Introduction of heavy metals contamination in the water: A review on source, toxicity and remediation methods
Paper Details
Introduction of heavy metals contamination in the water: A review on source, toxicity and remediation methods
Abstract
Different approaches that offer various benefits for the remediation of contaminated waters are being researched as the problem worsens. The global issue of heavy metal poisoning of water from industrial discharge is quite serious. As a result, both environmental and human health are negatively impacted. Various traditional technologies have been employed to treat water, but they can be costly and/or inefficient, particularly when treating industrial water. A technique called phycoremediation is used to successfully remove metal ions from river and sewer water. In aquatic habitats, microalgae are primarily responsible for naturally sequestering trace metals. They have high-affinity metal-binding groups on their cell surfaces, large surface volume ratios, and effective metal absorption and storage mechanisms, which all contribute to their capacity to adsorb and metabolise trace metals. In this context, algae offer an environmentally safe and sustainable alternative for eliminating heavy metals from polluted water. This review study covers the primary sources of heavy metals, their adverse effects on humans, the possibility of algae in the remediation of these heavy metals, and their absorption mechanism. Additionally, it provides a broad overview of the chances to improve efficacy, selectivity, and cost-effectiveness as well as their interactions with the extracellular polymeric molecules that stressed microalgae release into the extracellular environment.
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