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Sustainable sewage treatment plants (STPs) have been intensively investigated in search for low-cost, environmental-friendly options. Anaerobic-aerobic treatment solutions, as upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors followed by high rate algal ponds (HRAP) have already proved to be efficient for pollutants and micropollutants removal, as well as for energy recovery from the co-digestion of raw sewage and microalgal biomass. Since microalgae cells have complex structures that make them resistant to anaerobic digestion, pre-treatment techniques may be applied to improve microalgal biomass solubilisation and methane yield. Among the thermal pre-treatments, the use of solar energy for biomass solubilisation has yet to be investigated. Therefore, this study aimed at evaluating the performance of a solar thermal microalgal biomass pre-treatment prior to the anaerobic co-digestion with raw sewage, comparing a UASB reactor feed only raw sewage and other UASB reactor feed with raw sewage and pre-treated microalgal biomass. The results showed that, the solar pre-treatment step reached an organic matter solubilisation of 32% (COD). Furthermore, the methane yield was increased by 45% (from 81 to 117 NL CH4 kg−1 COD), after the anaerobic co-digestion with pre-treated microalgae as compared to the mono-digestion of raw sewage, indicating significant difference between the evaluated UASB reactors. The energy assessment showed a positive energy balance, as the total energy produced was twice the energy consumed in the system.
Lucas Vassalle; Fabiana Passos; Alcino Trindade Rosa-Machado; Camila Moreira; Mariana Reis; Matheus Pascoal de Freitas; Ivet Ferrer; César Rossas Mota. The use of solar pre-treatment as a strategy to improve the anaerobic biodegradability of microalgal biomass in co-digestion with sewage. Chemosphere 2021, 286, 131929 .
AMA StyleLucas Vassalle, Fabiana Passos, Alcino Trindade Rosa-Machado, Camila Moreira, Mariana Reis, Matheus Pascoal de Freitas, Ivet Ferrer, César Rossas Mota. The use of solar pre-treatment as a strategy to improve the anaerobic biodegradability of microalgal biomass in co-digestion with sewage. Chemosphere. 2021; 286 ():131929.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLucas Vassalle; Fabiana Passos; Alcino Trindade Rosa-Machado; Camila Moreira; Mariana Reis; Matheus Pascoal de Freitas; Ivet Ferrer; César Rossas Mota. 2021. "The use of solar pre-treatment as a strategy to improve the anaerobic biodegradability of microalgal biomass in co-digestion with sewage." Chemosphere 286, no. : 131929.
This study assessed the selenium (Se) removal efficiency of two pilot-scale high-rate algae ponds (HRAPs) treating domestic wastewater and investigated the production of Se-enriched microalgae as potential feed supplement. The HRAP-Se had an average Se, NH4+-N, total phosphorus and COD removal efficiency of, respectively, 43%, 93%, 77%, and 70%. Inorganic Se taken up by the microalgae was mainly (91%) transformed to selenoamino acids, and 49–63% of Se in the Se-enriched microalgae was bioaccessible for animals. The crude protein content (48%) of the microalgae was higher than that of soybeans, whereas the essential amino acid content was comparable. Selenium may induce the production of the polyunsaturated fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6 in microalgae. Overall, the production of Se-enriched microalgae in HRAPs may offer a promising alternative for upgrading low-value resources into high-value feed supplements, supporting the drive to a circular economy.
Jun Li; Lila Otero-Gonzalez; Joris Michiels; Piet N.L. Lens; Gijs Du Laing; Ivet Ferrer. Production of selenium-enriched microalgae as potential feed supplement in high-rate algae ponds treating domestic wastewater. Bioresource Technology 2021, 333, 125239 .
AMA StyleJun Li, Lila Otero-Gonzalez, Joris Michiels, Piet N.L. Lens, Gijs Du Laing, Ivet Ferrer. Production of selenium-enriched microalgae as potential feed supplement in high-rate algae ponds treating domestic wastewater. Bioresource Technology. 2021; 333 ():125239.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJun Li; Lila Otero-Gonzalez; Joris Michiels; Piet N.L. Lens; Gijs Du Laing; Ivet Ferrer. 2021. "Production of selenium-enriched microalgae as potential feed supplement in high-rate algae ponds treating domestic wastewater." Bioresource Technology 333, no. : 125239.
In this study the environmental impact of the anaerobic digestion (AD) of sewage sludge within an activated sludge wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) was investigated. Three alternative AD systems (mesophilic, thermophilic, and temperature-phased anaerobic digestion (TPAD)) were compared to determine which system may have the best environmental performance. Two life cycle assessments (LCA) were performed considering: (i) the whole WWTP (for a functional unit (FU) of 1 m3 of treated wastewater), and (ii) the sludge line (SL) alone (for FU of 1 m3 of produced methane). The data for the LCA were obtained from previous laboratory experimental work in combination with full-scale WWTP and literature. According to the results, the WWTP with TPAD outperforms those with mesophilic and thermophilic AD in most analyzed impact categories (i.e., Human toxicity, Ionizing radiation, Metal and Fossil depletion, Agricultural land occupation, Terrestrial acidification, Freshwater eutrophication, and Ozone depletion), except for Climate change where the WWTP with mesophilic AD performed better than with TPAD by 7%. In the case of the SL alone, the production of heat and electricity (here accounted for as avoided environmental impacts) led to credits in most of the analyzed impact categories except for Human toxicity where credits did not balance out the impacts caused by the wastewater treatment system. The best AD alternative was thermophilic concerning all environmental impact categories, besides Climate change and Human toxicity. Differences between both LCA results may be attributed to the FU.
Iryna Lanko; Laura Flores; Marianna Garfí; Vladimir Todt; John A. Posada; Pavel Jenicek; Ivet Ferrer. Life Cycle Assessment of the Mesophilic, Thermophilic, and Temperature-Phased Anaerobic Digestion of Sewage Sludge. Water 2020, 12, 3140 .
AMA StyleIryna Lanko, Laura Flores, Marianna Garfí, Vladimir Todt, John A. Posada, Pavel Jenicek, Ivet Ferrer. Life Cycle Assessment of the Mesophilic, Thermophilic, and Temperature-Phased Anaerobic Digestion of Sewage Sludge. Water. 2020; 12 (11):3140.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIryna Lanko; Laura Flores; Marianna Garfí; Vladimir Todt; John A. Posada; Pavel Jenicek; Ivet Ferrer. 2020. "Life Cycle Assessment of the Mesophilic, Thermophilic, and Temperature-Phased Anaerobic Digestion of Sewage Sludge." Water 12, no. 11: 3140.
Microalgae-based wastewater treatment plants are low-cost alternatives for recovering nutrients from contaminated effluents through microalgal biomass, which may be subsequently processed into valuable bioproducts and bioenergy. Anaerobic digestion for biogas and biomethane production is the most straightforward and applicable technology for bioenergy recovery. However, pretreatment techniques may be needed to enhance the anaerobic biodegradability of microalgae. To date, very few full-scale systems have been put through, due to acknowledged bottlenecks such as low biomass concentration after conventional harvesting and inefficient processing into valuable products. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anaerobic digestion of pretreated microalgal biomass in a demonstration-scale microalgae biorefinery, and to compare the results obtained with previous research conducted at lab-scale, in order to assess the scalability of this bioprocess. In the lab-scale experiments, real municipal wastewater was treated in high rate algal ponds (2 × 0.47 m3), and harvested microalgal biomass was thickened and digested to produce biogas. It was observed how the methane yield increased by 67% after implementing a thermal pretreatment step (at 75 °C for 10 h), and therefore the very same pretreatment was applied in the demonstration-scale study. In this case, agricultural runoff was treated in semi-closed tubular photobioreactors (3 × 11.7 m3), and harvested microalgal biomass was thickened and thermally pretreated before undergoing the anaerobic digestion to produce biogas. The results showed a VS removal of 70% in the reactor and a methane yield up to 0.24 L CH4/g VS, which were similar to the lab-scale results. Furthermore, photosynthetic biogas upgrading led to the production of biomethane, while the digestate was treated in a constructed wetland to obtain a biofertilizer. In this way, the demonstration-scale plant evidenced the feasibility of recovering resources (biomethane and biofertilizer) from agricultural runoff using microalgae-based systems coupled with anaerobic digestion of the microalgal biomass.
Rubén Díez-Montero; Lucas Vassalle; Fabiana Passos; Antonio Ortiz; María Jesús García-Galán; Joan García; Ivet Ferrer. Scaling-Up the Anaerobic Digestion of Pretreated Microalgal Biomass within a Water Resource Recovery Facility. Energies 2020, 13, 5484 .
AMA StyleRubén Díez-Montero, Lucas Vassalle, Fabiana Passos, Antonio Ortiz, María Jesús García-Galán, Joan García, Ivet Ferrer. Scaling-Up the Anaerobic Digestion of Pretreated Microalgal Biomass within a Water Resource Recovery Facility. Energies. 2020; 13 (20):5484.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRubén Díez-Montero; Lucas Vassalle; Fabiana Passos; Antonio Ortiz; María Jesús García-Galán; Joan García; Ivet Ferrer. 2020. "Scaling-Up the Anaerobic Digestion of Pretreated Microalgal Biomass within a Water Resource Recovery Facility." Energies 13, no. 20: 5484.
The present study evaluated the efficiency of a high rate algal pond (HRAP) at pilot scale to remove pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) from urban wastewater, including UV-filters and parabens (10), benzotriazoles (4), antibiotics (15), anti-inflammatories (3) and other pharmaceuticals (3). A total of 35 compounds were targeted, of which 21 were detected in the influent wastewater to the HRAP. Removals (RE%) for pharmaceuticals were variable, with efficient eliminations for atenolol (84%) and sulfathiazole (100%), whereas the anti-inflammatories naproxen and ketoprofen were only partially removed <50%. Benzotriazoles showed elimination rates similar to those of conventional WWTPs, with RE% ranging from no elimination to 51% for the UV filter benzophenone-3 (BP3) and 100% for 4-methylbenzilidenecamphor (4MBC). Hazard quotients (HQs) were estimated for those compounds not fully eliminated in the HRAP, as well as the cumulative ecotoxicity in the resulting effluent. The majority of the compounds yielded HQs < 0.1, meaning that no environmental risk would be derived from their discharge. Overall, these results clearly indicate that HRAPs are a reliable, green and cost-effective alternative to intensive wastewater treatment, yielding promising results removing these contaminants.
Lucas Vassalle; Adrià Sunyer-Caldú; M. Silvia Díaz-Cruz; Larissa Terumi Arashiro; Ivet Ferrer; Marianna Garfí; Mª Jesús García-Galán. Behavior of UV Filters, UV Blockers and Pharmaceuticals in High Rate Algal Ponds Treating Urban Wastewater. Water 2020, 12, 2658 .
AMA StyleLucas Vassalle, Adrià Sunyer-Caldú, M. Silvia Díaz-Cruz, Larissa Terumi Arashiro, Ivet Ferrer, Marianna Garfí, Mª Jesús García-Galán. Behavior of UV Filters, UV Blockers and Pharmaceuticals in High Rate Algal Ponds Treating Urban Wastewater. Water. 2020; 12 (10):2658.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLucas Vassalle; Adrià Sunyer-Caldú; M. Silvia Díaz-Cruz; Larissa Terumi Arashiro; Ivet Ferrer; Marianna Garfí; Mª Jesús García-Galán. 2020. "Behavior of UV Filters, UV Blockers and Pharmaceuticals in High Rate Algal Ponds Treating Urban Wastewater." Water 12, no. 10: 2658.
This study assessed the recovery of natural pigments (phycobiliproteins) and bioenergy (biogas) from microalgae grown in wastewater. A consortium of microalgae, mainly composed by Nostoc, Phormidium, and Geitlerinema, known to have high phycobiliproteins content, was grown in photobioreactors. The growth medium was composed by secondary effluent from a high rate algal pond (HRAP) along with the anaerobic digestion centrate, which aimed to enhance the N/P ratio, given the lack of nutrients in the secondary effluent. Additionally, the centrate is still a challenging anaerobic digestion residue since the high nitrogen concentrations have to be removed before disposal. Removal efficiencies up to 52% of COD, 86% of NH4+-N, and 100% of phosphorus were observed. The biomass composition was monitored over the experimental period in order to ensure stable cyanobacterial dominance in the mixed culture. Phycocyanin and phycoerythrin were extracted from harvested biomass, achieving maximum concentrations of 20.1 and 8.1 mg/g dry weight, respectively. The residual biomass from phycobiliproteins extraction was then used to produce biogas, with final methane yields ranging from 159 to 199 mL CH4/g VS. According to the results, by combining the extraction of pigments and the production of biogas from residual biomass, we would not only obtain high-value compounds, but also more energy (around 5–10% higher), as compared to the single recovery of biogas. The proposed process poses an example of resource recovery from biomass grown in wastewater, moving toward a circular bioeconomy.
Larissa T. Arashiro; Ivet Ferrer; Catalina Cruañas Pániker; Juan Luis Gómez-Pinchetti; Diederik P. L. Rousseau; Stijn W. H. Van Hulle; Marianna Garfí. Natural Pigments and Biogas Recovery from Microalgae Grown in Wastewater. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 2020, 8, 10691 -10701.
AMA StyleLarissa T. Arashiro, Ivet Ferrer, Catalina Cruañas Pániker, Juan Luis Gómez-Pinchetti, Diederik P. L. Rousseau, Stijn W. H. Van Hulle, Marianna Garfí. Natural Pigments and Biogas Recovery from Microalgae Grown in Wastewater. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering. 2020; 8 (29):10691-10701.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLarissa T. Arashiro; Ivet Ferrer; Catalina Cruañas Pániker; Juan Luis Gómez-Pinchetti; Diederik P. L. Rousseau; Stijn W. H. Van Hulle; Marianna Garfí. 2020. "Natural Pigments and Biogas Recovery from Microalgae Grown in Wastewater." ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 8, no. 29: 10691-10701.
The present study evaluated the removal capacity of a UASB-HRAP treatment system, combining anaerobic and microalgae-based, aerobic treatment, for eleven organic micropollutants present in raw sewage, including pharmaceuticals, estrogens and xenoestrogens. The UASB reactor and the HRAP were operated at a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 7 h and 8 days, respectively. Influent and effluent samples from the UASB and HRAP were collected periodically. All the target compounds were detected in raw sewage, with an occurrence ranging from 70 to 100%. Removal rates in the UASB reactor were generally incomplete, ranging from no removal (-25.12% for the hormone EE2-ethinylestradiol) to 84.91% (E2 - estradiol). However, the overall performance of the UASB + HRAP system was highly efficient for the majority of the compounds, with removal rates ranging from 64.8% (ibuprofen) to 95% (estrone). Gemfibrozil and bisphenol A were the only exceptions, with overall removal rates of 39% and 43%, respectively. Hormones were the compounds with the highest removal rates in the system.
Lucas Vassalle; María Jesús García-Galán; Sérgio F. Aquino; Robson José De Cássia Franco Afonso; Ivet Ferrer; Fabiana Passos; Cesar R Mota. Can high rate algal ponds be used as post-treatment of UASB reactors to remove micropollutants? Chemosphere 2020, 248, 125969 .
AMA StyleLucas Vassalle, María Jesús García-Galán, Sérgio F. Aquino, Robson José De Cássia Franco Afonso, Ivet Ferrer, Fabiana Passos, Cesar R Mota. Can high rate algal ponds be used as post-treatment of UASB reactors to remove micropollutants? Chemosphere. 2020; 248 ():125969.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLucas Vassalle; María Jesús García-Galán; Sérgio F. Aquino; Robson José De Cássia Franco Afonso; Ivet Ferrer; Fabiana Passos; Cesar R Mota. 2020. "Can high rate algal ponds be used as post-treatment of UASB reactors to remove micropollutants?" Chemosphere 248, no. : 125969.
The kinetics of Se uptake and toxicity to Lemna were studied over a period of 14 days of exposure to Se(IV) or Se(VI). The growth of Lemna stopped immediately after exposure to 5.0 mg/L of Se(IV) or Se(VI). The content of chlorophyll and phaeopigments of Lemna exposed to 5.0 mg/L of Se(IV) was two to three times less than in the control after 3 d exposure. Lemna took up Se rapidly within the first 3 d. The Se content in Lemna along with the exposure time fitted well the two-compartment and the hyperbolic model, which demonstrates that the mechanism of Se(IV) and Se(VI) uptake in Lemna is not only through passive diffusion, but also through other processes such as ion channel proteins or transporters. The kinetic bioconcentration factors (BCFs) were 231 and 42 for 0.5 mg/L Se(IV) and Se(VI) exposure, respectively. The uptake rate of Lemna reached 263 mg/kg/d and 28 mg/kg/d in the Se(IV) and Se(VI) treatments, respectively. This study showed that Se(IV) has a faster accumulation rate than Se(VI), but a higher toxicity, indicating Lemna could be a good candidate to remove Se(IV) from water, producing Se-enriched biomass which may eventually also be considered for use as Se-enriched feed supplement or fertilizer.
Jun Li; Giovanni Loi; Lila Otero-Gonzalez; Gijs Du Laing; Ivet Ferrer; Piet N. L. Lens. Selenate and selenite uptake, accumulation and toxicity in Lemna minuta. Water Science and Technology 2020, 81, 1852 -1862.
AMA StyleJun Li, Giovanni Loi, Lila Otero-Gonzalez, Gijs Du Laing, Ivet Ferrer, Piet N. L. Lens. Selenate and selenite uptake, accumulation and toxicity in Lemna minuta. Water Science and Technology. 2020; 81 (9):1852-1862.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJun Li; Giovanni Loi; Lila Otero-Gonzalez; Gijs Du Laing; Ivet Ferrer; Piet N. L. Lens. 2020. "Selenate and selenite uptake, accumulation and toxicity in Lemna minuta." Water Science and Technology 81, no. 9: 1852-1862.
Unmodified microalgal biomass grown on wastewater works as an effective and selective indium biosorbent even at low pH values.
Nina Ricci Nicomel; Lila Otero-Gonzalez; Larissa Arashiro; Marianna Garfí; Ivet Ferrer; Pascal Van Der Voort; Kim Verbeken; Tom Hennebel; Gijs Du Laing. Microalgae: a sustainable adsorbent with high potential for upconcentration of indium(iii) from liquid process and waste streams. Green Chemistry 2020, 22, 1985 -1995.
AMA StyleNina Ricci Nicomel, Lila Otero-Gonzalez, Larissa Arashiro, Marianna Garfí, Ivet Ferrer, Pascal Van Der Voort, Kim Verbeken, Tom Hennebel, Gijs Du Laing. Microalgae: a sustainable adsorbent with high potential for upconcentration of indium(iii) from liquid process and waste streams. Green Chemistry. 2020; 22 (6):1985-1995.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNina Ricci Nicomel; Lila Otero-Gonzalez; Larissa Arashiro; Marianna Garfí; Ivet Ferrer; Pascal Van Der Voort; Kim Verbeken; Tom Hennebel; Gijs Du Laing. 2020. "Microalgae: a sustainable adsorbent with high potential for upconcentration of indium(iii) from liquid process and waste streams." Green Chemistry 22, no. 6: 1985-1995.
The aim of this study was to investigate the cultivation of Nostoc sp., Arthrospira platensis and Porphyridium purpureum in industrial wastewater to produce phycobiliproteins. Initially, light intensity and growth medium composition were optimized, indicating that light conditions influenced the phycobiliproteins production more than the medium composition. Conditions were then selected, according to biomass growth, nutrients removal and phycobiliproteins production, to cultivate these microalgae in food-industry wastewater. The three species could efficiently remove up to 98%, 94% and 100% of COD, inorganic nitrogen and PO43−-P, respectively. Phycocyanin, allophycocyanin and phycoerythrin were successfully extracted from the biomass reaching concentrations up to 103, 57 and 30 mg/g dry weight, respectively. Results highlight the potential use of microalgae for industrial wastewater treatment and related high-value phycobiliproteins recovery.
Larissa Arashiro; María Boto-Ordóñez; Stijn W.H. Van Hulle; Ivet Ferrer; Marianna Garfí; Diederik P.L. Rousseau. Natural pigments from microalgae grown in industrial wastewater. Bioresource Technology 2020, 303, 122894 .
AMA StyleLarissa Arashiro, María Boto-Ordóñez, Stijn W.H. Van Hulle, Ivet Ferrer, Marianna Garfí, Diederik P.L. Rousseau. Natural pigments from microalgae grown in industrial wastewater. Bioresource Technology. 2020; 303 ():122894.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLarissa Arashiro; María Boto-Ordóñez; Stijn W.H. Van Hulle; Ivet Ferrer; Marianna Garfí; Diederik P.L. Rousseau. 2020. "Natural pigments from microalgae grown in industrial wastewater." Bioresource Technology 303, no. : 122894.
Upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors are widely used to treat domestic sewage and frequently require post-treatment. Little is known about the use of high rate algal ponds (HRAP) for post-treating UASB reactors’ effluent. This study aimed to evaluate a UASB reactor followed by a HRAP in terms of sewage treatment efficiency and biogas production, during one year at demonstration–scale. The UASB reactor co-treated raw sewage and the harvested microalgal biomass from the HRAP, which was recirculated to the reactor. An identical UASB reactor, treating only raw sewage, was used as control. The results showed an overall removal of 65% COD and 61% N-NH4 in the system. Furthermore, methane yield was increased by 25% after anaerobic co-digestion with microalgae, from 156 to 211 NL CH4 kg−1 VS. An energy assessment was performed and showed a positive energy balance, with a net ratio of 2.11 to the annual average.
Lucas Vassalle; Rubén Díez-Montero; Alcino Trindade Rosa Machado; Camila Moreira; Ivet Ferrer; Cesar Mota; Fabiana Passos. Upflow anaerobic sludge blanket in microalgae-based sewage treatment: Co-digestion for improving biogas production. Bioresource Technology 2019, 300, 122677 .
AMA StyleLucas Vassalle, Rubén Díez-Montero, Alcino Trindade Rosa Machado, Camila Moreira, Ivet Ferrer, Cesar Mota, Fabiana Passos. Upflow anaerobic sludge blanket in microalgae-based sewage treatment: Co-digestion for improving biogas production. Bioresource Technology. 2019; 300 ():122677.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLucas Vassalle; Rubén Díez-Montero; Alcino Trindade Rosa Machado; Camila Moreira; Ivet Ferrer; Cesar Mota; Fabiana Passos. 2019. "Upflow anaerobic sludge blanket in microalgae-based sewage treatment: Co-digestion for improving biogas production." Bioresource Technology 300, no. : 122677.
The aim of this study was to assess the co-digestion of residual biomass flows generated in microalgae-based wastewater treatment plants: microalgae, primary sludge and fat, oil and grease (FOG), with and without microalgae thermal pretreatment. The results evidenced the high methane yield of FOG (563 mL CH4/g VS) as compared to microalgae (140 mL CH4/gVS) and sludge (299 mL CH4/g VS). The methane yield of microalgae and sludge co-digestion (50–50% VS) was increased by 25 and 42% by adding 10 and 20% VS of FOG, respectively. Moreover, co-digestion trials improved the anaerobic digestion first-order kinetics by up to 67%. Regarding the thermal pretreatment, it increased the methane yield of microalgae by 60%, and 15% upon co-digestion with sludge and FOG. Therefore, co-digestion of microalgae, primary sludge and FOG appears as a promising strategy to enhance the biogas production, hence bioenergy recovery from wastewater, even without pretreatment.
Maria Solé-Bundó; Marianna Garfí; Ivet Ferrer. Pretreatment and co-digestion of microalgae, sludge and fat oil and grease (FOG) from microalgae-based wastewater treatment plants. Bioresource Technology 2019, 298, 122563 .
AMA StyleMaria Solé-Bundó, Marianna Garfí, Ivet Ferrer. Pretreatment and co-digestion of microalgae, sludge and fat oil and grease (FOG) from microalgae-based wastewater treatment plants. Bioresource Technology. 2019; 298 ():122563.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaria Solé-Bundó; Marianna Garfí; Ivet Ferrer. 2019. "Pretreatment and co-digestion of microalgae, sludge and fat oil and grease (FOG) from microalgae-based wastewater treatment plants." Bioresource Technology 298, no. : 122563.
The present study evaluates the removal capacity of two high rate algae ponds (HRAPs) to eliminate 12 pharmaceuticals (PhACs) and 26 of their corresponding main metabolites and transformation products. The efficiency of these ponds, operating with and without primary treatment, was compared in order to study their capacity under the best performance conditions (highest solar irradiance). Concentrations of all the target compounds were determined in both water and biomass samples. Removal rates ranged from moderate (40-60%) to high (>60%) for most of them, with the exception of the psychiatric drugs carbamazepine, the β-blocking agent metoprolol and its metabolite, metoprolol acid. O-desmethylvenlafaxine, despite its very low biodegradability in conventional wastewater treatment plants, was removed to certain extent (13-39%) Biomass concentrations suggested that bioadsorption/bioaccumulation to microalgae biomass was decisive regarding the elimination of some non-biodegradable compounds such as venlafaxine and its main metabolites. HRAP treatment with and without primary treatment did not yield significant differences in terms of PhACs removal efficiency. The implementation of HRAPs as secondary treatment is a viable alternative to CAS in terms of overall wastewater treatment (including organic micropollutants), with generally higher removal performances and implying a green, low-cost and more sustainable technology.
María Jesús García-Galán; Larissa Arashiro; Lúcia Santos; Sara Insa; Sara Rodríguez-Mozaz; Damià Barceló; Ivet Ferrer; Marianna Garfí. Fate of priority pharmaceuticals and their main metabolites and transformation products in microalgae-based wastewater treatment systems. Journal of Hazardous Materials 2019, 390, 121771 .
AMA StyleMaría Jesús García-Galán, Larissa Arashiro, Lúcia Santos, Sara Insa, Sara Rodríguez-Mozaz, Damià Barceló, Ivet Ferrer, Marianna Garfí. Fate of priority pharmaceuticals and their main metabolites and transformation products in microalgae-based wastewater treatment systems. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 2019; 390 ():121771.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaría Jesús García-Galán; Larissa Arashiro; Lúcia Santos; Sara Insa; Sara Rodríguez-Mozaz; Damià Barceló; Ivet Ferrer; Marianna Garfí. 2019. "Fate of priority pharmaceuticals and their main metabolites and transformation products in microalgae-based wastewater treatment systems." Journal of Hazardous Materials 390, no. : 121771.
Microalgae biorefineries for the production of biofuels and high-value products have captured the attention of academia and industry. Implementing an anaerobic digestion step can enhance resource recovery from microalgae and microalgae residues. Anaerobic co-digestion, the simultaneous digestion of two or more substrates, is an opportunity to overcome the low biodegradability and the risk of ammonia inhibition associated with microalgae and microalgae residues mono-digestion. Besides, microalgae can also be used as co-substrate in biogas plants, with the aim of increasing the organic loading rate while providing alkalinity, macro- and micronutrients. Sewage sludge is the most researched co-substrate for microalgae since microalgae photobioreactors can be used for secondary, tertiary and anaerobic digestion supernatant treatment in wastewater treatment plants. However, microalgae and microalgae residues have been successfully co-digested with a wide variety of wastes, including crops, energy crops, paper waste, animal manure, vinasse, olive mill waste, and fat, oil and grease. Lipid-spent microalgae and glycerol co-digestion has also been largely researched due to the growing interest on microalgal-derived biodiesel. Most studies have assessed the impact of co-digestion on the methane yield and process kinetics through biochemical methane potential (BMP) tests. However, BMP test is not the most suitable method to assess the impact of co-digestion on other important factors such as supernatant nutrient content, digestate dewaterability, biosolids quality, and H2S concentration in the biogas. Overall, more lab-scale and pilot-scale continuous experiments are needed to get a holistic understanding of microalgal anaerobic co-digestion.
Maria Solé-Bundó; Fabiana Passos; Maycoll S. Romero-Güiza; Ivet Ferrer; Sergi Astals. Co-digestion strategies to enhance microalgae anaerobic digestion: A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 2019, 112, 471 -482.
AMA StyleMaria Solé-Bundó, Fabiana Passos, Maycoll S. Romero-Güiza, Ivet Ferrer, Sergi Astals. Co-digestion strategies to enhance microalgae anaerobic digestion: A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 2019; 112 ():471-482.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaria Solé-Bundó; Fabiana Passos; Maycoll S. Romero-Güiza; Ivet Ferrer; Sergi Astals. 2019. "Co-digestion strategies to enhance microalgae anaerobic digestion: A review." Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 112, no. : 471-482.
A novel approach for harvesting Scenedesmus sp. microalgae from real wastewater by using adsorbents of magnetite-based nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) was tested in this study for the first time for this microalgae. Using these NPs, the harvesting efficiency was even higher than 95%. The optimal conditions (0.14 gNPs/L, a short magnetic separation time of only 8 min and 27 min of contact time) were found using the response surface methodology. The best fitting of the adsorption equilibrium results was achieved by the Langmuir isotherm model, and the maximum adsorption capacity for Scenedesmus sp. reached 3.49 g dry cell weight (DCW)/g Fe3O4 NPs. Zeta potential measurements and the Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherm model analysis pointed out that the main adsorption mechanism between Scenedesmus sp. cells and Fe3O4 NPs was electrostatic interaction. Finally, Fe3O4 NPs were six times successfully reused by combining an alkaline treatment with an ultrasonication process, which implies microalgae lysis. The results herein obtained highlight the potential for magnetic separation of microalgae from wastewater, which is capable of reaching a high harvesting efficiency in a very short time.
Ahmad Abo Markeb; Jordi Llimós Turet; Ivet Ferrer; Paqui Blánquez; Amanda Alonso; Antoni Sánchez; Javier Moral-Vico; Xavier Font. The use of magnetic iron oxide based nanoparticles to improve microalgae harvesting in real wastewater. Water Research 2019, 159, 490 -500.
AMA StyleAhmad Abo Markeb, Jordi Llimós Turet, Ivet Ferrer, Paqui Blánquez, Amanda Alonso, Antoni Sánchez, Javier Moral-Vico, Xavier Font. The use of magnetic iron oxide based nanoparticles to improve microalgae harvesting in real wastewater. Water Research. 2019; 159 ():490-500.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAhmad Abo Markeb; Jordi Llimós Turet; Ivet Ferrer; Paqui Blánquez; Amanda Alonso; Antoni Sánchez; Javier Moral-Vico; Xavier Font. 2019. "The use of magnetic iron oxide based nanoparticles to improve microalgae harvesting in real wastewater." Water Research 159, no. : 490-500.
The aim of this study was to assess the effect of primary treatment on the performance of two pilot-scale high rate algal ponds (HRAPs) treating urban wastewater, considering their treatment efficiency, biomass productivity, characteristics and biogas production potential. Results indicated that the primary treatment did not significantly affect the wastewater treatment efficiency (NH4+-N removal of 93 and 91% and COD removal of 62 and 65% in HRAP with and without primary treatment, respectively). The HRAP without primary treatment had higher biodiversity and productivity (18 vs. 16 g VSS/m2d). Biomass from both systems presented good settling capacity. Results of biochemical methane potential test showed that co-digesting microalgae and primary sludge led to higher methane yields (238 - 258 mL CH4/g VS) compared with microalgae mono-digestion (189 - 225 mL CH4/g VS). Overall, HRAPs with and without primary treatment seem to be appropriate alternatives for combining wastewater treatment and bioenergy recovery.
Larissa Arashiro; Ivet Ferrer; Diederik P.L. Rousseau; Stijn W.H. Van Hulle; Marianna Garfí. The effect of primary treatment of wastewater in high rate algal pond systems: Biomass and bioenergy recovery. Bioresource Technology 2019, 280, 27 -36.
AMA StyleLarissa Arashiro, Ivet Ferrer, Diederik P.L. Rousseau, Stijn W.H. Van Hulle, Marianna Garfí. The effect of primary treatment of wastewater in high rate algal pond systems: Biomass and bioenergy recovery. Bioresource Technology. 2019; 280 ():27-36.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLarissa Arashiro; Ivet Ferrer; Diederik P.L. Rousseau; Stijn W.H. Van Hulle; Marianna Garfí. 2019. "The effect of primary treatment of wastewater in high rate algal pond systems: Biomass and bioenergy recovery." Bioresource Technology 280, no. : 27-36.
Microalgal-based wastewater treatment plants are conceived as low cost and low energy consuming systems. The operation of these plants involves the management of primary sludge and microalgal biomass. The aim of this study is to analyse the anaerobic co-digestion of both by-products in terms of biogas production and contaminants of emerging concern removal. The co-digestion of microalgae and primary sludge (25/75% on a volatile solids basis) was investigated in continuous reactors and compared to microalgae mono-digestion at a hydraulic retention time of 20 days. Results showed how the co-digestion enhanced the anaerobic digestion of microalgal biomass, since primary sludge is a more readily biodegradable substrate, which increased the methane production by 65% and reduced the risk of ammonia toxicity. Regarding the contaminants, musk fragrances (galaxolide and tonalide) and triclosan showed the highest abundance on primary sludge (0.5–25 μg/g TS), whereas caffeine, methyl dihydrojasmonate and triphenyl phosphate were barely detected in both substrates (<0.1 μg/g TS). The removal of these contaminants was compound-depending and ranged from no removal to up to 90%. On the whole, microalgae mono-digestion resulted in a higher removal of selected contaminants than the co-digestion with primary sludge.
Maria Solé-Bundó; Marianna Garfí; Victor Matamoros; Ivet Ferrer. Co-digestion of microalgae and primary sludge: Effect on biogas production and microcontaminants removal. Science of The Total Environment 2019, 660, 974 -981.
AMA StyleMaria Solé-Bundó, Marianna Garfí, Victor Matamoros, Ivet Ferrer. Co-digestion of microalgae and primary sludge: Effect on biogas production and microcontaminants removal. Science of The Total Environment. 2019; 660 ():974-981.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaria Solé-Bundó; Marianna Garfí; Victor Matamoros; Ivet Ferrer. 2019. "Co-digestion of microalgae and primary sludge: Effect on biogas production and microcontaminants removal." Science of The Total Environment 660, no. : 974-981.
The aim of this study was to assess the environmental benefits of implementing low-cost digesters in small-scale farms in Colombia by using the LCA methodology. Four scenarios were taken into account considering two small-scale farms located in different areas: two (previous) scenarios where manure was stored in a manure pit and liquefied pretroleum gas (LPG) was used for cooking; and two (current) scenarios where manure is treated in low-cost digesters, the digestate replaces the synthetic fertiliser and the biogas is used for cooking replacing the LPG. Results showed that digesters implementation considerably reduced (by up to 80%) potential environmental impacts associated with manure handling, fuel and fertiliser use in the small-scale Colombian farms. This was mainly due to the reduction of LPG and synthetic fertiliser use which were replaced by biogas and digestate. An economic assessment showed that low-cost digesters reduced expenses associated with cooking fuel and fertiliser purchase by 80%.
Marianna Garfí; Liliana Castro; Neus Montero; Humberto Escalante; Ivet Ferrer. Evaluating environmental benefits of low-cost biogas digesters in small-scale farms in Colombia: A life cycle assessment. Bioresource Technology 2018, 274, 541 -548.
AMA StyleMarianna Garfí, Liliana Castro, Neus Montero, Humberto Escalante, Ivet Ferrer. Evaluating environmental benefits of low-cost biogas digesters in small-scale farms in Colombia: A life cycle assessment. Bioresource Technology. 2018; 274 ():541-548.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarianna Garfí; Liliana Castro; Neus Montero; Humberto Escalante; Ivet Ferrer. 2018. "Evaluating environmental benefits of low-cost biogas digesters in small-scale farms in Colombia: A life cycle assessment." Bioresource Technology 274, no. : 541-548.
This study aims at optimizing the anaerobic digestion (AD) of biomass in microalgal-based wastewater treatment systems. It comprises the co-digestion of microalgae with primary sludge, the thermal pretreatment (75 °C for 10 h) of microalgae and the role of the hydraulic retention time (HRT) in anaerobic digesters. Initially, a batch test comparing different microalgae (untreated and pretreated) and primary sludge proportions showed how the co-digestion improved the AD kinetics. The highest methane yield was observed by adding 75% of primary sludge to pretreated microalgae (339 mL CH4/g VS). This condition was then investigated in mesophilic lab-scale reactors. The average methane yield was 0.46 L CH4/g VS, which represented a 2.9-fold increase compared to pretreated microalgae mono-digestion. Conversely, microalgae showed a low methane yield despite the thermal pretreatment (0.16 L CH4/g VS). Indeed, microscopic analysis confirmed the presence of microalgae species with resistant cell walls (i.e., Stigioclonium sp. and diatoms). In order to improve their anaerobic biodegradability, the HRT was increased from 20 to 30 days, which led to a 50% methane yield increase. Overall, microalgae AD was substantially improved by the co-digestion with primary sludge, even without pretreatment, and increasing the HRT enhanced the AD of microalgae with resistant cell walls.
Maria Solé-Bundó; Humbert Salvadó; Fabiana Passos; Marianna Garfí; Ivet Ferrer. Strategies to Optimize Microalgae Conversion to Biogas: Co-Digestion, Pretreatment and Hydraulic Retention Time. Molecules 2018, 23, 2096 .
AMA StyleMaria Solé-Bundó, Humbert Salvadó, Fabiana Passos, Marianna Garfí, Ivet Ferrer. Strategies to Optimize Microalgae Conversion to Biogas: Co-Digestion, Pretreatment and Hydraulic Retention Time. Molecules. 2018; 23 (9):2096.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaria Solé-Bundó; Humbert Salvadó; Fabiana Passos; Marianna Garfí; Ivet Ferrer. 2018. "Strategies to Optimize Microalgae Conversion to Biogas: Co-Digestion, Pretreatment and Hydraulic Retention Time." Molecules 23, no. 9: 2096.
Household biogas digesters are a sustainable technology that can help rural families of low income countries meeting their basic energy needs and improving their standard of living. However, household biogas digester programmes are often promoted without any systematic planning which might help to overcome several challenges for household digesters dissemination (e.g. lack of stakeholders’ involvement, investment cost, technology reliability and durability, lack of site-specific designs). The aim of this study is to develop and validate, for the first time, a multi-criteria decision support tool for the assessment of household biogas digester programmes in rural areas of Latin America. The method is divided into three decision levels. First of all, the rural communities where household digesters may be implemented are evaluated and prioritized. Secondly, the most appropriate digester model (i.e. masonry or plastic tubular digester) is selected. Finally, the most appropriate household digester design (e.g. volume, materials) is identified considering local conditions and beneficiaries’ needs. For that, a set of technical, environmental and socio-economic criteria were defined and weighted by stakeholders at all the decision levels. Furthermore, the tool was validated using three case studies dealing with the implementation of household anaerobic digesters in rural areas of the Peruvian Andes in order to show how it can assist non-profit organizations designing sustainable and successful biogas digester programmes.
Laia Ferrer-Martí; Ivet Ferrer; Elena Sánchez; Marianna Garfí. A multi-criteria decision support tool for the assessment of household biogas digester programmes in rural areas. A case study in Peru. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 2018, 95, 74 -83.
AMA StyleLaia Ferrer-Martí, Ivet Ferrer, Elena Sánchez, Marianna Garfí. A multi-criteria decision support tool for the assessment of household biogas digester programmes in rural areas. A case study in Peru. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 2018; 95 ():74-83.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLaia Ferrer-Martí; Ivet Ferrer; Elena Sánchez; Marianna Garfí. 2018. "A multi-criteria decision support tool for the assessment of household biogas digester programmes in rural areas. A case study in Peru." Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 95, no. : 74-83.