Removal of Heavy Metals and Organic Pollutants by Marine Microalgae

Abstract

Marine environment is a predominant player in the overall ecosystem functioning with almost half of oxygen evolution into the atmosphere through the photosynthetic activity of plankton communities. Anthropogenic activities cause pollution at an enhanced pace and pose a major threat to the biological cyclings in the marine ecosystem. Pollutants such as heavy metals and organic compounds in the marine environment are a serious concern as they are associated with complex challenges. Marine microalgae are promising candidates in remediating inorganic and organic pollutants due to their versatile metabolic mechanisms. The present chapter provides a comprehensive understanding of the response of marine microalgae in the removal of heavy metals and organic pollutants. Initially, we present the importance of microalgae and the sources of heavy metals and organic pollutants that reach the marine environment besides highlighting the merits and demerits of the conventional and biological treatment systems used for the removal of these pollutants. Finally, we provide a general perspective on the implication of marine microalgae and the associated mechanisms in the removal of heavy metals and organic pollutants.