abstract
- Environmental contamination with heavy metals by natural sources and anthropogenic activities are related to increasing adverse life conditions and threats to health and environmental safety. An efficient removal process of these heavy metals is an important factor in providing a safe environment. Microalgae are known for their ability to bioremediate metal-contaminated water and simultaneously remove nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) and organic matter. Furthermore, microalgae biomass can be harvested and used to produce added-value products under the concept of a circular economy. Nevertheless, the performance of bioremediation by microalgae can be influenced by operational and environmental factors. In this review, we analyze studies focused on evaluating the performance of microalgae in bioremediation and the effect of operational and environmental factors on biomass production and metal removal rates. In addition, we discuss advances in the development of bioreactor configurations used on a pilot and large scale for metal removal by microalgae. The mechanism used by microalgae for metal removal and potential mathematical models applied. © 2025 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.