springer, New Delhi. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-2641-3_3

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