Microbial remediation of organic pollutants

Yafen Wang, Nora F.Y. Tam

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

13 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Two typical groups of organic pollutants in marine environments are of great concern, petroleum hydrocarbons and halogenated organic pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Due to their highly hydrophobic nature, they are among the most toxic and persistent environmental pollutants and occur worldwide in marine sediments. Marine bacteria include a variety of candidates for their degradation. Petroleum hydrocarbons can be consumed by various aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms but the degradation of halogenated organics is mainly attributed to strictly anaerobic organohalide respiring bacteria. This is the basis for developing efficient remediation strategies, from strain selection for bio-augmentation to molecular monitoring based on their key enzymes or genes involved. There are two key ecological issues for successful bioremediation in marine environments: marine conditions such as low temperature, oceanic acidification, etc., and the interactive environmental impacts of enhanced remediation processes. Research into enhanced bioremediation is becoming promising with new materials that slowly release biostimulating factors, high-density packing of microbial cells, and supporting biofilms. To enhance their metabolic activities, electrochemical techniques have been introduced, to build a large scale of microbial fuel cell to better aid the remediation of persistent organic pollutants.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationWorld Seas
Subtitle of host publicationAn Environmental Evaluation Volume III: Ecological Issues and Environmental Impacts
Pages283-303
Number of pages21
ISBN (Electronic)9780128050521
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2018
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Enhanced microbial remediation
  • Halogenated organic pollutant
  • Marine environment
  • Microbial ecology
  • Petroleum hydrocarbon

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