Phycoremediation–A Potential Approach for Heavy Metal Removal

Over the years, Earth has seen a tremendous development in the industry and commerce sector along with rise in population. Although this scenario could prove to be beneficial for humankind, it has a crucially negative impact on the environment; apart from deforestation, carbon emissions have increased, and nature is no longer able to cope with the growing demands of man. Domestic and industrial wastes are relentlessly being dumped into aquatic bodies. At times, these wastes contain harmful pesticides and heavy metals that, apart from influencing the aquatic dwellers, reach the top of the food chain, ultimately posing risk to the human health. Aquatic organisms, such as algae, are known to absorb the organic and inorganic pollutants, including heavy metals. Utilization of algae (macro–or micro algae) for the removal or transformation of pollutants is termed as phycoremediation. Algae have a characteristically fast growth–rate, good metal binding efficiency and are an environmentally friendly candidate for bioremediation. The present chapter extensively reviews the potential use of algae for metal removal.