Phycoremediation of Persistent Organic Pollutants from Wastewater: Retrospect and Prospects

Abstract

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are the most widespread pollutants having toxicity, mutagenicity, and carcinogenicity. Countless amounts of POPs are introduced into our environment as an outcome of myriads of anthropogenic activities. Pollution caused by POPs is a severe problem throughout the world. To solve the problem, extensive research efforts have been focused worldwide to implement sustainable technologies for the treatment of POPs present in the environment. There are various chemical and biological remediation methods which are well documented and are in practice for removal of diverse forms of POPs from soil and aquatic system. Microbial remediation process is an economical way to remediate POPs as compared to the chemical process and has been studied well over a period of more than three decades. Recently, interest has gathered in phycoremediation of POPs into harmless organic pollutants, which are adaptive, ubiquitous, and thriving in different ecosystems. The objective of this chapter is to review and discuss the bioremediating and biodegradative competencies of microalgae on persistent organic pollutants, viz., PAHs, PCBs, pesticides, OCPs, phenolics, PHCs, and antibiotics. This chapter will concisely incorporate studies which have examined and scrutinized the oxidation, transformation, and accumulation of these compounds by algal species. A detailed analysis of the molecular mechanisms involved in bioremediation and biotransformation of POPs has also been reviewed. the limitations and various approaches to enhance phycoremediation and its perspective are discussed in detail.