Pages 107–111
Abstract
Research summary supplied by the authors
The urgent need to treat the vast quantities of wastewater generated by the leather industry arises from an impending global crisis i.e. within the next fifty years, the availability of safe surface and groundwater resources is projected to become one of the world’s most critical concerns. Although it is ironic that both the establishment and operation of conventional wastewater treatment plants are prohibitively expensive, the Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) in Kolkata demonstrates that bioremediation offers a viable alternative in ameliorating the harmful effect of the wastewater in addition to utilize it for creating value. The spontaneous growth of algae observed in operational modules of CETP, Kolkata prompted an investigation into the limiting factors controlling algal proliferation. Microalgae are widely recognized as efficient biosorbents and bioaccumulators of environmental contaminants. They enable integrated bioremediation by effectively removing pollutants from diverse wastewater streams while generating biomass with significant potential for sustainable applications. Their potential as a sustainable biosorption solution is attributable to low-cost cultivation, reduced energy requirements, and simplified biomass separation, which collectively confer operational and economic advantages over conventional treatment technologies. Furthermore, microalgal species can be genetically or physiologically enhanced for improved photosynthesis, carbon assimilation, bioproduct synthesis, and heavy metal removal. This study evaluates the biosorption potential of the filamentous cyanobacterium Pseudanabaena limnetica in removing heavy metals from tannery wastewater, including chromium. Recovering the extracted metals from the algal biomass could further establish resource recovery as a feasible and value adding option.