We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastic removal in aquatic systems using extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) of microalgae
Summary
Researchers tested whether extracellular polymeric substances produced by microalgae could remove microplastics from water. Among four microalgae strains tested under stress conditions, Spirulina produced the most polymeric substances and formed the largest aggregates with microplastic particles. The study suggests that microalgae-based bioremediation could offer a sustainable, low-cost approach to reducing microplastic contamination in water sources.
Microplastic contamination in clean water sources and household wastewater is a significant environmental issue that requires sustainable remediation solutions. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) produced by different microalgae strains in removing microplastics from aquatic environments. Four microalgae strains, namely Spirulina sp. Tetraselmis chuii, Chlorella vulgaris, and Dunaliella salina, were cultivated under stress conditions, including the application of polypropylene microplastics, increased light intensity, and enhanced nutrient levels, to stimulate EPS production. The EPS produced was then interacted with microplastics to form hetero-aggregates. Spirulina sp. produced the highest amount of EPS (4.59 g), followed by Tetraselmis chuii (3.27 g), Chlorella vulgaris (3.03 g), and Dunaliella salina (2.86 g). The carbohydrate content in dry EPS was also highest in Spirulina sp. (0.21%), with Tetraselmis chuii (0.19%), Chlorella vulgaris (0.16%), and Dunaliella salina (0.11%) following. The microplastic flocculation efficiency mirrored these results, with Spirulina sp. flocculating 1.397 g of microplastics, outperforming the other strains. These findings suggest that Spirulina sp. and Tetraselmis chuii are particularly effective in producing EPS that can be utilized to remove microplastics from aquatic environments, offering a promising eco-friendly solution.