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Sustainability
Volume 17
Issue 15
10.3390/su17157104
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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Review

Harnessing an Algae–Bacteria Symbiosis System: Innovative Strategies for Enhancing Complex Wastewater Matrices Treatment

by
Wantong Zhao
1,†,
Kun Tian
2,3,†,
Lan Zhang
4,
Ye Tang
1,
Ruihuan Chen
1,*,
Xiangyong Zheng
1,* and
Min Zhao
1
1
School of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325000, China
2
Chongqing Academy of Animal Sciences, Chongqing 402460, China
3
National Center of Technology Innovation for Pigs, Chongqing 402460, China
4
Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing 210042, China
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
These authors contributed equally to this work.
Sustainability 2025, 17(15), 7104; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17157104
Submission received: 10 June 2025 / Revised: 1 August 2025 / Accepted: 3 August 2025 / Published: 5 August 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Environmental Control of Pollutants and Environmental Sustainability)
Versions Notes

Abstract

Complex wastewater matrices hinder the efficacy of conventional treatment methods due to the presence of various inorganic and organic pollutants, along with their intricate interactions. Leveraging the synergy between algae and bacteria, algal–bacterial symbiosis (ABS) systems offering an evolutionary and highly effective approach. The ABS system demonstrates 10–30% higher removal efficiency than conventional biological/physicochemical methods under identical conditions, especially at low C/N ratios. Recent advances in biology techniques and big data analytics have deepened our understanding of the synergistic mechanisms involved. Despite the system’s considerable promise, challenges persist concerning complex pollution scenarios and scaling it for industrial applications, particularly regarding system design, environmental adaptability, and stable operation. In this review, we explore the current forms and operational modes of ABS systems, discussing relevant mechanisms in various wastewater treatment contexts. Furthermore, we examine the advantages and limitations of ABS systems in treating complex wastewater matrices, highlighting challenges and proposing future directions.
Keywords: algae–bacteria symbiosis; synergistic mechanisms; complex wastewater matrices; bioremediation technology algae–bacteria symbiosis; synergistic mechanisms; complex wastewater matrices; bioremediation technology

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Zhao, W.; Tian, K.; Zhang, L.; Tang, Y.; Chen, R.; Zheng, X.; Zhao, M. Harnessing an Algae–Bacteria Symbiosis System: Innovative Strategies for Enhancing Complex Wastewater Matrices Treatment. Sustainability 2025, 17, 7104. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17157104

AMA Style

Zhao W, Tian K, Zhang L, Tang Y, Chen R, Zheng X, Zhao M. Harnessing an Algae–Bacteria Symbiosis System: Innovative Strategies for Enhancing Complex Wastewater Matrices Treatment. Sustainability. 2025; 17(15):7104. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17157104

Chicago/Turabian Style

Zhao, Wantong, Kun Tian, Lan Zhang, Ye Tang, Ruihuan Chen, Xiangyong Zheng, and Min Zhao. 2025. "Harnessing an Algae–Bacteria Symbiosis System: Innovative Strategies for Enhancing Complex Wastewater Matrices Treatment" Sustainability 17, no. 15: 7104. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17157104

APA Style

Zhao, W., Tian, K., Zhang, L., Tang, Y., Chen, R., Zheng, X., & Zhao, M. (2025). Harnessing an Algae–Bacteria Symbiosis System: Innovative Strategies for Enhancing Complex Wastewater Matrices Treatment. Sustainability, 17(15), 7104. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17157104

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