Growing algal biomass using wastes

Abstract

This chapter presents the use of both macro- and microalgae for bioremediation of different effluents such as from fishponds, urban sewage treatments, and pig farms. The biofiltration of nitrogen and phosphate compounds by algae is followed by the determination of nutrient uptake rate and nutrient uptake efficiency. In the case of macroalgae, biofiltration of fishpond effluents are discussed in the frame of integrated multitrophic aquaculture approaches. In the case of urban sewage and pig slurry, microalgae growing in race-ways or in thin layer cascade cultivators are used to reduce nutrient levels, so that the effluents have sufficient quality to be discharged to the environment. The use of macro- and microalga biomass grown in the effluents as a source of biocompounds with cosmetic and nutraceutic interest is discussed. Different bioassays are included with antioxidant and immunostimulant capacities. The economic and ecological benefits of the bioremediation and biorefinery by using algae are discussed.