Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 28, 2025

Quantification of Heavy Metals and Other Inorganic Contaminants on the Productivity of Microalgae
Published on: July 10, 2015
Bioremediation of heavy metals using microalgae: Recent advances and mechanisms
Yoong Kit Leong1, Jo-Shu Chang2
1Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, College of Engineering, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan.
Abstract:
Five heavy metals namely, arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) are carcinogenic and show toxicity even at trace amounts, posing threats to environmental ecology and human health. There is an emerging trend of employing microalgae in phycoremediation of heavy metals, due to several benefits including abundant availability, inexpensive, excellent metal removal efficiency and eco-friendly nature. This review presents the recent advances and mechanisms involved in bioremediation and biosorption of these toxic heavy metals utilizing microalgae. Tolerance and response of different microalgae strains to heavy metals and their bioaccumulation capability with value-added by-products formation as well as utilization of non-living biomass as biosorbents are discussed. Furthermore, challenges and future prospects in bioremediation of heavy metals by microalgae are also explored. This review aims to provide useful insights to help future development of efficient and commercially viable technology for microalgae-based heavy metal bioremediation.
Related Concept Videos
Bioremediation
Green Algae
Environmental Applications of Microorganisms
Metabolism of Chemolithotrophs
Red Algae
Extraction: Advanced Methods

