Excess algae in streams, rivers and lakes is often considered a consequence of pollution. In Europe alone, more than half of the bodies of water are heavily polluted, and researchers found over 500 chemicals in the continent’s rivers that stem from industry and agriculture. Soon, algae could be associated with cleaning up these polluted waters instead. 

Researchers at the University of Duisburg-Essen in Germany developed a water purification process using the fossilized remains of a common type of algae called diatoms. These microscopic single-celled organisms live in water and have shells made of silica, a material already used in water purification. Because of their porous structure, diatoms can absorb a wide variety of pollutants, said Anzhela Galstyan, an author of the study and junior professor of chemistry at the university.

Image: Chang Patrick, Unplash