Advances, challenges, and prospects in microalgal-bacterial symbiosis system treating heavy metal wastewater

Xing-Rui Zhou; Rong Wang; Cong-Cong Tang; Cristiano Varrone; Zhang-Wei He; Zhi-Hua Li; Xiaochang C Wang

doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140448

Advances, challenges, and prospects in microalgal-bacterial symbiosis system treating heavy metal wastewater

Chemosphere. 2023 Dec:345:140448. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140448. Epub 2023 Oct 13.

Authors

Xing-Rui Zhou¹, Rong Wang¹, Cong-Cong Tang², Cristiano Varrone³, Zhang-Wei He¹, Zhi-Hua Li¹, Xiaochang C Wang⁴

Affiliations

¹ Key Laboratory of Northwest Water Resource, Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an, 710055, China; Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an, 710055, China.
² Key Laboratory of Northwest Water Resource, Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an, 710055, China; Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an, 710055, China. Electronic address: cctang0820@xauat.edu.cn.
³ Department of Chemistry and BioScience, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7H 9220, Aalborg Ø, Denmark.
⁴ Key Laboratory of Northwest Water Resource, Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an, 710055, China; Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an, 710055, China; International Science & Technology Cooperation Center for Urban Alternative Water Resources Development, Xi'an, 710055, China.

PMID: 37839742
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140448

Abstract

Heavy metal (HM) pollution, particularly in its ionic form in water bodies, is a chronic issue threatening environmental security and human health. The microalgal-bacterial symbiosis (MABS) system, as the basis of water ecosystems, has the potential to treat HM wastewater in a sustainable manner, with the advantages of environmental friendliness and carbon sequestration. However, the differences between laboratory studies and engineering practices, including the complexity of pollutant compositions and extreme environmental conditions, limit the applications of the MABS system. Additionally, the biomass from the MABS system containing HMs requires further disposal or recycling. This review summarized the recent advances of the MABS system treating HM wastewater, including key mechanisms, influence factors related to HM removal, and the tolerance threshold values of the MABS system to HM toxicity. Furthermore, the challenges and prospects of the MABS system in treating actual HM wastewater are analyzed and discussed, and suggestions for biochar preparation from the MABS biomass containing HMs are provided. This review provides a reference point for the MABS system treating HM wastewater and the corresponding challenges faced by future engineering practices.

Keywords: Adsorption mechanism; Challenges; Heavy metal wastewater; Microalgal-bacterial symbiosis system; Response mechanism.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Biomass
Ecosystem
Humans
Metals, Heavy* / analysis
Microalgae*
Symbiosis
Wastewater
Water

Substances

Wastewater
Metals, Heavy
Water