Microbial Assisted Bioremediation of Polluted Water

Abstract

Bioremediation is a process to remove or detoxify contaminant present in the environment by certain biomolecules or biomass to bind and concentrate selected ions or other molecules. Water pollution is an issue of great concern worldwide, and it can be broadly divided into three main categories, that is, contamination by organic compounds, inorganic compounds (e.g., heavy metals), and microorganisms. A wide range of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, yeasts, and algae, can act as biologically active methylators, which are able to at least modify toxic species. Microorganisms cannot destroy metals, they can alter their chemical properties via a surprising array of mechanisms. Different factors affect bioremediation include environmental factor biological factor, availability of nutrients, temperature, ph, and toxic compounds. Among organic pollutants, hydrocarbons may enter in water either directly by spills or effluents or indirectly from atmosphere. These metals are extremely sensitive at low concentrations and can be stored in food webs, posing a serious public health risk. Several microorganisms (natural/exotic/ engineered) having specific metabolic capability and various enzyme production ability which fall under six main divisions include Oxidoreductases, Transferases, Hydrolases, Lyases, Isomerases and Ligases (synthetases) are used during bioremediation process. The heavy metals associated with environmental contamination, for instance, lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and chromium (Cr), which are potentially hazardous to ecosystems. The types of microorganisms that are used in bioremediation processes due to their natural capacity to biosorb toxic heavy metal ions.