Inhibitory Effects of Xenobiotics on Algal-Bacterial Granular Sludge During Wastewater Treatment

Bacterial granular sludge (BGS) process is currently believed to be feasible biological technique for wastewater treatment. However, several shortcomings have been identified. Hence, it became critical to employ environment-friendly microalgae in the granulation process. The microalgal-bacterial granular sludge (M-BGS) technique for nutrient removal relies mostly on microbial absorption. The peculiar shape of M-BGS can give rise to improved separation among sludge and treated wastewater. Hence, this article provides a review of the literature on the several developments in the applications microalgae for aerobic granulation and wastewater treatment. The review emphasized the current state of M-BGS use for wastewater treatment and discussed the effects of physical, environmental, operational, and microbiological factors on M-BGS system. The review identified inhibitory effect of various xenobiotic compounds that could induce decoupling of symbiosis in M-BGS systems. M-BGS has proven to be effective as it provides ecologically beneficial and sustainable remedies for the challenges faced during wastewater treatment.