Bioremediation and Phytoremediation of Environmental Pollutants: Advances and Current Strategies
摘要
Environmental pollutants encompass a range of substances from metals, radionuclides, and metalloids to chemicals including insecticides, reactive dyes, and toxic pesticides, which pose a risk to all living organisms. Despite their prevalent use in various industries including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food packaging, exposure to these pollutants whether direct or indirect can have negative impacts on human health that can lead to serious medical conditions. Microbes and plants possess the inherent genetic capacity to assimilate harmful substances and convert them into a nontoxic form for other organisms. When humans harness these powerful microbial metabolic processes to combat environmental pollutants, it is commonly known as bioremediation. When the same process is performed using plants, it is referred to as phytoremediation. This chapter provides insights into bioremediation and phytoremediation techniques for breaking down, eliminating, or neutralizing diverse pollutants found in soil, water, and air.