Farming algae; nutrient stoichiometry for microalgae cultured on wastewaters of variable quality

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Utilization of microalgae for bioremediation of wastewaters with the concomitant production of biofuels and added value bio-products is a rapidly expanding and developing area of interest reflected in the current scientific literature. Much of the early investigative attention and research approach focused upon the wastewater engineering aspects of the technology. Nevertheless, more recent interest into microalgae led to an integration of the fundamental engineering background into a much wider interdisciplinary research platform also including cell biology and phycology research protocols among others. However, the strong current interest in the wastewater and algal for biofuel research is not matched by equally sustained process modelling activities, a concern that must be addressed if sustainable production management is to be expected. Moreover, wastewater nutrient utilisation is mainly considered in treatment terms and less for optimization of algal production. To complicate the matter wastewaters are of a wide range of sources and consequently have a wide range of properties. Considering that the capability of an algal species to utilize nutrients in a certain chemical form and at certain concentrations and ratios may vary, an adequate understanding of both wastewater parameters and algal requirements, both kinetic properties, would benefit algal cultivation. However a review of the available literature shows that reporting of experimental results does not follow a standardized protocol and thus much of the information available in the peer-reviewed literature cannot be always easily explained, compared or replicated. This leads to inconsistencies in reporting of experimental results, which limits a concerted approach and thus a more rapid advancement of the technology.