Exploring the potential of microalgae for the bioremediation of agro-industrial wastewaters

Abstract Today, agro-industry is a key economic sector worldwide with a large associated generation of wastewaters. These wastewaters entail a hazard to the environment and a waste of valuable organic matter and nutrients. The use of microalgae to support an efficient and low cost treatment of agro-industrial wastewaters along with a sustainable resource recovery has attracted an increasing attention over the past decades. This book chapter will critically discuss the fundamentals of algal-bacterial symbiosis and photobioreactor design in the context of wastewater treatment. The current challenges in microalgae harvesting and biomass valorization in the form of feedstock for the production of biofertilizers, fish feed, and biogas will be also presented along with a critical evaluation of the sustainability of the process. Finally, the future trends in the field of photosynthetic treatment of agro-industrial wastewater will be outlined.