Bioremediation and Biofuel Production Using Microalgae

Constructed wetlands and the associated flora and fauna have had important roles in human history, such as providing food, water purification, flood control, biological habitat, recreation, and education functions. As the human population increases and living space becomes limited, the integration of constructed wetlands into the urban landscape will become important. At the most basic ecological level, microalgae are important primary producers, providing an important source of energy for wetland organisms and their respective food webs that extend to terrestrial ecosystems. They are a potential renewable energy source, and as a nature-based solution, microalgae offer considerable environmental advantages over other types of renewable energy sources. Microalgae grow rapidly, sequester atmospheric carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and phosphorous and some species are rich in oils that can be used to produce different types of biofuel. We explored the bioremediation and renewable energy roles these simple, unicellular organisms could play in the future.