Revolutionizing wastewater treatment with microalgae: Unveiling resource recovery, mechanisms, challenges, and future possibilities

Rising concerns surrounding environmental pollution, diminishing water resources, and circular economy in waste management have sparked a pressing need to revolutionize traditional wastewater treatment approaches. This urgent call for wastewater treatment improvement finds a potential solution in the innovative realm of microalgae-based technology, offering numerous compelling advantages. Nonetheless, navigating the intricacies of wastewater complexities and the dynamic adaptability of microalgae species has unveiled challenges that demand deeper research. This comprehensive review embarks on a voyage encompassing domestic, industrial, and agro-industrial wastewater landscapes, each harboring distinct and recoverable nutrient reservoir. Within these intricate ecosystems, diverse microalgae strains exhibit their prowess in restoring valuable resources. A meticulous dissection of the multifaceted factors impacting treatment effectiveness, resource recovery, and utilization unravels. These factors, ranging from ecological dynamics to operational nuances, intricately shape the outcome of the treatment process. Beyond its merits, the microalgae-based wastewater treatment approach confronts formidable challenges – from genetic variability to ecological equilibrium – warranting strategic deliberation. As we navigate these complexities, this review offers pragmatic recommendations to illuminate the path for future research and development endeavors, steering us towards a sustainable and efficient era of wastewater treatment and resource recovery powered by microalgae. [Display omitted] •Microalgae are used in wastewater treatment for resource recovery.•Effective wastewater management is essential to minimize the discharge problem.•Treatment and recovery of nutrient in wastewater by microalgae.•Resources recovered by microalgae facilitate a circular economy.