The contamination of aquatic systems with arsenic (As) is considered to be an internationally-important health and environmental issue worldwide, affecting over 115 countries globally. Arsenic contamination of aquatic ecosystems is a global threat as it can enter the food chain from As-rich water and cause harmful impacts on the humans and other living organisms. Although different factors (e.g., pH, redox potential, iron/manganese oxides, and microbes) control As biogeochemical cycling and speciation in water systems, the significance of algal species in biotransformation of As is poorly understood. The overarching attribute of this review is to briefly elaborate various As sources and its distribution in water bodies and factors affecting As biogeochemical behavior in aqueous ecosystems. This review elucidates the intriguing role of algae in biotransformation/volatilization of As in water bodies under environmentally-relevant conditions. Also, we critically delineate As sorption, uptake, oxidation and reduction pathways of As by algae and their possible role in bioremediation of As-contaminated water (e.g., drinking water, wastewater). The current review provides the updated and useful framework for government and water treatment agencies to implement algae in As remediation programs globally.

砷对水生系统的污染被认为是全球范围内国际上重要的健康和环境问题，影响了全球115个以上的国家。水生生态系统中的砷污染是全球性威胁，因为它可以从富含As的水进入食物链，并对人类和其他生物造成有害影响。尽管不同的因素（例如pH值，氧化还原电势，铁/锰氧化物和微生物）控制着水系统中的生物地球化学循环和物种形成，但人们对藻类物种在As生物转化中的重要性却知之甚少。这篇综述的首要属性是简要阐述各种砷源及其在水体中的分布以及影响水生态系统中砷生物地球化学行为的因素。这篇综述阐明了藻类在环境相关条件下在水体中砷的生物转化/挥发中的有趣作用。此外，我们严格地描述了藻类对砷的吸附，吸收，氧化和还原途径，以及它们在被砷污染的水（例如饮用水，废水）的生物修复中的可能作用。当前的审查为政府和水处理机构在全球范围内实施As修复计划中的藻类提供了更新且有用的框架。