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Critical metals, which mainly include the platinum group of metals, and the rare earth elements, have gained much importance because these elements are essential for economic development. A matter of concern is their availability, which is scarce, and so a constant supply is at risk. Bioleaching is one of the commonly used methods to extract these critical metals from various sources, such as industrial wastewater and mining water. In this study, we have discussed the mechanisms of bioleaching, the factors that affect bioleaching, and a correlation between the extraction of the critical metals using microalgae which has many positive aspects. The review also suggests the future prospects for the use of microalgae in the extraction of critical metals.

Bioremediation is a technique to enhance natural biological processes to rectify polluted groundwater, soil, and even entire habitats. Bioremediation techniques use biological agents to act upon hazardous, toxic materials and subsequently convert them into less toxic substances. Microbes are organisms ubiquitously present in the biosphere. These microorganisms are the main agents that remediate toxic and polluted environmental conditions. Highly polluted areas can be rectified using proper bioremediation procedures and interventions. In this review we have studied the different bioremediation techniques which can be utilized to correct the harmful effects of environmental pollution. In this study we have also emphasized on the benefits of adopting bioremediation as an efficient alternative technique in comparison to the traditional physical and chemical methods to restore the healthy environmental conditions.