25 © Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020
P. K. Arora (ed.), Microbial Technology for Health and Environment,
Microorganisms for Sustainability 22,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-2679-4_2
M. Thakur · S. Bajaal · N. Rana
Shoolini Institute of Life Sciences and Business Management, Affliated to Himachal Pradesh
University, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India
M. L. Verma (*)
Centre for Chemistry and Biotechnology, Deakin University, Victoria, Australia
Department of Biotechnology, School of Basic Sciences, Indian Institute of Information
Technology, Una, Himachal Pradesh, India
2
Microalgal Technology: A Promising Tool
for Wastewater Remediation
Meenu Thakur, Sakshi Bajaal, Neha Rana,
and Madan L. Verma
Abstract
Many species of microalgae have excellent ability to remove nitrogen, phospho-
rus, heavy metals, pesticides, organic and inorganic compounds, and pathogens
from wastewater. Microalgae species grow well in wastewater and may be used
for treatment of municipal, industrial, agro-industrial, and livestock wastewaters.
Furthermore, microalgae biomass is an excellent source of production of various
valuable products. In this chapter, applications of microalgae for treatment of
wastewater and production of valuable products are discussed.
Keywords
Phycoremediation · Microalgae · Wastewater · Bioenergy · Metabolites
2.1 Introduction
Pollution is the major threat to our environment which has resulted from increased
mushrooming of industries and more urbanization. It affects our ecosystems, fora,
fauna, and human health worldwide by contaminating soil, water, and air. Pollution
arises due to increased concentrations of unwanted and harmful substances as the
results of anthropogenic activities. Most of organic and inorganic constituents have