Microbial Degradation of Organic Contaminants in Water Bodies: Technological Advancements

Abstract

Water pollution is an issue of great concern worldwide and it can be broadly divided into three main categories: contamination by organic compounds, inorganic compounds (e.g. heavy metals), and microorganisms. In recent years, the number of research studies concerning the use of efficient processes to clean up and minimize the pollution of water bodies has been increasing. In this context, the use of bioremediation processes for the removal of toxic metals from aqueous solutions is gaining considerable attention. Bioremediation can be defined as the ability of specific biomolecules or types of biomass to bind and concentrate selected ions or other molecules present in aqueous solutions. Bioremediation using microorganisms shows excellent potential for future development due to its environmental compatibility and possible cost-effectiveness. A wide range of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, yeasts, and algae, can act as biologically active methylators, which can at least modify toxic species. Many microbial detoxification processes involve the degradation of organic contaminants. The commonly present organic contaminants in wastewater include phenols, pesticides, insecticides, dyes, and antibiotics. With the advent of technologies related to power generation, petroleum refining, and other industries, the concentration of polyaromatic hydrocarbons in water bodies has accelerated to an alarming level. The use of natural degradation mechanisms of microorganisms is an environmentally friendly approach to mitigate the harmful consequences of organic contaminants. The main purpose of this chapter is to provide an update on the recent literature concerning the strategies available for the remediation of organic pollutants in contaminated water bodies using microorganisms and to discuss their main advantages and weaknesses critically. The types of microorganisms that are used in bioremediation processes due to their natural capacity to degrade organic contaminants are discussed in detail. This chapter summarizes existing knowledge on various aspects of the fundamentals and applications of bioremediation and critically reviews the obstacles to its commercial success and future perspectives. © 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. All rights reserved.