Naturally occurring organisms possess genes with remediating properties. However, using genetic engineering techniques is advantageous to transfer these genes to other organisms (Joutey et al., 2013). Such techniques help increase the bioremediation efficiency.
Microbial remediation has shown significant potential in mitigating a wide range of pollutants, in a much more efficient and safe manner. While reviewing literature on pollutants, 6 main classes were determined, depending upon their chemical nature or constituents or sources.
Radioactive substances occur naturally in the environment and they emit small amounts of radiations. However, anthropogenic activities produce high levels of radioactive materials that are released into the environment causing pollution.
Mercury bioremediation processes as mercury occurs naturally in the environment and is found in both elemental inorganic and organic forms. It generally occurs in two oxidation states, Hg+1 and Hg+2.
Textile dyes are artificial or natural substances used to dye fabric. Artificial dyes are one of the worst contributors to soil pollution as they contain mutagenic, cytotoxic, cancer and allergy causing properties (Khandare & Govindwar 2015).
Bio remediation is a technology that ‘treats’ environmental pollution using microbes, plants or their by-products. It helps in removing xenobiotic and recalcitrant pollutants through physical or chemical methods.
Chromium pollution has been well documented as a major threat that is responsible for causing damage to skin, liver, kidney and respiratory tract in human beings (2–4). Typically, trivalent chromium is readily oxidized into the hexavalent form and poses a high risk as soil and groundwater contaminant.
Arsenic is a heavy metal, known to occur naturally in the Earth’s crust, metal ores and sediments (both organic and inorganic forms). It is also found in the form of sulfides, oxides or salts of sodium, copper and iron among others. It exhibits different valences and is mostly encountered as trivalent Arsenite and pentavalent Arsenate, […]