Harnessing Oxygenic Photosynthetic Microorganisms for Sustainable Wastewater Treatment Systems: A Comprehensive Review

Aquaculture systems globally face significant environmental challenges, particularly concerning wastewater management. This review explores the innovative application of oxygenic photosynthetic microorganisms (OPhMs), specifically microalgae and cyanobacteria, as a sustainable solution for wastewater treatment within these systems. OPhMs offer a dual role in wastewater treatment by removing harmful pollutants such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and heavy metals, while simultaneously improving water quality through oxygenation. We evaluate the integration of OPhMs into existing aquaculture operations, considering key factors such as system design, operational conditions, and economic viability. Additionally, we discuss the potential of algal biomass as a secondary resource for producing biofuels, animal feed, and other bio-products, contributing to the circular economy model. Our findings highlight the ability of OPhM systems to significantly reduce the ecological footprint of aquaculture while recovering valuable resources. However, challenges such as process stability, especially under low-temperature conditions, and the efficiency of biomass harvesting, require further research. This study provides a comprehensive framework for future development and optimization of OPhM-based wastewater treatment systems to improve the sustainability of aquaculture operations.