An innovative microalgal–bacterial symbiotic system (MABS-MS) adopting mesh screen separation to alleviate weakness of microalgae photobioreactor was evaluated. Chlorella sp. and Scenedesmus sp. were cultivated in a photobioreactor to identify optimum conditions for nutrient (nitrogen [N] and phosphorus [P]) removal from municipal wastewater. Under continuous cultivating and optimum conditions in the MABS-MS system, total N (TN) and total P (TP) removal efficiencies of 88.3% and 88.8% were obtained, respectively. The innovative mesh screen separation at settling tank contributed the increased settling velocity of 3.0 m/h due to increased recirculation ratio of microalgal–bacterial-conjugated aggregates enabled by the aid of mesh screen. The MABS-MS system showed the feasibility of an innovative technology using mesh screen for enhanced microalgal–bacterial symbiotic process and suggested overall solutions to constraints of microalgal separation and harvesting for wastewater treatment.
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