International Journal of Science, Engineering and TechnologyAuthors: Prateek Srivastava, Shriyanshi Singh, Sandeep Dubey
Abstract: Heavy metal pollution poses a persistent threat to aquatic ecosystems, necessitating innovative and sustainable remediation strategies. Diatoms which are single-celled, photosynthetic microalgae, have appeared as optimistic candidates for heavy metal detoxification. This work explores the ecological risks associated with heavy metals namely cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and chromium (Cr), and examines the cellular stress responses they trigger. It highlights the distinctive biological architecture of diatoms, which confer resilience and biosorptive capacity. The study delves into the bioactive molecules produced by diatoms, that play pivotal roles in metal chelation and oxidative stress mitigation. By bridging ecological understanding with applied biotechnology, this work underscores the multifaceted potential of diatoms in environmental remediation and commercial innovation.
DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17184342
