Microalgae for polymer bioremediation: Mechanisms, efficiency, and future applications

This review highlights the potential of microalgae in remediating synthetic polymer pollution in aquatic environments. Species such as Chlorella sp., Scenedesmus sp., and Spirulina sp. can degrade polymers like polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), and polypropylene (PP) through mechanisms involving biosorption and enzymatic breakdown. Reported degradation efficiencies include 35.17 % PET by Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and 15 % PP by Scenedesmus obliquus. Environmental factors such as polymer type, concentration, and growth conditions influence degradation performance. Microalgal bioremediation offers a sustainable alternative to conventional methods, with potential applications in wastewater treatment, plastic waste management, and value-added biomass production. Despite challenges in scalability and optimization, this approach provides an eco-friendly route to mitigate plastic pollution and supports the development of sustainable waste management practices.