Prospects in Cadmium-Contaminated Water Management Using Free-Living Cyanobacteria (Oscillatoria sp.)

In this study, the removal of cadmium (Cd) by free-living Oscillatoria sp. was studied. Our results showed that maximal Cd efficiency (~60%) cyanobacterial culture achieved within 12–24 h in presence 5.0 or 25.0 mg/L Cd. The mechanisms underlying phenomenon were explored elemental analysis and FTIR-ATR spectroscopy. It found metal adsorption negatively charged functional groups biomass main mechanism used to remove from aqueous medium, followed bioaccumulation into living cells. Additionally, Cd-exposed microalgae increased oxidative stress (MDA formation), a decreased dehydrogenase activity, higher amount soluble carbohydrates total carotenoid concentration, as compared control These suggest improved its antioxidative defense system under stressful conditions, through carotenoid-mediated ROS quenching induction carbohydrate catabolism, order counteract damage preserve photosynthetic machinery cellular energetics. fact, no significant reduction cell density, protein amount, chlorophyll content observed after 24-h exposure, even at highest concentration tested (i.e., mg/L). Hence, presented are first describe some new insights about metabolic physiological behavior during remediation, open up possibility finding an equilibrium maximizes performance with active metabolism, achieve rewarding sustainable management industrial metal-polluted wastewater.