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Author Spotlight: Scaling Microalgal Biotechnology for Enhanced Biomethane Production
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Process for nutrient recycling from intensive aquaculture through microalgae-bacteria consortium
Ángela Perales-Pérez1, María D Macías-Sánchez2, Jesús Ruiz1
1Department of Environmental Technologies, Marine Research Institute, INMAR, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Cadiz, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, 11510 Cadiz, Spain.
The Science of the Total Environment
|August 3, 2023
Summary
This study demonstrates a microalgae-bacteria consortium effectively recycles nutrients in aquaculture systems. The process transforms waste into valuable biomass and produces cleaner effluent, optimizing resource recovery.
Area of Science:
- Aquaculture Engineering
- Environmental Biotechnology
- Microalgal Cultivation
Background:
- Intensive marine aquaculture generates nutrient-rich effluent posing environmental challenges.
- Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) require efficient nutrient management and waste valorization strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate a microalgae-bacteria consortium for nutrient recycling in RAS effluent.
- To optimize microalgae biomass harvesting techniques.
- To evaluate sand filtration for effluent polishing.
Main Methods:
- Cultivation of microalgae-bacteria consortium in photobioreactors using RAS effluent.
- Optimization of coagulation-flocculation-settling and coagulation-flocculation-flotation for biomass harvesting.
- Assessment of multi-layer sand filtration for solids reduction.
Main Results:
- Semi-continuous operation achieved high removal of total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) and total dissolved phosphorus (TDP).
- Coagulation-flocculation-settling yielded the highest harvesting efficiency (90.2%).
- Sand filtration reduced effluent solids to 17.18 mg TSS·L⁻¹.
Conclusions:
- The microalgae-bacteria consortium is a viable biological solution for nutrient recycling in aquaculture.
- Optimized harvesting and filtration processes enhance effluent quality and resource recovery.
- This integrated approach supports sustainable aquaculture by transforming waste into valuable biomass.
Keywords:
HarvestingIntensive marine aquacultureMicroalgae - bacteria consortiumNutrient removalSand filtrationMore Related Videos
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