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Researchers have been exploring the use of algae for creating value-added products and biorefineries due to its remarkable adaptability, photosynthetic efficiency, and capacity to accumulate lipids and carbohydrates. Algae biomass is cost-effective, renewable, and environmentally friendly, making it an ideal candidate for conversion into biochar with excellent physicochemical properties, such as high surface area, pore volume, and adsorption capacity. Despite its potential, detailed studies on the application of algal biochar for removing emerging contaminants from wastewater are limited. This review evaluates the specific elimination of organic and inorganic pollutants from wastewater using algae-derived biochar. It discusses species-specific adsorption capacities, production methods like pyrolysis and torrefaction, and chemical and structural modifications to enhance biochar’s effectiveness.

Algae biochar offers significant advantages over traditional remediation methods, which often fail to degrade persistent pollutants like heavy metals and dyes. Algae can grow in highly polluted water, fix CO2, and have a high growth rate, making them suitable for sustainable bioremediation. Converting algae to biochar through thermochemical processes can produce biochars with high adsorption capabilities, aiding in the removal of various wastewater pollutants.

Overall, this review highlights the synthesis, technological advancements, and application of algae biochar in wastewater treatment, providing insights into its potential as a sustainable solution for environmental remediation. This approach not only contributes to environmental protection but also promotes sustainability by utilizing algae’s rapid growth and high productivity to produce effective biochars for wastewater treatment.