Summary
This systematic literature review examines microalgae-based technologies for treating the estimated 24 billion tonnes of nutrient-rich livestock wastewater generated annually. The authors assess how MbLWT systems can recover and valorise nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon whilst addressing practical challenges posed by wastewater composition (suspended solids, microbial load, organic matter levels). The review synthesises evidence on pre-treatment strategies necessary to create suitable cultivation conditions for microalgae and enable effective nutrient recovery within integrated livestock waste management systems.
UK applicability
Given the UK's intensive dairy and livestock sectors, these findings are potentially applicable to waste management and nutrient recovery strategies. However, the review's geographic scope is unclear, so UK-specific applicability would depend on whether UK case studies or conditions were included in the reviewed literature.
Key measures
Nutrient recovery efficiency (carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus); livestock wastewater characteristics (organic matter, ammonium concentration, suspended solids, microbial load); pre-treatment effectiveness; microalgal biomass yield
Outcomes reported
This systematic review synthesises evidence on microalgae-based livestock wastewater treatment (MbLWT) systems and their efficacy for nutrient (carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus) recovery. The review identifies pre-treatment strategies needed to optimise microalgae cultivation using livestock wastewater as growth media.
Topic tags
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