Microalgae and cyanobacteria, as versatile photoautotrophic microorganisms, hold significant promise for mitigating soil and water pollution—particularly the removal of pesticides. This review examines their multifaceted roles in pesticide biodegradation, emphasizing how their metabolic capabilities simultaneously reduce environmental toxicity, enrich soil properties, and support beneficial microbiota. Cultivation in wastewater treatment systems further highlights their potential for cost-effective bioremediation, as these microbes degrade pesticides, recycle nutrients, break down organic pollutants, and generate biomass with value-added applications. Despite these advantages, implementing large-scale processes remains challenging. Key hurdles include optimizing growth parameters, preventing contamination, improving harvest efficiency, and designing robust bioreactors. Addressing these complexities demands interdisciplinary collaboration in strain selection, metabolic engineering, and process intensification. By capitalizing on microalgae and cyanobacteria’s adaptability and metabolic flexibility, we can develop more sustainable management strategies that reduce reliance on chemical inputs, foster soil health, and contribute to long-term ecological restoration. Ultimately, these microorganisms have the potential to reshape environmental stewardship by combining economic viability with broad-scale ecological benefits.

This study examines the biodiversity of microalgae and cyanobacteria inhabiting the cotton field ecosystems of the Turkestan Region, Kazakhstan. Analysis of soil samples revealed 45 species of microalgae and cyanobacteria, with the highest diversity observed among cyanobacteria, including species from the genera Nostoc and Anabaena. In addition, four pure cultures of microalgae and cyanobacteria were isolated using the enrichment culture method, enabling a detailed investigation of their morphological characteristics and pesticide tolerance. The ecological significance of these organisms lies in their roles in biogeochemical cycles, particularly nitrogen fixation, which is of great importance for the region’s agriculture. To assess photosynthetic activity, an experiment was conducted using the pesticide atrazine, revealing differences in the tolerance of microalgae and cyanobacteria to chemical exposure. The isolated cultures demonstrate potential for use in the bioremediation of contaminated ecosystems and may serve as indicators of pesticide pollution.