Bioremediation: Sustainable Approach for Pollution Control

Abstract

Bioremediation is one of the most imminent technological approaches to meet hazardous waste problems, which transforms toxic chemicals into less toxic or nontoxic substances using bacteria or fungi. Instead of direct chemical or physical treatment, such biological transformation is more striking where microorganisms are used as efficient, cost-effective and non-disruptive tools for eliminating hazardous materials. Major destructive impacts of pollutants are perinatal, respiratory, cardiovascular and mental disorders, mortality, allergy, cancer etc. Remarkable results leading to destruction of contaminants can be obtained using genetically concocted microbes that produce many modified enzymes through ecological new technology. Microorganisms utilize metabolic degradation pathways in situ to degrade the foreign undesirable matter directly instead of simply relocating them to another medium to minimize interference of the restoration place. It is certain that for remediation of polluted sites, bioremediation will play a key role in paving the way to greener pastures. The aim of this review article is to provide appropriate information regarding research findings on bioremediation, its types and techniques of eliminating pollutants by microbial consortia. This will facilitate to understand the strategic role of bioremediation at different levels and to apply latest research and knowledge to remove toxicity and to develop strategies to manage the waste generatedin industries, which is a global alarm. Until now, not many microbial enzymes have been exploited and huge microbial diversity is yet to be explored.