Bioremediation strategies for soil contaminated with heavy metal ions

Abstract

Soil acts as the source and sink of heavy metal ions, but the growing human interventions have resulted in undesirable accumulation of heavy metal ions in the soil, thus causing soil contamination. The chapter comprised the advanced bioremediation technologies employed to stabilize or degrade specific heavy metal contaminants. The bioremediation strategies are feasible techniques for transforming active heavy metal ions into a less hazardous state, through microbial or phyto-assistance. It is crucial to monitor the fate and behavior of heavy metal contaminants in diverse soils, for adopting a suitable bioremediation tool. The technique relies on the synergistic behavior among the participants (roots, bacteria, fungi, etc.) of the rhizosphere, which effectively breaks down, stores, or transforms the heavy metal ions. The application of bio-amendments stimulates the microbial population to extend the limits of the bioremediation process. Additionally, the release of chemical exudates and synthetic chelates from diverse plant groups promotes biodegradation reactions involving microbes in the rhizosphere. It is crucial to generate sustainable interaction between the bioremediation strategy and the specific ion contaminant for relevant consequences in the environment. © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights are reserved including those for text and data mining AI training and similar technologies.