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Microalgae for bioremediation: advances, challenges, and public perception on genetic engineering

BMC Plant Biology 2024 36 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 55 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.
Victoria Calatrava, D Ballester, Alexandra Dubini

Summary

This review examined the potential of microalgae to clean up contaminated wastewater as a sustainable alternative to traditional treatment methods. Researchers found that microalgae can effectively remove nutrients and contaminants including microplastics, and that genetic engineering could further enhance their remediation capabilities. The study also discusses public perception and safety considerations around using genetically modified microalgae at industrial scale.

Study Type Environmental

The increase in the global population and industrial activities has led to an extensive use of water, the release of wastewater, and overall contamination of the environment. To address these issues, efficient treatment methods have been developed to decrease wastewater nutrient content and contaminants. Microalgae are a promising tool as a sustainable alternative to traditional wastewater treatment. Furthermore, the biomass obtained from the wastewater treatment can be used in different applications, having a positive economic impact. This review describes the potential of microalgae as a biological wastewater remediation tool, including the use of genetically engineered strains. Their current industrial utilization and their untapped commercial potential in terms of bioremediation are also examined. Finally, this work discusses how microalgal biotechnology is perceived by the public and governments, analyses the potential risks of microalgae to the environment, and examines standard procedures that can be implemented for the safe biocontainment of large-scale microalgae cultures.

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