Filamentous Algae for Wastewater Circularity: A Review of Wastewater Treatment, Resource Recovery, and Biorefinery Opportunities

Abstract

Wastewater treatment is undergoing a transition from pollutant removal toward resource recovery, creating opportunities to integrate environmental remediation with circular bioeconomy principles. Filamentous algae have attracted increasing attention as multifunctional biological platforms because their attached growth habit facilitates biomass harvesting while supporting nutrient recovery and biomass valorization. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the roles of filamentous algae in wastewater treatment, with emphasis on nutrient and contaminant removal, biomass production, and the generation of bioenergy, biofertilizers, aquafeeds, and cellulose-based biomaterials. It highlights how filamentous algae differ from conventional suspended microalgae through improved biomass retention, simpler harvesting, and compatibility with attached-growth systems such as algal turf scrubbers and biofilm reactors. The review also examines the ecological interactions between filamentous algae and associated microbial communities that underpin nutrient cycling and treatment performance. Beyond wastewater treatment, it critically evaluates the opportunities and challenges associated with downstream biomass valorization, including biofuel production and the recovery of high-value products within integrated biorefinery frameworks. In addition, the review discusses the principal barriers to large-scale implementation, including limited field-scale validation, variability in biomass quality, contaminant safety, downstream processing requirements, regulatory uncertainty, and the need for comprehensive techno-economic and environmental assessments. Finally, it highlights emerging research directions involving systems biology, advanced process monitoring, artificial intelligence-assisted process control, and integrated biorefinery concepts that may support future development. By integrating biological, engineering, and sustainability perspectives, this review provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the potential of filamentous algae to support resilient wastewater treatment systems and accelerate the transition toward circular resource management.