Advancing microalgae biomass cultivation for an integrated sustainable wastewater treatment and resource recovery

Microalgae have emerged as a promising bioresource for the integrated treatment of effluent, the production of biomass, and the mitigation of carbon emissions, thereby contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 7 and 13). This review summarizes the most recent developments in the management of wastewater using microalgae, with a particular focus on resource recovery and process integration. Nevertheless, challenges such as oxygen accumulation, biofouling, high energy demand, and scale-up constraints persist, despite the fact that configurations such as tubular, flat-panel, and bubble-column reactors offer flexibility across scales. Additionally, the topic of the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning is addressed in order to address process constraints by means of predictive modeling, real-time optimization, and enhanced strain and process selection. In conclusion, this review offers a concentrated viewpoint on the advancement of sustainable microalgae systems by integrating technological and biological innovations.