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- Shining a light on outdoor algal systems for wastewater treatment: How artificial light enhancement impacts biomass costs and life cyclePublication . Magalhães, Iara; Jesus Junior, Maurino Magno; França, Bruna Thomazinho; Silva, Thiago; Saleme Aona de Paula Pereira, Alexia; Souza, Lucas Cescon de Almeida; Rodrigues, Fábio de Ávila; Reis, Alberto; Peixoto Assemany, Paula; Calijuri, Maria LuciaABSTRACT: Microalgae-based wastewater treatment is increasingly viewed as a cleaner production strategy, combining nutrient removal and biomass generation for high-value applications. However, productivity constraints remain a critical barrier to broader implementation. This study examines the viability of integrating light-emitting diodes (LEDs) into outdoor bubble column reactors for domestic wastewater treatment and biomass production, focusing on environmental impacts and techno-economic performance. Three lighting regimes—natural light only (control), 12-h LED cycles, and 24-h LED cycles—were experimentally evaluated and scaled up using Aspen Plus® simulation. Life cycle assessments (LCA) were conducted to quantify environmental impacts (ReCiPe, 2016 method), and a detailed techno-economic analysis determined minimum biomass selling prices. Compared to the control, LED-assisted systems increased biomass yields by 24–34 %, yet capital and operational costs offset productivity gains. Under grid electricity, minimum selling prices considering capital and operational costs ranged from 80.76 to 91.37 USD/kg for LED systems versus 68.85 USD/kg for the control. Photovoltaic (PV) integration reduced operational costs by up to 16.89 %, but LED scenarios remained more expensive. LCA findings highlighted substantially higher environmental impacts (78–149 times) for LED systems, partly alleviated by PV-powered operations. Sensitivity analysis identified nutrient availability, process scale, and reactor costs as pivotal factors influencing the feasibility of LED-enhanced wastewater treatment. Overall, while LED technology offers notable productivity benefits, its economic and environmental trade-offs underscore the need for integrated approaches—ranging from material innovations to policy incentives—to achieve truly sustainable wastewater-based microalgal production.