Immobilized microalgae for removing pollutants: Review of practical aspects

• Published in: Bioresource technology Vol. 101; no. 6; pp. 1611 - 1627
• Main Authors: de-Bashan, Luz E., Bashan, Yoav
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2010; [New York, NY]: Elsevier Ltd; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Biological and medical sciences; chemistry; Cyanobacteria; Cyanobacteria - metabolism; Encapsulation; Environmental Restoration and Remediation; Equipment Design; Eukaryota; Eukaryota - metabolism; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; heavy metals; hydrocarbons; Immobilization; immobilized cells; Industrial Microbiology; Industrial Microbiology - methods; industrial wastes; isolation & purification; literature reviews; metabolism; metal ions; Metals; Metals - isolation & purification; Metals, Heavy; Metals, Heavy - chemistry; methods; Microalgae; organotin compounds; Phytoplankton; phytoremediation; pollutants; Pollution; pollution control; polymers; Polymers - chemistry; surfactants; Time Factors; Waste Disposal, Fluid; Waste Disposal, Fluid - methods; Wastewater treatment; Wastewaters; Water Microbiology; Water Pollutants; Water Pollutants - chemistry; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Water Purification; Water Purification - methods; Water treatment and pollution; Encapsulation; Immobilization; Pollution; Microalgae; Wastewater treatment; Pollutant; Review; Microorganism; Waste water purification
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2009.09.043

This review analyzes the state-of-the-art of a specific niche in biological wastewater treatment that uses immobilized eukaryotic microalgae (and several prokaryotic photosynthetic cyanobacteria), with emphasis on removing nutrients with the support of microalgae growth-promoting bacteria. Removal of other pollutants by this technology, such as heavy metals and industrial pollutants, and technical aspects related to this specific subfield of wastewater treatment are also presented. We present a general perspective of the field with most known examples from common literature, emphasizing a practical point of view in this technologically oriented topic. The potential venues of future research in this field are outlined and a critical assessment of the failures, limitations, and future of immobilized microalgae for removal of pollutants is presented.