Microalgae for Wastewater Treatment and Bioremediation of Contaminated Water Bodies
A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Microbiology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2025 | Viewed by 37
Special Issue Editors
Interests: microalgal biotechnology; biofuels; recombinant protein expression and purification; membrane technologies; personal cooling
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Microalgae have emerged as highly promising biological agents for wastewater treatment and the bioremediation of contaminated waters due to their remarkable capabilities in nutrient removal, heavy metal adsorption, and the treatment of a wide range of emerging pollutants, including antibiotics, micro- and nano-plastics, heavy metals, and per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), etc. Their ability to enhance dissolved oxygen levels through photosynthesis, particularly in microalgae–bacteria hybrid systems, provides a distinct advantage for aerobic wastewater treatment processes. Moreover, integrating algal biomass production with wastewater treatment offers a sustainable and synergistic solution that enhances overall process efficiency.
This Special Issue highlights recent advancements in microalgae-based technologies for wastewater treatment and the remediation of contaminated water, encompassing both fundamental research and practical applications. Topics of interest include the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying pollutant uptake; engineering approaches to optimize microalgal systems for enhanced removal efficiency; the mathematical modeling of treatment processes; and the integration of microalgae into existing wastewater treatment infrastructures. Contributions are also welcome on innovative cultivation strategies to boost biomass productivity and pollutant affinity; the valorization of pollutant-laden biomass; and investigations into the effects of environmental parameters, such as pH, salinity, and temperature, on remediation performance.
We invite original research articles, reviews, and case studies that advance the understanding of microalgae–pollutant interactions and introduce novel approaches to environmental restoration. This Special Issue welcomes contributions from researchers worldwide and encourages interdisciplinary studies spanning microbiology, biotechnology, chemical engineering, and environmental engineering to promote the development of sustainable and effective microalgae-based pollutant removal technologies.
Prof. Dr. Christopher Q. Lan
Guest Editor
Dr. Siwei Gu
Guest Editor Assistant
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- algae
- water treatment
- pollutant
- biosorption
- bioremediation
- environmental biotechnology
- modeling
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