Microalgal technologies : treatment strategy for contaminants of emerging concern

Kranjc Požar, Ajda (author), Atanasova, Nataša (author), Griessler Bulc, Tjaša (author), Istenič, Darja (author)

The increasing presence of contaminants of emerging concern (CEC) in aquatic environments poses significant risks to ecosystems and human health. Traditional wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are not equipped to efficiently remove these pollutants, necessitating the development of advanced treatment methods. This article explores the potential of microalgal technologies as a sustainable and cost-effective strategy for CEC removal. Microalgae, such as Chlorella sp., Chlamydomonas sp., and Scenedesmus sp., demonstrate resilience to high concentrations of CEC and offer multiple mechanisms for pollutant removal, including biosorption, bioaccumulation, biodegradation, photodegradation, and volatilization. The article discusses various cultivation methods, including planktonic, immobilized, and mixed biofilm cultures, and highlights the advantages and challenges associated with each. Further research is needed to optimize microalgal cultivation conditions and integration into wastewater treatment processes in order to achieve high CEC removal efficiency. By addressing these challenges, microalgal technologies can enhance the efficiency and sustainability of wastewater treatment systems, contributing to improved water quality and environmental protection.

• Language: English
• Keywords: microalgae, wastewater treatment plants, quaternary treatment, cultivation methods
• Work type: Scientific work
• Typology: 1.08 - Published Scientific Conference Contribution
• Organization: ZF - Faculty of Health Sciences; FGG - Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2025
• Number of pages: Str. 1-22
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-168399
• UDC: 502.131.1
• DOI: 10.55295/PSL.12.2025.II1
• COBISS.SI-ID: 232271363
• Publication date in RUL: 11.04.2025

Record is a part of a monograph

• Title: Socratic Lectures : 12th international symposium, Ljubljana, January 11, 2025
• Editors: Veronika Kralj-Iglič, Anna Romolo, Yelena Istileulova
• Place of publishing: Ljubljana
• Publisher: University of Ljubljana Press
• Year: 2025
• ISBN: 978-961-297-551-7
• COBISS.SI-ID: 228834307

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Projects

• Funder: ARIS - Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency
• Project number: P3-0388-2022
• Name: Mehanizmi varovanja zdravja

• Funder: ARIS - Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency
• Project number: J2-4427-2022
• Name: Algne tehnologije za zelene produkte - ALGreen