Abstract
A number of toxic synthetic organic compounds can contaminate environmental soil through either local (e.g., industrial) or diffuse (e.g., agricultural) contamination. Increased levels of these toxic organic compounds in the environment have been associated with human health risks including cancer. Plant-associated bacteria, such as endophytic bacteria (non-pathogenic bacteria that occur naturally in plants) and rhizospheric bacteria (bacteria that live on and near the roots of plants), have been shown to contribute to biodegradation of toxic organic compounds in contaminated soil and could have potential for improving phytoremediation. Endophytic and rhizospheric bacterial degradation of toxic organic compounds (either naturally occurring or genetically enhanced) in contaminated soil in the environment could have positive implications for human health worldwide and is the subject of this review.
Highlights
Synthetic organic compounds are ubiquitous in our modern environment
The spectrum of toxic synthetic organic compounds identified as contaminants in environmental soil and the use of plant-associated endophytic bacteria and rhizospheric bacteria to degrade these toxic organic compounds will be the subject of this review
Ryan et al [73] listed some of the advantages associated with the use of endophytic bacteria in phytoremediation of contaminated environmental soil when compared with the use of plants alone
Summary
Synthetic organic compounds are ubiquitous in our modern environment. They are found in our homes, workplaces, public spaces and in agriculture. Effects of contamination of environmental soil with toxic synthetic organic compounds include the poisoning of animals and plants, altering of ecosystems, and human health risks. Degradation of toxic organic compounds in environmental soil by plant-associated bacteria can involve endophytic and rhizospheric bacteria. The spectrum of toxic synthetic organic compounds identified as contaminants in environmental soil and the use of plant-associated endophytic bacteria and rhizospheric bacteria to degrade these toxic organic compounds will be the subject of this review. Toxic Synthetic Organic Compounds in Environmental Soil and Associated Human Health Because of their chemical structure many synthetic organic compounds are extremely resistant to natural breakdown processes and once released into the environment may persist for years and even decades. Many of these organic compounds are toxic and are associated with serious human health risks as described below
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