An overview of biosorption, remediation, and desalination potential of algae to remove wastewater toxic pollutants for environmental safety.

Algae-based desalination, biosorption, and bioaccumulation of polluted water offer a low-cost, passive-energy alternative with ecological benefits. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of microalgae-based biodesalination for salt removal and environmental remediation. Results suggested that algae operate faster in salt removal for biosorption and remediation and depend on salt tolerance, adaptability with system configurations, water characteristics, harvesting methods, and reuse potential. Biosorption kinetics, zeta potential regulation, and abiotic factors (pH, light, and salinity) are important for optimum algal-dependent wastewater remediation. Strains like Dunaliella salina and Picochlorum exhibited optimum salt remediation potential and lipid accumulation and may emerge as sources of biofuel even under high saline conditions. Algal strains could be used as biosensor platforms with emerging hybrid technologies (nanoparticle-enhanced systems and microbial fuel cells) for efficient environmental monitoring. Integration of algal residue with conventional technologies like reverse osmosis could enhance cost-effectiveness and scalability in the desalination process. Overall, algae-based desalination represents a promising, environmentally sound solution to address reduced wastewater remediation, particularly in remote or resource-limited regions.