The combustion of microalgae and municipal solid waste (MSW) under N-2/O-2 and CO2/O-2 atmospheres was analyzed using a thermogravimetric instrument. The onset temperature of volatile release (T-v), maximum rate of weight loss (R-max) and the temperature at the maximal peak (T-max) were measured. As the blending ratio of microalgae was increased from 10% to 70% under N-2/O-2 atmosphere, T-v decreased from 269.4 to 247.4 degrees C, T-max decreased from 310.8 to 288.0 degrees C, R-max decreased from 11.94% to 7.88% and residual weight decreased from 30% to 20%. Thus, blending with microalgae can improve MSW combustion. The type of atmosphere did not affect T-v and T-max, but replacement of N-2 by CO2, resulted in the later appearance of the small humps (>600 degrees C) in the mass loss and rate of weight loss curves, burnout was less complete, and R-max was lower, thus some improvement measures, such as an increase in oxygen concentration, are required under CO2/O-2 atmosphere to achieve the same combustion performances in air. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.