Silicon as a potential bioremediation agent for mitigating aluminum toxicity in aquatic microalgae : implications for sustainable agricultural ecosystems

Issaad, Ghozlene (author), Aouissi, Mounia (author), Frehi, Hocine (author), Berrebbah, Houria (author), Djebar, Mohamed Reda (author)

Heavy metal pollution in agricultural and aquatic ecosystems poses significant threats to microorganisms essential for ecological balance. Microalgae, as primary producers, are particularly vulnerable to such contaminants while being vital components of sustainable agricultural systems. This study investigated the comparative effects of silicon (Si) and aluminum (Al) on three economically important microalgae species: Chlorella vulgaris, Haematococcus pluvialis, and Tetraselmis suecica. Microalgae cultures were exposed to varying concentrations of aluminum (1, 10, and 100 mg/L) and silicon (100, 150, and 200 mg/L) for three weeks under controlled conditions. Aluminum treatment resulted in significant concentration-dependent growth inhibition (37-62%) and decreased total chlorophyll content, with observable morphological alterations including cell swelling and chlorophyll degradation. Conversely, silicon treatment exhibited minimal adverse effects on microalgal growth, biomass, and chlorophyll content compared to both Al-exposed and control groups. These findings suggest that silicon could serve as an effective protective agent against aluminum toxicity in aquatic ecosystems, with potential applications in agricultural water management and bioremediation of metal-contaminated irrigation systems. The study contributes to understanding metalloid interactions in aquatic microorganisms, supporting sustainable agricultural practices through improved water quality management and protection of beneficial microalgae in farm ecosystems.

• Language: English
• Keywords: silicon, aluminium toxicity, microalgae physiology, aquatic ecosystems, agricultural water quality
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: BF - Biotechnical Faculty
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2025
• Number of pages: 10 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 121, no. 4
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-177205
• UDC: 63
• ISSN on article: 1854-1941
• DOI: 10.14720/aas.2025.121.4.22996
• COBISS.SI-ID: 261876739
• Publication date in RUL: 17.12.2025

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Acta agriculturae Slovenica
• Publisher: Biotehniška fakulteta, Oddelek za agronomijo in Oddelek za zootehniko, Biotehniška fakulteta, Oddelek za agronomijo in Oddelek za zootehniko, Univerza v Ljubljani, Biotehniška fakulteta, Založba Univerze v Ljubljani
• ISSN: 1854-1941
• COBISS.SI-ID: 219581184

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Title: Silicij kot potencialno bioremediacijsko sredstvo za ublažitev toksičnosti aluminija v vodnih mikroalgah: posledice za trajnostne kmetijske ekosisteme
• Keywords: silicij, toksičnost aluminija, fiziologija mikroalg, vodni ekosistemi, kakovost kmetijske vode