IIT Guwahati develops algae-based method to remove lead from water

Guwahati: Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati have developed a biological method to remove toxic lead from contaminated water using blue-green algae, offering what they call a sustainable and low-cost alternative to conventional treatment.

The team, led by Prof. Debasish Das of the Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, used a light-dependent cyanobacterial species, Phormidium corium NRMC-50. Their study found that exopolysaccharides (EPS) — a sticky, sugar-rich substance naturally produced by the algae — showed the highest efficiency, removing up to 92.5% of lead from contaminated water.

Another report from the study published in the Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering noted 66.2% lead removal using the algae-derived material.