Algal mediated intervention for the retrieval of emerging pollutants from aqueous media

Water is a crucial elemental contributor for all sectors; however, the agricultural sector alone accounts for 70% of the world’s total water withdrawal. The anthropogenic activity from various industries including agriculture, textiles, plastics, leather, and defence has resulted in the release of contaminants into water systems, resulting harm to the ecosystem and biotic community. Algae-based organic pollutant removal uses several methods, such as biosorption, bioaccumulation, biotransformation, and biodegradation. The adsorption of methylene blue by algal species Chlamydomonas sp. showed a maximum adsorption capacity of 2744.5 mg/g with 96.13% removal efficiency; on the other hand, Isochrysis galbana demonstrated a maximum of 707 µg/g nonylphenol accumulation in the cell with 77% removal efficiency indicating the potential of algal systems as efficient retrieval system for organic contaminants. This paper is a compilation of detailed information about biosorption, bioaccumulation, biotransformation, biodegradation, and their mechanism, along with the genetic alteration of algal biomass. Where the genetic engineering and mutations on algae can be advantageously utilized for the enhancement of removal efficiency without any secondary toxicity.