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Sustainable Algal Nanomaterials for Microplastics and Lanthanide Remediation
Summary
Scientists are exploring how algae can be used to create tiny, eco-friendly particles (called nanoparticles) that soak up pollutants like microplastics and certain metals from water and soil. This review paper summarizes existing research on how these algae-based particles are made and how well they clean up environmental contaminants, offering a greener alternative to chemical-based cleanup methods. Since microplastics and heavy metals can end up in our food and water, finding sustainable ways to remove them could help reduce our long-term exposure to these harmful substances.
Nanotechnology with unique properties and versatile applications highlights the considerable potential in detecting, removing, and degrading pollutants such as lanthanides, organic compounds, and microplastics. Particles with sizes from 1 to 100 nm are called nanoparticles. In this context, bionanomaterials have emerged as a potential technique for the green remediation of microplastics (MPs) due to their property of biocompatibility, biodegradability, and low ecological footprint. Bionanomaterials have their origin from biological sources or are engineered to resemble biological systems at various nanoscale. Different biological sources, like plants, algae, and other microorganisms, generate these particles. Green synthesis has emerged as a promising tool for the development of a variety of nanoparticles. The ability of algae to adsorb metals and metal oxides on their surface makes them a potential tool for the biosynthesis of nanoparticles. Algae-based nanoparticles act as pollutant-reducing devices that help to efficiently target pollutants for nanobioremediation. This enhances the cleaning of the environment from potentially toxic substances like microplastics and heavy metals, including lanthanides. This chapter gives insights into methods of synthesising algae-based nanomaterials and their utilisation in remediating microplastics and heavy metals, including lanthanides.