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Microalgae-Based Bioremediation of Microplastic-Contaminated Industrial Wastewater: Mechanisms and Challenges
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Tiny plastic particles that pollute factory wastewater can eventually make their way into our water supply, rivers, and food chain. This review paper pulls together existing research showing that certain algae can trap, absorb, or even partially break down these microplastics, offering a cheaper, greener cleanup method than current chemical treatments, plus the leftover algae could be reused as fuel or fertilizer instead of going to waste.
Microalgae-based bioremediation presents a promising eco-friendly approach for removing microplastics (MPs) from industrial effluents. This review summarizes the current understanding on this subject. The article begins by describing the characteristics and origins of MPs in industrial discharges. It then reviews documented mechanisms of microalgae–MP interactions, including adsorption/biosorption, bioflocculation, accumulation, and partial degradation. Important environmental and operational factors that influence treatment efficiency—such as MP size and charge, algal species, and culture conditions—are analysed. Additionally, the article discusses analytical methods necessary for MP characterization and monitoring performance. Microalgae-based methods are contrasted with traditional physical and chemical processes, highlighting the potential value of the processed biomass (such as bioenergy and biofertilizers) to showcase a circular bioeconomy approach. The review concludes by pinpointing key research gaps and offering recommendations for standardizing experimental procedures and encouraging the adoption of microalgal systems within sustainable wastewater treatment strategies.
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Microalgal Bioremediation of Microplastics: Current Advances, Challenges and Environmental Applications
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Tiny plastic particles called microplastics are everywhere in our water and food, and they're small enough to slip into our cells and tissues, raising health concerns. This review paper looks at how microscopic algae might help clean up the problem—by trapping plastic particles, sticking to them and sinking them out of the water, or even breaking them down using natural enzymes. While this is still an emerging area of research rather than a ready-to-use solution, it points to a promising, eco-friendly way to reduce the amount of plastic pollution that ends up in our water, food, and ultimately our bodies.
Removal of Microplastics from Industrial Wastewater Using Microalgae
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This review examines the use of microalgae as a sustainable biological approach for removing microplastics from wastewater, covering mechanisms of MP attachment to algal surfaces, factors affecting removal efficiency, and prospects for integrating algae cultivation with wastewater treatment.
Are algae a promising ecofriendly approach to micro/nanoplastic remediation?
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This review examines the potential of algae as an eco-friendly approach to removing micro- and nanoplastics from wastewater treatment plant effluents, covering mechanisms including interception, entanglement, and heteroaggregation. Algae also offer the added benefit of nutrient recovery from wastewater and can be further processed into biochar or biofertilizer.
Exploring the Potential of Algae in the Mitigation of Plastic Pollution in Aquatic Environments
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This review examined how algae can help mitigate plastic pollution in aquatic environments, finding that certain algal species can adsorb, degrade, or entrap microplastics, suggesting potential bioremediation applications though large-scale effectiveness remains to be demonstrated.
Microalgae wastewater treatment: Biological and technological approaches
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This review examines how microalgae-based systems can be used to treat industrial wastewater, including water contaminated with microplastics and heavy metals. Researchers highlight the potential of both conventional and extremophilic microalgae species that thrive in harsh conditions like high temperatures or acidic environments. The study discusses practical applications where algae-based treatment has already been implemented, offering a biological approach to addressing water pollution challenges.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.