Chapter 1 - Biodegradation of organic pollutants for its effective remediation from the environment and the role of various factors affecting the biodegradation process

Abstract

In today’s era, there has been rising concern over danger in common fitness offered by the accessibility of organic pollutants in the environment due to various devastating anthropogenic activities to a larger degree and natural processes to a lesser degree. Numerous countries around the world are currently confronting problems due to these contaminants, as they are among the deadliest emerging threats for the fitted survival of well-being. Remedying the contaminated locations by the process of biodegradation is a worthwhile practicable option, as conventional physico-chemical methods for remediation seem challenging from both technical and economical viewpoints. Biodegradation is environmentally friendly and non-offensive, and it could be cost-effective in the elimination of organic hydrocarbon pollutants. It is a well-thought-out and well-defined mechanism for the removal of contaminants. Nevertheless, existing biodegradation tactics suffer from various limitations, including the type and nature of pollutants, poor competences of microbiological communities in the field, the lesser bioavailability of pollutants, and different growth conditions, such as temperature, pressure, electrons, and availability. Research and knowledge about the factors influencing microbial degradation are increasing in the present scenario. This chapter selectively examines and provides a critical view on the bioavailability of the substrates, microorganisms in the degradation of organic pollutants, and the most prominent factors affecting the biodegradation of these pollutants.