Emerging role of microalgae in heavy metal bioremediation

Abstract

Microalgae have been publicized for their diversified dominance responsiveness and bioaccumulation potential toward pollutants in an ecosystem. Also, algal's incredible capability as biocatalysts in environmental appliances has been well elucidated owing to their robustness and simple nutritional demand. Additionally, microalgae can deliver various collections of bio-based chemical compounds helpful for diversified applications, especially as green alternatives. The environment has been contaminated with various polluting agents; one principal polluting agent is heavy metals which are carcinogenic and show toxicity even in minimal quantity, cause unsatisfactory threats to the environmental ecosystem, including human and animal health. There is a prominent tendency to apply microalgae in the phytoremediation of heavy metals compounds because of its vast benefits, including great accessibility, cost-effective, excellent toxic metal eliminating efficiency, and nontoxic to the ecosystem. This review uncovers the most recent advancements and mechanisms associated with the bioremediation process and biosorption interaction of substantial harmful synthetic compounds processing microalgae species. Furthermore, future challenges and prospects in the utilization of microalgae in heavy metals bioremediation are also explored. The current review aims to give valuable information to aid the advancement of robust and proficient future microalgae-based heavy metal bioremediation innovations and summarizing a wide range of benefits socioeconomic scope to be employed in heavy metal compound removal in environment system.

Identification and Characterization of ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

“…Microalgae have gained attention as suitable candidates for bioremediation, especially for the bio-concentration of heavy metals. As key members of the detoxification mechanism of heavy metal tolerance, ABCs play roles in the uptake, detoxification, and sequestration of heavy metals [ 77 ]. In this study, we found no differently expressed CrABCs under low-Pb stress (3 μM Pb treatment).…”

Modeling and optimization of phycoremediation of heavy metals from simulated ash pond water through robust hybrid artificial intelligence approach

“…On the other hand, at pH 7 when IC of metals vary from 2 mg/L to 10 mg/L, simultaneous elimination of Pb (II), Ni (II), Mn (II), Cd (II) and Cr (VI) changes from 85.29 ± 0.62% to 67.51 ± 0.774%, 85.17 ± 0.64% to 85.44 ± 0.069%, 77.83 ± 0.016% to 77.65 ± 0.429%, 93.2 ± 0.326% to 93.42 ± 0.064% and 75.29 ± 1.367% to 81.37 ± 0.104%, respectively, after same period of incubation. Metals can be accumulated in microalgae up to 10% of their biomass 30 . It is clear that the bioagent (consortium consisting of a cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp.…”

“…Metals can be accumulated in microalgae up to 10% of their biomass. 30 It is clear that the bioagent (consortium consisting of a cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. and green algae Chlorella sp.)…”

Microalgae as a potential natural source for the green synthesis of nanoparticles

“…They adopt approaches, such as extracellular biosorption, bioaccumulation, intracellular compartmentalization, biomethylation, enzymatic reduction, and volatilization to remove harmful metals. 72,73 So, the bottom line is that microalgae could be a key to synthesizing NPs, because they are accessible and easy to produce, their production does not depend on as many factors as plants, and they are less costly, with significantly higher growth and reproduction rates compared to vascular plants, and also microalgae are highly adaptable and can grow in widely varying environmental conditions, including wastewater. 74,75 This broadens the possibilities for cultivation and facilitates the acquisition of biomass, accelerating the process of NPs biosynthesis.…”