Research progress in acidophilic algae

Abstract:

Acid mine drainage (AMD) refers to acidic water that forms when sulfide minerals are exposed to air and water. AMD is generally characterized by low pH (<3.5) and high concentration of metal ions, which is thus one of the most serious threats to nature. Acidophilic prokaryotes, especially the iron- and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria and archaea that catalyze the generation of AMD, have long been the focus of research on acidophilic microorganisms. However, microbial eukaryotes in AMD environments often play a more important role in acidic ecosystems. Acidophilic photosynthetic algae are the primary producers and can drive the evolution and remediation of AMD. In this review, we outlined the research in recent 30 years on taxonomy and ecological distribution of acidophilic algae, mechanisms for their adaptation to the extreme environments, and the application in pollution control and industrial production. Finally, we proposed the future research directions of acidophilic algae which need to be strengthened.