Evaluation of heavy metal bioremediation potential of Alage growing in polluted water

Abstract

Environmental pollution, especially the pollution of water bodies, is a serious concern for developed as well as for developing countries. Water bodies get polluted with the accumulation of many pollutants including toxic heavy metals. Bioremediation of heavy metals is considered to be economically viable alternative to conventional methods of remediation. Few of the microorganisms such as algae including cyanobacteria, fungi and bacteria have a tendency to grow in heavy metal contaminated waters indicating that these are able to resist metal toxicity. Thus the present study was directed to study heavy metal bioremediation potential of algae growing in polluted water. During the present study, collections were made from three polluted sites i.e. Sutlej river being polluted with Buddha Nullah, Ludhiana; a polluted stream at Bilaspur, H.P. and Badi Nadi being polluted by Diesel Loco Modernization Works, Patiala. Sixty one algal isolates were purified and screened for heavy metal (Cd2+, Cu2+ and Ni2+) removal potential.