Cytotoxicity and Bioremediation of Heavy Metals by Highly Resistant Marine Bacteria

Abstract

Environmental pollution of heavy metals is increasingly becoming a problem and has become of great concern due to the adverse effects it is causing around the world. These inorganic pollutants are being discarded in our waters, soils and into the atmosphere due to the rapidly growing agriculture and metal industries, improper waste disposal, fertilizers, and pesticides. Pollution in industrial areas is a serious environmental concern. Wastewater containing biotoxic substances of heavy metals in the ecosystem is one of the most important environmental and health challenges in our society. Hence, there is a growing need for the development of novel, efficient, eco-friendly, and cost-effective approach for the remediation of inorganic metals (Cr, Hg, Cd, and Pb) released into the environment and to safeguard the ecosystem. Mercury (Hg), Chromium (Cr), Cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) are known to cause damage to living organisms, including human beings. In this regard, recent advances in microbes-base heavy metal have propelled bioremediation as a prospective alternative to conventional techniques. Heavy metals are nonbiodegradable and could be toxic to microbes. Several microorganisms have evolved to develop detoxification mechanisms to counter the toxic effects of these inorganic metals. Several marine bacteria highly resistant and capable of growing at higher concentrations of Hg, Cr, Cd and Pb and to evaluate their potential to detoxify. Their detoxification efficiency for Hg, Cr, Cd and Pb indicates good potential for application in bioremediation of toxic heavy metals.