Ecobiological aspects of algae cultivation in wastewaters for recycling of nutrients and biofuel applications

Algae-based wastewater treatment is an ecofriendly option, which involves complex interactions among the micro/macro flora and fauna. The use of consortia (algal polycultures, algae-bacteria/algae-fungi consortia and biofilms/mats) for wastewater treatment has proved more effective in nutrient recycling, bioremediation and biomass production. The present review focuses on ecobiological aspects of wastewaters, the interactions among the biotic components in natural and engineered aquatic systems, nutrient recycling, and the potential of algae-based wastewater treatment technologies for algae biomass and biofuel production. Although wastewater treatment coupled with production of biofuels is a promising option, concerted research efforts are needed in the future to develop commercial-scale technologies for biofuel production from algae cultivated in wastewaters.