Phycoremediation: An eco-friendly approach to solve water pollution problems

Abstract

Increasing anthropogenic and industrial activities along with improper wastewater management strategies are the major causes of elevated levels of pollution in water bodies, a serious environmental challenge globally. The release of water loaded with various chemicals, mainly phosphates and nitrates, causes eutrophication in water bodies. In the present scenario, algae seem to be the possible solution with various advantages and eco-friendly nature. Algae are photosynthetic microorganisms inhabiting marine, brackish, and freshwater environments. They can serve multiple roles: Remediation of wastewater simultaneously producing biomass for biofuel generation with parallel sequestration of carbon dioxide. Additionally, treatment of wastewater by means of algae is an environmentally safe process without any secondary pollution. In this chapter, a broad variety of techniques available for algal wastewater treatment (phycoremediation) are discussed such as photobioreactors, open raceway ponds, High Rate Algal Ponds (HRAPs), algal mats, hyper-concentrated culture system, and dialysis culture. These options could prove to be efficient methods for wastewater treatment supporting green technology. © Springer International Publishing AG 2017. All rights reserved.