Chapter 8 - Microbial diversity at the polluted sites

Abstract

Radioactive pollution being the most hazardous is caused by release of radionuclides during nuclear explosions and testing of nuclear weapons, nuclear weapon production and decommissioning, mining of radioactive ores, handling and disposal of radioactive waste, and accidents at nuclear power plants. Presence of microorganisms is ubiquitous in all ecosystems. They are also very well known for bioremediation process. There are bacteria like Bacillus sphaericus and Pseudomonas which are capable of sequestering radionuclides, thus making it easier to remove and prevent their leakage into the groundwater. Bacteria like Deinococcus radiodurans are radioactive resistant and can survive high-intensity radiation. They are hence proved to be the important players in cleaning nuclear wastes. Gloeomargarita lithophora is also known for sucking up the radioactive isotopes radium-226 and strontium-90. Even some tiny fungi are found to survive extreme radioactive conditions. These fungi form sediment or a biofilm that could potentially trap the waste.