Harnessing Diatoms’ Nature’S Nano-Signatures for a Sustainable Heavy Metal Pollution Remediation

Diatoms, a diverse group of photosynthetic microalgae with intricate siliceous cell walls, represent a powerful yet underutilized tool for addressing heavy metal pollution in aquatic environments. Their frustules are naturally equipped with functional groups—such as carboxyl, silanol, and amine moieties—that facilitate the binding and sequestration of metal ions, positioning them as eco-friendly bio-sorbents. This review comprehensively explores the unique physicochemical properties of diatoms and their multifaceted mechanisms—including biosorption, surface complexation, and intracellular bioaccumulation—that enable them to interact with and detoxify toxic heavy metals like lead, cadmium, chromium, and mercury. It highlights the metabolic resilience and photosynthetic adaptability of diatoms under metal stress, underscoring their dual role as both remediators and sensitive bio-indicators of environmental contamination. Through bibliometric analysis and mechanistic insights, the increasing scientific interest in diatom-based remediation strategies is supported by case studies and laboratory evidence of metal uptake under varying physicochemical conditions. The engineered applications of diatomaceous earth (DE) and modified frustule materials, which have demonstrated enhanced adsorption capacities for various metals, have been explored. Notably, the review emphasizes the potential of diatoms not only for passive remediation but also as early-warning sentinels through measurable changes in community composition, morphology, and growth kinetics. The integration of diatoms into large-scale environmental management could pave the way for sustainable remediation technologies. By harnessing diatoms as nature's nano-signatures, this study advocates for their broader implementation in water quality monitoring and ecosystem restoration, thus contributing to the advancement of green remediation technologies.

کلیدواژه ها:

Heavy metal ، Bioaccumulation ، Bio-indicators ، Bioremediation ، Biosorption