Results
Title

Microalgae for biofuel production and removal of heavy metals: a review.

Authors

Pavithra, Kirubanandam Grace; Kumar, P. Senthil; Jaikumar, V.; Vardhan, Kilaru Harsha; SundarRajan, PanneerSelvam

Abstract

Removal of heavy metals from wastewaters using microalgae is gaining interest because microalgae also assimilate carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus. Here, we review algal metabolism and cultivation; algal biomass conversion to biodiesel, bioethanol, biohydrogen, methane, electricity and fertilizers; and removal of metals with microalgae. The mixotrophic approach enables the effective treatment of both organic and inorganic wastes in water. For cultivation, photobioreactors are found efficient due to the control of operational conditions. Bioremediation of heavy metals by physiochemical processes appears to be more efficient than algal uptake.

Subjects

HEAVY metals; MICROALGAE; SEWAGE; ORGANIC wastes; BIOMASS conversion; BIOREMEDIATION

Publication

Environmental Chemistry Letters, 2020, Vol 18, Issue 6, p1905

ISSN

1610-3653

Publication type

Academic Journal

DOI

10.1007/s10311-020-01046-1