Advances and Engineering Strategies in Microalgae-Based Heavy Metal Bioremediation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48048/tis.2026.12412Keywords:
Microalgae, Phycoremediation, Pollution, Genetic engineering, Water treatmentAbstract
Heavy metal (HM) contamination represents a persistent global challenge due to its toxicity, persistence, and bioaccumulative nature, often exacerbated by anthropogenic activities such as industrial effluent discharge, mining, and fossil fuel combustion. Conventional remediation methods—including chemical precipitation, ion exchange, and electrochemical treatments—are limited by high operational costs, inefficacy at low metal concentrations, and secondary waste generation. In contrast, microalgae-based bioremediation offers a biologically sustainable and economically viable alternative. Microalgae possess cell wall polysaccharides and metal-binding functional groups that facilitate biosorption, while their metabolic adaptability allows them to thrive in variable wastewater conditions. Moreover, recent advances in genetic and metabolic engineering have enhanced metal uptake specificity, resistance to toxicity, and biotransformation capacity. Immobilization techniques and cultivation system innovations (e.g., photobioreactors) have further improved their operational stability and scalability. Importantly, post-remediation valorization of algal biomass into biofuels or bioproducts supports circular bioeconomy principles. This review critically synthesizes recent developments in microalgae-mediated HM remediation, highlighting mechanistic insights, bioengineering innovations, and implementation challenges. By outlining current gaps and proposing integrative strategies, this review provides a roadmap for translating laboratory-scale findings into effective environmental technologies.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Provides a critical synthesis of recent advances in microalgae-based heavy metal remediation as a sustainable alternative to conventional treatments.
- Integrates extracellular biosorption, intracellular sequestration, and enzymatic biotransformation into a unified detoxification framework.
- Highlights genetic and metabolic innovations that enhance metal uptake, tolerance, and redox balance in complex wastewater systems.
- Emphasizes immobilization strategies and reactor engineering to improve stability, scalability, and regeneration efficiency.
GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
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References
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