Degradation and remediation of environmental pollutants by algae

Authors

  • Yike Jing
  • Qiyu Shen
  • Meng Zhang
  • Zhuoxi Han
  • Wenzheng Zhao

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62051/bshtwv53

Keywords:

Algae; heavy metals; pesticides; organic dyes; bioremediation.

Abstract

The usage of a large number of industrial resources and the discharge of harmful pollutants have caused serious damage to the environment and ultimately affect the ecosystem and human health. Bioremediation is a green, sustainable and low-cost technology for the treatment of environmental pollutants, which includes the process of environmental remediation using plants, animals, microorganisms and so on. Among them, algae have the characteristics of rapid growth, wide distribution, strong stress resistance, large enrichment, and can convert pollutants into chemical products, so they play an important role in bioremediation. In this review, we introduce the types of pollutants existing in the environment, analyze the mechanism of algae for environmental remediation, and then describe the research progress of algae in the process of degradation and remediation of different pollutants. Finally, the shortages and limitations of bioremediation using algae are discussed, and its future development is prospected.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Lee CS, Li X, Shi W, Cheung SC, Thornton I (2006) Metal contamination in urban, suburban, and country park soils of Hong Kong: A study based on GIS and multivariate statistics. Science of The Total Environment 356: 45-61.

Govarthanan M, Lee K, Cho M, Kim JS, Kamala-Kannan S, et al. (2013) Significance of autochthonous Bacillus sp. KK1 on biomineralization of lead in mine tailings. Chemosphere 90: 2267-2272.

McLean R (2009) Characteristics of Crassostrea ariakensis (Fujita 1913) and Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin 1791) in the Discharge Area of a Nuclear Power Plant in Central Chesapeake Bay. Journal of Shellfish Research 27: 517-523.

Touliabah HE, El-Sheekh MM, Ismail MM, El-Kassas H (2022) A Review of Microalgae- and Cyanobacteria-Based Biodegradation of Organic Pollutants. Molecules 27.

Pathak VM, Verma VK, Rawat BS, Kaur B, Babu N, et al. (2022) Current status of pesticide effects on environment, human health and it's eco-friendly management as bioremediation: A comprehensive review. Front Microbiol 13: 962619.

Batayneh AT (2012) Toxic (aluminum, beryllium, boron, chromium and zinc) in groundwater: health risk assessment. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology 9: 153-162.

Briffa J, Sinagra E, Blundell R (2020) Heavy metal pollution in the environment and their toxicological effects on humans. Heliyon 6: e4691.

Vijay A, Khandelwal A, Chhabra M, Vincent T (2020) Microbial fuel cell for simultaneous removal of uranium (VI) and nitrate. Chemical Engineering Journal 388: 124157.

Cardenas E, Wu W, Leigh MB, Carley J, Carroll S, et al. (2008) Microbial communities in contaminated sediments, associated with bioremediation of uranium to submicromolar levels. Applied and environmental microbiology 74: 3718-3729.

Dua M, Singh A, Sethunathan N, Johri AK (2002) Biotechnology and bioremediation: successes and limitations. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 59: 143-152.

de Lorenzo V (2008) Systems biology approaches to bioremediation. Curr Opin Biotechnol 19: 579-589.

Conesa HM, Evangelou MW, Robinson BH, Schulin R (2012) A critical view of current state of phytotechnologies to remediate soils: still a promising tool? ScientificWorldJournal 2012: 173829.

Das S, Das S, Ghangrekar MM (2022) Efficacious bioremediation of heavy metals and radionuclides from wastewater employing aquatic macro- and microphytes. Journal of basic microbiology 62: 260-278.

Ansari AA, Naeem M, Gill SS, AlZuaibr FM (2020) Phytoremediation of contaminated waters: An eco-friendly technology based on aquatic macrophytes application. The Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Research 46: 371-376.

Lee SY, Jung KH, Lee JE, Lee KA, Lee SH, et al. (2014) Photosynthetic biomineralization of radioactive Sr via microalgal CO2 absorption. Bioresour Technol 172: 449-452.

Thorpe CL, Boothman C, Lloyd JR, Law GTW, Bryan ND, et al. (2014) The interactions of strontium and technetium with Fe (II) bearing biominerals: Implications for bioremediation of radioactively contaminated land. Applied Geochemistry 40: 135-143.

Spolaore P, Joannis-Cassan C, Duran E, Isambert A (2006) Commercial applications of microalgae. J Biosci Bioeng 101: 87-96.

Rizwan M, Mujtaba G, Memon SA, Lee K, Rashid N (2018) Exploring the potential of microalgae for new biotechnology applications and beyond: A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 92: 394-404.

Zhang H, Song G, Shao J, Xiang X, Li Q, et al. (2016) Dynamics and polyphasic characterization of odor-producing cyanobacterium Tychonema bourrellyi from Lake Erhai, China. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 23: 5420-5430.

Barros AI, Gonçalves AL, Simões M, Pires JCM (2015) Harvesting techniques applied to microalgae: A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 41: 1489-1500.

Flombaum P, Gallegos JL, Gordillo RA, Rincón J, Zabala LL, et al. (2013) Present and future global distributions of the marine Cyanobacteria Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 110: 9824-9829.

Pedersen D, Miller SR (2017) Photosynthetic temperature adaptation during niche diversification of the thermophilic cyanobacterium Synechococcus A/B clade. The ISME Journal 11: 1053-1057.

Puente-Sánchez F, Arce-Rodríguez A, Oggerin M, García-Villadangos M, Moreno-Paz M, et al. (2018) Viable cyanobacteria in the deep continental subsurface. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 115: 10702-10707.

Jiang J, Zhang N, Yang X, Song L, Yang S (2016) Toxic metal biosorption by macrocolonies of cyanobacterium Nostoc sphaeroides Kützing. Journal of Applied Phycology 28: 2265-2277.

Shen L, Li Z, Wang J, Liu A, Li Z, et al. (2018) Characterization of extracellular polysaccharide/protein contents during the adsorption of Cd (II) by Synechocystis sp. PCC6803. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 25: 20713-20722.

Santos-Merino M, Singh AK, Ducat DC (2019) New Applications of Synthetic Biology Tools for Cyanobacterial Metabolic Engineering. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 7: 33.

Sun T, Li S, Song X, Diao J, Chen L, et al. (2018) Toolboxes for cyanobacteria: Recent advances and future direction. Biotechnol Adv 36: 1293-1307.

Sutherland DL, Ralph PJ (2019) Microalgal bioremediation of emerging contaminants - Opportunities and challenges. Water Res 164: 114921.

Mustafa S, Bhatti HN, Maqbool M, Iqbal M (2021) Microalgae biosorption, bioaccumulation and biodegradation efficiency for the remediation of wastewater and carbon dioxide mitigation: Prospects, challenges and opportunities. Journal of Water Process Engineering 41: 102009.

Bilal M, Rasheed T, Sosa-Hernández JE, Raza A, Nabeel F, et al. (2018) Biosorption: An Interplay between Marine Algae and Potentially Toxic Elements-A Review. Mar Drugs 16.

Choi H, Lee S (2015) Heavy metal removal from acid mine drainage by calcined eggshell and microalgae hybrid system. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 22: 13404-13411.

Ali M, Abd EA, Badawy MI, Ali RK (2018) Removal of pharmaceutical pollutants from synthetic wastewater using chemically modified biomass of green alga Scenedesmus obliquus. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 151: 144-152.

Nie J, Sun Y, Zhou Y, Kumar M, Usman M, et al. (2020) Bioremediation of water containing pesticides by microalgae: Mechanisms, methods, and prospects for future research. Sci Total Environ 707: 136080.

Wang Y, Wen Y, Li JJ, He J, Qin WC, et al. (2014) Investigation on the relationship between bioconcentration factor and distribution coefficient based on class-based compounds: The factors that affect bioconcentration. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology 38: 388-396.

Xiong J, Kurade MB, Jeon B (2018) Can Microalgae Remove Pharmaceutical Contaminants from Water? Trends in Biotechnology 36: 30-44.

Rempel A, Gutkoski JP, Nazari MT, Biolchi GN, Cavanhi VAF, et al. (2021) Current advances in microalgae-based bioremediation and other technologies for emerging contaminants treatment. Science of The Total Environment 772: 144918.

Katagi T (2010) Bioconcentration, bioaccumulation, and metabolism of pesticides in aquatic organisms. Rev Environ Contam Toxicol 204: 1-132.

Liu R, Li S, Tu Y, Hao X (2021) Capabilities and mechanisms of microalgae on removing micropollutants from wastewater: A review. J Environ Manage 285: 112149.

Yang X, Zheng X, Wu L, Cao X, Li Y, et al. (2018) Interactions between algal (AOM) and natural organic matter (NOM): Impacts on their photodegradation in surface waters. Environmental Pollution 242: 1185-1197.

Berkani M, Smaali A, Kadmi Y, Almomani F, Vasseghian Y, et al. (2022) Photocatalytic degradation of Penicillin G in aqueous solutions: Kinetic, degradation pathway, and microbioassays assessment. Journal of Hazardous Materials 421: 126719.

Geddie AW, Hall SG (2019) An introduction to copper and zinc pollution in macroalgae: for use in remediation and nutritional applications. Journal of Applied Phycology 31: 691-708.

Paiva L, Lima E, Neto AI, Marcone M, Baptista J (2016) Health-promoting ingredients from four selected Azorean macroalgae. Food Research International 89: 432-438.

Guiry MD (2012) HOW MANY SPECIES OF ALGAE ARE THERE? J Phycol 48: 1057-1063.

Hamouda RA, El-Naggar NE, Doleib NM, Saddiq AA (2020) Bioprocessing strategies for cost-effective simultaneous removal of chromium and malachite green by marine alga Enteromorpha intestinalis. Scientific Reports 10: 13479.

Hannachi Y, Ben Dekhil A, Taoufik B (2013) Biosorption potential of the red alga, Gracilaria verrucosa for the removal of Zn 2+ ions from aqueous media: Equilibrium, kinetic and thermodynamic studies. international journal of current engineering and technology 3: 1156-1163.

Rincón J, González F, Ballester A, Blázquez ML, Muñoz JA (2005) Biosorption of heavy metals by chemically-activated alga Fucus vesiculosus. Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology 80: 1403-1407.

Ahmady-Asbchin S, Mohammadi M (2011) Biosorption of Copper Ions by Marine Brown Alga Fucus vesiculosus. J. BIOL. ENVIRON. SCI. 5: 121-127.

Mao YZ, Yang HS, Wang RC (2005) Bioremediation of macroalgae in integrated mariculture systems. Aquatic Sciences of China: 225-231.

Pinto G, Pollio A, Previtera L, Temussi F (2002) Biodegradation of phenols by microalgae. Biotechnology Letters 24: 2047-2051.

Shashirekha S, Uma L, Subramanian G (1997) Phenol degradation by the marine cyanobacterium Phormidium valderianum BDU 30501. Journal of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology 19: 130-133.

Hirooka T, Nagase H, Hirata K, Miyamoto K (2006) Degradation of 2,4-dinitrophenol by a mixed culture of photoautotrophic microorganisms. Biochemical Engineering Journal 29: 157-162.

Narro ML, Cerniglia CE, Van Baalen C, Gibson DT (1992) Metabolism of phenanthrene by the marine cyanobacterium Agmenellum quadruplicatum PR-6. Appl Environ Microbiol 58: 1351-1359.

cyanobacteria from microbial mats on oily coasts of the Gulf. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 41: 615-619.

Cerniglia CE, Van Baalen C, Gibson DT (1980) Oxidation of biphenyl by the Cyanobacterium, Oscillatoria sp., strain JCM. Archives of Microbiology 125: 203-207.

Raghukumar C, Vipparty V, David JJ, Chandramohan D (2001) Degradation of crude oil by marine cyanobacteria. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 57: 433-436.

El-Bestawy EA, El-Salam AZA, Mansy AEH (2007) Potential use of environmental cyanobacterial species in bioremediation of lindane-contaminated effluents. International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation 59: 180-192.

Muñoz R, Guieysse B (2006) Algal–bacterial processes for the treatment of hazardous contaminants: A review. Water Research 40: 2799-2815.

Semple KT, Cain RB, Schmidt S (1999) Biodegradation of aromatic compounds by microalgae. FEMS Microbiology Letters 170: 291-300.

Pinto G, Pollio A, Previtera L, Stanzione M, Temussi F (2003) Removal of low molecular weight phenols from olive oil mill wastewater using microalgae. Biotechnology Letters 25: 1657-1659.

El-Naggar NE, Rabei NH (2020) Bioprocessing optimization for efficient simultaneous removal of methylene blue and nickel by Gracilaria seaweed biomass. Scientific Reports 10: 17439.

El-Ahmady EN, Rabei NH, El-Malkey SE (2020) Eco-friendly approach for biosorption of Pb (2+) and carcinogenic Congo red dye from binary solution onto sustainable Ulva lactuca biomass. Sci Rep 10: 16021.

Doshi H, Ray A, Kothari IL (2008) Bioremediation potential of Chlorella: spectroscopic, kinetics, and SEM studies. Int J Phytoremediation 10: 264-277.

Dellamatrice PM, Silva-Stenico ME, Moraes LABD, Fiore MF, Monteiro RTR (2017) Degradation of textile dyes by cyanobacteria. Brazilian Journal of Microbiology 48: 25-31.

Pratiwi DC, Pratiwi N, Yona D, Sasmita RD, Pratiwi IA (2020) Microalgae Skeletonema costatum for Cd and Cu Remediation. Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution 17: 43-48.

Makhanya BN, Nyandeni N, Ndulini SF, Mthembu MS (2021) Application of green microalgae biofilms for heavy metals removal from mine effluent. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A/B/C 124: 103079.

El-Hameed MMA, Abuarab ME, Al-Ansari N, Mottaleb SA, Bakeer GA, et al. (2021) Phycoremediation of contaminated water by cadmium (Cd) using two cyanobacterial strains (Trichormus variabilis and Nostoc muscorum). Environmental Sciences Europe 33: 135.

Al-Homaidan AA, Al-Abbad AF, Al-Hazzani AA, Al-Ghanayem AA, Alabdullatif JA (2016) Lead removal by Spirulina platensis biomass. Int J Phytoremediation 18: 184-189.

Putri L (2019) THE ADSORPTION OF HEAVY METALS FROM INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER USING SARGASSUM CRASSIFOLIUM. International Journal of GEOMATE.

Liu Y, Cao Q, Luo F, Chen J (2009) Biosorption of Cd2+, Cu2+, Ni2+ and Zn2+ ions from aqueous solutions by pretreated biomass of brown algae. Journal of Hazardous Materials 163: 931-938.

Kang KH, Sui Z (2010) Removal of eutrophication factors and heavy metal from a closed cultivation system using the macroalgae, Gracilaria sp. (Rhodophyta). Chinese Journal of Oceanology and Limnology 28: 1127-1130.

Carreira ARF, Veloso T, Macário IPE, Pereira JL, Ventura SPM, et al. (2023) The role of biomass elemental composition and ion-exchange in metal sorption by algae. Chemosphere 314: 137675.

Shimura H, Itoh K, Sugiyama A, Ichijo S, Ichijo M, et al. (2012) Absorption of radionuclides from the Fukushima nuclear accident by a novel algal strain. PLoS One 7: e44200.

Rivasseau C, Farhi E, Atteia A, Couté A, Gromova M, et al. (2013) An extremely radioresistant green eukaryote for radionuclide bio-decontamination in the nuclear industry. Energy & Environmental Science 6: 1230-1239.

Fukuda SY, Iwamoto K, Atsumi M, Yokoyama A, Nakayama T, et al. (2014) Global searches for microalgae and aquatic plants that can eliminate radioactive cesium, iodine and strontium from the radio-polluted aquatic environment: a bioremediation strategy. J Plant Res 127: 79-89.

Mani D, Kumar C (2014) Biotechnological advances in bioremediation of heavy metals contaminated ecosystems: an overview with special reference to phytoremediation. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology 11: 843-872.

Dabbagh R, Ebrahimi M, Aflaki F, Ghafourian H, Sahafipour MH (2008) Biosorption of stable cesium by chemically modified biomass of Sargassum glaucescens and Cystoseira indica in a continuous flow system. Journal of Hazardous Materials 159: 354-357.

Goh PS, Lau WJ, Ismail AF, Samawati Z, Liang YY, et al. (2023) Microalgae-Enabled Wastewater Treatment: A Sustainable Strategy for Bioremediation of Pesticides. Water15: 70.

Nasiri M, Ahmadzadeh H, Amiri AH (2023) Biodegradation and metabolic fate of organophosphorus pesticides in well water using Dunaliella salina. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology 20: 981-992.

Yılmaz Ö, Taş B (2021) Feasibility and assessment of the phytoremediation potential of green microalga and duckweed for zeta-cypermethrin removal. Desalination and Water Treatment 209: 131-143.

Hamed SM, Hozzein WN, Selim S, Mohamed HS, AbdElgawad H (2021) Dissipation of pyridaphenthion by cyanobacteria: Insights into cellular degradation, detoxification and metabolic regulation. Journal of Hazardous Materials 402: 123787.

Wang JY, Doudna JA (2023) CRISPR technology: A decade of genome editing is only the beginning. Science 379: eadd8643.

Downloads

Published

13-11-2023

How to Cite

Jing, Y., Shen, Q., Zhang, M., Han, Z., & Zhao, W. (2023). Degradation and remediation of environmental pollutants by algae. Transactions on Materials, Biotechnology and Life Sciences, 1, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.62051/bshtwv53