Microalgae for bioremediation of pesticides: Overview, challenges, and future trends

Intensive use of pesticides can negatively impact human health and the environment. Thus, several studies have been conducted using biological species to bioremediate these systems. Among these species, the use of microalgae stands out and presents the possibility of environment-friendly bioremediation. Microalgae can use pollutants as a source of energy and can produce biomass rich in carbohydrates and lipids. The mechanisms used by microalgae for bioremediation include biodegradation, bioaccumulation, and bioadsorption. These mechanisms are related to the selection of suitable microalgae with the potential for bioremediation and the characteristics of pesticides. Therefore, this chapter aims to provide an overview of the latest research on microalgae used for bioremediation of pesticides, illustrating the challenges of this technique and highlighting future perspectives and trends in this field.