ENGINEERING BIOREMEDIATION SYSTEMS USING GENETICALLY MODIFIED ALGAE FOR WASTEWATER PURIFICATION

Abstract

Background: Rapid industrialization and urbanization have resulted in a sharp increase in wastewater pollution, leading to the accumulation of heavy metals, nutrients, organic contaminants and toxic compounds in aquatic ecosystems. Conventional wastewater treatment methods are often energy intensive, expensive and less sustainable for large-scale environmental remediation applications.

Objective: The aim of this study was to build genetically modified algal based bioremediation systems for the efficient purification of wastewater and the improved removal of toxic pollutants from contaminated water bodies.
Methods: We generated genetically engineered microalgal strains including Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus obliquus using recombinant DNA and CRISPR/Cas-mediated genetic modification techniques. The engineered algae were tested for nutrient uptake, heavy metal biosorption, organic pollutant degradation and biomass productivity under controlled conditions of wastewater treatment.

Findings: The genetically modified algal strains showed a considerably improved pollutant removal efficiency with about 91% nitrate reduction, 87% phosphate removal and 78% heavy metal biosorption efficiency, respectively. Biomass productivity increased by 34% compared to wild-type strains and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) levels decreased by almost 72% after treatment.

Conclusion: The engineering of bioremediation systems with genetically modified algae is an efficient, sustainable and eco-friendly approach for advanced wastewater treatment and environment restoration.