ABSTRACT
Domestic/industrial wastewaters characterized by the presence of toxic pollutants are recognized as a serious threat to human health. Given that the concentrations of these pollutants are in the range of ng to µg, they are re-referred to as pollutants of emerging concern (PECs). The major sources of these PECs are pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and plastics. There is a growing concern to detect and develop strategies for the remediation of PECs. The conventional sewage treatment plants cannot efficiently remove these compounds and pose challenges toward safe disposal. Various methodologies viz. advanced oxidation techniques, photocatalysis, membrane separation, and adsorption have been extensively studied for the removal/degradation of PECs. However, these are characterized with challenges viz. high cost, low efficiency, and high chemical input. In this regard, microalgae have gained recognition for the removal of emerging contaminants. The current chapter discusses the mechanism and biodegradation pathways for the removal of emerging contaminants by microalgae.
