Phytoremediation as a Cost Effective, Scalable Solution for Long Term Water Quality Protection and Circular Bioeconomy Development

Abstract

The increasing energy requirements and the potential to release new toxins make long-term research necessary. There may be a more sustainable solution: microalgae-based Phytoremediation is not only a possible alternative; its functionality creates two platforms- efficient pollution removal and biomass valorization. The study emphasized microalgae’s ability to reduce nutrient overloading, heavy metals, and micro pollutions in all kinds of water, using a literature search of all papers out since 2019. Microalgae species including Chlorella, Scenedesmus and Spirulina have demonstrated high levels of efficiency for removing nutrients and heavy metals from aquatic environments as well as showing an ability to degrade pharmaceuticals and endocrine disrupting chemicals. When available in consortium with bacteria, microalgae are able to achieve nutrient removal efficiencies of up to 99% for nitrogen and 98% for phosphorus, while removing heavy metals at a mass of between 55 and 188 mg/g of dry biomass. In addition, microalgae have been shown to have a capacity for breaking down pharmaceutical compounds and endocrine disrupting chemicals at rates of between 60% and 90%. Moreover, the biomass produced from the cultivation of these algae can be converted to useable forms, including fuels, fertilizers and high-value products, thereby further advancing the circular economy. Therefore, the results indicate that microalgae offer a viable alternative for sustainable, cost-effective and scalable methods of treating wastewater through a holistic approach to wastewater treatment within a circular bioeconomy.