Algal Bioremediation: A Sustainable Approach for Emerging Contaminant Removal

Traditional treatment systems employed in wastewater treatment plants continue to face significant limitations regarding a broad range of emerging contaminants, mainly due to increased domestic, agricultural, and industrial use. Given the long-term environmental persistence of these compounds, they pose a potential hazard to human health and aquatic ecosystems; therefore, alternative treatment methods are urgently needed. In this context, algal bioremediation has been considered an effective alternative for this purpose, as microalgae naturally possess the potential to adsorb, accumulate, and convert numerous environmentally significant chemicals. This chapter presents a critical comparison of the published performance of different algal configurations (HRAPs, closed PBRs, and alga–bacterium consortia) in removing complex mixtures of emerging contaminants. It also examines the primary operating parameters that influence the performance of these technologies in practice, including relevant environmental and process parameters. Finally, this chapter explores the potential of integrating algal systems with other advanced and complementary technologies to increase the removal of highly persistent contaminants. In doing so, this chapter provides technical insight into the capability and technical requirements for the effective integration of algal bioremediation into advanced treatment technologies addressing contemporary contaminants of emerging concern.