Algae-based bioremediation of soil, water, and air: a solution to polluted environment

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of environmental pollutants including both organic and inorganic contaminants in ecosystems is largely due to inappropriate waste disposal. Persistent pollutants, such as heavy metals, plactic debris and industrial chemicals are frequently found in effluents, present a significant concern for Living organisms. Among various waste removal practices, bioremediation is one of the economical and environmentally friendly approaches. The bioremediation process biologically mediates Changes in these pollutants, with microbial communities and microalgae playing a key role in eliminating various types of pollutants in wastewater. Due to its non-degradable nature, plastic contributes to the greenhouse gas emission and significantly impacts climate Change. However, the natural formation of biofilms can degrade the structure of plastic sheets and aid in decomposing bits of plastic in aquatic environments. Furthermore, forming reactive oxygen species in response to antioxidants plays a crucial role in providing tolerance against heavy metal stress in eukaryotic algae. This study investigates the bioremediation potential of microalgae with a focus on its effectiveness in addressing heavy metal pollution, contributing valuable insights to our understanding of the environmental repercussions of these pollutants. The synthesis of algal nanoparticles presents a green and sustainable approach with high adsorptive efficiency. Some microalgae have unique capabilities to consume inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus, which enables them to degrade the pollutants effectively. Algae are responsible for 50% of carbon dioxide fixation through photosynthesis, producing oxygen in the process. This review highlights the cost-effective potential of algae and algal nanoparticles in the bioremediation of soil, water, and air.