Publications by authors named "Ricardo E Gonzalez-Portela"

Limnospira maxima has been adapted to grow in high salinity and in an economically alternative medium using industrial-grade fertilizers under harsh environmental conditions in Saudi Arabia. A sequence of scaling-up processes, from the laboratory to large-scale open raceways, was conducted along with gradual adaptation to environmental stress (salinity, light, temperature, pH). High biomass concentration at harvest point and areal productivity were achieved during the harsh summer season (1.

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The west coast of the Arabian Peninsula borders the Red Sea, a water body which maintains high average temperatures and increased salinity compared to other seas or oceans. This geography has many resources which could be used to support algal biotechnology efforts in bio-resource circularity. However, summer conditions in this region may exceed the temperature tolerance of most currently cultivated microalgae.

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Article Synopsis
  • Microalgae are promising in biotechnology for producing valuable macromolecules and high-value products, making them important for sustainable development.
  • The review emphasizes the economic viability of large-scale biomass production through multi-product microalgae-based biorefineries, focusing on innovative uses like biofertilizers and biostimulants.
  • Future research directions include exploring antimicrobial properties, bioplastic production from wastewater, implementing circular economy strategies, and conducting more Life Cycle Assessments (LCA).
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Phytofiltration lagoons are phytoremediation technologies suitable for tropical and sub-tropical regions requiring cost-effective and echo-friendly technologies. A biorefinery of fourth generation has been implemented at pilot plant level in Xalapa, Mexico, and the phytofiltration lagoon, being the first module for provision of treated water and plant biomass for biofuel production plays a key role. The aim of this work was to evaluate the performance of such phytofiltration lagoon with a working volume of 13,000 L for the removal of nutrients from an urban river polluted with domestic wastewater and the biomass productivity of the macrophyte Pistia stratiotes, during five different experimental periods, comprising 42 days each one.

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Pollution of urban water bodies requires stringent control measures and the development of low-cost and highly efficient alternative technologies. In contrast to Constructed Wetlands, Floating Treatment Wetlands (FTWs) have the advantage of not requiring large surface of land since they operate in situ. However, there is limited information about their long-term evaluation while operating at field scale.

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Dual purpose systems that treat wastewater and produce lipid rich microalgae biomass have been indicated as an option with great potential for production of biodiesel at a competitive cost. The aim of the present work was to develop a dual purpose system for the treatment of the anaerobic effluents from pig waste utilizing Neochloris oleoabundans and to evaluate its growth, lipid content and lipid profile of the harvested biomass and the removal of nutrients from the media. Cultures of N.

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The production of biodiesel utilizing microalgae has driven innovation worldwide, especially trying to overcome the current economic and technological limitations of the whole process. Within these efforts, the use of wastewater to cultivate oleaginous microalgae or the use of dual-purpose microalgae-bacteria-based systems that treat wastewater and produce oleaginous microalgae have become an attractive alternative. The aim of this work was to evaluate the population dynamics which occurred in mixed cultures of Neochloris oleoabundans with other native microalgae, in mixtures of a synthetic medium (BBM) and water of an urban polluted river.

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Sugarcane molasses stillage contains a very high concentration of organic matter and toxic/recalcitrant compounds. Its improper disposal has become a global problem and there is very scanty information about its treatment using phytotechnologies. This work aimed at evaluating the performance of subsurface flow constructed wetlands (SSF CWs) mesocosms planted with Pontederia sagittata and operating at two hydraulic retention times (HRTs), compared to an unplanted SSF CWs, for the treatment of diluted stillage subjected to no pre-treatment apart from an adjustment to pH 6.

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