Abstract
Environmental pollution due to human domestic and economic activities resulted in the occurrence of heavy metals in free forms as well as synthetic dyes in both aquatic and soil systems. Pesticides, plastics, rubber, tanneries, and industries that release a high number of synthetic dyes, such as textile, leather, paper, and food, are responsible for polluting water and soil. These pollutants are nondegradable and could reach aquatic life and plants, which then get transferred to their consumers. Bioremediation based on microorganisms is an adequate technique as compared with physical and chemical methods. Bioremediation ensures a sustainable, low-cost, and eco-friendly approach depending on bacterial cells that can survive in extreme conditions of pH and heavy metal contamination using all available nutritional sources. Extracellular polymeric substances like polysaccharide (EPS) are released by bacteria to overcome harsh environmental conditions like starvation, pH, temperature changes, and the presence of pollutants. EPS has received a lot of attention for its properties in heavy metal and dye removal, and studies have shown that using bacterial exopolysaccharides in heavy metal and synthetic dye removal showed promising results in terms of sustainability and safety. Exopolysaccharides are classified into hetero- and homopolysaccharides that differ in their molecular weights; they could be applied by different techniques to achieve heavy metal and synthetic dye biosorption. This chapter aimed to explain EPS synthesis, classification, biosorption mechanisms, factors that affect biosorption processes, and application strategies.
Published Version
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