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Bioremediation of perfluorooctanoic acid using microalgae with a transcriptomic approach
Geon-Soo Ha1, Min-Gu Sim2, Byong-Hun Jeon3
1Department of Integrative Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, South Korea; Department of Earth Resources and Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, South Korea.
Journal of Hazardous Materials
|February 9, 2025
Summary
Microalgae can remove perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) from water. Scenedesmus quadricauda showed high efficiency, utilizing bioaccumulation and biosorption, and even biodegrading some PFOA.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Biotechnology
- Environmental Chemistry
Background:
- Emerging contaminants like perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) pose risks to aquatic ecosystems.
- Microalgal bioremediation offers a sustainable solution for contaminant removal.
- Molecular mechanisms of PFOA degradation by microalgae are poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate microalgal strains for PFOA removal.
- To investigate the molecular mechanisms of PFOA bioremediation.
- To identify key genes involved in PFOA response in microalgae.
Main Methods:
- Screening of four microalgal strains for PFOA treatment.
- Transcriptomic analysis to examine gene expression.
- Mass balance, chromatographic, and transesterification analyses.
Main Results:
- Scenedesmus quadricauda demonstrated 58.2% PFOA removal efficiency.
- PFOA removal occurred via 44.8% bioaccumulation and 12.8% biosorption.
- Transcriptomics revealed genes related to defense, energy, and degradation pathways.
Conclusions:
- Scenedesmus quadricauda is a promising candidate for PFOA bioremediation.
- Microalgal bioremediation pathways for PFOA involve bioaccumulation, biosorption, and biodegradation.
- Understanding gene expression provides insights into microalgal responses to PFOA.
