University of Basra Organizes a Course on Algae Bioreactor Technology

The Marine Sciences Center at the University of Basra organized a course titled *Algae Bioreactors and Their Practical Applications in Treating Contaminated Water*

The aim of the course was to highlight safe and environmentally friendly biological solutions as a sustainable alternative for treating contaminated water.

The course, presented by Dr. Rahab Salem Khazaal and Dr. Mariam Fawzi Hamid, covered modern biotechnologies for water treatment using immobilized algae. The workshop highlighted the mechanism of algae immobilization (trapping them in polymeric materials) and their role in treating water contaminated with heavy metals and hydrocarbons, as well as reducing organic pollutants to achieve environmental sustainability. The workshop reviewed methods for immobilizing algal cells using biopolymers (such as alginate and carrageenan) to increase their efficiency and effectiveness in biological treatment. It also discussed how to integrate these technologies into wastewater treatment plants to reduce water pollution.