Nitrogen and phosphorus removal
Several studies have reported that microalgae have agreat potential for the removal of nitrogen and phosphorus. Microalgal cells can take up these chemical species as relevant nutrients for metabolic activities and biomass synthesis. Microalgal cells organize and store nitrogen and phosphorus for the synthesis of proteins, lipids, Adenosine Triphosphate(ATP) and other biomolecular forms. With the increasing eutrophication of water bodies (creeks, rivers, lakes and offshore sea areas) predominantly caused by high concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorous, microalgae species, such as Chlorella, Scenedesmus, Spirulina, Nannochloris, Botryococcus, Phormidium and Nannochloropsis have been demonstrated to have the potential to remove high concentrations of these chemical species.