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.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Extracellular polymeric substances from Spirulina sp. for the bioremediation of fishing net–derived microplastics in seawater
Researchers tested whether extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) secreted by the microalga Spirulina could remove polyethylene microplastics derived from fishing nets from seawater. The biological substances from Spirulina showed measurable ability to bind and aggregate the plastic particles, suggesting a natural bioremediation approach for marine microplastic pollution. This is relevant because discarded fishing nets are a major and persistent source of microplastics in the ocean.
Microplastics removal from water body by extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) extracted from microalge through surfactants pre-treatment
Researchers explored using extracellular polymeric substances extracted from microalgae — combined with surfactant pretreatment — to remove microplastics from water. The biological approach showed promise as a low-cost and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional filtration methods.
Extracellular polymeric substances in green alga facilitate microplastic deposition
Extracellular polymeric substances secreted by the green alga Spirogyra facilitated microplastic aggregation and deposition in lab experiments, with EPS forming physical bridges between plastic particles and sediment, suggesting that algal biofilm formation can accelerate the settling and burial of buoyant microplastics in aquatic environments.
The utilization of exopolysaccharide (EPS) from microalgae Chlorella vulgaris in microplastic removal
Researchers investigated whether exopolysaccharide (EPS) produced by Chlorella vulgaris microalgae can facilitate the removal of polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastics from aquatic systems, while also examining microplastic effects on algal growth. The study demonstrates that EPS functions as a bioflocculant capable of binding microplastics, with implications for biologically-based water treatment.
Using Spirulina platensis as a natural biocoagulant for polystyrene removal from aqueous medium: performance, optimization, and modeling
Researchers tested Spirulina platensis, a type of blue-green algae, as a natural coagulant for removing polystyrene microplastics from water. By optimizing conditions like pH, contact time, and dosage, they achieved significant removal of the plastic particles from aqueous solutions. The study suggests that natural biocoagulants could offer an eco-friendly approach to addressing microplastic contamination in water.