Harnessing Diesel-Degrading Potential of an Antarctic Microalga from Greenwich Island and Its Physiological Adaptation

Lim, Zheng Syuen; Wong, Chiew-Yen; Ahmad, Siti Aqlima; Puasa, Nurul Aini; Phang, Lai Yee; Shaharuddin, Noor Azmi; Merican, Faradina; Convey, Peter ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8497-9903; Zulkharnain, Azham; Shaari, Hasrizal; Azmi, Alyza Azzura Abd. Rahman; Kok, Yih-Yih; Gomez-Fuentes, Claudio. 2023 Harnessing Diesel-Degrading Potential of an Antarctic Microalga from Greenwich Island and Its Physiological Adaptation [in special issue: Microbial Diversity and Environmental Adaptability of Microorganisms in Extreme Environments] Biology, 12 (8), 1142. 18, pp. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12081142

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Abstract/Summary

Phytoremediation is a plant-based approach to extract, stabilise, eliminate, or render pollutants into less harmful form. The study highlights the use of a native polar microalga as a means of phytoremediation in Antarctica where imported microbes are prohibited. Since 1959, Antarctica has been a protected region to preserve its dynamic ecosystems, but it is increasingly vulnerable to climate change and pollution. One of the anthropogenic disturbances in the continent is diesel spillage. Due to the extreme polar environment, natural attenuation of spilled diesel is severely hindered; hence, the problem calls for an effective and sustainable solution. This laboratory study proved that Antarctic microalga was capable of removing diesel (57.6%) through biodegradation and biosorption in the span of nine days. Meanwhile, mixotrophic cultivation triggered the vacuolar activities and potentially stimulated lipid assimilation in the cells. The microalgal-based process offers a cheap alternative in water decontamination while bearing the economic potential through the secretion of valuable products, such as biolipids.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12081142
ISSN:	2079-7737
Additional Keywords:	Antarctic microalgae, phytoremediation, diesel biodegradation, biosorption, hydrocarbon
Date made live:	17 Aug 2023 09:47 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/534339

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