Enrica Uggetti

• PhD
• PostDoc Position at Polytechnic University of Catalonia

Microalgae can produce biostimulants in form of phytohormones, which are compounds that, even if applied in low concentrations, can have stimulant effects on plants growth and can enhance their quality and their resistance to stress. Considering that microalgal biomass can grow recovering nutrients from wastewater, this circular approach allows to...

In the coming years, the use of microalgal biomass as agricultural biofertilizers has shown promising results. The use of wastewater as culture medium has resulted in the reduction of production costs, making microalgae-based fertilizers highly attractive for farmers. However, the occurrence of specific pollutants in wastewater, like pathogens, hea...

Alternatives to conventional inorganic fertilizers are needed to cope with the growing global population and contamination due to the production and use of those inorganic compounds. The recovery of nutrients from wastewater and organic wastes is a promising option to provide fertilization in a circular economy approach. In this context, microalgae...

Lab-based lectures allow students not only to consolidate the theoretical concepts acquired in theory classes, but also to develop soft skills such as time management, team-work, communication, problem-solving and learning aptitude. Unfortunately, the implementation of lab-based courses within academic institutions have decreased lately due to budg...

Selenium (Se) is an important element for many living organisms and its supplementation may be needed in food, feed, and soil to make up for its deficiency. At the same time, high selenium concentrations can harm the environment, thus its management in sewage and the study of its removal from waste streams are important. Microalgae-based systems ma...

High rate algal ponds (HRAP) are known for their suitability to treat wastewater and to produce microalgal biomass, which can be converted into bioproducts. However, full-scale application of HRAP is still limited to few cases and design procedures are not consolidated or standardized. In this study, a demonstrative-scale HRAP system for secondary...

This study gathers the results of the operation and optimization of the thickening of microalgal biomass produced at demonstrative scale in photobioreactors fed with agricultural runoff and domestic wastewater. The optimization was conducted during two months. The system consisted in two gravity thickeners connected in series in a multi-stage appro...

Appropriate hydrodynamic conditions are crucial in photobioreactors (PBR) in order to prevent sedimentation of microalgal biomass and to ensure the uniform exposure of microalgae cells to light and nutrients. Hydrodynamic conditions are also important to guarantee efficient mass transfer and proper shear stress on the transparent walls of the PBR,...

This work evaluated the removal efficiency of 13 wastewater-borne pharmaceuticals in a pilot constructed wetland (CW) operated under different aeration strategies (no aeration, intermittent and continuous). Aeration improved the removal of conventional wastewater parameters and the targeted micropollutants, compared to the non-aerated treatment. Re...

The present study evaluated the capacity of a semi-closed, tubular horizontal photobioreactor (PBR) to remove pesticides from agricultural run-off. The study was carried out in July to study its efficiency under the best conditions (highest solar irradiation). A total of 51 pesticides, including 10 transformation products, were selected and investi...

The present study evaluated the efficiency of a semi-closed, tubular, horizontal photobioreactor (PBR) to treat a mixture of irrigation and rural drainage water, focusing in the removal of different contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), and evaluating the environmental impact of the resulting effluent. Target CECs included pharmaceuticals, perso...

In this study, a mixed nitrogen-fixing soil cyanobacterial culture was tested to treat municipal wastewater and produce total carbohydrates in a one-stage operation. Four photobioreactors were operated in semi-continuous mode for 30 days, evaluating the effect of different hydraulic retention times and nutrients and carbon loads on nutrients and or...

The present study evaluated the efficiency of a semi-closed horizontal tubular photobioreactor (PBR) at demonstrative scale to remove a total of 35 target compounds, including benzotriazoles, benzophenones, antibiotics and different pharmaceuticals present in irrigation water in a peri-urban rural area. This water run through an open channel and wa...

Microalgae-based treatment systems are a suitable solution for agricultural wastewater treatment in order to tackle eutrophication. Valuable biomass can be produced in photobioreactors while removing nutrients from agricultural runoff. However, little is known about experiences of microalgae systems for bioremediation of agricultural wastewater. Th...

The present work evaluated polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and carbohydrates production by wastewater borne cyanobacteria at demonstrative-scale (three photobioreactors (PBR) of 11.7 m³ each), using agricultural runoff as feedstock. Agricultural runoff was fed to PBR1, which was devoted to cyanobacteria selection and biomass growth. In PBR2, inorganic ca...

The present study evaluated the capacity of a semi-closed, tubular horizontal photobioreactor (PBR) to remove pesticides from agricultural run-off. The study was carried out in July to study its efficiency under the best conditions (highest solar irradiation). A total of 51 pesticides, including 10 transformation products, were selected and investi...

Cyanobacteria are prokaryotic oxygenic phototrophs receiving attention in a wide variety of technological applications such as food and feed supplements and production of valuable polymers. Among these, carbohydrates (e.g. glycogen) and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are of increasing interest due to their potential as a biofuel substrate and bioplas...

The influence of the liquid-to-biogas ratio (L/G) and alkalinity on methane quality was evaluated in a 11.7 m ³ outdoors horizontal semi-closed tubular photobioreactor interconnected to a 45-L absorption column (AC). CO 2 concentrations in the upgraded methane ranged from <0.1 to 9.6% at L/G of 2.0 and 0.5, respectively, with maximum CH 4 concentra...

A strategy based on photo sequencing batch operation was used to select cyanobacteria over unsettled green algae in a wastewater treatment system, evaluating for the first time the effect of hydraulic regimes on nutritional dynamics and microorganisms competition. During 30 days of operation, an initial microalgae mixed consortia dominated by the g...

Challenges regarding microalgal cultivation need to be solved in order to enhance microalgae potential as a feedstock for biofuel, bioenergy, and bioproducts. The optimization of the operating strategy in high rate algal ponds treating wastewater still requires research on microalgal ecosystem response to variations in nutrients availability. For t...

In this work, a strategy based on photo-sequencing batch operation was used to select cyanobacteria over unsettled green algae in a wastewater treatment system, evaluating for the first time the effect of hydraulic regimes on nutritional dynamics and microorganisms' competition. During 30 days of operation, an initial microalgae mixed consortia dom...

The present study investigates different strategies for the treatment of a mixture of digestate from an anaerobic digester diluted and secondary effluent from a high rate algal pond. To this aim, the performance of two photo-sequencing batch reactors (PSBRs) operated at high nutrients loading rates and different solids retention times (SRTs) were c...

The energy balance of a hypothetical microalgae-based wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) has been performed for thirteen geographic locations covering the whole range of latitudes, longitudes and climate conditions of the different Spanish regions. The proposed WWTP includes high rate algae ponds (HRAPs) for secondary treatment and nitrogen removal,...

Organic matter removal in a horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland (HSSF) treating wastewater is associated with the presence of bacteria and archaea. These organisms perform anaerobic microbial processes such as methanogenesis, which can lead to methane emissions. The aim of this study was to evaluate methane production and characterize th...

The objective of this paper is to present the design, construction and operation of 3 full scale semi-closed, horizontal tubular photobioreactors (PBR) used to remove nutrients of a mixture of agricultural run-off (90%) and treated domestic wastewater (10%). The microalgal biomass produced in the PBRs was harvested in a static lamella settling tank...

The objective of this paper is to present the design, construction and operation (during one year) of 3 full scale semi-closed, horizontal tubular photobioreactors (PBR, 11.7m3 of volume each) used to remove nutrients of a mixture of agricultural run-off (90%) and treated domestic wastewater (10%). PBRs were located outdoor and have 2 paddlewheels...

Diffuse pollution in rural areas due to agricultural run-off is a widespread and difficult problem to address due to the vast areas affected. Drainage channels do receive these polluted waters, but its introduction in the conventional treatment network is unfeasible. Within this context, microalgae-based treatment systems could be used as alternati...

The present study investigates different strategies for the treatment of a mixture of digestate from an anaerobic digester diluted and secondary effluent from a high rate algal pond. To this aim, the performance of two photo-sequencing batch reactors (PSBRs) operated at high nutrients loading rates and different solids retention times (SRTs) were c...

In the present study, different photoperiods and nutritional conditions were applied to a mixed wastewater-borne cyanobacterial culture in order to enhance the intracellular accumulation of polyhydroxybutyrates (PHBs) and carbohydrates. Two different experimental set-ups were used. In the first, the culture was permanently exposed to illumination,...

In this study, a sequencing batch reactor (SBR), operated with transient carbon availability (feast and famine) and different nutrients loads, was used to select cyanobacteria accumulating poly (3-hydroxyalkanoate) (PHB) and carbohydrates from a mixed wastewater-borne microbial culture. The SBR was operated with 12 h aerobic light and 12 h anaerobi...

Within the European project INCOVER, an experimental microalgae-based treatment system has been built for wastewater reuse and added-value products generation. This article describes this new experimental plant and the start-up stage, starting from the new design of three semi-closed horizontal photobioreactors with low energy requirements for micr...

Diffuse pollution in rural areas due to agricultural runoff is a widespread and difficult problem to address due to the large areas affected. Drainage channels receive polluted water, but its introduction into conventional treatment network is often unfeasible. Within this context, microalgae-based treatment systems could be used as alternative tre...

In the present study, different photoperiods and nutritional conditions were applied to a mixed wastewater-borne cyanobacterial culture in order to enhance the intracellular accumulation of polyhydroxybutyrates (PHBs) and carbohydrates. Two different experimental set-ups were used. In the first, the culture was permanently exposed to illumination,...

The aim of this study was to assess the energy balance of a hypothetical microalgae-based wastewater treatment plant (10,000 PE) located in the Mediterranean Region, where harvested microalgal biomass and primary sludge would be co-digested to produce biogas and bioenergy. The assessment was based on experimental results obtained over one year in p...

In this study, microalgae digestate and secondary effluent were used to grow microalgae in a tertiary wastewater treatment, and then, the biomass was co-digested for biogas generation. A 30L closed-photobioreactor was used for microalgae cultivation. The biomass, mainly composed by Scenedesmus sp., reached and maintained a concentration of 1.1gTSS/...

The main objective of this study was to select and grow wastewater-borne cyanobacteria in a closed photobioreactor (PBR) inoculated with a mixed consortium of microalgae. The 30 L PBR was fed with a mixture of urban secondary effluent and digestate, and operated in semi-continuous mode. Based on the nutrients variation of the influent, three differ...

Microalgae are nowadays regarded as a potential biomass feedstock to help reducing our dependence on fossil fuels for transportation, electricity and heat generation. Besides, microalgae have been widely investigated as a source of chemicals, cosmetics and health products, as well as animal and human feed. Among the cutting-edge applications of mic...

Microalgal biomass harvesting by inducing spontaneous flocculation (bioflocculation) sets an attractive approach, since neither chemicals nor energy are needed. Indeed, bioflocculation may be promoted by recycling part of the harvested microalgal biomass to the photobioreactor in order to increase the predominance of rapidly settling microalgae spe...

The suitability of different magnetic resonance sensor types, based on magnet arrangement, for the detection of different solids loadings in wetland sludges were explored. Unilateral and borehole design sensors were investigated. A development of the Helmholtz-style borehole design was selected due to its simplicity of design, low cost and large fi...

Forced aeration of horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands (HSSF CWs) is nowadays a recognized method to improve treatment efficiency, mainly in terms of ammonium removal. While numerous investigations have been reported testing constant aeration, scarce information can be found about the efficiency of intermittent aeration. This study aims...

The aim of this study was to quantitatively assess the net increase in microalgal biomass concentration induced by photosynthetic microbial fuel cells (PMFC). The experiment was conducted on six lab-scale PMFC constituted by an anodic chamber simulating an anaerobic digester connected to a cathodic chamber consisting of a mixed algae consortia cult...

Anaerobic digestion is a promising application of algal biomass for producing bioenergy while allowing recovery of inorganic nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) for reuse. Anaerobic digestion of algae requires pretreatment of the biomass and/or codigestion with carbon-rich cosubstrates, as discussed in this chapter. In the absence of pretreatment,...

This chapter gives an overview of physical pretreatments applied for enhancing microalgae biofuel production. It is divided into five sections: (1) microalgal biomass, (2) applications, (3) potential biofuels, (4) pretreatments and (5) energy and environmental assessment. First, a general description on microalgae characteristics, structure and cla...

This chapter gives an overview of physical pretreatments applied for enhancing microalgae biofuel production. It is divided into five sections: (1) microalgal biomass, (2) applications, (3) potential biofuels, (4) pretreatments and (5) energy and environmental assessment. First, a general description on microalgae characteristics, structure and cla...

In the energy and chemical sectors, alternative production chains should be considered in order to simultaneously reduce the dependence on oil and mitigate climate change. Biomass is probably the only viable alternative to fossil resources for production of liquid transportation fuels and chemicals since, besides fossils, it is one of the only avai...

Sludge treatment reed beds (STRBs) performance has become a popular solution to dewater and stabilize surplus sludge from wastewater treatment systems because of the low investment, operational and maintenance costs of the systems. The environmental impact associated with this technology has, however, to be assessed in order to evaluate the appropr...

Constructed wetlands are nowadays successfully employed as an alternative technology for wastewater and sewage sludge treatment. In these systems organic matter and nutrients are transformed and removed by a variety of microbial reaction and gaseous compounds such as methane (CH(4)) and nitrous oxide (N(2)O) may be released to the atmosphere. The a...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the dewatering and mineralisation efficiency of three sludge treatment wetlands (STW) configurations differing on plant species (Phragmites australis and Typha sp.) and filter medium (gravel and wood shavings). Sludge dewatering and mineralisation were monitored in three pilots STW for 2 years. The sludge volum...

Sludge treatment wetlands (STW) consist of constructed wetlands systems specifically developed for sludge treatment over the last decades. Sludge dewatering and stabilisation are the main features of this technology, leading to a final product which may be recycled as an organic fertiliser or soil conditioner. In this study, biosolids from full-sca...

Sludge treatment wetlands (STW) are used as a dewatering technology in some European countries since the 80's. Although the efficiency of this technology in terms of sludge dewatering and mineralisation is well known, design and operation parameters are yet to be standardised. The aim of this study is to develop a mathematical model capable of pred...

Sludge treatment wetlands consist of constructed wetlands which have been upgraded for sludge treatment over the last decades. Sludge dewatering and stabilisation are the main features of this technology, leading to a final product which may be recycled as an organic fertiliser or soil conditioner. In this study, biosolids from full-scale treatment...

Sludge treatment wetlands (STW) emerge as a promising sustainable technology with low energy requirements and operational costs. In this study, technical, economic and environmental aspects of STW are investigated and compared with other alternatives for sludge management in small communities (<2000 population equivalent). The performance of full-s...

Sludge management has become a key issue in wastewater treatment, representing some 20-60% of the operational costs of conventional wastewater treatment plants. The high water content of the sludge results in large daily flow rates to be handled and treated. Thus, the search for methods to improve sludge volume reduction continues to be of major in...

This paper presents a simple method for evaluating the degree of clogging of subsurface flow constructed wetlands based on saturated hydraulic conductivity measurements. The method was applied to two full-scale wetlands located inside the wastewater treatment plants of two small villages (2000 PE) in the province of Lleida, Catalonia, Spain. In add...

Optimization of sludge management can help reducing sludge handling costs in wastewater treatment plants. Sludge drying reed beds appear as a new and alternative technology which has low energy requirements, reduced operating and maintenance costs, and causes little environmental impact. The objective of this work was to evaluate the efficiency of...

Sludge drying reed beds stand as a suitable technology for sludge management in certain situations. Thiswork examines two full-scale sludge drying reed beds systems located in aMediterranean region. Samples of influent sludge and sludge accumulated in the reed beds were analysed for total solids (TS), volatile solids (VS), chemical oxygen demand, n...

Palabras clave: Digestión anaerobia; Biodigestor; Biogás; Energía; Fertilizante. RESUMEN La digestión anaerobia, o biodigestión, es una tecnología ampliamente difundida a escala familiar en países como China, India o Nepal. En estos sistemas los residuos orgánicos son convertidos en productos aprovechables como el biogás y el biol. En los proyectos...