Synergistic microalgae-duckweed systems for enhanced aquaculture wastewater treatment, biomass recovery, and CO2 sequestration: A novel approach for sustainable resource recovery

Mar 5, 2025Environmental research

Microalgae and duckweed working together to improve fish farm wastewater cleaning, biomass production, and CO2 capture for sustainable resource use

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Abstract

The integrated microalgae-duckweed system achieved 91.25% removal of NO-N and 100% removal of total phosphorus over 15 days.

The system removed 98.90% of NH-N and reduced chemical oxygen demand (COD) by 95%.
Microalgal biomass production reached 6.67 g/L, while duckweed biomass was 90 g/m2.
Protein and lipid content in the biomass were enhanced compared to standalone systems.
Carbon dioxide was sequestered at a rate of 1.65 g/L/day, surpassing individual treatments.
Microbial community analysis indicated increased functional diversity, which may improve nutrient cycling.

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Current aquaculture practices generate nutrient-rich effluents that cause significant environmental pollution. This study presents a novel synergistic microalgae-duckweed system integrating Chlorella sp. and Spirodela polyrhiza for sustainable wastewater treatment, biomass valorization, and carbon sequestration. Over a 15-day treatment period, the system achieved unprecedented removal efficiencies: 91.25% for NO-N, 98.90% for NH-N, 100% for total phosphorus, and a 95% reduction in chemical oxygen demand (COD). Concurrently, the system produced 6.67 g/L of microalgal biomass and 90 g/mof duckweed biomass significantly higher than those of standalone systems, which showed enhanced protein and lipid contents suitable for bioenergy or feed applications. The dual system sequestered COat a remarkable rate of 1.65 g/L/day, exceeding standalone treatments. Microbial community analysis revealed enriched functional diversity, promoting optimized nutrient cycling and organic matter degradation. Although the system was tested at a lab scale, it demonstrates promising scalability due to its efficient nutrient removal and biomass production, as well as the robustness of the combined microalgae-duckweed treatment approach. This integrated approach not only addresses water pollution but also advances the circular economy by converting aquaculture waste into high-value biomass and mitigating carbon emissions. These findings position the synergistic microalgae-duckweed system as a scalable and eco-friendly solution for sustainable aquaculture management and environmental conservation. 3 4 2 -+ 2

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Synergistic microalgae-duckweed systems for enhanced aquaculture wastewater treatment, biomass recovery, and CO2 sequestration: A novel approach for sustainable resource recovery

Abstract

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