Microalgal and Nanotechnology-Based Strategies for Sustainable Removal of Emerging Contaminants From Wastewater

The presence of emerging contaminants (ECs) such as pharmaceuticals, pesticides, flame retardants, and personal care products is a growing concern for aquatic systems and human health because these contaminants are persistent and difficult to remove using traditional wastewater treatment methods. Microalgae-based systems have received a lot of attention in recent years as viable and effective methods for the removal of these pollutants. This review addresses the ability of microalgae as a versatile platform for EC removal via bioadsorption, bioaccumulation, and biodegradation. Biodegradation is one of these processes which has been proved to be very effective as it can be used to convert more complex contaminants into less toxic or innocuous compounds. The results show that under optimized growth conditions and higher enzymatic activities, the efficiency of contaminant removal can be significantly improved. Furthermore, the integration of nutrient recovery with microalgal treatment contributes to the overall sustainability and resource efficiency of the system. The review also highlights the new development of microbially synthesized nanoparticles as an eco-friendly green technology to enhance the efficiency of algal-based treatment systems. Overall, microalgal-based processes are cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and hold potential for the sustainable management of ECs in wastewater and water bodies.