Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Quantification of Heavy Metals and Other Inorganic Contaminants on the Productivity of Microalgae
Published on: July 10, 2015
Assessing sustainability of microalgae-based wastewater treatment: Environmental considerations and impacts on human
Ankita Bhatt1, Nitin Sahu1, Ayokunle Christopher Dada2
1Department of Hydro and Renewable Energy, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India.
Abstract:
An integrated life cycle assessment (LCA) and quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) were conducted to assess microalgae-mediated wastewater disinfection (M-WWD). M-WWD was achieved by replacing ultraviolet disinfection with a microalgal open raceway pond in an existing sewage treatment plant (STP) in India. Regarding impacts on human health, both M-WWD and STP yielded comparable life cycle impacts, around 0.01 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) per person per year. However, QMRA impacts for M-WWD (0.053 DALYs per person per year) were slightly lower than that for STP while considering exposure to E. coli O157:H7 and adenovirus. Additionally, a comparative LCA resolved the dilemma about the appropriate utilization of microalgal biomass. Among biodiesel, biocrude, and biogas production, the lowest impacts of 0.015 DALYs per person per year were obtained for biocrude for 1 m3 water treated by M-WWD. Electricity consumption in microalgae cultivation was a major environmental hotspot. Overall, M-WWD, followed by production of microalgal biocrude, emerged as a sustainable alternative from environmental and public health perspectives. These findings set the foundation for pilot-scale M-WWD system development, testing, and economic evaluation. Such comprehensive investigations, encompassing LCA, QMRA, and resource recovery scenarios, offer crucial insights for stakeholders and decision-makers in wastewater treatment and environmental management.
Related Concept Videos
Environmental Applications of Microorganisms
Green Algae
Microbial Bioremediation of Hydrocarbons
Microbial Wastewater Treatment
Biological Treatment of Effluent and Waste Water
Biofuels

