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Potential for Using Algae to Reduce Microplastics in the Environment
Summary
This review examined the potential of algae to reduce microplastic pollution both by adsorbing and intercepting plastic particles in water and by serving as a feedstock for biosynthesizing biodegradable bioplastics as alternatives to petroleum-based materials.
As the global demand for plastics and their products continues to rise, the problem of plastic pollution is becoming more serious. Among them, microplastics as a new type of pollutants are not only harmful to the environment, but also have potential risks to human health. Focusing on algae, this paper systematically describes the potential of algae to reduce microplastics, both in terms of degrading microplastics and synthesizing bioplastics, distinguishing them from traditional methods. On the one hand, algae can immobilize microplastics in water through adsorption and interception and formation of heterogeneous aggregates, and accelerate the degradation of microplastics through the enzymes they produce. Another aspect, algae contain proteins and carbohydrate-based polymers that can be used to synthesize bioplastics, as well as elements that can act as binders in the production of bioplastics. This paper also explores existing problems and future directions to provide insights into algal degradation of microplastics.