Microalgae for Simultaneous Removal of Organic and Nitrogenous Compounds from Wastewater

The increasing population growth and rapid urbanization, particularly in the developing countries, have significantly contributed to the amount and the quality of domestic wastewater. Although in certain cities, centralized wastewater treatment facility is available, it mainly aims at removing organic substances as the system uses the conventional one. Even after the treatment, the effluent is still rich with nutrients pollutants, particularly nitrogenous compounds originated from bathrooms and kitchens. Consequently, excessive nitrogenous matter in the effluent will end up in the water bodies which can lead to eutrophication, stimulating algal bloom, changing the balance of organism and degrading the water quality. As the conventional wastewater treatment system is expensive to invest and operate, an alternative cheaper and reliable method for wastewater treatment should be available, meeting the need of the developing countries. In recent years many researches have shown that microalga have capability of simultaneously reducing organic and nitrogenous substances in the wastewater for further developed as sources for producing medicines, healthy foods, ingredients, chemicals, biofuels, electricity, animal feeds, and many more. In this paper, we will review and discuss the potential application of microalgae in wastewater treatment, with attention to simultaneously removal of organics and nitrogenous substances in wastewater.