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2015 | OriginalPaper | Chapter

5. Wastewater as a Source of Nutrients for Microalgae Biomass Production

Authors : Koenraad Muylaert, Annelies Beuckels, Orily Depraetere, Imogen Foubert, Giorgos Markou, Dries Vandamme

Published in: Biomass and Biofuels from Microalgae

Publisher: Springer International Publishing

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Abstract

Production of microalgal biomass requires large amounts of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). The sustainability and economic viability of microalgae production could be significantly improved if N and P are not supplied by synthetic fertilizers but with wastewater. Microalgae already play an important role in wastewater treatment, yet several challenges remain to optimally convert wastewater nutrients into microalgal biomass. This book chapter aims to give an overview of the potential of using wastewater for microalgae production, as well some challenges that should be taken into account. We also review the benefits of combining microalgal biomass production with wastewater treatment.

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Title: Wastewater as a Source of Nutrients for Microalgae Biomass Production
Authors: Koenraad Muylaert
Annelies Beuckels
Orily Depraetere
Imogen Foubert
Giorgos Markou
Dries Vandamme
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Book: Biomass and Biofuels from Microalgae
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-16639-1

Electronic ISBN: 978-3-319-16640-7

Copyright Year: 2015
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16640-7_5