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Updated: Feb 8, 2026
Quantification of Heavy Metals and Other Inorganic Contaminants on the Productivity of Microalgae
Published on: July 10, 2015
Application of nanoparticles to microalgae-based wastewater treatment: Mechanisms, bioremediation potential and
Matheus Quintão Braga1, Juliana Ferreira Lorentz1, Alexia Saleme Aona de Paula Pereira1
1Federal University of Viçosa (Universidade Federal de Viçosa/UFV), Post-Graduate Program in Civil Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, Campus Universitário, 36570-900, Viçosa, MG, Brazil.
Abstract:
The application of nanoparticles (NPs) in microalgae-based systems has emerged as a flexible strategy to enhance wastewater treatment and biomass valorization, while promoting circular bioeconomy pathways. This critical review analyzes over one hundred studies published between 2015 and 2025, which evaluated the use of metallic, metal oxide, and carbon-based NPs in microalgal cultivation, harvesting, green synthesis, and toxicity assessment. Based on these studies, optimized NP concentrations can enhance photosynthetic efficiency, improve nutrient and organic pollutant removal, and modulate biomass composition toward biofuels and value added bioproducts, including pigments, biopolymers, and biofertilizers. Magnetically assisted harvesting and microalgae-mediated NP synthesis can be combined synergistically to reduce energy demands and separation costs. However, key challenges remain, notably the definition of safe and effective dosage ranges, the lack of standardized ecotoxicological protocols, and the scarcity of pilot- and industrial-scale validations. Additional obstacles include limited performance benchmarking against conventional technologies and uncertainties related to life cycle assessments and cost analyses. By integrating nanotechnology, microalgal biotechnology, and sustainability assessment, this review outlines strategic pathways to translate laboratory advances into scalable, economically viable, and environmentally safe applications, reinforcing the role of microalgae-NP systems in environmental sanitation and the bioeconomy.
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