Prof. HO Kin-chung 何建宗 (OUHK)

Abstract
In Hong Kong, about 2.71 million m3 of sewage is collected and treated every day. Wastewater receives chemical and biological treatment before discharged. Proper and effective wastewater treatment is important to ensure that the treated effluent is environmentally safe for disposal.

Microalgae, the red-tides causative agent, with a much higher unit area oil yield than terrestrial oilseed crops, have been regarded as the most appropriate source for biofuel production. Biofuels from microalgae have a great potential to meet future challenges of sustainable energy. Photobioreactors and raceway ponds are practical methods of large scale production of algae. Red-tides occur as a result of eutrophication of water body contaminated with nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), which are the primary nutrients for algal growth. Various studies have being conducted worldwide to make algal biofuels more cost-competitive, to reduce production costs by using wastewater as nutrient source for algal growth is one of the directions. The basic principle of this "win-win" technology is to utilize abundant organic carbon, inorganic N and P in wastewater for algal growth and at the same time to purify the wastewater and improve the water quality. Therefore, it would be probably feasible to integrate biofuel production into wastewater treatment system. Our research team has also conducted a series of laboratory studies of algal treatment for wastewater. The results are promising, over 90% of N and P pollutants in different wastewater media were removed with microalgae. This presentation highlights the potential and challenges of using contemporary algal technology for both wastewater treatment and biofuel production.

About the Speaker
Prof. K. C. Ho is the Dean of School of Science & Technology and Professor in Environmental Studies of The Open University of Hong Kong. He has a wide spectrum of academic interests, including harmful algal blooms (red tide and blue green algae), water quality and environmental management. Prof. Ho has published ~30 books and more than 200 academic papers in journals and proceedings. With regard to polar research, Prof. Ho visited the Antarctica three times and the Higher Arctic seven times. To honour his outstanding contributions to environmental protection and environmental research, Prof. Ho was awarded the Bronze Bauhinia Star (BBS) badge by the Chief Executive of HKSAR in 2004. Moreover, he was conferred the "National Character Environmental Achievement Award" in 2009 and honoured "People of the Year - Scientific Chinese 2010" in 2011.