Microbial Remediation of Heavy Metals in Polluted Soil

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70130/CAST.2024.7110

Keywords:

Bioremediation , heavy metal detoxification, Sustainable Soil Management, Microbial Remediation

Abstract

Heavy metal contamination poses a significant threat to the environment and public health because of its persistent toxicity and the bioaccumulation of pollutants. Microbial remediation, leveraging the metabolic capabilities of microorganisms, has emerged as an efficient and sustainable path to reduce and remove substantial, heavy metal pollution. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of microbial remediation studies, focusing on the mechanisms used by various bacteria, fungi, and algae to remove toxic substances and immobilize heavy metals. This chapter deals with several biochemical pathways in biosorption, bioaccumulation, biotransformation, and bioprecipitation. The role of genetic engineering and synthetic biology in increasing the microbial ability for targeted heavy metal removal was highlighted. The case studies explained here are the details of the booming field application of microbial remediation and the analysis of challenges and limitations in scaling up these technologies. In this chapter, insight for future research direction emphasizes the need for an interdisciplinary approach to optimize and integrate microbial remediation for its maximum efficacy within the broader environmental management framework discussed in the conclusion.

Author Biographies

  • Aman Kumar, ICMR- RMRIMS Patna

    Aman Kumar is a microbiologist specializing in molecular biology and immunology, currently working as a Junior Research Fellow at ICMR-RMRIMS Patna, focusing on visceral leishmaniasis. His expertise includes PCR assay development, ELISA, and animal model studies using BALB/c mice, Golden hamsters, and rabbits.

    He holds a Master’s in Applied Microbiology from Banaras Hindu University, where his research explored plant-microbe interactions. Aman is dedicated to advancing parasitology and immunology research to address global health challenges.

    https://orcid.org/0009-0008-2328-1040

  • Mansi Rani, ICMR- RMRIMS Patna

    Mansi Rani is a biotechnology researcher with expertise in biochemical assays, immunology, and plant-based studies. She holds an M.Sc. in Biotechnology from the Central University of South Bihar and a B.Sc. from Patna Science College. Mansi’s research at ICMR-RMRIMS focused on the role of Lymphocyte Function Associated Antigen-3 in visceral leishmaniasis. Currently, she works as a Project Assistant on drug repurposing and nanoparticle-based therapies for treating visceral leishmaniasis. Her technical skills include PCR, HPLC, FACS, ELISA, and cell culture. Mansi is dedicated to advancing biotechnology research and innovation.

  • Abhay Kumar Thakur, Patna High Court, Patna

    Abhay Kumar Thakur is a passionate environmentalist dedicated to promoting eco-friendly practices and raising awareness about environmental conservation. With an LL.B. and an M.A. in Economics from Magadh University, he combines legal expertise with a strong commitment to sustainable development.

    Since 1996, Abhay has practiced law extensively before the Patna High Court, focusing on service matters, land disputes, labor law, and taxation cases. His legal career also includes representing clients in Public Interest Litigations (PILs), notably advocating for the implementation of biometric attendance systems.

    In addition to his legal work, Abhay collaborates with NGOs and grassroots organizations to protect marginalized communities, promote environmental protection, and provide legal support and training to those in need.

References

Abatenh, E., Gizaw, B., Tsegaye, Z., & Wassie, M. (2017). The role of microorganisms in bioremediation-A review. Open Journal of Environmental Biology, 2(1), 38–46. https://doi.org/10.17352/ojeb.000007

Adetunji, C. O., & Anani, O. A. (2021). Recent advances in the application of genetically engineered microorganisms for microbial rejuvenation of contaminated environment. In Microbial rejuvenation of polluted environment, 3 (pp. 303–324). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-7459-7_14

Ali, H., Khan, E., & Sajad, M. A. (2013). Phytoremediation of heavy metals—Concepts and applications. Chemosphere, 91(7), 869–881. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2013.01.075

Alloway, B. J. (Ed.). (2012). Heavy metals in soils: Trace metals and metalloids in soils and their bioavailability, 22. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4470-7

Alsherif, E. A., Al-Shaikh, T. M., Almaghrabi, O., & AbdElgawad, H. (2021). High redox status as the basis for heavy metal tolerance of Sesuvium portulacastrum L. inhabiting contaminated soil in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Antioxidants, 11(1), 19. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11010019

Arantza, S.-J., Hiram, M.-R., Erika, K., Chávez-Avilés, M. N., Valiente-Banuet, J. I., & Fierros-Romero, G. (2022). Bio-and phytoremediation: Plants and microbes to the rescue of heavy metal polluted soils. SN Applied Sciences, 4(2), 59. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-021-04911-y

Argüello, J. M., Eren, E., & González-Guerrero, M. (2007). The structure and function of heavy metal transport P1B-ATPases. Biometals, 20(3–4), 233–248. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10534-006-9055-6

Ashkan, M. F. (2023). Lead: Natural occurrence, toxicity to organisms and bioremediation by lead-degrading bacteria: A comprehensive review. Journal of Pure and Applied Microbiology, 17(3), 1298–1319. https://doi.org/10.22207/JPAM.17.3.26

Atuchin, V. V., Asyakina, L. K., Serazetdinova, Y. R., Frolova, A. S., Velichkovich, N. S., & Prosekov, A. Y. (2023). Microorganisms for bioremediation of soils contaminated with heavy metals. Microorganisms, 11(4), 864. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11040864

Babu, S. M. O. F., Hossain, M. B., Rahman, M. S., Rahman, M., Ahmed, A. S. S., Hasan, M. M., Rakib, A., Emran, T. B., Xiao, J., & Simal-Gandara, J. (2021). Phytoremediation of toxic metals: A sustainable green solution for clean environment. Applied Sciences, 11(21), 10348. https://doi.org/10.3390/app112110348

Bhargava, A., Carmona, F. F., Bhargava, M., & Srivastava, S. (2012). Approaches for enhanced phytoextraction of heavy metals. Journal of Environmental Management, 105, 103–120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2012.04.002

Dash, H. R., & Das, S. (2012). Bioremediation of mercury and the importance of bacterial mer genes. International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation, 75, 207–213. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibiod.2012.07.023

Devi, R., Behera, B., Raza, M.B. et al. An Insight into Microbes Mediated Heavy Metal Detoxification in Plants: a Review. J Soil Sci Plant Nutr 22, 914–936 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-021-00702-x

Emenike, C. U., Jayanthi, B., Agamuthu, P., & Fauziah, S. H. (2018). Biotransformation and removal of heavy metals: A review of phytoremediation and microbial remediation assessment on contaminated soil. Environmental Reviews, 26(2), 156–168. https://doi.org/10.1139/er-2017-0045

Gadd, G. M. (2004). Microbial influence on metal mobility and application for bioremediation. Geoderma, 122(2–4), 109–119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2004.01.002

Hadi, B., & El-Naas, M. H. (2019). Biosorption of heavy metals: Potential and applications of yeast cells for cadmium removal. In Environmental contaminants: Ecological implications and management (pp. 237–271). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-7904-8_11

Jayaram, S., Ayyasamy, P. M., Aiswarya, K. P., Devi, M. P., & Rajakumar, S. (2022). Mechanism of microbial detoxification of heavy metals: A review. Journal of Pure and Applied Microbiology, 16(3), 1562–1574. https://doi.org/10.22207/JPAM.16.3.64

Jeyakumar, P., Debnath, C., Vijayaraghavan, R., & Muthuraj, M. (2023). Trends in bioremediation of heavy metal contaminations. Environmental Engineering Research, 28(4), 220631. https://doi.org/10.4491/eer.2021.631

Joshi, S., Gangola, S., Bhandari, G., Bhandari, N. S., Nainwal, D., Rani, A., Malik, S., & Slama, P. (2023). Rhizospheric bacteria: The key to sustainable heavy metal detoxification strategies. Frontiers in Microbiology, 14, 1229828. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1229828

Khan, S., Cao, Q., Zheng, Y. M., Huang, Y. Z., & Zhu, Y. G. (2008). Health risks of heavy metals in contaminated soils and food crops irrigated with wastewater in Beijing, China. Environmental Pollution, 152(3), 686–692. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2007.06.056

Kumar, M., Nandi, M., & Pakshirajan, K. (2021). Recent advances in heavy metal recovery from wastewater by biogenic sulfide precipitation. Journal of Environmental Management, 278(2), 111555. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.111555

Li, X., Gao, Y., Ning, X., & Li, Z. (2023). Research progress and hotspots on microbial remediation of heavy metal-contaminated soil: A systematic review and future perspectives. Environmental Science and Pollution Research International, 30(56), 118192–118212. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-30655-w

Li, X., & Thornton, I. (1993). Arsenic, antimony and bismuth in soil and pasture herbage in some old metalliferous mining areas in England. Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 15(2–3), 135–144. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02627831

Li, Z., Ma, Z., van der Kuijp, T. J., Yuan, Z., & Huang, L. (2014). A review of soil heavy metal pollution from mines in China: Pollution and health risk assessment. The Science of the Total Environment, 468–469, 843–853. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.08.090

Lin, H., Zhou, M., Li, B., & Dong, Y. (2023). Mechanisms, application advances and future perspectives of microbial-induced heavy metal precipitation: A review. International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation, 178, 105544. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibiod.2022.105544

Lindh, P., & Lemenkova, P. (2022). Leaching of heavy metals from contaminated soil stabilised by Portland cement and slag Bremen. Ecological Chemistry and Engineering S, 29(4), 537–552. https://doi.org/10.2478/eces-2022-0039

Liu, J., Pei, R., Liu, R., Jing, C., & Liu, W. (2025). Arsenic methylation and microbial communities in paddy soils under alternating anoxic and oxic conditions. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 148, 468–475. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jes.2023.10.030

Liu, L., Li, W., Song, W., & Guo, M. (2018). Remediation techniques for heavy metal-contaminated soils: Principles and applicability. The Science of the Total Environment, 633, 206–219. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.03.161

Moghal, A. A. B., Mohammed, S. A. S., Almajed, A., & Al-Shamrani, M. A. (2020). Desorption of heavy metals from lime-stabilized arid-soils using different extractants. International Journal of Civil Engineering, 18(4), 449–461. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40999-019-00453-y

Nies, D. H. (2003). Efflux-mediated heavy metal resistance in prokaryotes. FEMS Microbiology Reviews, 27(2–3), 313–339. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-6445(03)00048-2

Nnaji, N. D., Onyeaka, H., Miri, T., & Ugwa, C. (2023). Bioaccumulation for heavy metal removal: A review. SN Applied Sciences, 5(5), 125. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-023-05351-6

Olaniran, A. O., Balgobind, A., & Pillay, B. (2013). Bioavailability of heavy metals in soil: Impact on microbial biodegradation of organic compounds and possible improvement strategies. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 14(5), 10197–10228. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms140510197

Oyewole, O. A., Zobeashia, S. S. L. T., Oladoja, E. O., Raji, R. O., Odiniya, E. E., & Musa, A. M. (2019). Biosorption of heavy metal polluted soil using bacteria and fungi isolated from soil. SN Applied Sciences, 1, 1–8.

Park, J. H., Lamb, D., Paneerselvam, P., Choppala, G., Bolan, N., & Chung, J.-W. (2011). Role of organic amendments on enhanced bioremediation of heavy metal (loid) contaminated soils. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 185(2–3), 549–574. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2010.09.082

Peng, X., Yang, Y., Yang, S., Li, L., & Song, L. (2024). Recent advance of microbial mercury methylation in the environment. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 108(1), 235. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-023-12967-6

Priya, A. K., Gnanasekaran, L., Dutta, K., Rajendran, S., Balakrishnan, D., & Soto-Moscoso, M. (2022). Biosorption of heavy metals by microorganisms: Evaluation of different underlying mechanisms. Chemosphere, 307(4), 135957. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135957

Priyadarshanee, M., & Das, S. (2021). Biosorption and removal of toxic heavy metals by metal tolerating bacteria for bioremediation of metal contamination: A comprehensive review. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 9(1), 104686. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2020.104686

Priyanka, S. K., & Dwivedi, S. K. (2023). Fungi mediated detoxification of heavy metals: Insights on mechanisms, influencing factors and recent developments. Journal of Water Process Engineering, 53, 103800. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2023.103800

Rajalakshmi, S., & Thatheyus, A. J. (2022). Biosorption of zinc using Bacillus subtilis (MTCC 2423). Indian Journal of Experimental Biology.

Rekha, K., Usha, B., & Keeran, N. S. (2021). Role of ABC transporters and other vacuolar transporters during heavy metal stress in plants. In Metal and nutrient transporters in abiotic stress (pp. 55–76). Academic Press.

Rensing, C., & Grass, G. (2003). Escherichia coli mechanisms of copper homeostasis in a changing environment. FEMS Microbiology Reviews, 27(2–3), 197–213. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-6445(03)00049-4

Rizwan, M., Ali, S., Qayyum, M. F., Ok, Y. S., Adrees, M., Ibrahim, M., Zia-Ur-Rehman, M., Farid, M., & Abbas, F. (2017). Effect of metal and metal oxide nanoparticles on growth and physiology of globally important food crops: A critical review. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 322(A), 2–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2016.05.061

Saha, L., Tiwari, J., Bauddh, K., & Ma, Y. (2021). Recent developments in microbe–plant-based bioremediation for tackling heavy metal-polluted soils. Frontiers in Microbiology, 12, 731723. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2021.731723

Saraswat, S., & Rai, J. P. N. (2011). Mechanism of metal tolerance and detoxification in mycorrhizal fungi. In Biomanagement of metal-contaminated soils (pp. 225–240). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-1914-9_9

Shahid, M., Dumat, C., Khalid, S., Schreck, E., Xiong, T., & Niazi, N. K. (2017). Foliar heavy metal uptake, toxicity and detoxification in plants: A comparison of foliar and root metal uptake. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 325, 36–58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2016.11.063

Srivastava, Pallavee; Kowshik, Meenal . (2013). Mechanisms of Metal Resistance and Homeostasis in Haloarchaea. Archaea, 2013(), 1–16. doi:10.1155/2013/732864

Tangahu, B. V., Sheikh Abdullah, S. R., Basri, H., Idris, M., Anuar, N., & Mukhlisin, M. (2011). A review on heavy metals (As, Pb, and Hg) uptake by plants through phytoremediation. International Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2011(1), 939161. https://doi.org/10.1155/2011/939161

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). (2019). Global environment outlook – GEO-6: Healthy planet, healthy people.

Verma, S., Bhatt, P., Verma, A., Mudila, H., Prasher, P., & Rene, E. R. (2021). Microbial technologies for heavy metal remediation: Effect of process conditions and current practices. Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy, 25(5), 1485–1507. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10098-021-02029-8

World Health Organization (WHO). (2018). Soil pollution: A hidden reality.

Wuana, R. A., & Okieimen, F. E. (2011). Heavy metals in contaminated soils: A review of sources, chemistry, risks and best available strategies for remediation. ISRN Ecology, 2011, 1–20. 402647. https://doi.org/10.5402/2011/402647

Xu, H., Zhang, P., He, E., Peijnenburg, W. J. G. M., Cao, X., Zhao, L., Xu, X., & Qiu, H. (2023). Natural formation of copper sulfide nanoparticles via microbially mediated organic sulfur mineralization in soil: Processes and mechanisms. Geoderma, 430, 116300. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2022.116300

Xu, Y.-N., & Chen, Y. (2020). Advances in heavy metal removal by sulfate-reducing bacteria. Water Science and Technology, 81(9), 1797–1827. https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2020.227

You, W., Peng, W., Tian, Z., & Zheng, M. (2021). Uranium bioremediation with U(VI)-reducing bacteria. The Science of the Total Environment, 798, 149107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149107

Zhang, M.-K., Liu, Z.-Y., & Wang, H. (2010). Use of single extraction methods to predict bioavailability of heavy metals in polluted soils to rice. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 41(7), 820–831. https://doi.org/10.1080/00103621003592341

Zhang, W., Zhang, H., Xu, R., Qin, H., Liu, H., & Zhao, K. (2023). Heavy metal bioremediation using microbially induced carbonate precipitation: Key factors and enhancement strategies. Frontiers in Microbiology, 14, 1116970. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1116970

Downloads

Published

2024-09-18

Issue

Vol. 7 (2024): Environment and Sustainability

Section

Reviews

License

Copyright (c) 2024 Contemporary Advances in Science and Technology

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Kumar, A., Rani, M. ., & Thakur, A. K. (2024). Microbial Remediation of Heavy Metals in Polluted Soil. Contemporary Advances in Science and Technology, 7, 135-148. https://doi.org/10.70130/CAST.2024.7110