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A critical review on remediation of microplastics using microalgae from aqueous system
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This review explores using microalgae -- tiny photosynthetic organisms -- as a natural way to remove microplastics from water. Microalgae can capture and clump microplastic particles together, making them easier to filter out. Since microplastics in water systems are a growing concern for human health through drinking water and seafood, biological removal methods like this could offer a more sustainable cleanup approach.
Microplastics (MPs) are deemed to be a global concern due to their harmful negative effects on the aquatic environment and human beings. MPs have a significant impact on both fresh and marine water ecosystems. In many countries, there is concern about the deleterious consequences of MPs on human health due to the presence of MPs in aquatic life for higher intake of marine food (fish and shellfish). Exposure to MPs causes fish to suffer from growth retardation, neurotoxicity, and behavioural abnormalities and it affects human as well. It causes oxidative stress, neurotoxicity, cytotoxicity, and immune system disruption after being ingested to these contaminated fish in human body. Due to these reasons, it has become imperative to find ways to resolve this problem. This review paper represents a pioneering endeavor by consolidating comprehensive information on microplastic-polluted Indian riverine ecosystems and effective MPs removal methods into a single, cohesive document. It meticulously evaluates the principles, removal efficiency, benefits, and drawbacks of various techniques, aiming to identify the most optimal solution. Furthermore, this paper provides a comprehensive exploration of the interesting interactions between MPs and microalgae, delving into the intricate processes of hetero-aggregation. Additionally, it shines a spotlight on the latest advancements in understanding the efficacy of microalgae in removing MPs, showcasing recent breakthroughs in this field of research. Moreover, the work goes beyond conventional assessments by elucidating the characteristics of MPs and exploring diverse influencing parameters that impact MPs removal by microalgae and also addresses the potential future aspects. This thorough investigation uncovers important factors that could significantly contribute to the development of more efficient and sustainable remediation 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.
Evaluating the adaptive mechanisms and remediation strategies of microalgae against nanoplastics
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This review summarizes existing research on how microalgae, tiny water plants at the base of the food chain, interact with nanoplastics. Microalgae can trap or partially break down these particles, which matters because whatever they absorb can travel up the food chain to fish and eventually to us. The findings suggest microalgae could help clean up nanoplastic pollution, though more research is needed before this works outside the lab.
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.
Exploring the potential of microalgae in removal of microplastics from the environment and scope of this entity as feedstock for biofuel production
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This review explores the potential of microalgae to capture and remove microplastics from aquatic environments, examining the mechanisms by which algal cells adsorb or aggregate plastic particles and discussing the feasibility of algae-based remediation at scale.
Microplastics in the Anthropocene: Transitioning from conventional filtration to engineered microalgal remediation
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Microplastics are tiny plastic bits that everyday water treatment plants struggle to filter out, meaning they can end up back in our water supply and, eventually, our bodies. This review paper rounds up recent research showing that scientists have engineered special algae to grab onto microplastics and clump them together, removing over 90% of the particles from water in just one hour—far faster than natural methods. Even better, the captured plastic-algae clumps can potentially be recycled into new materials, offering a promising way to clean water while also reducing waste, though this technology is still being developed and tested at larger scales.
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