Algae for Wastewater Treatment and Production of Biofuels and Bioproducts

The third-generation biofuel production from algae could be the cheapest and most promising alternative compared to other sources of renewable energies. Algae can be effectively grown in a nutrient-rich environment and have the potential to accumulate nutrients and heavy metals from the wastewater, which makes them an extremely attractive means for a more extensive remediation role. Moreover, the algal biomass contains carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, and other high-value elements and can be used as food and animal feedstock. They have the potential to produce renewable biofuels like biohydrogen and provide a future source of clean energy. The key technical aspects of algal cultivation and harvesting techniques are the major bottleneck for the industrial-scale production of algal biomass and biofuel. This review discussed the current state of large-scale algae cultivation utilizing wastewater as a nutrient source to produce biofuels. Finally, the research progress, the challenges, and the future development trend in this field are summarized.