Work

Performance of Chlorella vulgaris in iron removal from mildly neutralized acid mine drainage

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This research evaluated the performance of Chlorella vulgaris to remove Fe in acid coal mine drainage (AMD) as a resource-efficient treatment strategy. With nutrients and CO 2 , the microalgae tolerated up to 100% of AMD, showing growth rates similar to the control. In iron biosorption, after neutralization at pH 4, efficiencies of 79.8–90.8% in 1 h and up to 92.4% in 72 h were achieved. The Sips model best described adsorption (R 2 =0.995; 223 mg Fe/g). These results show that minimum neutralization combined with living biomass enhances treatment efficiency and reduces chemical inputs, providing the basis for the scale-up of sustainable phytoremediation systems. • Chlorella vulgaris can treat real AMD efficiently for Fe removal • Cell wall of Chlorella vulgaris is able to adsorb Fe even at low pH and diminished cell growth • Live biomass is not necessary for metals removal under AMD conditions • Chlorella vulgaris biorremediation is an economic and sustainable option for AMD

Source: Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering

DOI: 10.1016/j.cscee.2025.101316

Authors: Lina Patricia Vega Garzon, Paula Moreno, Gloria Lucia Camargo Millán

Institutions: Pedagogical and Technological University of Colombia, Universidad Santo Tomás

Language: English

Topic: Mine drainage and remediation techniques

Subfield: Environmental Chemistry

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Clean water and sanitation, Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $760