Microalgae and Cyanobacteria for Resource Conservation, Recycling, and Preservation

Despite the escalating human needs that drive the consumption of natural resources, there needs to be more emphasis on developing sustainable approaches for resource recycling and reuse. Resource conservation and recycling are the fundamental pillars for the sustainable development of the ecosystem, keeping the ecological balance of resources between present and future generations. Microalgae and cyanobacteria are versatile microorganisms that have the potential to address emerging environmental problems through resource recovery, recycling, and conservation. This chapter highlights the multifaceted roles of these microorganisms across different sectors of industry and ecosystem. Their ability to assimilate nutrients from wastewater streams and agricultural and industrial waste facilitates nutrient recycling, turning the waste into valuable biomass with different industrial applications. This approach fosters a circular bioeconomy paradigm by utilizing the valuable biomass for biofuel, biogas, biofertilizers, and high-value compound production. Moreover, microalgae showed remarkable potential in carbon sequestration; therefore, it can be integrated into carbon capture and utilization systems, harnessing dual benefits. Furthermore, integrating microalgae cultivation in saline or brackish water bodies utilizing non-arable land to conserve natural resources minimizes competition with freshwater resources and food crops. So far, these microorganisms present a sustainable pathway to address global environmental challenges and ecosystem restoration, contributing to biodiversity conservation and habitat preservation.