Application of Algal Biomass in the Removal of Microplastics from Aquatic Environments

Microplastics, as emerging pollutants, pose a serious threat to aquatic ecosystems. Alongside hydrodynamic factors and aquatic organisms, algae also play a key role in altering the fate of these particles within the water column and can contribute to their removal from aquatic environments. Despite extensive research on the influence of algae on the distribution of microplastics in marine and freshwater systems, a comprehensive and integrated understanding of the scattered findings is still lacking. This review article was therefore prepared to systematically examine the processes, mechanisms, and factors influencing algae-mediated alterations in the fate of microplastics. Four major identified processes include retention, flocculation, sedimentation, and degradation. Retention of microplastics occurs through the adhesion of particles to algal surfaces or their entrapment within algal epibiont matrices, thereby preventing the migration of microplastics with water currents. Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and enzymes produced through algal metabolism not only promote the formation of microplastic-containing aggregates but also facilitate their biodegradation. These processes are complex and are influenced by factors such as algal characteristics, microplastic type, and environmental conditions. This review provides insights into recent advances regarding the fate of aquatic microplastics and emphasizes the need for further studies on microplastic–algae interactions to fill existing knowledge gaps

کلیدواژه ها:

Microplastics ، Algae ، Aquatic ecosystems ، Environments ، Bioaggregation