Study of wastewater remediation efficiency by green algae

为了保持淡水质量，直接从污染源进行废水修复可以减少对自然生态系统和人类健康的毒性风险。绿藻的解毒机制能够控制污染物的积累，可用于水体修复。在本研究项目中，将以新的生物技术方法开发与谷胱甘肽相关的代谢途径，旨在去除废水中的金属污染物。我们的主要目的是研究在变化的环境条件下光生物反应器中生长的藻类菌株的植物螯合素和谷胱甘肽s -转移酶代谢途径的酶活性的效率。将评估各种藻类菌株在非生物条件下的生物积累效率，并与金属物种的化学性质有关。当细胞中金属污染物含量较高时，选择具有最佳光合效率和抗氧化胁迫能力的衣藻菌株。还将研究将海藻细胞固定在海藻酸钙基质中，以提供可透水、透光和对活细胞无毒的环境。因此，该研究计划将确定生物和非生物参数，以开发具有高效修复含金属污染物废水能力的生物反应器。该计划还将有助于培养与水修复和质量有关的环境毒理学和化学方面的高素质人才。综上所述，本研究将引导一种新的生物技术的发展，利用固定化藻类生物积累金属污染物和修复工业废水输出，以保护淡水环境的质量。

To preserve freshwater quality, wastewater remediation directly from pollution generating sources can reduce the risk of toxicity for natural ecosystems and human health. Detoxification mechanisms of green algae enabling to control accumulated contaminants can be used for water remediation. In this research program, metabolic pathways related to glutathione will be exploited in a new biotechnological approach, aiming at the removal of metallic contaminants from wastewater. Our main objective is to study the efficiency of enzymatic activities involved in phytochelatins and glutathione S-transferase metabolic pathways for algal strains grown in photobioreactors under changing environmental conditions. The bioaccumulation efficiency will be evaluated for various algal strains, under abiotic conditions and in relation to chemical properties of metallic species. Chlamydomonas strains will be selected for having the best photosynthetic efficiency and oxidative stress resistance when accumulating high content of metallic contaminants in cells. Studies will also be done on algal cells immobilized in a matrix of calcium-alginate providing an environment permeable to water, transparent to light and non-toxic to living cells. Therefore, this research program will determine biotic and abiotic parameters for the development of bioreactors having a high-efficient capacity to remediate wastewater containing metallic contaminants. This program will also contribute to the training of highly qualified personnel in environmental toxicology and chemistry related to water remediation and quality. In conclusion, this research shall lead to the development of a new biotechnology using immobilized algae to bioaccumulate metallic contaminants and remediate wastewater output from industries to protect the quality of freshwater environment.