Publication Details

Chapter 2 - Microalgae biotechnology for bioremediation applications

Rapid development and the increase in the global population have generated hazardous materials that have led to extensive attention to environmental pollution management. High carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and the release of polluted water from various industries into the water stream have contributed to major environmental issues globally. Bioremediation using microalgae has been identified as one of the potential approaches to remediating air and water pollution. It is known that bioremediation using microalgae has many advantages, namely (1) atmospheric CO2 reduction, (2) energy-saving, (3) pathogen and pollutant reduction, and (4) nutrient recovery and biomass production. Even though many advantages of microalgal bioremediation have been reported, several limitations, such as type of pollutant, large-scale wastewater treatment system implementation, and microalgae harvesting for further application, need to be considered for the added value of bioremediation. This chapter will discuss the bioremediation of air and water generated by various agriculture, manufacturing, aquaculture, and medical industries using microalgae. The chapter will also discuss the latest insights and future trends in microalgal biorefinery and bioremediation studies.