Study of wastewater remediation efficiency by green algae

为了保护淡水质量，直接从污染源治理废水可以减少对自然生态系统和人类健康的毒性风险。绿色藻类能够控制累积污染物的脱水机制可用于水修复。在这项研究计划中，谷胱甘肽相关的代谢途径将被利用在一个新的生物技术方法，旨在从废水中去除金属污染物。我们的主要目标是研究在不断变化的环境条件下生长在光生物反应器中的藻类菌株的植物螯合素和谷胱甘肽S-转移酶代谢途径中所涉及的酶活性的效率。将在非生物条件下并结合金属物种的化学特性，对各种藻类菌株的生物累积效率进行评价。当细胞中积累高含量的金属污染物时，将选择具有最佳光合效率和氧化应激抗性的衣原体菌株。还将对固定在藻酸钙基质中的藻类细胞进行研究，该基质提供了一个透水、透光和对活细胞无毒的环境。因此，这项研究计划将确定生物和非生物参数的生物反应器的发展具有高效的能力，以修复含有金属污染物的废水。该计划还将有助于培训与水修复和质量相关的环境毒理学和化学方面的高素质人员。总之，这项研究将导致一个新的生物技术的发展，利用固定化藻类生物富集金属污染物和修复工业废水输出，以保护淡水环境质量。

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.