Integrating microalgae with sludge-based processes for antibiotic removal: Mechanisms, performance, and prospects for sustainable treatment.
Elimian EA, de Oliveira Santiago G
Summary
7.5/10Researchers are combining microalgae with conventional wastewater treatment systems to remove antibiotics more effectively while recovering nutrients and producing usable biomass—a sustainable solution to a growing environmental and public health threat.
Key Findings
Conventional sludge-based treatment systems fail to completely remove antibiotics from wastewater, allowing them to persist in the environment and spread antibiotic resistance genes
Microalgae-sludge hybrid systems remove antibiotics through multiple complementary mechanisms: biosorption, bioaccumulation, biodegradation, and physicochemical processes
Integrated microalgae-sludge systems simultaneously provide co-benefits including nutrient recovery, enhanced oxygen supply, and production of valorizable biomass
Original Abstract
The occurrence of antibiotics in wastewater represents a significant environmental and public health challenge due to their persistence and the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Conventional sludge-based treatment systems often fail to achieve complete removal of these micropollutants, underscoring the need for innovative strategies. Microalgae-sludge hybrid systems have emerged as a promising, sustainable approach for antibiotic-contaminated wastewater treatment, combining the metabolic versatility of microalgae with the biodegradation potential of bacterial consortia. These integrated systems facilitate antibiotic removal via biosorption, bioaccumulation, biodegradation, and indirect physicochemical mechanisms, while simultaneously enhancing nutrient recovery, oxygen supply, and biomass valorization. This review critically evaluates the performance and underlying mechanisms of microalgae-sludge systems. Additionally, it addresses current challenges and future prospects for Integrating Microalgae with Sludge-Based Processes for optimized performance.