Novel application of microalgae platform for biodesalination process: A review

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Biotechnology
• Water Resource Management

Background:

• Rising global freshwater demand driven by population growth and industrialization necessitates sustainable solutions.
• Conventional desalination methods (e.g., reverse osmosis) are energy-intensive, costly, and generate environmentally harmful brine and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Limited resources in many countries hinder the adoption of traditional desalination technologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the advancements in algal desalination as a sustainable freshwater production method.
• To assess the technological progress, social implications, potential risks, and policy considerations of biodesalination.
• To highlight the efficiency of algal desalination in removing salts from saline water.

Main Methods:

• Exploration of algal bioprocesses for salt removal from ocean and industrial saline effluent.
• Analysis of biosorption and bioaccumulation mechanisms in algal desalination.
• Review of biotic and abiotic factors influencing algal salt removal efficiency (strain, temperature, pH, light, nutrients).

Main Results:

• Algal desalination demonstrates an optimal salt removal rate of 50-67% from saline water.
• Algae exhibit a fast growth rate even under highly saline conditions, making them suitable for biodesalination.
• The process is governed by factors such as algal strain, temperature, pH, light, and nutrient availability.

Conclusions:

• Algal desalination presents an environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternative to conventional methods.
• Biodesalination technology holds significant potential for countries with limited resources.
• Further research and policy development are crucial for the widespread implementation of algal desalination.