Bioremediation for Sustainable

Environmental Cleanup

Editors
Anju Malik
Department of Energy and Environmental Sciences
Chaudhary Devilal University
Sirsa, Haryana, India

Vinod Kumar Garg

Department of Environmental Science and Technology
School of Environment and Earth Sciences
Central University of Punjab
Bathinda, Punjab, India

p,
p,
A SCIENCE PUBLISHERS BOOK
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First edition published 2024
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ISBN: 978-1-032-23491-5 (hbk)

ISBN: 978-1-032-23492-2 (pbk)
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DOI: 10.1201/9781003277941

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by Radiant Productions
Preface

In the last century, rapid industrialization and urbanization have left a large quantity of a wide
range of pollutants emitted from both natural and anthropogenic sources. These pollutants have
detrimental effects on the flora, fauna and natural environment. The persistence and prevalence
of these pollutants virtually in all the ecosystems of Earth are of a major concern. Although a
large number of conventional physical and chemical methods are available for cleaning up the
environment, they are not sustainable and have inherent limitations. Hence, an alternate eco-
sustainable, bio-based and environment-friendly approach recognized as Bioremediation has
emerged. In bioremediation, biodiversity acts as a toolbox providing various processes/mechanisms
to eliminate, immobilize/stabilize, degrade or transform various hazardous contaminants into
innocuous and value-added products. This approach uses a vast array of biological agents, especially
bacteria (microbial remediation), fungi (mycoremediation), algae (phycoremediation), higher plants
(phytoremediation), biochar, nano-biomaterials, etc.
This book Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup has a compilation of
seventeen chapters contributed by eminent researchers from various countries located in diverse
geographical areas including Argentina, Canada, Germany, India, Pakistan, South Africa, the
United Kingdom and the United States of America. The book starts with a brief overview of
various bioremediation approaches used to clean up the polluted environment. It is followed by the
chapters on bioremediation strategies like Bioprecipitation, Bioaccumulation and Biosorption in
Chapters 2, 3 and 4. Further, the remediation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons using
phytoremediation and mycoremediation has been described in Chapters 5 and 6. The current
status and prospects of microbe-assisted bioremediation of pesticides have also been included in
Chapter 7. Chapter 8 focuses on the degradation of different pesticides by the bacterium Pseudomonas
putida. Chapters 9 to 13 extensively discuss the remediation of metal(loid)s. Chapter 14 presents
an overview of the potential of Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) in remediating wastewater
discharged from the paper and pulp, textile and dairy industries. Furthermore, the applications
of novel materials viz. biohybrids, nano-biomaterials and graphitic Carbon Nitride (g-C3N4), in
environmental clean up of heavy metals, pesticides, dyes and other organic pollutants have been
addressed/covered in Chapters 15, 16 and 17.
Conclusively, this book comprehensively describes the state-of-the-art and potential of emerging
bioremediation approaches, which have been employed for sustainable environmental clean up of
various environmental pollutants such as metal(loid)s, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, dyes,
pesticides, petroleum hydrocarbons, etc., by using bacteria, fungi, algae, higher plants and novel
materials like biohybrids, nano-biomaterials and graphitic Carbon Nitride (g-C3N4). The emphasis
throughout, however, is on sustainable environmental clean up. Each chapter of the book can stand
alone, contains updated information and is clearly illustrated with figures, pictures and tables in a
scientific way.
We firmly believe that this book will cater to the interest of researchers, academicians,
environmentalists, agriculturalists, extension workers, industrialists, students at undergraduate
and postgraduate levels, practising engineers, policymakers and other enthusiastic people who are
unreservedly devoted to sustainable environmental clean up of pollutants.
iv Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

The editors have sincerely worked for about two years to carefully select, edit, revise and compile
the contributed manuscripts to the scope of the book. We have strived hard to ensure that this book
is free from any erroneous or deceptive information and any such mistake is completely inadvertent.
Further, we wholeheartedly thank all our contributors for readily accepting our invitation, timely
submitting their innovative, high quality and valuable chapters, and their cooperation at all stages
in making this voluminous and high-quality outcome a successful attempt. Last but not the least,
we also express our deep sense of gratitude to our family members for their unconditional support
during this long journey.
Anju Malik
Sirsa, India
Vinod Kumar Garg
Bathinda, India
Contents

Preface iii
1. Bioremediation: A Sustainable Approach for Environmental Cleanup 1
Bharti Singh, Anju Malik and Vinod Kumar Garg
2. Bioprecipitation as a Bioremediation Strategy for Environmental Cleanup 19
Samantha M. Wilcox, Catherine N. Mulligan and Carmen Mihaela Neculita
3. Bio Adsorption: An Eco-friendly Alternative for Industrial Effluents Treatment 40
Andrea Saralegui, M. Natalia Piol, Victoria Willson, Néstor Caracciolo, Silvia Ramos
and Susana Boeykens
4. Bioaccumulation and Biosorption: The Prospects and Future Applications 56
P.F. Steffi and P.F. Mishel
5. PAHs in Terrestrial Environment and their Phytoremediation 67
Sandip Singh Bhatti, Astha Bhatia, Gulshan Bhagat, Simran Singh,
Salwinder Singh Dhaliwal, Vivek Sharma, Vibha Verma, Rui Yin and Jaswinder Singh
6. Fungal Strategies for the Remediation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons 86
Nitu Gupta, Sandipan Banerjee, Apurba Koley, Aman Basu, Nayanmoni Gogoi,
Raza Rafiqul Hoque, Narayan Chandra Mandal and Srinivasan Balachandran
7. Microbe-Assisted Bioremediation of Pesticides from Contaminated Habitats: 109
Current Status and Prospects
Karen Reddy, Shisy Jose, Tufail Fayaz, Nirmal Renuka, Sachitra Kumar Ratha,
Sheena Kumari and Faizal Bux
8. Pseudomonas putida: An Environment Friendly Bacterium 125
Sneha S. Das and Gunderao H. Kathwate
9. General Aspects/Case Studies on Sources and Bioremediation 145
Mechanisms of Metal(loid)s
Manoj Kumar, Sushma K. Varma, Renju, Neeraj Kumar Singh and Rajesh Singh
10. Metal(loid)s Toxicity and Bacteria Mediated Bioremediation 167
Sushant Sunder, Anshul Gupta, Mehak Singla, Rohit Ruhal and Rashmi Kataria
11. Lead Induced Toxicity, Detoxification and Bioremediation 187
Shalini Dhiman, Arun Dev Singh, Isha Madaan, Raman Tikoria, Driti Kapoor,
Priyanka Sharma, Nitika Kapoor, Geetika Sirhindi, Puja Ohri and Renu Bhardwaj
12. Microalgal Bioremediation of Heavy Metals: An Integrated Low-cost 207
Sustainable Approach
Anubha Kaushik, Sharma Mona, Randhir Bharti and Sujata
vi Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

13. Bioremediation of Heavy Metals from Aquatic Environments 223

Fariha Latif, Shahena Perveen, Sana Aziz, Rehana Iqbal and Muhammad Mudassar Shahzad
14. Phytoremediation of Wastewater Discharged from Paper and Pulp, Textile and 238
Dairy Industries using Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes): A Sustainable Approach
Apurba Koley, Anudeb Ghosh, Sandipan Banerjee, Nitu Gupta, Richik Ghosh Thakur,
Binoy Kumar Show, Shibani Chaudhury, Amit Kumar Hazra, Andrew B. Ross,
Gaurav Nahar and Srinivasan Balachandran
15. Biohybrids for Environmental Remediation and Biosensing: Concept, 262
Synthesis and Future Prospective
Archana Mishra, Ayushi Rastogi and Avanish Singh Parmar
16. Remediation for Heavy Metal Contamination: A Nanotechnological Approach 279
Rubina Khanam, Amaresh Kumar Nayak and Dibyendu Chatterjee
17. Modification Strategies of g-C3N4 for Potential Applications in Photocatalysis: 292
A Sustainable Approach towards the Environment
Sachin Shoran, Sweety Dahiya, Anshu Sharma and Sudesh Chaudhary
Index 313
About the Editors 315
Chapter 1
Bioremediation
A Sustainable Approach for Environmental
Cleanup
Bharti Singh,1 Anju Malik1,* and Vinod Kumar Garg 2

1.1 Introduction
Both urbanization and industrialization have resulted in a rise of contaminated land and water. As
both these activities are growing at a rapid rate, they are creating stress on renewable as well as
non-renewable resources. As a result, environmental pollution has increased globally during the
last several decades. The expansion of the manufacturing and agricultural industries has led to an
increase in the release of a wide variety of xenobiotic substances into the environment. Excessive
release of hazardous waste has resulted in a lack of clean water and soil disturbances, restricting
agricultural output (Kamaludeen et al. 2003). Heavy metals, petroleum oil, pesticides, hydrocarbons
such as aliphatic, aromatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, nitroaromatic compounds,
chlorinated hydrocarbons such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and perchloroethylene,
organophosphorus compounds, organic solvents (phenolic compounds) and phthalates are
all possible contaminants in hazardous waste (Megharaj et al. 2011). The economically and
environmentally viable management of these wastes is a serious challenge around the world.
According to third-world network data, more than 450 million kg of hazardous waste is released
into the air, water and land on a global scale (Singh 2014). If these pollutants are discharged into
the environment without being correctly treated, they may cause serious health concerns as well as
the extinction of many species of fauna and flora. Various kinds of contaminants are carried into the
ground via air and water, resulting in a slew of major environmental and health issues around the
world (Boopathy 2000). Different types of technologies have been developed for waste disposal that
use high-temperature incineration, soil washing, adsorption, flocculation, landfilling, pyrolysis and
chemical decomposition etc. Despite their high potential for effectiveness, these techniques are also
inconvenient, expensive and undesirable.
Many researchers have increased their efforts to identify more environmentally friendly and
cost-effective alternatives for the use of hazardous chemicals and treatments to eliminate current
dangerous contaminants for sustainable cleanup of the environment. Several underdeveloped
countries cannot afford to build environmentally friendly and economically viable machinery for

1
Department of Energy and Environmental Sciences, Chaudhary Devilal University, Sirsa, Haryana, India.
2
Department of Environmental Science and Technology, School of Environment and Earth Sciences, Central University of
Punjab, Bhatinda, Punjab, India.
* Corresponding author: [email protected], [email protected]
2 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

waste handling. In such desperate situations, a few environmentally beneficial techniques can
overcome the restrictions associated with safe and cost-effective waste management technology.
Bioremediation approaches are increasingly being used as preferred methods for the detoxification
and biodegradation of pollutants in waste management and cleanup programs to revert contaminated
sites to their natural state, as they are cost-effective, natural environment friendly and long-term
solutions (Kumar et al. 2018).
Bioremediation is described as a process that uses living organisms, primarily microorganisms,
green plants and their enzymes, to remove, degrade, mineralize, transform and detoxify environmental
pollutants and hazardous components of waste into harmless or less toxic forms during the treatment
of contaminated sites in order to restore them to their original state (Azubuike et al. 2016). Pesticides,
polyaromatic hydrocarbons, halogenated petroleum hydrocarbons, nitroaromatic chemicals, metals
and industrial solvents have all been reduced in concentration and toxicity using the bioremediation
technique (Dua et al. 2002).
Microorganisms are used in bioremediation to immobilize or change the chemical structure of
pollutants found in soils, sediments, water and air, resulting in partial degradation, mineralization or
transformation of the molecule. However, most of the pollutants exhibit resistance to degradation,
which causes them to persist in the environment. Such accumulation may sometimes pose a serious
risk. Bioremediation techniques may be effectively set in polluted fields with the right use of
natural and engineered microorganisms. The treatment of polluted groundwater, soil, wetlands,
industrial wastes and sludge can all benefit from bioremediation approaches. Phytoremediation is
the process in which different types of plants are used in the bioremediation of contaminants. It
is a non-conventional, cost-effective and eco-friendly technology that utilizes plants to remove,
transform or stabilize a variety of contaminants located in water, sediments or soils (Prasad et al.
2001, Ladislas et al. 2012). This chapter aims to provide a brief overview of bioremediation and its
guiding principles, as well as the numerous bioremediation approaches, specifically the in-situ and
ex-situ remediation strategies, their benefits and drawbacks.

1.2 Bioremediation
Bioremediation is the “use of living organisms to clean up toxins from soil, water, or wastewater”
(EPA 2016). The utilization of living organisms to ameliorate the contaminated environment viz.
water, soil, etc., is referred to as bioremediation (Brar et al. 2006, Antizar-Ladislao 2010, Latha
and Reddy 2013). In other words, it is a technique for eliminating environmental contaminants
and restoring the natural ecosystem while also avoiding additional pollution. Various species
and their products, such as bacteria (bacterial bioremediation), fungi (mycoremediation), plants
(phytoremediation) and biomolecules generated from organisms, are engaged in bioremediation
processes (derivative bioremediation). Bioremediation can be aerobic (Wiegel and Wu 2000,
Bedard and May 1995) or anaerobic (Komancová et al. 2003). Bioremediation can occur naturally,
which is referred to as “natural attenuation” or it can take place artificially, which is referred to
as “biostimulation”. Note that not all toxins can be effectively removed with bioremediation.
Bioremediation aids humanity and society in dealing with harmful chemical pollutants that, if not
removed or rendered safe, may be damaging to human health and the environment.

1.3 Principles of Bioremediation

Recent research in ecology has revealed a variety of possibilities for improving biological systems.
The remediation of contaminated water and land regions is one of these studies’ notable successes.
Living organisms including bacteria, fungi and algae, as well as plants, are utilized in bioremediation
to break down and detoxify dangerous contaminants in the environment, converting them to CO2,
H2O, microbial biomass and metabolites. These microorganisms might be native to the polluted
location or they could have been isolated elsewhere and transported to the contaminated site.
Different types of organisms are involved in the biodegradation of a substance. A process known
 Bioremediation: A Sustainable Approach for Environmental Cleanup 3

as bioaugmentation involves the use of different cultured microorganisms to degrade soil and
water contaminants. Microorganisms must enzymatically attack contaminants and transform them
into harmless compounds for bioremediation to be efficient (Vidali 2001). Since environmental
conditions must be favorable for microbial development for bioremediation to be effective,
environmental parameters are regulated/monitored to accelerate microbial growth and deterioration.
Bioremediation procedures are often less expensive than traditional methods like incineration, and
certain contaminants may be treated on-site, lowering exposure hazards for cleanup workers and
possibly broader exposure due to transportation problems. Bioremediation is more widely accepted
than other approaches since it is based on natural attenuation. Most bioremediation systems are
operated under aerobic circumstances; however, operating one under anaerobic conditions may
allow microbial organisms to degrade compounds that are typically resistant to degradation (Colberg
and Young 1995).

1.4 Types of Bioremediation

The bioremediation process is divided into in-situ and ex-situ based on the origin and removal of
pollutants, as shown in Figure 1.1.

In situ Ex situ

Figure 1.1. Types of bioremediation techniques (Tyagi and Kumar 2021).

1.4.1 In-situ Bioremediation

In-situ bioremediation is defined as the process of degrading the contaminants in a naturalistic
environment to produce carbon dioxide and water. It is a low-cost, low-maintenance, environmentally
beneficial and long-term solution for contaminated site cleaning (Aggarwal et al. 1990, Jørgensen,
2007, Megharaj et al. 2011, Latha and Reddy 2013). In-situ bioremediation is most commonly
used to degrade pollutants in saturated soils and groundwater. This technique is basically applied
to polluted material on-site. Some of the examples of in-situ bioremediation strategies as shown in
Figure 1.1 are described next.
4 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

1.4.1.1 Bioaugmentation
Bioaugmentation is an effective method to increase the biodegradation of chemical compounds which
are added to the contaminated soil or water. When bioattenuation or biostimulation is ineffective
against resistant compounds, this strategy is thought to be effective. This approach is primarily used
to remediate aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbon-contaminated municipal wastewater and soil.
Microorganisms from different cultures are brought together to enhance bioaugmentation efficiency.
The proper utilization of microbes which are naturally occurring can help to degrade and entirely
mineralize organic pollutants (Bender and Phillips 2004). Bioaugmentation-aided phytoextraction
with Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) or Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) is
also a potential option for metal-contaminated soil cleanup (Lebeau et al. 2008).

1.4.1.2 Biostimulation
The process of stimulating microbial enzymes for the bioremediation of diverse xenobiotic
chemicals is known as biostimulation, which involves adding soil nutrients, trace minerals, electron
acceptors or donors to a contaminated site until the optimum pH is reached (Li et al. 2010). If
natural degradation does not occur or occurs at a slow rate, the environment must be manipulated
in order to stimulate biodegradation and increase reaction rates. This method is primarily intended
to remediate fuel, hydrocarbon, metal contaminated sites, non-halogenated Volatile Organic
Compounds and Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs, SVOCs) pesticides and herbicide
pollution of soil and groundwater. The availability of carbon, nutrients such as N and P, temperature,
available oxygen, soil pH and the kind and quantity of organic pollutant itself all influence the rate
of microbial turnover of chemical pollutants (Carberry and Wik 2001). There are several examples
of contaminants being biostimulated by indigenous microbes. Microorganisms have been observed
to convert trichloroethene and perchloroethylene to ethane in a short period when lactate is added
during biostimulation (Shan et al. 2010). In-situ biostimulation is predicted to become a dependable
and safe cleaning solution as scientific data accumulates via these types of field tests.

1.4.1.3 Bioventing
Bioventing is an in-situ approach in which different microorganisms are used to degrade organic
components adsorbed on soils in the unsaturated zone. This approach involves adding very little
oxygen to contaminated soil at low airflow rates, which is sufficient for successful microbial
biodegradation while minimizing pollutant volatilization and emission into the atmosphere (Atlas
and Philp 2005). In this technique, organic materials that are added to soil in the unsaturated zone
are biodegraded by the native microorganisms. TCE (trichloroethane), ethylene dibromide and
dichloroethylene are the most common volatile pollutants found at locations containing mid-weight
petroleum products (such as diesel and jet fuel) (Lee et al. 2006, Latha and Reddy 2013).

1.4.1.4 Bioslurping
Bioslurping is a technology that combines a number of procedures, including vacuum-enhanced
pumping, bioventing and soil vapor extraction, to remove contaminants from soil and groundwater
while also accelerating microbial biodegradation. One disadvantage of this strategy is the soil’s low
permeability, which reduces the pace at which oxygen is transferred and further suppresses microbial
activity. These methods are often used to remove volatile and semivolatile organic pollutants from
soil and liquids (Vidali 2001).

1.4.1.5 Biosparging
Biosparging also known as air sparging is an in-situ treatment method that involves injecting air
under pressure below the water table to clean polluted groundwater and raising subsurface oxygen
concentrations to enhance biodegradation in saturated and unsaturated soils. VOCs that have
polluted groundwater or soils in the saturated zone are treated using this method. Vapors that have
 Bioremediation: A Sustainable Approach for Environmental Cleanup 5

been volatilized pass into the unsaturated zone, where they are vacuum-extracted by a soil vapor
extraction system (Hardisty and Ozdemiroglu 2005, Neilson and Allard 2008).

1.4.2 Ex-situ Bioremediation

Ex-situ bioremediation procedures treat pollutants elsewhere than where they were initially
discovered. Ex-situ bioremediation techniques are further divided into other categories, such as
landfarming, composting, biopiling, bioreactors and biofilters, based on the type of pollutant,
depth and degree of pollution, treatment cost and geographical and geological characteristics of
the contaminated location (Atlas and Philp 2005). Some of the ex-situ bioremediation strategies as
shown in Figure 1.1 are discussed below:

1.4.2.1 Biopiling
A biopile is one of the several bioremediation strategies for treating hydrocarbon-contaminated soil
that involves piling the dirt on top of an air distribution system and aerating it. Landfarming and
composting processes are combined in the biopiling approach and are mostly used in the treatment
of areas polluted with petroleum hydrocarbons. This whole setup includes a treatment bed and
nutrients, an aeration system, an underground irrigation system and a leachate collecting system
(Azubuike et al. 2016). For its cost-effectiveness and the ability to manage temperature, pH, and
nutrient conditions, this approach is increasingly being employed for bioremediation (Whelan et al.
2015).

1.4.2.2 Landfarming
Landfarming is a technique that includes dumping polluted material onto the soil surface and tilling
it to mix and aerate it (Harmsen et al. 2007, Maciel et al. 2009). Fuels, non-halogenated volatile
organic carbons, pesticides and herbicides are among the contaminants that this technology is meant
to handle. The idea is to encourage indigenous biodegradative bacteria and make it easier for them
to degrade pollutants aerobically. Landfarming appears to be limited to the treatment of 10–35 cm
of surface soil (Kumar et al. 2018). This technology is commonly used to clean up polluted areas
with aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, as well as PCBs (Silva-Castro et al. 2012).

1.4.2.3 Bioreactors
In this process, the pollutant is degraded in a reactor or container under controlled conditions. The
bioreactor technique is used to remediate soil or water that has been polluted by volatile organic
pollutants such as BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene). A slurry bioreactor is a
vessel and apparatus which is used to increase the bioremediation rate of soil-bound and water-
soluble pollutants as a contaminated soil and biomass slurry (Kumar et al. 2011). Batch, continuous,
sequential batch biofilm, membrane, fluidized bed, biofilm and airlift bioreactors are among the
many types of bioreactors available globally. Before being placed in a bioreactor, the contaminated
soil must be pretreated or the contamination can be eliminated from the soil in different ways
(EPA 2000).

1.4.2.4 Biofilters
Biofilters are most commonly used to remove gaseous contaminants. The removal of gaseous
contaminants is accomplished using columns packed with microorganisms by converting unwanted
elements, such as CO2, H2O and cell mass, into harmless objects (Boopathy 2000). Biofilters use
a combination of basic techniques such as assimilation, adsorption, desorption and debasement of
gaseous phase contaminants. Microorganisms form a biofilm that adheres to the surface of a solid-
packed medium. The filter bed medium is often composed of natural materials with a wide surface
area in the zone and some supplement supplies. Biofilters are commonly used in water supply
systems to manage moisture and add nutrients (Gopinath et al. 2018).
6 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

1.5 Different types of Pollutants in the Environment and their

Bioremediation
Many organic pollutants, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), Polycyclic Aromatic
Hydrocarbons (PAHs), pesticides, oil spills and dyes have been found to be toxic in the environment.
They can be detrimental to other species and human health due to their large-scale manufacturing
and use, toxicity, bioaccumulation and persistence in the environment (Figure 1.2). Inorganic
pollution by Heavy Metal (HM) is less visible and direct than other types of pollutants, but its effects
on marine ecosystems and humans are concentrated and very extensive (Necibi and Mzoughi 2017).

Figure 1.2. Different types of pollutants in the environment.

1.5.1 Bioremediation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) consist of a large and diverse class of organic compounds
consisting of fused aromatic rings in various forms. They are colorless, white or pale yellow-green
solids, have low water solubility and vapor pressure, and a high octanol/water partitioning coefficient
and low microbial bioavailability which are produced as a result of incomplete combustion of organic
compounds (wood, coal, oil and gasoline). US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has
identified a collection of 16 different PAHs as priority pollutants. PAHs are used to make pesticides,
dyes, plastics and medicines. PAHs are widely distributed in environments which are toxic and
persistent for a long period (Cerniglia 1984, Wang 2009). Due to their mutagenic and carcinogenic
toxicity, PAH’s outcome in nature is of major environmental concern.
Bioremediation is a natural process that recovers PAH-polluted environments by converting
hazardous PAHs into non-toxic products. The number and kind of microorganisms present, as well
as the nature and chemical structure of the chemical component being degraded, all influence PAH
breakdown. Some of the microorganisms that are used in the degradation of PAHs are given in
Table 1.1. During biodegradation, microorganisms either convert or mineralize PAHs and other
xenobiotic chemicals to CO2 and H2O. The rate of biodegradation is influenced by factors like
pH, temperature, oxygen, microbial population, degree of acclimation, nutrient accessibility, the
chemical structure of the substance, cellular transport characteristics and chemical partitioning
in growing media (Haritash and Kaushik 2009). Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is a PAH that consists
of five fused benzene rings and is one of the most potent carcinogenic PAHs. In mammals and
 Bioremediation: A Sustainable Approach for Environmental Cleanup 7

Table 1.1. Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) degrading microorganisms.

PAHs Microorganism References

Phenanthrene Arabidopsis thaliana ATCG5600 Hernández-Vega et al. 2017
Pyrene Achromobacter xylosxidans PY4 Nazifa et al. 2018
Benzo (a) pyrene Serratia marcescens Kotoky and Pandey 2020
Phenanthrene, Pyrene, fluoranthene Pseudomonas aeruginosa,Ralstonia sp. Sangkharak et al. 2020
Phenanthrene Bacillus thuringiensis, Pleusotus cornucopiae, Jiang et al. 2015
Pseudomonas
Pyrene Roseobacter clade Zhou et al. 2020
Benzo (a) pyrene Aspergillus nidulans Ostrem Loss et al. 2019
Benzo (a) pyrene Lasiodiplodia theobromae Cao et al. 2020
Benzo (a) pyrene Megasporoporia sp. S47 De Lima Souza et al. 2016
Phenanthrene Coriolopsis byrsinaRyvarden strain APC5 Agrawal et al. 2021

aquatic species, Benzo(a)Pyrene (BaP), is known for its mutagenic, carcinogenic and teratogenic
characteristics (IARC 1983, Juhasz and Naidu 2000, Jennings 2012). In literature, ligninolytic and
non-ligninolytic strains of fungi with the ability to breakdown PAH have been documented. The
degradation of BaP by white-rot fungus has been the subject of recent research (Hadibarataa and
Kristanti 2012, Bhattacharya et al. 2014). White rot fungi such as Phanerochaete chrysosporium,
Trametes versicolor, Cirnipellis stipitaria and Pleurotus ostreatus can breakdown most PAHs
efficiently as a carbon source. The white rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium has a remarkable
ability to degrade and/or mineralize high-molecular-weight PAHs, and its genome has around
150 Polymorphic Cytochrome P450 Enzymes (CYPs) (Yadav et al. 2006) and has the ability
to oxidize BaP to 3-hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene (Syed et al. 2010). These CYPs were inducible by
naphthalene, phenanthrene, pyrene and BaP. Aspergillus, the most prevalent species of soil-dwelling
fungi, may metabolize some PAHs and is frequently found in contaminated areas (Cerniglia and
Sutherland 2010).

1.5.2 Bioremediation of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are combinations of 209 types of synthetic organic chemicals
called congeners (US EPA 2000). This substantial number of different chemical forms results
from the binding of 110 chlorine atoms to the carbon atoms of the biphenyl core. The level of
chlorination has a significant impact on the physical and chemical characteristics of PCBs. As the
level of chlorination rises, PCBs become more viscous and waxy, while their solubility in water
tends to decrease. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) states that
PCBs are “oily liquids or solids, colourless to light yellow, and have no recognized odour”. The
unusual properties of PCBs include high thermal stability, chemical inertness, non-flammability
and high electrical resistivity, that are relatively used in hydraulic fluids, capacitor dielectrics and
electrical transformers. Other potential sources of PCBs include leaks, spills and slow release from
PCB-contaminated areas (Van Aken and Bhalla 2011). PCBs are hazardous xenobiotics, mostly
found in soils and sediments and are widely dispersed in the environment. It is well known that
biphenyl dioxygenase is essential for the breakdown of PCBs. Due to the presence of a large number
of congeners; efficient microbial breakdown of PCBs requires a number of metabolic processes.
The microorganisms responsible for PCB transformation are unable to grow on PCBs as the only
carbon source (Boyle et al. 1992) and require a co-substrate for microbial growth and degradation
activity, demonstrating that PCB degradation occurs predominantly via co-metabolism. PCBs are
hazardous chemicals that can affect hormones and cause cancer. As a result, PCB poisoning in the
environment is becoming increasingly problematic and is of great concern (Seeger et al. 2010).
Several approaches have been proposed for PCB degradation in the environment. The study is
8 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

now concentrated on the creation of a less expensive bioremediation strategy, however, physical
and chemical treatments are often costly. Bioremediation, which uses microorganisms capable of
digesting harmful substances, is regarded as a viable, ecologically beneficent and economically
advantageous technique for getting rid of PCBs (Dercova et al. 2015). PCB bioremediation relies
primarily on bacterial aerobic utilization of the pollutant molecules, while benzoic acids that can be
further degraded by specialized strains of bacteria or substances with lower toxicity are typically the
products of biphenyl dioxygenase-initiated degradation (Murínová et al. 2014). The microorganisms
used in the remediation/degradation of PCBs are given in Table 1.2.
Table 1.2. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) degrading microorganisms.

PCBs Microorganism References

PCB (Delor 103) Achromobacter xylosoxidans, Stenotrophomonas Horváthová et al. 2018
maltophilia, Rhodococcus ruber
PCB Paraburkholderia xenovorans LB400 Bako et al. 2021
PCBs (18, 52, 77) Streptococcus sp. SPco Lin et al. 2022
bph- gene Bacterial gene (Ralstonia, Cupriavidus) Jiang et al. 2018
PCB Rhodococcus biphenylivorans strain TG9T Ye et al. 2020
PCB Klebsiella Lw3 Zhu et al. 2022
PCB Eisenia fetida Eslami et al. 2022
Trichlorobiphenyl Rhodococcus strains KT112-7, CH628, P25 Gorbunova et al. 2021
PCB Ligninolytic fungi Šrédlová et al. 2021
PCB Ascomycetesstrain Germain et al. 2021

1.5.3 Bioremediation of Pesticides

Pesticides are organic chemical compounds which are frequently used in agricultural applications
to control or eradicate pests and boost crop yields. These are inexpensive, simple to make and
easily accessible. Globally more than half of the pesticides are used in Asia. India is third in Asia
behind China and Turkey in terms of pesticide-usage, ranking 12th globally (Nayak and Solanki
2021). Pesticides can be categorized into the following groups: insecticides, fungicides, herbicides,
rodenticides and fumigants, etc. Pesticides that dissolve quickly are known as non-persistent,
whereas those that resist degradation are known as persistent. They accumulate across the food
chain and cause severe hazards as a result of their excessive use and persistence. Different types
of degradation procedures are involved in the remediation of pesticides such as biodegradation,
chemical degradation, hydrolysis, oxidation-reduction (redox), ionization and photo-degradation
(Zhang and Qiao 2002). The metabolic activity of different types of microorganisms plays a crucial
part in the degradation process. Some of the pesticide-degrading microorganisms are given in
Table 1.3.
Different types of enzymes play a crucial role in the biodegradation of pesticides. The
biodegradation of pesticides involves a series of enzyme-catalyzed processes which includes
oxidation, reduction, dechlorination, dehydration and hydrolysis. The compound enters the body of
the microorganism in a specific way, and after a series of physiological and biochemical reactions
involving various enzymes, the pesticide could be completely degraded or broken down into smaller
molecular compounds (CO2 and H2O) with no or low toxicity (Chen et al. 2011, Tang 2018).
A majority of the genes encoding for the degradation of pesticides have been reported to be
on catabolic plasmids of Pseudomonas sp., Micrococcus sp., Actinobacter sp., Rhodoccus sp.,
Fusarium sp., and Arthrobacter sp., Actinomycetes could also be used for the biotransformation as
well as biodegradation of pesticides.
 Bioremediation: A Sustainable Approach for Environmental Cleanup 9

Table 1.3. Pesticides degrading microorganisms.

Pesticides Microorganism References

Endosulfan Micrococcus sp. strain, 2385 Pathak et al. 2016
DDT Ochrobacterum sp. Pan et al. 2017
Nitrophenol Rhodoccus sp. Sengupta et al. 2019
Cypermethrin chlordecone Bacillus subtilis Gangola et al. 2018
Citrobacter Chaussonnerie et al. 2016
(Lindane) hexachloro-cyclohexane Microbacterium Zhang et al. 2020
Chloropyrifos, diazinon Streptomyces sp. Briceño et al. 2018
S- triazine (atrazine) Arthrobacter sp. Strain Ak-YNIO Sagarkar et al. 2016
Hexachloro-cyclohexane Paenibacillus dendritiformis SJPS-4 Jaiswal et al. 2022
Glyphosate, 2-4D, Atrazine Bradyrhizobium sp. BR 3901 Barroso et al. 2020
Endosulfan Aspergillus trichoderma spp. Gangola et al. 2015
Atrazine Fusarium sp. Esparza-Naranjo et al. 2021

Degrading enzymes are relatively more resistant to anomalous environmental circumstances

than microbial cells capable of producing such enzymes, and their degradable efficiency is
substantially higher than that of microorganisms, especially at low pesticide doses. As a result, using
degrading enzymes to detoxify the environment that has been contaminated by pesticides would be
a more effective method.

1.5.4 Bioremediation of Textile Dyes

Various industrial effluents, including those from textile, printing, pharmaceutical and other
industries, cause wastewater contamination (Uday et al. 2016). Dyes industries were established
during the same period of rapid industrialization and urbanization as other sectors. Many different
kinds of dyes are present in textile effluents. Based on their chemical makeup, dyes are divided
into several categories, such as Anthraquinone bases, metal complex dyes, di-azo and basic dyes.
These dyes might be cationic, anionic or neutral (Vikrant et al. 2018). According to Daneshvar et al.
(2007), artificial dyes, such as azo, xanthenes and anthraquinone dyes, are extremely toxic to living
things. When the dye forms compounds with other contaminants and deteriorates materials in the
environment, its toxicity increases. Additionally, these dyes can contribute to hereditary illnesses
that are incurable (Lellis et al. 2019).
Dyes can come from natural or synthetic sources or they can be generated via an inorganic
technique, in the wastewater produced by textile manufacturers (Varjani et al. 2021). Synthetic dyes
are inexpensive ingredients that come in large quantities, as well as being commonly used (Rossi
et al. 2017). Common dyes are anthraquinone dyes, that have polycondensed ring structures and
hydroxyl or amino functionalities. Different kinds of microorganisms used in the biodegradation of
textile dyes are given in Table 1.4.
Various enzymes are used in the decolorization of textile dyes, including formate dehydrogenase,
oxidases based on glyoxal and aryl-alcohol compounds and peroxidase (Chen et al. 2016, Sarkar
et al. 2017). Laccases are valuable enzymes in the decolorizing process because aromatic compounds
with azo and anthraquinone linkages are some of their substrates. Laccase is a multicooper oxidase
enzyme that may be found in a variety of microorganisms (e.g., microalgae, fungi and bacteria)
(Motamedi et al. 2021). A biodegradation pathway for Congo Red Dye utilizing azoreductase and
laccase was proposed by Lade et al. (2015). By breaking azo bonds in the presence of azoreductase,
the biodegradation of Congo Red Dye produces biphenyl-4, 4′-diamine and an unexplained
intermediate. As a result of this microbial degradation phase, the dye is decolored and aromatic
amines are formed as an end product. Furthermore, the presence of laccase causes the production
10 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

Table 1.4. Different kinds of dye-degrading microorganisms.

Dye Microorganism References

Reactive Orange 16 Dye Bacillus stratosphericus SCA 1007 Akansha et al. 2022
Methylene blue Bacillus subtilis MTCC441 Upendar et al. 2017
Indigo blue Cyanobacteria (Anabena flosaquae UTCC 64) Dellamatrice et al. 2017
RBBR, Phormidium autumnale UTEX B 1580
Sulfur Black Synechococcus sp. PCC7942
Sumifex Tourgi blue dye Alishewanella sp. CBL -2 Ajaz et al. 2018
Azo dye Enterobacter cloacae and Bacillus subtilis Priyanka et al. 2022
Congo Red Dye Aspergillus sp. Singh and Dwivedi 2022
Methylene Blue Dye Penicillium P1 Liu et al. 2022
Congo Red Dye Penicillium oxalicum and Aspergillus tubingensis Thakor et al. 2022
Azo dye Pichia occidentalis A2 (yeast) Wang et al. 2020

of biphenyl and naphthalene by deamination of biphenyl-4, 4′ - diamine and desulfonation of an

unexplained intermediate product (Lade et al. 2015).

1.5.5 Bioremediation of Oil Spills

Bioremediation is considered one of the most effective oil spill remediation methods. Aliphatic
(straight chain) and aromatic hydrocarbons are organic molecules largely composed of hydrogen and
carbon (cyclic). Any combination of hydrocarbons contained in crude oil is referred to as petroleum
hydrocarbons or Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPHs). Oil spills, whether accidental or deliberate,
have a significant influence on environmental contamination. Oil spills from oil tankers and far-off
oil spills are known to pose a serious threat to the environment. By using microorganisms to remove
hydrocarbon pollution from soil and water, bioremediation of oil spills makes these environments
safe for both aquatic and terrestrial animals. Bacterial species, fungal species (a technique known
as mycoremediation) and plant species can all employ bioremediation (by a process called
phytoremediation) (Table 1.5). Different factors influencing hydrocarbon degradation have been
reported by Cooney et al. (1985). Various types of aquatic plant species are capable of accumulating
HMs. Petroleum hydrocarbon molecules link to soil components, making removal and degradation
difficult (Barathi and Vasudevan 2001). The bulk of organic contaminants degrade most quickly and
completely when exposed to aerobic conditions.
In literature, toluene and other monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzene, toluene
and xylene, can be degraded and eliminated by Pseudomonas putida (Saptakee 2011, Sarang
et al. 2013). When aromatic hydrocarbons are broken down by bacteria, a diol first forms, then
the aromatic ring is broken and a diacid, such as cis-cis muconic acid, is produced. Penicillium
chrysosporium, a white rot fungus, can degrade compounds such as biphenyl and triphenylmethane
(Wolskm et al. 2012).

Table 1.5. Petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs) degrading microorganisms.

PHCs Microorganism References

n-alkane (C14-C30) Pseudomonas sp. Zheng et al. 2018
Varjani and Upasani 2017
n-alkane Bacillus sp. Dellagnezze et al. 2016
tetradecane Bacillus cerus Li et al. 2017
hexadecane Alcanivorax borkumensis Omarova et al.2018
n-alkane Aspergillus flavus Maruthi et al. 2013
n-alkane (C11-C25) Penicillium sp. Govarthanan et al. 2017
n-alkane Trichoderma sp. Nazifa et al. 2018
 Bioremediation: A Sustainable Approach for Environmental Cleanup 11

1.6 Phytoremediation
Phytoremediation is an effective biotechnology for dealing with metal and metalloid contamination
and has a distinct environmental application area (Gu 2018). Green technology for environmental
remediation plays a competitive role in transferring the soluble and bioavailable fractions
of hazardous metals and metalloids from the solution or adsorption phase into green plants for
accumulation, detoxification and stabilization (Yu and Gu 2007a,b, 2008a,b).
Phytoremediation is a non-conventional, cost-effective and eco-friendly technology that utilizes
plants to remove, transform or stabilize a variety of contaminants present in water, sediments
or soils (Prasad et al. 2001, Ladislas et al. 2012). Phytoremediation is the application of plants
for in-situ or ex-situ treatment/removal of heavy metals from contaminated soils, sediments and
water (Garbisu and Alkorta 2001, Shah and Daverey 2020) provides many benefits compared
to traditional approaches of contaminated land remediation such as lowered cost, maintenance,
exposure to workers, and is generally more aesthetically pleasing (Sharma and Yeh 2020). Plants
that have more metal-removal capacity through accumulation are known as hyperaccumulators.
These plants are used to remediate contaminants by the uptake or transpiration of contaminated
water (Cho-Ruk et al. 2006, Smolyakov 2012). Table 1.6 shows various types of aquatic plant
species capable of accumulating HMs. Plants absorb a significant number of toxic elements and
nutrients, but only a small portion of them are damaging, affecting plants at higher concentrations.
When the degree of pollution in plants rises, they are harmed or die. Various processes for treating
the water have been designed, for example, biological, physical and chemical, but they are costly
and only applicable to a small amount of wastewater (Rezania et al. 2015). As a result, an alternative
wastewater treatment procedure, phytoremediation has been proposed, in which diverse plants are
used to clean wastewater and eliminate hazardous contaminants.

Table 1.6. Various types of aquatic plant species capable of accumulating HMs.

Heavy Metals Plant species References

Cd, Zn, Pb, Cu Sedum plumbizincicola Li et al. 2018
Fe, Cu, Zn Eichhornia crassipes Abbas et al. 2021
Typha latifolia
Ni Ricinus communis Çelik and Akdaş 2019
Al, Fe Ipomoea aquatica Hanafiah et al. 2020
Centella asiatica
Pb, Cr, Cd Trifolium repens L. Lin et al. 2021
Cd, Zn, Cu Rhazya stricta L. Azab and Hegazy 2020
Zn, Cd, Cr, Ni Jatropha curcas Chang et al. 2014
Cd, Ni Phragmites australis Eid et al. 2020
Cu, Pb, Zn Polygonum hydropiperoides Rudin et al. 2017

1.6.1 Mechanisms of Phytoremediation

1.6.1.1 Phytoextraction
Phytoextraction or phytoaccumulation is the process in which metal contaminants are accumulated
and stabilized in the upper part of plants. During this process, the root uptake the metals and transfer
them to the upper portion. Selecting plants that absorb and concentrate harmful heavy metals in
various areas of the plant, this method aids in the removal of heavy metal pollution from the soil.

1.6.1.2 Phytovolatilization
In this process, contaminants are uptaken by roots, translocated in upper plant parts and released
through the leaves in the volatile form into the atmosphere (USEPA 2000). This process involves the
12 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

diffusion of volatile pollutants through open stomata of the leaves in a less toxic form. This involves
the removal of the pollutants in a gaseous form and the particular pollutant removal in safer forms.

1.6.1.3 Phytostabilization
Phytostabilization is a process in which the stabilization or fixation of heavy metals occurs so that
proper absorption and precipitation take place mainly through the soil, sediment and sludge (USEPA
2000). In this process, contaminants are absorbed and collected by roots or precipitate inside the root
zone of plants (rhizosphere).

1.6.1.4 Phytofiltration/Rhizofiltration
Precipitation and absorption by plants from soil and water are the main mechanisms in rhizofiltration.
In this process, the contaminants are restricted only to the root system. Various heavy metals are
retained by the root system in rhizofiltration (USEPA 2000). In rhizofiltration, plant roots grow very
rapidly and require minimal time for decontamination (Sarkar et al. 2011).

1.6.1.5 Phytotransformation
Phytotransformation, also known as phytodegradation is the breakdown of organic pollutants
sequestered by plants through (1) metabolic processes inside the plant; or (2) the influence of
substances produced by the plant, such as enzymes (EPA 1998). It contributes to the removal of
organic pollutants such as chlorinated solvents, herbicides and the breakdown of complex organic
compounds into simple ones (EPA 2000). As plants do not contain active transporters, these organic
contaminants are absorbed through passive uptake. When the degradation of contaminants occurs in
the rhizosphere, the process is called rhizodegradation. Organics such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons
and polychlorinated biphenyls can be mineralized by rhizospheric bacteria. Furthermore, enzymatic
breakdown by enzymes released by specific plants and associated microbe species, such as
dehalogenase, nitro-reductase, laccase peroxidase and others, acts on dangerous xenobiotics
(Cherian and Oliveira 2005).

1.6.2 Advantages and Disadvantages of Bioremediation

Bioremediation is the best option over conventional methods for remediation such as incineration,
landfilling, etc. Bioremediation can be done on-site, thereby reducing expenses and risks associated
with transportation, can treat or eliminate a wide range of diffused contaminants permanently,
and can be applied to large-scale operations (Van Aken 2009). Other advantages include being
environmentally friendly, affordable due to its minimal installation and a higher level of public
acceptance (Ali and Sajad 2013). Advantages of phytoremediation include the development of soil
fertility, recovery of valuable metals and avoidance of metal erosion and leaching (Mench et al.
2009).
Several disadvantages also exist with the bioremediation technique. The use of bioremediation
is restricted to biodegradable substances only. Substances like metals, chlorinated organic pollutants
and radionuclides are not capable of complete and quick degradation. Sometimes, the by-products
of biodegradation may be more toxic and persistent during the metabolism of contaminants. Some
drawbacks of the phytoremediation technique include longer treatment time, higher pollutant
concentrations and bioavailability to plants, the toxicity of pollutants to plants and the inability to
treat organic contaminants due to the lack of enzymes for their degradation (Ali et al. 2013).

1.7 Conclusion
In the chapter, a brief account of the principle, types, applications, benefits and drawbacks of
bioremediation techniques have been discussed. As a result, one can see that compared to other
physical and chemical remediation approaches, it is an emerging, interdisciplinary, effective and
environmentally friendly remediation approach that is currently paving the way to a more promising
 Bioremediation: A Sustainable Approach for Environmental Cleanup 13

future. Approaches to bioremediation largely depend on the concepts of in-situ and ex-situ technology.
In order to select the bioremediation method that would remove contaminants effectively, different
factors such as the presence of a particular microbial community, the bioavailability of pollutants
and environmental conditions have to be taken into consideration. As a result, improving our
understanding of microbial populations and how they interact with their specific environment and
pollutants, learning more about microbial genomics to increase their capacity for biodegradation
and evaluating the efficacy of new bioremediation strategies in the field will allow one to develop
more convenient bioremediation techniques.

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Chapter 2
Bioprecipitation as a
Bioremediation Strategy for
Environmental Cleanup
Samantha M. Wilcox,1 Catherine N. Mulligan1,* and
Carmen Mihaela Neculita2

2.1 Introduction
The term ‘sustainable’ is generally used in today’s culture and its true significance is often not clear.
While typically used synonymously to environmentally friendly behavior, the term represents much
more. According to the United Nations (UN) 17 Sustainable Development Goals, ‘sustainability’
refers to social, economic and environmental action (UNDP 2022). The term ‘sustainability’, used
throughout this chapter, aligns itself with the United Nations definition.
Imperative to the achievement of ‘sustainability’ is its implementation during decision-making
processes. The introduction of ISO Lifecycle Assessment 14040 and the field of Environmental
Accounting has made it easier to adhere to sustainable practices in government and industry (ICF
Incorporated 1995, ISO 2006). These approaches aim to minimize the environmental, social and
economic impact at all stages of a product, a process or a service.
Remediation strategies, especially bio-based processes, are often considered inherently
sustainable. However, it is important to apply these principles to improve longstanding engineering
frameworks. An effective engineered clean-up strategy will appease the sustainability requirements
and offer solutions that meet both environmental and governmental regulations. This chapter focuses
on biological precipitation, also referred to as bioprecipitation as a remediation strategy for soil and
groundwater contamination. The process enhances the already naturally occurring processes. It is
therefore considered a cost effective, socially accepted and environmentally friendly technique.
This chapter aims to document and justify the necessity and highlight the sustainable nature of
bioprecipitation as a technique for environmental clean-up.

1
Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada.
2
Research Institute on Mines and the Environment (RIME), University of Quebec in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Rouyn-
Noranda, Canada.
* Corresponding author: [email protected]
20 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

2.2 Overview of Contamination and Remediation

2.2.1 Soil and Groundwater Contamination
Metal and metalloid (metal(loid)s) contamination is prevalent in soil, sediment, groundwater and
surface water. Contaminant release (from a point source or continuous) can be from a variety of
industrial operations. The fate and transport of contamination depends largely on the metal(loid)
present and the transport mechanisms. The characteristics of the metal(loid), i.e., speciation,
solubility, vapor pressure and partitioning coefficients dictate the fate of the pollutant in media,
while transport can be evaluated by advection, convection, diffusion or dispersion mechanisms.
The fate and transport of metal(loid) contamination can influence the area of impact and the
concentration. This can affect its impact on humans, animals and ecosystems. Figure 2.1 shows
the likely human exposure to metal(loid) contamination and the resulting consequences on bodily
systems. This highlights the potentially severe impacts contaminant release can have on humans,
but also ecosystems in general.

Figure 2.1. Human exposure to metal(loid) contamination including contact type, exposure pathways, exposure routes, and
impacted organs (Adapted from Kuppusamy et al. 2020).

2.2.2 Clean-up Strategies for Soil and Groundwater Contamination

Soil and groundwater contamination can be mitigated with various clean-up strategies.
Decontamination strategies aim to mitigate pollution via metal(loid) transformation (to a less toxic
and/or less mobile form), immobilization, or removal. Table 2.1 lists numerous soil, groundwater and
sediment clean-up strategies identifying the principal process and the overall goal of the treatment
option. Often, multiple types of remediation strategies can be applied simultaneously or in series to
achieve high efficacies of reclamation outlined by environmental and/or regulatory standards.
At present, biological remediation strategies are a topic of intensive research. These treatment
methods often provide green and sustainable solutions that adhere to environmental concerns
compared to other treatment methods (i.e., physical, thermal and chemical). Comparatively, they
emit relatively low greenhouse gas emissions and are low water and energy consuming processes.
Bioremediation strategies are typically of low cost with moderate to minimal maintenance. Due
to their biological nature, they gain public acceptance more readily and therefore, are more easily
implemented at a site.
 Bioprecipitation as a Bioremediation Strategy for Environmental Cleanup 21

Table 2.1. Clean-up strategies (Adapted from Government of Canada 2017, LaGrega et al. 1994, Ossai et al. 2020).

Treatment Type Goal Process Method

Physical Immobilization Containment Containment Booms
Treatment Skimmers
Physical Barriers
Impermeable/Slurry Walls
Frozen Walls
Surface Capping
Hydraulic Containment,
Hydraulic Control
Pump and Treat
Sorption Sequestration
Removal Removal Dredging and Offsite Disposal
Volatilization Soil Vapor Extraction
Air Sparging
Air Stripping and Steam Stripping, Steam Distillation
Desorption Soil Washing, Soil Flushing
Soil Extraction, Solvent Extraction
Chemical Immobilization Containment Solidification/Stabilization
Treatment Encapsulation
Sorption Immobilization
Activated Carbon Treatment
Transformation Biodegradation Dispersion
Emulsify Emulsification
Hydrolysis Dechlorination, Reductive Dehalogenation
Redox Reactions Ultraviolet Oxidation, Photocatalytic Oxidation
Chemical Oxidation-Reduction
Removal Desorption Supercritical Fluid Extraction and Supercritical Fluid
Oxidation
Thermal/ Heat Removal Desorption Thermal Desorption
Treatment Hot Water Injection
Volatilization Smoldering Combustion
Incineration
Hot Air Injection
Steam Injection
Hot Gas Decontamination
Vitrification
Transformation Degradation Pyrolysis
Electric and Removal Volatilization Electrical Resistance Heating
Electromagnetic Desorption Radio Frequency Heating
Treatment
Volatilization Microwave Heating
Electro­ Electrokinetic Remediation,
migration Electrochemical Soil Process
Transformation Degradation Photocatalytic Degradation

Table 2.1 contd. ...

22 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

...Table 2.1 contd.

Treatment Type Goal Process Method

Acoustic and Removal Desorption Ultrasonic Extraction
Ultrasonic Transformation Degradation Sonochemical Degradation, Sonochemical Oxidation
Treatment
Biological Transformation Biodegradation Bioremediation
Treatment Bioattenuation
Biostimulation
Bioaugmentation
Bioventing
Biosparging
Bioslurry
Biopiling
Biotransformation
Bioreactor
Landfarming
Composting
Windrows
Monitored Natural Attenuation
Reductive Dechlorination
Vermicomposting, Vermiremediation
Trichoremediation
Mycoremediation, Mycodegradation
Phycoremediation
Phytodegradation, Phytotransformation
Rhizodegradation
Degradation Biodegradation
Removal Filter Constructed Wetlands
Translocation Phytoextraction, Phytoaccumulation,
Phytoabsorption, Phytosequestration
Phytohydraulics, Hydraulic Plume Control
Volatilization Phytovolatilization
Vegetative Cover Systems, Evaporatranspiration Cover
Systems
Redox Reactions Bioelectrical System, Electrobioremediation
Nanobioremediation, Nanoremediation
Immobilization Sorption Phytostabilization, Phytoimmobilization
Rhizofiltration
 Bioprecipitation as a Bioremediation Strategy for Environmental Cleanup 23

2.3 Bioprecipitation
2.3.1 Overview: Principles and Applications
2.3.1.1 Chemical Precipitation
Precipitation is an intricate phenomenon involving thermodynamic and kinetic processes. The
process is governed by its thermodynamic properties, i.e., supersaturation state. A solution is
considered supersaturated when the solute and solvent are no longer in an equilibrium (saturated)
state (Karpiński and Bałdyga 2019, Lewis 2017). Equation 2.1 shows the supersaturation calculation,
whereby the supersaturation (σ) is calculated from the actual molar chemical potential (μ), the
molecule in equilibrium state (μeq), the universal gas constant (R) and the absolute temperature (T).
Based on the equation:
- The solution is in equilibrium when ∆μ (∆μ = μ – μeq) is equal to 0
- If ∆μ > 0 the solution is supersaturated, spontaneous precipitation will occur
- If ∆μ < 0 the solution is below the saturated state, spontaneous dissolution will occur (Karpiński
and Bałdyga 2019).
Supersaturation (Davey and Garside 2000, Karpiński and Bałdyga 2019)
(μ – μeq)
σ= Eq. 2.1
RT
Phase diagrams can demonstrate the liquid or solid phase of a compound of interest (Karpiński
and Bałdyga 2019). The thermodynamic component of precipitation can be better understood by the
Gibbs phase rule, which identifies the number of possible phases and the degree of freedom of the
multiphase system in equilibrium (Faghri and Zhang 2006). The Gibbs phase rule both identifies
and inhibits solid precipitates formed from a solution (Yong et al. 2014).
Furthermore, the thermodynamic potential is described by Gibbs free energy. It explains the
maximum energy transfer of a closed system. The change in Gibbs free energy (∆G) can be used
to define primary homogenous nucleation. Equation 2.2 shows the calculation, where the number
of molecules (N), the reaction affinity (Φ), the crystal surface area (A) and the surface tension (σ)
are used to explain the work to produce crystals during precipitation of a supersaturated solution.
From Eq. 2.1, one can consider R as the molar chemical potential change or the Gibbs free energy
(Karpiński and Bałdyga 2019).
Gibbs Free Energy Change (Karpiński and Bałdyga 2019, Nielsen 1964)

∆G = –NΦ + Aσ Eq. 2.2

While supersaturation state is the driving force of precipitation, the kinetic process illustrates
the rate of precipitation. Nucleation, crystal growth and agglomeration represent the primary kinetic
process involved in precipitation (Lewis 2017), these terms are further defined in Table 2.2. Again
∆μ
from Eq. 2.1, the term represents the rate of nucleation and crystal growth (Karpiński and
Bałdyga 2019). RT
Precipitation can be applied to soil, groundwater, surface water and wastewater treatment. For
soil and groundwater remediation, metal(loid)s can chemically precipitate out of the pore water
(Yong et al. 2014). These precipitates can adsorb onto soil particle surfaces (Yong et al. 2014) or can
form a cement matrix clogging the pore spaces (Mitchell and Soga 2005). For water and wastewater
24 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

Table 2.2. Kinetic Mechanisms of Precipitation (Adapted from Lewis 2017).

Kinetic Process Definition Impact on Precipitation

Nucleation Creation of crystal particles occurring from High supersaturation → Primary nucleation
enlargement of ions or molecules in a supersaturated Low saturation → Secondary nucleation
state. Nucleation can be:
- Primary: spontaneous precipitation from solution
- Homogenous nucleation (spontaneous precipitation)
- Heterogeneous nucleation (prompted by foreign
particles)
- Secondary: prompted by the presence of existing
crystals
- Contact nucleation (via crystal-crystal contact)
- Shear nucleation (via fluid flow)
- Fracture nucleation (via particle impact)
- Attrition nucleation (via particle impact and
disruption)
Crystal Growth Growth of crystal particles due to adsorption on High supersaturation → Rough crystals
substance surfaces Low saturation → Spiral or smooth crystals
High nucleation and low growth rate →
small but many crystals
Agglomeration Enlargement of crystals due to prolonged contact and High nucleation → many crystals → high
formation of crystalline bridges between particles agglomeration
High agglomeration → Low crystal purity

treatment, chemical precipitation is applied through coagulation and flocculation, whereby the use
of a reagent is used to promote precipitation and aggregation, respectively (Davis 2010, Mihelcic
and Zimmerman 2014). Figure 2.2 demonstrates the various factors that affect precipitation and
potential impacts to its use as a remediation strategy. Of the factors identified, pH is the most
significant, whereby alkaline solutions tend to precipitate metal(loid)s and acidic solutions cause
dissolution of metal(loid) precipitates (Yong et al. 2014).

and

Figure 2.2. Factors influencing precipitation (Adapted from Yong et al. 2014).
 Bioprecipitation as a Bioremediation Strategy for Environmental Cleanup 25

2.3.1.2 Biological Precipitation

Bioprecipitation is an emerging bioremediation strategy. The process applies chemical precipitation
with the presence of microorganisms to catalyze the reaction. The microorganism activity typically
acts as the catalyst for the oxidative and reductive reactions. The reactions aim to generate
alkalinity or consume acidity to precipitate metal(loid)s (Johnson and Santos 2020). Through local
alkalinization or enzyme generated ligands, reactions can precipitate carbonate, hydroxide, sulfide,
phosphate, oxalate, etc. compounds (Kumar et al. 2013).
The metal(loid) in focus drastically impacts the type and efficacy of precipitation.
Metal(loid)s can react differently to the oxidative and reductive reactions. For example, some
metals (Fe, Mn) increase solubility under reductive conditions, while others (U6+, Cr6+) decrease
solubility (Gadd 2004). Further, the phase of the metal(loid) can impact its pH. Ferric iron (Fe3+)
in its amorphous form can generate alkalinity, while in soluble form it cannot (Johnson and Santos
2020). Therefore, the metal(loid) of focus should be analyzed to assess its chemical speciation and
establish chemical stability.
The most common form of bioprecipitation is Biological Sulfate Reduction (BSR). Sulfate
Reducing Bacteria (SRB) catalyze the dissimilatory sulfur reduction process, whereby oxidation of
an electron donor facilitates the reduction of sulfate (SO42–) to soluble sulfides (S2–) (Sánchez-Andrea
et al. 2014). The process aims to increase pH to precipitate metal(loid)s and reduce sulfate (Willis
and Donati 2017). It is a common remediation strategy for acidic wastewaters with metal(loid)
contamination (Sánchez-Andrea et al. 2014). This type of contamination is common among mining
industries, electroplating industries and tannery industries (Sahinkaya et al. 2017). Equations 2.3
and 2.4 demonstrate how chemically BSR can induce bioprecipitation to remediate contaminated
groundwater. Equation 2.3 uses formaldehyde (CH2O) as an electron donor to reduce sulfate from
acidic industrial groundwater to hydrogen sulfide. The hydrogen sulfide then reacts with other metal
divalent cations (M2+) to precipitate low solubility metal sulfides (MS), Eq. 2.4.
Reduction of Sulfate to Hydrogen Sulfide with the use of an Electron Donor (Sahinkaya et al. 2017,
Willis and Donati 2017)

2CH2 O + SO42– → H2S + 2HCO3– Eq. 2.3

Metal Precipitation from Hydrogen Sulfide (Sahinkaya et al. 2017, Willis and Donati 2017)

H2 S + M 2+ → MS(s) + 2H + Eq. 2.4

SRB species can be both heterotrophs and autotrophs (chemolithotrophs) found in anaerobic
environments (Barton et al. 2015, Hao et al. 2014). As of 2015, there were 59 genera and
220 species reported (Barton et al. 2015). However, the genera Desulfovibrio is the most highly
reported bacteria from bioreactor studies (Kiran et al. 2017). The microorganisms are classified
as complete oxidizers, incomplete oxidizers or both (Hao et al. 2014). There are over 75 energy
sources that promote SRB growth (Barton et al. 2015). Although trace metals, selenium (Se)
and molybdenum (Mo), are attributed to bacterial growth, the mechanisms linked to metal(loid)
reduction are not currently considered as related (Barton et al. 2003).
To assure microorganisms can facilitate bioprecipitation, they require some degree of metal
tolerance. The metal tolerance allows the microorganisms to flourish under normally toxic metal(loid)
contamination. This is achieved via metabolism, cell wall structure, Extra-cellular Polymeric
Substances (EPS), methylation, alkylation/dealkylation (Diels et al. 2006), intra-cellular and extra-
cellular sequestration, active transport effluent pumps, enzymatic detoxification, reduction in metal
sensitivity of cellular targets (Bruins et al. 2000, Diels et al. 2006) and exclusion by permeability
barrier (Bruins et al. 2000). Metal resistant genes have been found in both gram-positive and gram-
negative microorganisms (Abou-Shanab et al. 2007) and SRB species have also reported gram­
26 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

positive and gram-negative microorganisms (Barton et al. 2015). To improve culture resistance a
mixture of species is often selected for bioprecipitation processes (Kiran et al. 2017).
In addition to BSR, SRB have also been found to reduce other metal(loid)s with direct or
indirect microorganism activity. SRB can directly reduce metal(loid)s (i.e., Cr, As, Al, Te and Sb)
to a less toxic, insoluble form or can indirectly reduce metal(loid)s via hydrogen sulfide produced
during BSR (Sánchez-Andrea et al. 2016, Willis and Donati 2017). After metal(loid) reduction,
many species are capable of precipitation. For example, uranium (U6+) can precipitate uraninite
(UO2), chromium (Cr6+) in the presence of ferric iron (Fe3+) can precipitate chromium hydroxide
oxide (CrO (OH)) and chromium sulfide (Cr2S3) and arsenic can precipitate arsenic sulfide (As2S3)
and arsenopyrite (FeAsS). Metal(loid) reduction using SRB activity is presented in Table 2.3. The
following electron donors were used as an energy source in some of the noted reactions: acetate
(CH3COOH), formate (CH2O2), lactate (C3H6O3) and pyruvate (C3H4O3).

Table 2.3. Reduction of Metal(loid)s with SRB (Adapted from/Barton et al. 2015, Lovley 1993, Sahinkaya et al. 2017).

Metal(loid) Electron Acceptor Formula

–
Iron Fe 3+
CH3 COO + 8Fe + 4H2O → 2HCO3– + 8Fe2+ + 9H +
3+

CO2 H – + 2Fe3+ + H2O → HCO3– + 2Fe2+ + 2H +

C3O3H5– + 4Fe3+ + 2H2O → CH3COO – + HCO3– + 4Fe2+ + 5H +
C3O3H3– + 2Fe3+ + 2H2O → CH3COO – + HCO3– + 2Fe2+ + 3H +
Fe0 Fe0 + 2H + → Fe2+ + H2
Manganese Mn 4+
MnO2 → MnCO3*
2H2S + MnO2 → MnS + S 0 + 2H2O
Mn6+ Mn6+ → Mn2+*
Uranium U6+ CH3COO – + 4U6+ + 4H2O → 2HCO3– + 4U 4+ + 9H +
H2 + U6+ → 2H + + U 4+
SeO42– 4CH3COO – + 3SeO42– → 3Se0 + 8CO2 + 4H2O + 4H +
Selenium CH3COO– + H + + 4SeO42– → 4SeO32– + 2CO2 + 2H2O
SeO32– 2H2S + SeO32– +2H + → SeS2 + 3H2O
Chromium Cr 6+
2Cr 6+ + 3HS – → 2S 0 +2Cr3+ + 3H +
Mercury Hg 2+
Hg2+ → Hg0*
Cobalt Co3+ Co3+ + H2S → CoS + 2H +
Palladium Pd 2+
Pd2+ → Pd 0*
Nickel Ni 3+
Ni3+ → Ni2+*
Technetium Tc7+ Tc7+ → Tc4+*
Tc7+ → Tc5+*
Vanadium V5+ V 5+ → V 3+*
Molybdenum Mo 6+
Mo6+ → Mo4+*
Arsenic Ar5+ 3Ar2S3 + 3H2S → 2H2As3S6– + 2H +
As5+ → As3+*
Gold Au3+ Au3+ → Au0*
Au+ Au+ → Au0*

* Not a full formula. Showing the redox couple.

Electron donors provide a carbon and energy source for the reaction. The selection of
an appropriate electron donor is the ratio of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and sulfate ion
concentration (SO42–), i.e., COD/SO42– is important. There is a correlation between the interaction
of SRB with carbon source and electron acceptor (Barbosa et al. 2014, Kiran et al. 2017). The COD
denotes oxygen content required to oxidize the organic material and the electron acceptor is SO42–
(Barbosa et al. 2014). However, COD is measured under aerobic conditions, and therefore does not
 Bioprecipitation as a Bioremediation Strategy for Environmental Cleanup 27

accurately portray the organic carbon available to anerobic microorganisms (Neculita and Zagury
2008). The minimum theoretical value acceptable for organic degradation and BSR is 0.67 (Hao
et al. 1996, Kiran et al. 2017, Neculita and Zagury 2008).
Other noteworthy indicators for an electron donors’ performance are the carbon (C) to nitrogen
(N) ratio (C/N) and the Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC) to SO42– ratio (DOC/SO42–) (Neculita
and Zagury 2008). The C/N ratio gives information about the capacity of biological degradation of
an electron donor (Reinertsen et al. 1984, Zagury et al. 2006). While the ratio does not necessarily
indicate the actual C and N available to the microorganisms (Reinertsen et al. 1984), a value of about
10 is generally accepted as a suitable substrate (Béchard et al. 1994, Neculita and Zagury 2008,
Reinertsen et al. 1984, Zagury et al. 2006). The DOC/SO42– ratio is like the COD/SO42– ratio but is
more easily quantified (Neculita and Zagury 2008).
An electron donor can be organic or synthetic. In keeping with the sustainable nature of
remediation, an organic energy is a natural, economic and socially acceptable additive to the
operation. Organic waste can be considered sewage sludge, animal manure, leaf mulch, wood chips,
sawdust and cellulose (Liamleam and Annachhatre 2007). The high carbon content of organic waste
is advantageous to BSR demonstrating high rates of sulfate reduction, specifically when wastes
are applied as mixtures (Hao et al. 2014, Liamleam and Annachhatre 2007). The COD/SO42– ratio
for organic wastes ranges from 1.6–5 (Kiran et al. 2017). In general, for all performance indicators
(i.e., C/N, COD/SO42–, DOC/SO42–), a higher ratio is linked to superior BSR (Neculita and Zagury
2008).
Molasses is the most cost effective and widely available electron donor for BSR (Janssen and
Temminghoff 2004, Liamleam and Annachhatre 2007), indicating its preferential use for sustainable
engineering. In addition to its use as an electron donor, it contains nutrients (i.e., P, K, Cl, amino
acids) for SRB growth (Janssen and Temminghoff 2004). The process aims to ferment molasses into
lactate which is used as the electron donor or carbon source (Liamleam and Annachhatre 2007).
However, SRB growth is inhibited at molasses concentrations greater than 5 g/L (Hao et al. 2014,
Janssen and Temminghoff 2004), and there is seemingly a link between the quantity applied and
the pH rise (Janssen and Temminghoff 2004). Further, partial decomposition creates high COD in
effluent (Hao et al. 2014).
Lactate is another organic substrate used as an energy source for BSR. Its use as an electron donor
is not temperature dependent, and does not impact its oxidizing ability (Liamleam and Annachhatre
2007). Both lactate and ethanol are considered optimal for SRB growth (Janssen and Temminghoff
2004), although, ethanol is not an organic substrate it is considered the most cost effective (Gibert
et al. 2002, Liamleam and Annachhatre 2007). Further, acetate is the most used energy source for
Fe3+ bioprecipitation (Lovley 1993). Other energy sources include hydrogen, formate, methanol,
propionate, butyrate, sugar and hydrocarbons (Liamleam and Annachhatre 2007). Zero-valent iron
has also been used to establish an anerobic environment for SRB growth by consuming oxygen
(O2) while generating hydrogen (H2) which acts as an electron donor (Pagnanelli et al. 2009). A
high value for Gibbs free energy is preferable for BSR to assure that sulfidogenic reactions prevail
over methanogenic reactions (Liamleam and Annachhatre 2007). However, the concentration of
the electron donor should be monitored as high carbon concentration can lead to methanogenic
conditions (Diels et al. 2005, 2006). A mixture of organic substrates is often used with success,
that can produce high rates of sulfate reduction (Liamleam and Annachhatre 2007). The cost of the
substrate should be kept in mind and adhere to the projects’ economic sustainability.
Bioprecipitation can also occur as an oxidative reaction. Ferrous iron (Fe2+) is transformed via
microbial oxidation into ferric iron (Fe3+) for precipitation. Microbial oxidation can take place as
an anaerobic process (using phototropic and nitrate-reducing microorganisms) and aerobic process
(using neutrophilic and acidophilic microorganisms). The phylum Proteobacteria is the most common
bacteria responsible for Fe2+ reduction (Kiskira et al. 2017). Zero-valent iron can oxidize to Fe2+ and
Fe3+ ions, help to facilitate the bioprecipitation process (Pagnanelli et al. 2009). From the oxidative
reaction, Fe3+ can precipitate ferric hydroxide (Fe (OH)3), jarosite (MFe3(SO4)2(OH)6, where M is a
28 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

monovalent cation, i.e., K+, Na+, NH4+, Ag+, or H3O+), schwertmannite (Fe16O16(SO4)2(OH)6 • nH2O,
where n is between 10 and 12), goethite (FeO (OH)), hematite (Fe2O3) and scorodite (FeAsO4 • 2H2O).
The pH, temperature, and overall chemistry of solution influence the precipitate formed (Sahinkaya
et al. 2017).

2.3.1.3 Microbially Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP)

MICP is another form of bioprecipitation. However, unlike the earlier discussed oxidative and
reductive bioprecipitation processes, MICP is not easily influenced by redox reactions (Achal et al.
2011, Xiangliang 2009). This form of biological precipitation aims to immobilize the contaminant
via cementation. Microorganisms are used to facilitate the hydrolysis of urea creating carbonate
(CO32–) and ammonium (NH4+), Eq. 2.5. The NH4+ ions increase pH to ameliorate precipitation
(Achal et al. 2013a,b), and a cementation solution with calcium (Ca2+) ions is introduced to
precipitate calcium carbonate (CaCO3), Eq. 2.6. Other metal divalent cations (M2+) from solution
are also able to precipitate metal carbonate (MCO3) compounds, Eq. 2.7.
Urease Hydrolysis (Mwandira et al. 2022)

CO(NH2)2 + 2H2 O → CO32– + 2NH4+ Eq. 2.5

Calcium Carbonate Precipitation (Mwandira et al. 2022)

Ca2+ + CO32– → CaCO3 Eq. 2.6

Metal Carbonate Precipitation (Mwandira et al. 2022)

M2+ + CO32– → MCO3 Eq. 2.7

The aim of this process is to immobilize the precipitates through the formation of a cement
matrix, whereby precipitates form bridges between soil particles. Since the crystals precipitate
out of the soil-groundwater system and clog the pore spaces, the soil properties are altered. The
permeability, porosity, stiffness, shear strength, unconfined compressive strength, microstructure
and shear wave velocity are all impacted by MICP (Mujah et al. 2016).
The main theory behind MICP remediation is solidification/stabilization (S/S). S/S is a strategy
that immobilizes the soil and groundwater contaminants by using additives that alters the physical
properties (i.e., solidifies/entraps the contaminant) and/or chemical properties (i.e., transforms
the contaminant to a less toxic, less mobile form), respectively (LaGrega et al. 1994, Sharma
and Reddy 2004). Historically, S/S used cements, pozzolans, thermoplastic materials or organic
polymers to achieve contaminant entrapment (Sharma and Reddy 2004), however MICP offers a
biological approach to reach S/S remediation. The mechanisms involved in S/S to remediate soil and
groundwater include macroencapsulation, microencapsulation, adsorption, absorption, precipitation
and detoxification (LaGrega et al. 1994). Through MICP, sorption can cause bioprecipitated
CaCO3 crystals and other MCO3 compounds to bond to soil particle surfaces (LaGrega et al. 1994,
Xiangliang 2009) via electrochemical bonds, such as van der Waal’s forces or hydrogen bonds
(LaGrega et al. 1994). This can aid the development of the cement matrix, which offers a more
sustainable approach to S/S remediation.
The most common microorganism used for MICP is the Bacillus species (Achal and Pan 2011).
To improve MICP performance a desirable microorganism should be high urease producing with
high metal tolerance. Again, these organisms can be gram-positive or gram-negative, however
gram-positive bacteria are more reactive (Beveridge and Fyfe 1985, Levett et al. 2020). The
negative charge of the bacterial cell wall can attract Ca2+ ions causing MICP on the gram-positive
and gram-negative cell walls (Achal and Pan 2011). Microorganism EPS can also affect MICP.
 Bioprecipitation as a Bioremediation Strategy for Environmental Cleanup 29

EPS is reported to impact the biofilm, cell adhesion, CaCO3 capture (Achal and Pan 2011) and
the CaCO3 mineralogy (Kawaguchi and Decho 2002). The CaCO3 mineralogy can be altered via
various polymorphs (i.e., calcite, vaterite and aragonite). The type of polymorph produced during
MICP can impact the stability of precipitates, where calcite is the most stable and desirable, while
aragonite and vaterite are less stable.
Other factors influencing the efficacy of MICP as a remediation technique are temperature,
bacterial concentration or density, pH, degree of saturation, concentration of cementation solution
and field application (Mujah et al. 2016). This bioprecipitation method offers a promising remediation
strategy. However, the long-term impact should be studied. Metal(loid) dissolution from redox and/
or pH changes could release contaminants into the soil and groundwater. Additionally, over time
metal(loid) leaching can occur from cracks, fissures or interstices formed in the cement matrix.
These defects can be caused by wind, erosion, wetting and drying cycles, hot and cold cycles, rain
and snow and/or other environmental elements.

2.3.2 Design
Bioprecipitation can be applied as a remediation solution in a variety of methods. The processes are
classified as in-situ or ex-situ based on where the operation takes place. If clean-up occurs at the
site, the operation is considered an in-situ process. However, if soil is extracted from the site and
transported for treatment, the operation is an ex-situ process. In addition to these operation models,
bioprecipitation often occurs either simultaneously or in sequence with other treatment methods.
This is based on the requirements of the project, i.e., future land usage and the desired level of
metal(loid) removal. This chapter will put emphasis on in-situ bioremediation strategies that are
passive or rely on natural attenuation processes. These strategies are innately more sustainable and
therefore, offer benefits as a clean-up protocol.

2.3.2.1 In-situ Bioprecipitation

In-situ bioprecipitation can take place as a natural or engineered process. These operations are
typically passive, as they aim to enhance the natural processes that occur. They typically consume
minimal energy, have little operation and maintenance requirements and are of low cost. Further,
the reduction in transport and the recycle of materials negates environmental impacts developed
with active processes (Hengen et al. 2014). However, these processes are harder to control and
metal recovery is difficult (Kaksonen and Puhakka 2007, Kiran et al. 2017). Overall, in-situ
bioprecipitation adheres to the social, economic and environmental demand expected by an eco­
friendly, sustainable remediation strategy. Table 2.4 provides information on various case-studies
demonstrating the efficacy of in-situ methods.
In-situ bioprecipitation can be achieved via injection wells. There are two ways to facilitate
remediation with injection wells. In the first, the wells are constructed to provide the reactants to
the contaminated zone. A mixture (including electron donors and microorganisms) is injected into
the well, which follows the groundwater flow path with the aim to precipitate and immobilize the
contaminant (Vanbroekhoven et al. 2008). The concentration of the electron donor during injection
should be tested since a temporarily high carbon content at the well may produce methane without
metal(loid) precipitation (Diels et al. 2005). The second, uses the pull-push-pull principle, in which
groundwater is extracted from the well, is mixed with additives and then is reinjected into the same
well (Janssen and Temminghoff 2004). In a pilot test using the latter method, BSR was achieved
whereby zinc concentrations were significantly reduced (40 mg/L to < 0.001 mg/L), however more
interesting was the longevity of BSR 5 wk post operation (Janssen and Temminghoff 2004). The
long-term stability of the metal-sulfide precipitates can be of concern (Miao et al. 2012), requiring
continuous monitoring.
Bioprecipitation can also be facilitated via permeable reactive barriers. A reactive barrier is
implemented in soil to cut across the groundwater flow. The barrier is implemented downstream of a
30 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

Table 2.4. In-situ bioprecipitation case-studies.

Method Location Project Specifications Method Efficacy References

Reactive Curilo mine district, Microorganism: 25% SO4 2–
Pagnanelli et al. 2009
Barrier Sophia SRB 6% Cd
Electron Donor: Leaves, *Percentages are
compost, zero-valent iron, higher with sorption
silica sand, perlite, limestone consideration
Synthetic Microorganism: 47% As Kumar et al. 2016
groundwater using SRB
contaminated Electron Donor: Zero-valent
sediment from iron
Belgium
Nickel Rim tailings Microorganism: 74% SO42– Benner et al. 1999
impoundment SRB >85% Fe
Electron Donor: Compost,
leaf mulch, wood chips
Unknown Microorganism: 98% SO42– Waybrant et al. 2002
SRB 26.67-99.99% Fe
Electron Donor: Composted 75–99.17% Zn
leaf mulch, wood chips, 98.75–99.92% Ni
sawdust, sewage sludge
Wetlands Camborne, Microorganism: 3.1 and 4.0 µmol • l–1 • Webb et al. 1998
Cornwall SRB h–1 Fe
Electron Donor: Sodium 1.31 and 2.44 µmol • l–1
acetate, propionic acid, • h–1 Zn
glycerol
Injection The Netherlands Microorganism: 99.98% Zn Janssen and
Wells SRB Temminghoff 2004
Electron Donor: Molasses
Laboratory tests for Microorganism: > 99% Zn Vanbroekhoven et al.
Umicore sites SRB > 99% Co 2008
Electron Donor: Lactate, > 85% SO42­
cheese whey, soy oil
Metal processing Microorganism: 96%–97% Zn Lookman et al. 2013
factory in SRB
Maasmechelen, Electron Donor: Lactate,
Belgium glycerol, vegetable oil

metal(loid) contaminated plume, whereby the reactive barrier is designed to degrade or immobilize
the contaminant via BSR. The two primary configurations of a reactive barrier are continuous
(vertical barrier, perpendicular to the contaminant plume) and funnel-and-gate system (V-shaped
funnel directing contaminant plume through the vertical reactive gate) (Sharma and Reddy 2004).
The reactive barrier is designed for the specific site, such that reactive material (electron donor and
microorganism consortium) is selected based on the desired type of bioprecipitation. Acid Mine
Drainage (AMD) for example, which is highly acidic and heavily contaminated with sulfuric acid
(SO42– and H+) and other heavy metals, could use a layered mixture of silica sand, organic waste
and silica sand either in a horizontal or vertical sequence to decrease effluent AMD (Benner et al.
1999, Waybrant et al. 2002). Clogging of reactive material due to bioprecipitation may decrease the
efficacy of the barrier over time (Kiran et al. 2017).
Wetlands and engineered wetlands aim to remove metal(loid) contaminants from water with
degradation and bioprecipitation techniques. They can be in the form of aerobic wetlands, anaerobic
wetlands (Johnson and Santos 2020) or anoxic ponds (Kiran et al. 2017). There are two main
impacts to the redox potential of these designs: the hydraulic design and the mode of operation. The
hydraulic designs can use a vertical flow (aerobic) treatment, horizontal subsurface flow (anoxic)
 Bioprecipitation as a Bioremediation Strategy for Environmental Cleanup 31

treatment, subsurface flow treatment (anoxic) (Faulwetter et al. 2009) or a surface flow (aerobic)
treatment (Kosolapov et al. 2004). The mode of operation refers to the feed mode (batch feed,
intermittent flow feed or continuous flow feed), hydraulic load rate and Hydraulic Retention Time
(HRT) (Faulwetter et al. 2009). The use of plant species to help mitigate pollution via the influence
of the redox condition is specific to wetlands (Faulwetter et al. 2009) and phytoremediation (Stephen
and Macnaughtont 1999). Phytoremediation can mitigate soil and groundwater pollution via five
primary mechanisms: phytostabilization, phytoextraction, phytovolatilization, rhizodegradation and
phytotransformation. Rhizodegradation, specifically, is applicable during wetland treatment, as the
plant-soil-microorganism system in the rhizosphere can degrade contaminants (Shmaefsky 2020).
Biofilters offer an additional method to remediate soil and groundwater via in-situ
bioprecipitation. The method consists of a filter media that allows microorganisms to attach and
multiply. The biofilter essentially acts as a surface for microorganism immobilization leading to
the development of a biofilm, which enables redox reactions necessary for bioprecipitation. There
are numerous organic and inorganic filter materials that can be used to facilitate biofiltration. In
keeping with the sustainable assessment of clean-up strategies, compost can be used as a viable,
environmental filter media. The compost media has nutrients for microorganism growth, good
water retention capacity for microorganism metabolism and good permeability for homogenous
distribution that are beneficial to the biofilter process (Pachaiappan et al. 2022).
MICP is typically applied to the field via injection, surface percolation or pre-mixing. The latter
two applications are in-situ treatment methods and therefore preferential. An issue experienced
with MICP remediation is the uniform distribution of the mixture (cementation solution and
microorganism) to adequately precipitate a CaCO3 matrix. An injection can lead to clogging around
the injection site, which inhibits its performance as a clean-up strategy. By reducing the injection rate,
the mixture may increase its reach. Surface percolation, however, has a better uniform distribution.
The mixture percolates through the soil via gravity. The depth of the required remediation should
be previously assessed as the permeability of soil impacts the depth reached by percolation (Mujah
et al. 2016).
Sorption and bioprecipitation are remediation mechanisms that typically occur simultaneously.
Sorption includes adsorption (accumulation to surfaces) or absorption (penetration into substances).
As mentioned earlier, sorption is part of the S/S technique aiming to immobilize metal(loid)
contaminants in-situ (LaGrega et al. 1994). Once contaminants precipitate from groundwater or pore
space, adsorption to soil particle surfaces is desirable. Again, considering sustainable remediation,
the use of an organic matter energy source during bioprecipitation can enhance the sorption capacity.
The carboxylic group of olive pomace, compost and leaves can facilitate sorption (Pagnanelli et al.
2009), improving immobilization.
These in-situ remediation methods offer a greener solution for industrial clean-up of soil and
groundwater. Although some greenhouse gas emissions and energy will be consumed to either drill
the injection wells or implement the reactive barrier, these strategies offer better sustainability to
ex-situ methods. However, it is important to note that these strategies are not viable for all types of
contamination. Often more intensive methods are required to achieve high degrees of metal(loid)
contaminant removal required by environmental and government agencies.

2.3.2.2 Ex-situ Bioprecipitation

Ex-situ bioprecipitation uses engineered structures (i.e., bioreactors) to treat soil. The operation
is considered an active treatment as it requires continuous chemical and/or biological additives
to facilitate biological precipitation. The process is highly demanding, requiring constant labor
requirements and monitoring. The operation has high capital and maintenance costs, where
contaminated soil is excavated, transported and treated using reactor design. The operation is less
sustainable than in-situ methods, however, it should be noted that the process is easily controlled
with better predictability and metal(loid) recovery (Kaksonen and Puhakka 2007, Kiran et al. 2017).
32 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

An overview of reactor designs for ex-situ bioprecipitation is described in Table 2.5. In addition
to the design itself, a reactor can operate under different modes or various stages. The operation
mode refers to how the influent is added to the reactor, i.e., batch, continuous or semi-continuous
application. The stages refer to the sequence of operations. In a one-stage process bioprecipitation
occurs in one reactor, while a two-stage process will separate mechanisms (i.e., oxidative-reductive
processes and precipitation) to occur in different reactors (Sánchez-Andrea et al. 2014).

2.3.3 Strategy Implementation

The implementation of a remediation strategy is developed based on the robust site assessment data.
Samples of polluted soil, sediment and/or water are collected from the affected site to analyze the
contaminant(s) and its potential hazard after release. Site characteristics (i.e., location, geology,
weather, topography, etc.) are all documented or measured to evaluate the extent of potential
contamination over time and brainstorm viable remediation options. The land use requirements
are considered to establish project objects and outline environmental and regulatory standards.
The desired future land use post contamination is evaluated and predicted to best suit the needs
of nearby communities. A contaminated site should always be left in a state equal to or better than
it was before contamination. Remediation strategies that adhere to the project objectives and site
assessment are discussed, addressing the operation efficacy for each scenario, public acceptance
and its green and sustainable nature. An optimal strategy is selected based on feasibility (i.e., cost,
operation and maintenance and time to execute). If a solution is deemed unfeasible, alternative
remediation solutions are established. After iterations of the process, a remediation strategy is
selected and implemented at the site. Figure 2.3 outlines the process and various components that
engineers take into consideration.
Laboratory testing is essential to the performance of a selected biological remediation strategy.
Testing is required to ensure the microorganism mixture or species, energy source and design all
functions to achieve high rates of immobilization, biotransformation or removal of the metal(loid)
contaminant. During testing, the C/N, COD/SO42– and DOC/SO42– ratios can be measured and
documented as indicators for performance. Further, laboratory testing can evaluate different modes
of operation scenarios (i.e., feed mode, hydraulic load rate, HRT, etc.) to establish an optimal
efficacy. Laboratory testing at initial stages of brainstorming can have beneficial impacts to the
design, impacting its timeframe and cost. This can therefore affect the sustainability of a selected
strategy.

Land Use

and and

and

and

Figure 2.3. Selection process for clean-up strategy incorporating site assessment, land use requirements, feasibility and
implementation (Adapted from Wilcox et al. 2022).
 Bioprecipitation as a Bioremediation Strategy for Environmental Cleanup 33

Table 2.5. Ex-situ reactor designs for bioprecipitation (Adapted from Kaksonen and Puhakka 2007, Kiran et al. 2017,
Speece 1983).

Method Design Advantages & Disadvantages

Continuously Advantages:
Stirred Tank - High performance
Reactor (CSTR) - Reliable
Disadvantages:
- Poor biomass retention

Anaerobic Contact Advantages:

Press (ACP) - Good biomass retention
Disadvantages:
- Breakdown of flocs and sludge due to high shear
force

Upflow Anaerobic Advantages:

Filter Reactor - Good sludge retention
(UAFR) - Low shear force
Disadvantages:
- Channeling due to shear force
- Large pressure gradients

Downflow Advantages:
Anaerobic Filter - Utilizes gravitation force
Reactor (DAFR) - Good sludge retention
- Low shear force
Disadvantages:
- Channeling due to shear force
- Large pressure gradients

Fluidized-Bed Advantages:
Reactor (FBR) - Large surface area for biofilm
- Good biomass retention
- Small pressure gradients
- No channeling or clogging
- Large mass transfer rates
Disadvantages:
- Biomass loss due to shear force
- Energy requirement

Table 2.5 contd. ...

34 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

...Table 2.5 contd.

Method Design Advantages & Disadvantages

Downflow Advantages:
Fluidized-Bed - Solids recovery from reactor bottom
Reactor (DFBR) - Large surface area for biofilm
- Good biomass retention
- Small pressure gradients
- No channeling or clogging
- Large mass transfer rates
Disadvantages:
- Biomass loss due to shear force
- Energy requirement

Gas Lift Reactor Advantages:

(GLR) - Good mass transfer
- Good mixing
Disadvantages:
- High pressure drop with gas substrate

Upflow Anaerobic Advantages:

Sludge Blanket - No channeling, clogging, sludge compaction
(UASB) - No biomass carrier
Disadvantages:
- Biomass washout

Anaerobic Hybrid Advantages:

Reactor (AHR) - Less clogging
- Easy sludge removal
- Good biomass retention
Disadvantages:
- NA

Table 2.5 contd. ...

 Bioprecipitation as a Bioremediation Strategy for Environmental Cleanup 35

...Table 2.5 contd.

Method Design Advantages & Disadvantages

Anaerobic Baffled Advantages:
Reactor (ABR) - Good sludge retention times
- No biomass carrier
- High loading rates
Disadvantages:
- NA

Membrane Advantages:
Bioreactor (MBR) - Good biomass retention
Disadvantages:
- Fouling

* Red arrow represents gas, blue arrow represents influent and effluent, and green arrow represents recycle process.

2.4 Conclusions
Bioprecipitation offers a sustainable approach to soil and groundwater clean-up for metal(loid)
contamination. The process offers social, economic and environmental benefits as a sustainable
remediation strategy. As a biological treatment method using natural processes, public acceptance
tends to be high in comparison to a more invasive treatment, such as physical, chemical, thermal or
electrical operations.
While bioprecipitation can occur as an in-situ and ex-situ remediation technique, in-situ
treatment offers a more sustainable approach. The operation occurs at the site with minimal soil
disturbance, energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The economic value is also high as
capital, maintenance and transport costs are relatively low.
Bioprecipitation can occur as an oxidative-reductive reaction or a cementation technique. The
desired mechanism of immobilization should be based on the type and degree of contamination
with a focus on chemical stability. For oxidative-reductive reactions an energy source should be
selected to facilitate the reaction. Organic waste is a viable electron donor, showing promise as a
carbon source with high COD/SO42– ratios for BSR. Organic waste can be repurposed to a valuable
bioprecipitation additive, enhancing the sustainable nature of the operation.
A thorough site assessment should be conducted at each site prior to implementation as a
remediation strategy. While bioprecipitation shows promise as a bioremediation strategy for
metal(loid) clean-up, laboratory testing is required to better predict its applicability for each
individual case . The strategy should be selected only if it meets the project objectives, the future land
use requirements and can achieve high removal efficacies that adhere to environmental standards.
36 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

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Chapter 3
Bio Adsorption
An Eco-friendly Alternative for
Industrial Effluents Treatment
Andrea Saralegui,1,* M. Natalia Piol,1
Victoria Willson,1 Néstor Caracciolo,2 Silvia Ramos 3
and Susana Boeykens1

3.1 Introduction
Industrial effluents are complex systems and therefore their treatment requires an integral approach.
The composition and characteristics of each type of effluent, whether solid or liquid, determine the
treatment to be required and its final disposal. In order to find a feasible solution for each specific
case, it is necessary to recognize the system and look for alternatives that reduce costs.
Both waste and pollutants can be considered as misplaced or unexploited resources. That is to
say, the lack of a process’s holistic view means that an incorrect disposal of a material turns it into a
waste or even a pollutant. The reuse of this material not only reduces the degree of contamination,
but also reduces the operational costs of its disposal and/or treatment. Furthermore, it turns it into a
valuable resource that could even have some added value in other activities. Thus, what was earlier
called “waste” could be seen as a new raw material in a recycling and reuse process, becoming a loop
within the circular economy (Saralegui et al. 2022). The study of these new sources of raw materials
is a way forward to improve the sustainability of water and effluent treatment technologies.
Environmental contamination with metals can negatively affect ecosystems and the exposed
population health; this contamination is mainly due to technological changes and the increasing
use of metal-containing materials in industry. This has led to concern and has led to numerous
investigations on treatment technologies for water, effluents and contaminated soils (Branzini
and Zubillaga 2012, Cartaya et al. 2011, EPA 2000, Volke Sepúlveda and Velasco Trejo 2002).

1
Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ingeniería, Instituto de Química Aplicada a la Ingeniería (IQAI), Laboratorio de
Química de Sistemas Heterogéneos (LaQuíSiHe). Av. Paseo Colón 850, C1063ACV, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
2
Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ingeniería, Instituto de Química Aplicada a la Ingeniería (IQAI), Laboratorio de
Química Ambiental (LaQuíAmb). Av. Paseo Colón 850, C1063ACV, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
3
Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ingeniería, Grupo Modelos Aplicados a Gestión Industrial, Dpto. de Gestión-
Cátedras de Modelos y Optimización I y III. Av. Las Heras 2214, C1126, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
* Corresponding author: [email protected]
 Bio Adsorption: An Eco-friendly Alternative for Industrial Effluents Treatment 41

Aquatic systems are large bodies that receive many waste streams, mainly resulting from human
activities (Acumar 2019, Liu et al. 2008). The diversity of industries that may discharge their effluents
into a water body influences its degree and type of pollution. The assessment of the interferences that
may exist between various types of pollutants present simultaneously in a water body should keep
being studied as they may produce different effects on the ecosystem (Renaud et al. 2021). Prevention
is the way forward. Avoiding the discharge of effluents with high pollutant content is necessary and
finding systems that could selectively remove or decrease a specific pollutant concentration in the
presence of other substances is very promising regarding their recovery and reuse.
Due to their high persistence in the environment, metals have the potential to get bioaccumulated
in organisms of lower trophic levels and reach their biomagnification, with a direct implication
on the ecosystem and on the health of populations not directly exposed to contaminated water
(Di Giulio and Newman 2008). For these reasons, the Argentinian legislation considers them as
hazardous substances and regulates their content both in effluent discharges and in drinking and
irrigation waters (PLNRA 1992). However, this legislation as well as other water quality regulations
and guidelines in the world do not consider the effect of the simultaneous presence of different
metals (Renaud et al. 2021).
The search for low-cost processes for water treatment is fundamental to its applicability; waste
reuse is a possible path to follow. When thinking about the low cost of the process, this implies that
the waste should be sourced close to where it will be used in order to reduce transport expenses
as well as the carbon footprint of the process. It also implies making just a basic conditioning to
the waste, that is, treating the material as little as possible. Finally, the process must be adapted
to the specific effluent conditions, so as not to require adjustments involving the use of large
quantities of chemical reagents or energy. There are several established conventional processes for
pollutants treatment and recovery from wastewater (Mihelcic and Zimmerman 2012). However, in
recent years, studies on biosorption technologies development have increased due to their potential
economic convenience. Numerous works using lignocellulosic materials indicate a high capacity
to concentrate water pollutants in their structures (Boeykens et al. 2018, Boeykens et al. 2019, Piol
et al. 2021, Saralegui et al. 2021, Saralegui et al. 2022). For this work, wastes with high availability
in Argentina were selected: peanut shells (Arachis hypogaea), sugar cane bagasse (Saccharum
officinarum), avocado stones (Persea americana), pecan nut shells (Carya illinoinensis), wheat
bran (Triticum aestivum), banana shells (Mussa paradisiaca) and different parts of the moringa
plant (Moringa oleifera) for the study of metal removal from water.
Selected wastes:
• Peanut shells: Argentina is the sixth-largest producer of peanuts in the world, accounting
for 3% of global production, with 42.6 million tons produced during the 2016–2017 growing
season (Pellegrino 2019). Peanut shells, the waste from the industrialization of the nuts, are
often a drawback as they represent between a quarter and a fifth of the harvest and constitute a
polluting waste which is usually incinerated in the open air, generating large amounts of smoke
(BCC 2014).
• Sugar cane bagasse: another waste product is sugar cane bagasse, which is the fibrous
material that remains after the sugar cane is crushed. Typically, for every 10 tons of crushed
cane, 3 to 4 tons of wet bagasse (40–50% moisture) remains as residue. Increasingly, it is used
as fuel for steam and electricity generation in sugar mills, but also as a source of organic matter
when returned to the soil. According to statistics, in the last 10 yr’ harvest, 18 to 20 million
tons of sugar cane were milled in the country, producing a large volume of bagasse for disposal
(Preciado Patiño 2015, Rios et al. 2017).
• Avocado stone: the avocado stone represents about 18% of the fruit weight. In Argentina
it is currently a growing crop as different soils and climates are favorable for its growth and
development (Carrere 2010).
42 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

• Pecan nuts: these agronomic conditions also promote the production of high quality, counter-
seasonal pecan nuts. Commercial pecan cultivation in Argentina has grown exponentially
in recent years, which in the medium term will make Argentina one of the world’s top three
producers of this nut and the world’s leading exporter of high value-added pecan-based products
(Frusso 2013).
• Wheat: On the other hand, wheat is one of the most widely grown cereals in the world. In
Argentina, around 15.5 million tons of wheat are produced annually. Seventy-five per cent is
exported and approximately 4.6 million tons are milled to produce 3.4 million tons of flour.
As by-products of this process, approximately 500,000 tons of bran and germ are extracted
annually and used almost entirely for animal feed (Apro et al. 2004).
• Banana: Banana cultivation is the most prominent of Argentina’s tropical crops, with an annual
production ranging from 180,000 to 205,000 tons, with bananas being the most consumed fruit
in Argentina with an annual per capita average of 12 kg (Molina et al. 2015).
• Moringa oleifera: Moringa oleifera, a shrubby plant native to India, is little known in
South America, although it is now abundant throughout the tropics. It is a hardy species that
requires little horticultural attention and grows rapidly, recognized for its nutritional and
medicinal characteristics, as well as being used in some water purification processes (Folkard
and Sutherland 1996). Different parts of the plant are usable raw materials, the leaves, the
undeveloped pods and seeds. Obtaining products and by-products generates around 80% by
crop weight of waste, the husks during dehulling the seed or the green stalks are discarded
during the obtaining of the leaf for infusions use. Currently, in Argentina there is a growing
wave of Moringa cultivation with a large generation of new products that in the short term will
result in a large amount of waste to be disposed of.
The waste from the agri-food industry proposed in this work will be used as biosorbents to
study the retention of metal ions from aqueous effluents. In the case of liquid effluents, the aim
is to reach the polluting discharge levels required by local legislation, considering industries such
as tanning or electroplating. In the case of solid effluents, the goal is to achieve eco-friendly final
disposal.
The design of the Reactor App software were intended to simplify the calculations and to
give as a result the volume of the continuous reactor to be used in a first approximation from data
obtained with few tests carried out on batch reactors. In this way, a first scale-up can be carried out
in a simplified way. As a second objective, Reactor App aims to facilitate the processing of the data
derived from the continuous tests.

3.2 Initial Considerations

The total adsorption capacity (mg adsorbate/g adsorbent) was calculated by Eq. 3.1 and the removal
percentage (%R) by Eq. 3.2 (Boeykens et al. 2017):
(C0 – Cf)
q0 = V Eq. 3.1
m
(C0 – Cf)
%R = Eq. 3.2
C0
where, qa (mg g–1) is the adsorption capacity, C0 (mg L–1) is the P or Cr initial concentration, Cf is the
P or Cr final concentration (after adsorption), m (g) is the adsorbent mass and V (L) is the volume
of adsorption solution.
 Bio Adsorption: An Eco-friendly Alternative for Industrial Effluents Treatment 43

3.3 Dosage Curves

Once the adsorbent has been selected and treated only by washing with water, drying and sieving
(Figure 3.1), the working conditions should be selected, for which the so-called dosage curves are
carried out to examine the adsorbent performance for the removal of each pollutant. This means
performing two kinds of experiments: (i) varying the adsorbent mass in contact with a specified
volume of a given concentration solution, and (ii) varying the concentration of a given solution
volume with a fixed adsorbent mass. To ensure that equilibrium is reached, both types of experiments
should be performed with the proper agitation, at a fixed pH and temperature, for a determined
amount of time.
On the basis of these experiments, working conditions can be selected to allow the necessary
kinetic and equilibrium studies to be carried out.
As an example of this procedure, the results found using peanut shells as adsorbent, and nickel
as contaminant are presented.

Figure 3.1. Peanut shells before and after washing, drying and sieving.

These curves were developed at pH = 6, corresponding to the pH of the effluents to be treated,

with a volume of 50 mL of solution and continuous stirring for 24 hr, verifying that equilibrium was
reached after that time and that the contaminant was detectable in the remaining solution. The range
of concentrations that can be measured in the atomic absorption spectroscopy equipment for nickel
was in 0.1 to 8 mg L–1 so the concentrations used for the dosing test were between 10 and 50 mg L–1.
The adsorbent mass range was 0.30 to 1.0 g established based of the initial 24 hr experiment.
When the weight of the adsorbent increases, the percentage of nickel removal increases, but
the adsorption capacity decreases as it can be observed in Figure 3.2a. Secondly, when the weight
of the adsorbent is fixed and the nickel concentration increases, the removal percentage decreases,
but the adsorption capacity increases as can be observed in Figure 3.2b. The maximum adsorption
capacity was 30 mg Ni2+ L–1.
a b

Figure 3.2. Peanut shell dosage curves. a. As a function of adsorbent mass. b. As a function of initial nickel solution
concentration.

The compromise relation selected was 0.3 g of adsorbent and 20 mg Ni2+ L–1 as the initial
concentration. For this ratio the percentage of removal obtained was close to 80% and the adsorption
capacity close to the maximum. This compromise relation also allows measurable results to be
obtained within the concentration range suitable for the measuring instrument.
44 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

Figure 3.3. Kinetic curves obtained from the adsorption of nickel on peanut shells.

Once the ratio between the working concentration and the mass of the adsorbent to be used
was established, the kinetic tests begin with the objective of obtaining the kinetic constant and the
reaction order by applying different models.
As an example of the kinetic studies, the kinetic curves for 10, 20 and 30 mg Ni L–1, using 0.3 g
of adsorbent, are presented in Figure 3.3. The equilibrium time for all systems was 30 min.
By processing these studies one can determine the order of the reaction and the kinetic constant.
For this, it is necessary to use pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order models. The mathematical
expression for the pseudo-first order kinetics model (Lagergren 1898) is widely used for adsorption
studies of liquids. The linear form is Eq. 3.3:

ln(qe – qt) = lnqe – k1 t Eq. 3.3

where qt (mmol g–1) is the amount of adsorbed solute at time t, and k (min–1) is the constant velocity.
The pseudo-second order model was developed by Ho and McKay (1999). This model assumes
that adsorption follows a second-rate kinetic mechanism. It indicates that one sorbate molecule is
adsorbed on two active sites on the sorbent surface. The process can be expressed in a linear form
by the Eq. 3.4:
t 1 t
= + t Eq. 3.4
qt k2 qe2 qe
where, k2 (mmol g–1 min–1) is the velocity constant of pseudo-second order. The term (k 2 qe2)
represents the initial adsorption rate.
In the case of peanut shells, the best fit was obtained for the pseudo-second order model
with regression coefficients higher than 0.998, while for the pseudo-first order fit the regression
coefficient in all cases was less than 0.92. In general, the reaction order for lignocellulosic materials
for metal removal responds to reaction of order 2. Several authors have demonstrated that the metal
ions adsorption process in lignocellulosic materials occurs by complexation, it occurs where the
carboxylic or carboxylate (R-COOH/R-COO-) and phenolic or phenolate (R’-OH / R’-O-) functional
groups simultaneously chelate the metal ions (Mn+), forming bidentate complexes R-COO-Me-
O-R’ (Neris et al. 2019, Guo et al. 2008, Piol et al. 2021, Boeykens et al. 2018).
Regarding the kinetic constant obtained, values between 600 and 15 g mmol–1 were obtained.
The cyclic of these parameters (k and reaction order) is necessary to enter the Reactor App software.
 Bio Adsorption: An Eco-friendly Alternative for Industrial Effluents Treatment 45

3.4 Equilibrium Isotherms

Another extremely important data to work with the software and to be able to estimate the reactor’s
design dimensions is the qmax (maximum adsorption capacity that comes from the study of
equilibrium isotherms).
For a given solid-liquid system, the dynamics of the adsorption equilibrium of the solute on
the solid is expressed by the ratio between the amount adsorbed at equilibrium per unit mass of
original adsorbent qe (mmol g–1) and the residual concentration at equilibrium in the liquid phase
Ce (mmol L–1), at a constant temperature. The graphical representation of these parameters is known
as adsorption isotherm. The study of the isotherms serves to obtain parameters that characterize
the adsorption phenomenon for a given adsorbent-adsorbate pair and to be able to establish the
experimental conditions that maximize adsorption. In addition, the mathematical correlation of the
process constitutes an important role for the analysis of the assumptions implied by the models and
provide an idea of the adsorption mechanism, the surface properties, as well as the degree of affinity
of the adsorbent (Foo and Hameed 2010).
The Langmuir (1918) and Freundlich (1906) models happen to be the most widely used
isotherm models mentioned in literature. In Table 3.1 a comparison of the characteristic parameters
and assumptions between each model is shown.
As an example, the nonlinear fit of the experimental data and the obtained parameters to the
Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms for a biomass system of the aquatic macrophyte
Azolla for the adsorption of Cu from an aqueous solution can be represented (Figure 3.4). The R2
value closer to 1 is indicating that the experimental data fits better to the Langmuir model for the
studied system, from which the model parameters are obtained (Figure 3.5).
For the proposed system, the model that best fits the data happens to be Langmuir. This model
is the one that generally results best for lignocellulosic adsorbents as observed in other works
(Guo et al. 2008, Boeykens et al. 2018).
Table 3.1. Comparison between Langmuir and Freundlich model with their respective parameters and assumptions.

Model Langmuir 1918 Freundlich 1906

1
Mathematical qmaxKLCe qe = Kf Ce /n
expression qe =
1 + KLCe
Parameters Graph qe vs Ce Graph qe vs Ce
● KL (L mmol–1) = constant. Langmuir, related ● Kf (mmol g–1) constant. Freundlich, related to the
to adsorption intensity adsorption capacity
● qmáx (mmol g–1) = maximum adsorption ● n = related to the intensity of adsorption or
capacity heterogeneity of the system
● n > 1 → favorable adsorption
● n < 1 → unfavorable adsorption
Assumptions ● Maximum adsorption in monolayer ● Adsorption in multilayers
● Adsorption sites with constant energy ● Adsorption sites with different affinities
● There is no lateral interaction between ● Adsorption energy varies exponentially
neighboring molecules depending on the covered surface
46 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

Figure 3.4. Experimental data and non-linear fit of the used models to the copper on Azolla adsorption isotherms.

Table 3.2. Obtained parameters from the adsorption isotherms fit to both models.

Langmuir Freundlich
Adsorbent-adsorbate qmáx KL R2 KF n R2
Azolla-Cu 0.457 14.19 0.9837 0.399 4.70 0.8895

3.5 Adsorption Column Design

In metal biosorption studies it is common to work in batch systems due to the speed of the process to
obtain results and to be able to work on a very small scale in terms of the use of both the adsorbent
and the adsorbate. The results obtained from these tests allow, from different modulizations, to
attain parameters that permit quantifying the efficiency of adsorption in the elimination of specific
adsorbates, as well as the maximum adsorption capacity. However, for larger scale processes,
biosorption in fixed bed columns with continuous flow is preferable. These systems are in non-
equilibrium and the concentration profiles in both the effluent and the fixed phase vary not only with
time but also with space.
The fluid dynamic behavior of a fixed-bed column is described by means of concentration
profiles of the adsorbate in the effluent versus time or volume. The curves obtained are a function
of the adsorbent geometry, the operating conditions and also the adsorption data at equilibrium.
The relative concentration curve (C/C0) of the metal in the effluent versus total volume (or time) is
known as breakthrough curve (BTC), and is obtained by passing a solution containing the solute to
be adsorbed with an initial concentration C0 through a column (fixed bed) packed with the adsorbent
particles, measuring the output concentration C at different times.
The characteristics of the breakthrough curve are very important in the sense that the operation
and dynamic response in a continuous reactor can be determined (Salamatinia et al. 2008). The
breakthrough curve shows the performance of a fixed bed reactor from the point of view of the
 Bio Adsorption: An Eco-friendly Alternative for Industrial Effluents Treatment 47

amount of metal that is possible to retain. In this way, a successful design of a continuous adsorption
reactor requires being able to predict the characteristics of the breakthrough curve (Acheampong
et al. 2013). The development of mathematical models describing the dynamic behavior of adsorption
in fixed beds is difficult, because the adsorbate concentration, like the feed, moves through the
column and a steady state cannot be assumed.
During the application of a model that approximates the experimental parameters, several
factors should be considered, among them the adsorbate transport in fixed beds, which is described
by the solid-liquid material balance equations. This description must account for the mass balance
of the adsorbed solute, which in turn depends on the mechanism responsible for adsorption and
may be controlled by mass transfer from within the solution to the adsorbent surface or by the
chemical reaction between the adsorbent particles and the metal (Calero et al. 2009). In this sense,
determining the parameters of models of varying complexity can be difficult, considering the large
number of resources required and the complicated solution methods (Borba et al. 2008). This is
why several simplified mathematical models have been developed, which provide parameters that
qualitatively describe the effects during adsorption in the continuous reactor (Chu et al. 2007).
Among them, the most widely applied models are Thomas (1944), Bohart-Adams (1920) and Yoon
and Nelson (1984), which will be mentioned in the present investigation. Each model presents
different mathematical equations so that from each, different parameters are obtained that provide
different information about the processes under study. The assumptions and parameters of each
model are shown in Table 3.3.
For the purpose of checking the applicability of the described models, the parameters provided
by the different models (Xcal) should be compared with the experimentally obtained parameters

Table 3.3. Comparison between the used models for continuous reactors.

Model Thomas Bohart-Adams Yoon-Nelson

Mathematic C 1  K AB .C0 .Vef K AB .N 0 .Z  Vef
C  
expression = = exp  −  exp  KYN . ( −τ ) 
C0   KTH   C0  F U  C =  F 
1 + exp  .(q0 .W − C0 .Vef )   0
  F  C0  Vef 
1 + exp  KYN .( −τ ) 
 F 

Parameters Graph C/Co Vs Vef Graph C/Co Vs Vef Graph C/Co Vs Vef KYN
KTH is Thomas rate constant KAB is the mass transfer stands for the Yoon-Nelson
[mL min–1 g–1], coefficient [cm3 mmol–1 min–1], rate constant [min–1],
q0 is the maximum solute N0 represents the maximum τ [min] is the time
concentration in the solid phase adsorption capacity [mmol cm–3], required to retain 50% of
[mmol g–1], U is the linear liquid velocity the C0.
Vef is the effluent volume [L], [cm min–1],
F is the volumetric flow rate [mL Z is the bed height in the reactor
min–1], [cm].
W is the amount of sorbent inside the
reactor [g],
C is the outlet concentration
[mmol L–1].
Assumptions ● Adsorption behavior follows the ● Adsorption rate is proportional ● Adsorption
Langmuir isotherm to the residual capacity of rate decreases
● Intraparticle diffusion and the solid and the adsorbate proportionally with the
resistance to external mass concentration number of molecules
transfer are negligible. ● Intraparticle diffusion and adsorbed.
resistance to external mass
transfer are negligible.
48 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

(Xexp) by means of goodness-of-fit analysis, which is evaluated by the regression coefficient R2 and
the average relative error (ARE) (Dhanasekaran et al. 2017) defined by the following expression:
(X i,calc − X i,exp )
ARE = 100
— n
Eq. 3.5
n ∑i =1 X i,exp

The proximity of the value of R2 to one (Tan and Hameed 2017) and ARE values lower than
35% (Tsai et al. 2016) indicate a good fit of the model to the experimental data.
To exemplify the application of these models, the work system was compounded by Azolla
biomass with a contaminant solution of copper, for which a continuous reactor was assembled,
whose dimensions were 15 cm in height, 15.9 cm3 in volume and an internal diameter of 1.161 cm,
which was completed with 4.3 g of biomass with a particle size between 1.18–0.5 mm and then a
Cu(II) solution of 50 mM concentration was passed upstream at a fixed flow rate of 0.5 mL min–1
and the Cu(II) concentration at the reactor outlet was measured at different volumes by ultraviolet-
visible spectrophotometry. From the breakthrough curves obtained (C/C0 versus V graph) the
nonlinear fitting models mentioned above were applied and the corresponding parameters listed in
Table 3.4 were obtained.

Table 3.4. Obtained parameters with the Thomas–Bohart-Adams and Yoon-Nelson models for the adsorption of copper onto
Azolla biomass in fixed bed reactor.

Azolla-Cu
KTH 2.39
q 0 calc 0.6222
Thomas
q 0 exp 0.679
Model
R2 0.996
ARE 8.39
KAB 1.637
No calc 0.1951
Bohart-Adams Model No exp 8.68E-2
R2 0.9770
ARE 125
Kyn 0.1005
τcalc 136.3
Yoon-Nelson Model τexp 135.0
R2 0.996
ARE 0.96

From the data obtained for the modeling of the experimental breakthrough curve it can be
observed that both the Thomas and Yoon-Nelson models are the most appropriate to describe the
behavior of the experimental data, since both have R2 greater than 0.99 and an ARE less than 35%,
which would indicate that the value of the parameters calculated by the model and the experimental
one are very similar. These models adequately fit adsorption processes where external and
internal diffusions are not the limiting step (Aksu and Gönen 2004). Both models have analogous
mathematical equations, so they were expected to predict similar fits (Chu 2020), however, from
each of them, different information about the system under study can be obtained. The Thomas
model allows estimating the maximum amount of adsorbate retained in the solid phase, from the
calculated q0 which resulted to be 0.622 mmol g–1. On the other hand, the Yoon-Nelson model
allows knowing the value of the time required for the concentration in the effluent to be equal to
50% of the input, the latter, determined by the parameter τ, was 136 min.
 Bio Adsorption: An Eco-friendly Alternative for Industrial Effluents Treatment 49

The successful design of a fixed-bed column adsorption process requires the prediction of
the effluent breakthrough curve (Chen et al. 2012), so the parameters obtained together with the
adsorbent saturation times are very useful and represent a starting point for future studies. The
description of these breakthrough curves was shown in the work presented by Saralegui et al. (2022).
The optimization of a continuous reactor, varying parameters such as the amount of each adsorbent,
flow rate, column size, among others are the subject of further studies.

3.6 Digital Application

The digital application called Reactor App was developed ad-hoc in order to manage the complex
selection of the most efficient system for treatment. The application can be accessed by entering:
https://laquisihereactorapp.fi.uba.ar/.
Reactor App (Figure 3.5) is a software designed with several objectives:
1. To assemble a database of the experimental data obtained for each of the sorbent-adsorbent
systems studied, including data from the Argentinean legislation for effluent discharge.
2. To design a software that orders, analyses and adjusts theoretical or empirical models for the
design of an adsorbate-adsorbent reactor, providing different mathematical models that assist in
the design of reactors for business applications (tanneries, breweries, chrome works).
3. To create a platform for the laboratory to disseminate its work and to advise different
organizations on different problems such as water treatment and effluent discharge.
The system has three types of user profile (Figure 3.6):
● External user, who will be able to view limited system information and will have reduced
system functionality
● Laboratory user, who will have all the information and functionality of the system, without
being able to alter the system information.
● Administrator user, who will also be able to modify the system information and moderate
the users who have access to the application.
For reactor design (Saralegui et al. 2022), taking certain considerations into account, this
application provides a first approximation of a continuous reactor using parameters estimated
through the development of batch tests.

About the project Adsorbates Adsorbents Systems

Calculation of curves
Search adsorbent Reactor volume areas Breakthrough curve
models

Figure 3.5. Reactor App software home screen.

50 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

Figure 3.6. Login screen of the Reactor App.

Data on adsorbents, adsorbates and pre-loaded adsorbent-adsorbate systems are needed to start
the task. The software works through cards for each adsorbate (Figure 3.7) or adsorbent (Figure 3.8)
that are pre-filled. These cards include the physicochemical characteristics of both the adsorbate and
the adsorbent. These data can be obtained from literature (in the case of adsorbates, legislation or
guide levels are included) or empirically and are used for the implementation of the models included
in the software.
Figure 3.8 shows the cards corresponding to the systems or adsorbate-adsorbent pairs studied.
In these cards, the data obtained in batch tests such as qmax and Langmuir constant, equilibrium time,
reaction order and kinetic constant, among others are loaded.
Figure 3.9 shows the screen where the information to calculate the first approximation of the
volume of a continuous reactor must be loaded.
Reactor App also allows uploading experimental data from continuous reactors (by uploading a
CSV or XLSX file), both from fluid dynamic tests in which inert material is used as the reactor filler
and additionally tests with the reactor filled with the adsorbent under study. By difference of the
areas under the breakthrough curve (Saralegui et al. 2022), in both cases the amount of contaminant
removed by the reactor can be calculated (Figure 3.10).
With the experimental data of the breakthrough curves, Reactor App is able to perform the
estimation of different models used as approximations and return the characteristic fitting parameters
of each one together with the regression coefficient R2. The models that are possible to apply are
Thomas, Bohart-Adams and Yoo-Nelson, explained above, and an example from the Reactor App
return page is shown in Figure 3.11.
 Bio Adsorption: An Eco-friendly Alternative for Industrial Effluents Treatment 51

(a)

(b)

Figure 3.7. Cards from the Reactor App software corresponding to the studied (a). Adsorbates (Text in Spanish indicating
their different parameters such as ionic charge, hydrodynamic radio and discharge limit) and (b). Adsorbents (Text in Spanish
indicating their particle size, BET area and pH).
52 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

Figure 3.8. Cards of the Reactor App software corresponding to the systems (adsorbate/adsorbent pairs) studied (Text in
Spanish indicating some parameters such as equilibrium time, qmax, temperature and initial pH).

Figure 3.9. Data to be entered in Reactor App for the calculation of the first continuous reactors volume approximation.
(Text in Spanish indicating the different variables for the selected system: adsorbate, adsorbent, equilibrium time, qmax,
temperature, initial pH, kinetic constant and reaction order).

3.7 Conclusions
In conclusion, the choice of the low-cost adsorbent to be used should be based on the availability
of the material in the same place where the effluent treatment is needed. In order to simplify the
studies, first the dosage curve should be made and the working conditions should be established.
Once the relation between the contaminant concentration and the quantity of adsorbent are fixed,
the kinetic equation at a given temperature should be estimated. Then, the study of the equilibrium
isotherm and the estimation of the maximum adsorption capacity could be accomplished. Finally,
with this data the continuous reactor volume can be estimated using Reactor App and then a first
 Bio Adsorption: An Eco-friendly Alternative for Industrial Effluents Treatment 53

Figure 3.10. Graph obtained in Reactor App by entering the data of the breakthrough curves of the fluid dynamic test (pink
dots) and the adsorption of Lead (II) on dolomite (light blue dots). The red area represents the amount of adsorbed lead, the
text in Spanish additionally indicates the base line area, the difference between these both areas and the adsorbed amount in
mmol.

Figure 3.11. Example of the Reactor App return screen for the application of the Thomas model for the data obtained for
copper (II) adsorption on Azolla pinnata in the continuous reactor.

approximation for the scale-up can be made. Once the continuous reactor is built, the results can be
analyzed with Reactor App and the models can be used to parameterize the new reactor. In this way
it is possible to consider a new scale jump.
In all the cases studied in our laboratory, the obtained results indicate that the use of
lignocellulosic materials for the removal of ionic pollutants from wastewater is feasible, taking into
account that the use of these materials is a contribution to the circular economy.
We are working on the mixing of contaminants and multiple adsorptions on these adsorbents,
as well as on the safe final disposal of these solids when exhausted.
54 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge the financial support from Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBACyT
N°20020190100323BA, N°20020190200302BA, PDE 032/2020) and would also like to thank the
computer engineering students Matías Reimondo, Santiago Pinto and Lucas Lavandeira for their
collaboration in the development of the application used in this work.

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Chapter 4
Bioaccumulation and
Biosorption
The Prospects and Future Applications
P.F. Steffi1,*1 and P.F. Mishel 2

4.1 Introduction
The rapid development of industry and modern technologies has shown the release of variable
hazardous compounds into the surroundings, including heavy metals (Qiu et al. 2021). Heavy
metals are utilized in the mining, metallurgical, electronics and electroplating sectors. Many modern
operations produce trash that contains heavy metals which are harmful to both lower and higher
living beings (Devanesan and AlSalhi 2021). There are a number of ways for removing heavy metal
ions now in use. Precipitation, ion exchange, membrane processes, evaporation and filtration are
the most significant (Danouche et al. 2021). The use of these approaches is frequently coupled
with technological challenges, such as waste management (Pushkar et al. 2021). Biotechnological
strategies that utilize biological materials such as bacteria and plants could be a viable alternative to
the chemical and physical systems currently in use (Reddy et al. 2021).
Metals can be bound by biological material through biosorption and bioaccumulation processes
(Abdul Jaffar et al. 2015). During the biosorption process, metal ions are adsorbed on the surface of
a sorbent. Biosorption is a metabolically passive energy-producing process that uses dead biomass
as a fuel source. Biosorption is a process that has a few distinct characteristics (Hansda et al. 2016).
It has great effectiveness in sequestering dissolved metals from very dilute complicated solutions. As
a result, biosorption is an excellent choice for treating high-volume, low-concentration complicated
wastewaters (Joshi et al. 2011).
On the other hand, bioaccumulation can only occur in living beings due to the transit of
pollutants into the cell and the accumulation of metals within the cell (Kumar et al. 2021). The initial
phase in bioaccumulation is biosorption. Bioaccumulative chemicals are those that accumulate in
living beings to the point where their concentrations in bodily tissues continue to rise (Kumar et al.
2007). Bioaccumulation is also known as bioconcentration in fish and other aquatic creatures. The

1
PG and Research Department of Microbiology, Cauvery College for Women (Autonomous), Trichy.
2
Department of Botany, Bharathidasan University, Trichy.
* Corresponding author: [email protected]
 Bioaccumulation and Biosorption: The Prospects and Future Applications 57

general objective of this chapter is to look at the biosorption and bioaccumulation potentials for
heavy metal removal from contaminated environments (Singh and Kumar 2020). The most utilized
heavy metal removal technologies from water and wastewater are discussed.

4.1.1 Heavy Metals in the Environment

Recent advances in civilization have resulted in an overabundance of heavy metals entering the
ecosystems. In both aqueous and terrestrial contexts, heavy metals can form indeterminate mineral
and organometallic linkages (Yaashikaa 2020, Abdul Jaffar et al. 2015). Steel mills, plating facilities,
tanning plants, chemical fertilizer, pesticide manufacturing plants, fabric dye plants, electroplating
plants, motor and power engineering plants and battery and accumulator manufacturing plants
produce wastewater (Ahmed et al. 2021). Heavy metals released into the environment have high
mobility. Plants may absorb them, and they wind up in the digestive tracts of animals and humans
(Al-Ansari et al. 2021). Due to their harmful effects on certain elements of the environment and
bioaccumulation in the food chain, heavy metals constitute a significant hazard to living beings
(Arroyo Herrera et al. 2021).

4.1.2 Heavy Metals in Surface Water

Industrial and municipal wastewater carries heavy metals into surface water. Leaching of chemical
pollutants from landfills and deposition of atmospheric specific matter can also pollute surface
water (Bai et al. 2019). Water contamination can also be caused by leaching of mineral fertilizers
and pesticides from the soil. Heavy metals can be found in the following forms in the aquatic
environment:
• Ionic form (the most harmful to living organisms);
• Ion linked with a variety of ligands (complex compounds);
• Precipitated molecules.
In surface water, many heavy metals bioaccumulate. Algae collect significant amounts of
metals (particularly manganese and lead).

4.1.3 Heavy Metals in the Soil

Metal pollutants in the soil are caused by industrial and power engineering, as well as atmospheric
pollutants and landfilling. Metals can be introduced to the soil through fertilizers with sewage
sludge and insecticides. Soil contamination occurs because of transportation along with route
systems (Bai et al. 2016). Metals in the soil can be dissolved, transported and taken up by various
species depending on soil conditions, such as pH. Metals are present in the soluble form at lower
pH—in acidic soils—and hence are more available to plants. High metal concentrations in soils
always cause a disruption in chemical balance, which hinders the functioning of specific ecosystems
(Baselga Cervera 2018). Metals accumulating in soils prevent soil microbes from growing.
Microorganisms’ basic physiological processes associated with the breakdown and modification of
organic compounds are harmed.

4.1.4 Heavy Metals in Atmosphere

Heavy metals in the atmosphere are added mainly by emissions of specific matter from industry,
transportation and power generation (Bindschedler et al. 2017). The pollution of the atmosphere has
a worldwide scope. This is due to the small size of molecules, which allows them to float in the air
for lengthy periods and travel to far-flung corners of the planet (Boriova et al. 2019). The quantity of
heavy metals emitted into the atmosphere is determined by the economic development of a country
as well as pollution control techniques. Airborne contamination by heavy metals has a negative
58 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

impact on climate change, causes economic losses (mainly in agriculture and forestry) and offers a
significant health risk to humans (Cachada et al. 2014).

4.2 Techniques for Heavy Metals Removal

Heavy alloys are usually deleted from water solutions employing physicochemical techniques.
The following are the most prevalent methods:
• Infiltration
• Coagulation
• Chemical precipitation
• Ion exchange
• Membrane processes
Heavy metals can be removed using a single method or a combination of two or more methods.
Many factors influence the method selection, including effluent kinds, content and forms and
concentrations of elements to be removed, as well as the degree of removal required (Cachada
et al. 2014). Precipitation of metals in the form of hydroxides, which are then removed from
the solution during filtration or decantation, is the most common method for removing heavy
metals from industrial effluent. The presence of organic and inorganic compounds, as well as
temperature and pH, can all have a negative impact on the process’s efficacy (Chamekh et al. 2021).
Furthermore, handling moistened sludge raises costs. Another approach for removing heavy metals
is ion exchange. Ions bound to the ion-exchanger are transferred for ions present in the surrounding
solution in this process. Natural or synthetic ion-exchangers are available (Chen et al. 2019). The
solutions should be pre-treated before the ion exchange since impurities in the water can disrupt
the process. Membrane techniques can also remove heavy metals from wastewater. Contaminants
can be separated using these methods. Membranes are essential for water treatment efficiency.
A membrane is a thin partition that allows molecules to pass through it selectively. Natural and
manmade materials can be used to make membranes (Chen et al. 2020). They should have excellent
hydraulic efficiency, separation qualities, mechanical, chemical and heat resistance. Sorption on
activated carbon or zeolite is used to remove heavy metals. Activated carbon is used in adsorption
(present in granular of fine forms). Metals are removed from activated carbon’s surface, where they
are kept (Chojnacka 2010). The methods suggested are frequently time-consuming and costly to
implement. As a result, new, more cost-effective and easier technologies for heavy metal removal
are required.

4.3 Removal of Heavy Metals with Biosorption and Bioaccumulation

Since the turn of the century, there has been a growing awareness of the need to safeguard the
natural environment. It is necessary to develop new technologies for eliminating toxins from the
environment (Fabre et al. 2020). Biotechnological methods, which rely on the inherent characteristics
of microbes to adsorb and accumulate heavy metals, may be a viable alternative to physicochemical
methods. Heavy metals can be captured and accumulated by all microbial species in water solutions
(Fargasova et al. 2010). Heavy metal absorption is linked to a microbial mechanism that allows the
uptake of elements necessary for growth and metabolic processes. The ability of the biomass to
bind and accumulate harmful metals can be utilized to build efficient and cost-effective wastewater
treatment systems for the mining and electroplating industries (Flouty and Estephane 2012).
Biosorption and bioaccumulation are terms used to describe processes that use biomass to remove
metals (Figure 4.1).
Both approaches differ in terms of the mechanism that allows contaminants to be bound.
Toxins stick largely to the surface of the microbial cell wall when biosorption occurs, whereas
bioaccumulation allows pollutants to penetrate microbial cells (Gajda Meissner et al. 2020). As
 Bioaccumulation and Biosorption: The Prospects and Future Applications 59

Figure 4.1. Biological methods for removal of heavy metals.

metal removal requires metabolic activity, bioaccumulation occurs only when microbial cells are
alive. Biosorption is a technique that involves the utilization of dead biomass. Materials utilized in
biological processes to remove metals include wasted biomass and organisms found naturally in the
environment. This lowers the cost of biological approaches, making them more accessible to a wider
range of applications (Garg et al. 2012).

4.4 Biosorption
The removal of heavy metals using live microbes is complicated. Heavy metals have a harmful
influence on living organisms’ cells, which is the main issue. Advanced research, on the other hand,
revealed that dead cells could attach metal ions through a variety of physicochemical methods
(Gerber et al. 2018). Biosorption and biosorbents of various origins have received a lot of interest as
a result of this new finding. Several studies in this field have contributed to the spread of biosorption
knowledge (Hansda et al. 2016). As a result, the number of new potential applications has increased.
This process is known to be influenced not only by the kind and chemical composition of the
biomass but also by external physicochemical factors. The processes behind the biosorption process
have also been identified and elucidated. Many research centres across the world are working to
better understand biosorption (Hlihor et al. 2015). Furthermore, the potential of various biological
materials found in nature is being researched in order to improve their properties for heavy metal
removal, learn about binding mechanisms and develop the most effective biosorbents for the
removal of contaminants, including heavy metals (Ibuot et al. 2020). Metal ions (typically in the
form of cations) are bound by cell membranes in a physicochemical procedure termed biosorption,
i.e., by negatively charged substances present in cell membranes. Understanding the biosorption
mechanisms that allow heavy metals to be removed is critical for process optimization (Irshad
et al. 2021). During sorption, numerous distinct mechanisms take place. Due to the complexity of
biological materials, several mechanisms may occur at different rates simultaneously. The following
mechanisms are covered by biosorption:
• Ion exchange is a reversible chemical reaction that occurs on materials containing relevant
functional groups and involves exchanging mobile ions for other ions of the same charge.
• Heavy metal ions bind to the cell membrane with functional elements, resulting in complexation.
• Physical adsorption is triggered by van der Waals forces, which are intermolecular interactions.
There is no chemical bonding in the case of physisorption.
Heavy metals are bound by cells that have ceased to function metabolically, which is the major
benefit of biosorption. As feeding living biomass necessitates an additional source of nutrients and
energy, contaminants can be removed by dead organisms, simplifying and lowering the cost of the
process (Jin et al. 2020). In this process, cell membranes play a crucial role. Before accessing the cell
membrane and cytoplasm, all metal ions pass through the cell wall. As a cell wall’s structure is made
up of diverse polysaccharides and proteins, there are several active places for metal ion binding.
Like commercially available resins, a cell wall can be treated as a complicated ion exchanger (Joshi
et al. 2011). Different microbial cell wall compositions and intercellular changes have a major impact
60 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

on the amount of adsorbed metal ions. Microbial cells have a surface made up of macromolecules
containing a lot of charged functional elements, such as:
• Phosphate
• Amino
• Carboxylic
• Hydroxyl
Due to the lack of carboxylic and phosphate acid residues, the cell surface is frequently
negatively charged. This enables passive cation binding on the cell surface. Positively charged metal
ions are drawn to the cell and adsorbed on the cell’s negatively charged surface (Kadukova 2016).
The entire process is passive and takes place without the cell’s metabolic processes. In Figure 4.2,
the entire cycle of wastewater treatment with biosorption is shown.
First, heavy metal effluent is combined with biomass. Metal ions adsorb on the surface of
bacteria as a result of this (biosorption). After that, biomass regeneration (desorption) is carried out,
and metals can be collected from the leftover liquid portion (Leong and Chang 2020). The following
are the phases of a typical biosorption laboratory procedure:
I. A solution sample of volume V containing heavy metals at concentration Ci is created in the
first phase.
II. In the second step, biomass M (g) is added to the sample under investigation.
III. To achieve equilibrium, the solution with biomass is vigorously agitated for about 16 hr.
IV. The biomass is then separated from the solution in the fourth phase (centrifugation, filtration).
V. The solution is then analyzed for metal ions after being treated with biosorption (Cf ).

Figure 4.2. Removal and recovery of heavy metals from wastewater by microbial biomass.
 Bioaccumulation and Biosorption: The Prospects and Future Applications 61

The following formula (Eq. 4.1) is used to compute biosorption in mg metal per g biomass:
v(ci – cf)
q= Eq. 4.1
M
where:
q – number of adsorbed metals (mgg–1)
V – is the sample quantity of the solution (in millilitres).
Ci – metal ion concentration in solution at the start (mg L–1)
Cf – metal ion concentration in solution at the end (mg L–1)
M – mass of biomass (g)

4.5 Bioaccumulation
Different elements from the surrounding environment are absorbed and retained by living organisms.
Bioaccumulation is the process of harmful metals or organic compounds being bound inside a cell
structure. The biological activity of the biomass is critical in the bioaccumulation process (Loppi et
al. 2020). As a result of their metabolic functions, cells must be alive in order to adsorb pollutants.
The procedure should be kept under constant control in order to get the intended results. During
bioaccumulation, metal ions are absorbed by the entire cell. Metals enter the cells of living beings
through the same pathways as nutrients do. Heavy metals are absorbed by unicellular organisms
with the help of essential minerals like calcium and magnesium (Louati et al. 2020). Plants absorb
nutrients from water or soil through their roots, whereas mammals absorb nutrients through their
digestive or respiratory systems. There are two stages of bioaccumulation. Metal ions are bonded
on the cell surface in the first stage. The metabolically passive phase of the process is identical to
the biosorption mechanism. Metal ions are then transferred into the cell. It is possible only when the
cells are metabolically active in the second half of this process (Maal Bared 2020).
The quantity of biomass grows if correct conditions for organism growth are maintained in the
second stage. In comparison to biosorption, this allows (Nguyen et al. 2020) for the binding of larger
amounts of metal ions (Maal Bared 2020). Precipitation can lead to metal accumulation in microbial
biomass. It is critical, however, that precipitated metals were linked to the cell. Citrobacter, for
example, generates phosphatase, an acidic enzyme. Heavy metals are precipitated in the cell wall
in the form of barely soluble acidic phosphate when this enzyme is present. Denitrification caused
by Achromobactin dentifrices contributes to environmental acidity and hence increases metal
precipitation. Polysaccharides found in the cell walls of fungus and algae, such as cellulose, chitin
and alginates, also help to capture metals (Naik and Dubey 2013).

4.6 Comparison of Biosorption and Bioaccumulation

Biosorption is a metabolically gradual process that does not involve any metabolic activity. As a
result, the biomass used in the biosorption process is not alive. Bioaccumulation takes place in the
presence of living cells and necessitates increased nutrition and energy inputs. There is also a need
to avoid the detrimental effects of heavy metals on cells, which could stymie the process (Parsania
et al. 2021). As a result, heavy metals with low concentrations that impede microbial growth should
be determined prior to bioaccumulation. Taking all these factors into account, bioaccumulation as a
heavy metals removal approach is more complicated and costly (Parsania et al. 2021). A comparison
of these two methodologies may be seen in Table 4.1.
62 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

Table 4.1. Comparison of Biosorption and Bioaccumulation.

Characteristics Biosorption Bioaccumulation

Cost Low in most instances. The industrial waste can be Usually, it is quite high. The method is
used to generate biomass. Most of the cost is spent performed in the presence of living organisms,
on transportation and biosorbent production. which must be preserved.
pH The sorption capacity of heavy metals is influenced A considerable shift in pH can have a major
by the pH of the liquid. The process, however can impact on living cells.
occur in a wide pH range.
Selectivity Poor modifications/biomass transformation, on the Compared to biosorption, this is a significant
other hand, can increase it. improvement.
Rate of removal Many mechanisms occur at a rapid rate. In comparison to biosorption, the pace is
slower. It takes a long time for intracellular
accumulation to occur.
Regeneration and In many cycles, biosorbents can be regenerated Reuse is limited due to intercellular
reuse and reused. accumulation.
Recovery of Heavy metal recovery is feasible with the right Biomass cannot be used for other purposes
metals eluent. even if that is possible.
Energy demand Low Cell growth necessitates the use of energy.

4.7 The Impact of Environmental factors on Biosorption and

Bioaccumulation
Many environmental parameters influence the efficiency of heavy metal biosorption and
bioaccumulation, including pH, temperature, contact time, concentration, biomass age and the
inclusion of other ions in a solution.

4.7.1 pH
As biosorption and bioaccumulation are analogous to ion exchange in some ways, the pH of a
solution has a big impact on heavy metal elimination. The amount of binding sites available on the
surface of cells is affected by pH (Deng et al. 2011). The accessible binding sites in a cell bind to
hydrogen cations in a solution when the pH is low. As a result, the number of accessible places is
limited, and fewer metal cations can be adsorbed. However, when pH rises, so does the amount of
active areas with a negative charge that attract cations (Devatha and Shivani 2020).

4.7.2 Temperature
Temperature affects the stability of metal ions in a solution as well as metal-cell complexes.
Temperatures between 20 and 35 degrees celsius, on the other hand, have little effect on biosorption
and bioaccumulation (Dey et al. 2020). Higher temperatures improve biomass sorption capability,
but they can also damage the sorption material.

4.7.3 Contact Time

Contact time between biomass and a metal-containing solution affects bioremediation. Both are
quick processes, with most metals being adsorbed right away (Fabre et al. 2020). Starting from the
moment the biomass is exposed to the solution, equilibrium is reached within the first few minutes.

4.7.4 Concentration and Age of Biomass

The degree of metal removal from the solution is also significant when there is a large concentration
of biomass in the solution. However, at high biomass concentrations, the ratio of bound metals to dry
matter is relatively low. Higher biomass concentrations result in the creation of larger cell aggregates,
 Bioaccumulation and Biosorption: The Prospects and Future Applications 63

which can disrupt the reactor’s balance (El Sayed and El Sayed 2020). The characteristics of cell
walls, which are critical for heavy metal adsorption, can be influenced by the age of the biomass.
The link between biomass age and heavy metal adsorption is not understood well, according to
several observations. Older cultures may have a broader ability to remove metals than younger
cultures, depending on the organisms used during the sorption process and biomagnification, or vice
versa. (Elahian et al. 2017).

4.7.5 Inclusion of Other Ions in the Solution

Wastewaters are contaminated with a number of pollutants, including multiple types of metals,
which affect biosorption dynamics. Metal biosorption might be hampered by the presence of other
dissolved substances in a solution (Du et al. 2016). This is due to competition for binding places on
the surface of cells between ions of metals that have been eliminated and other ions.

4.8 Application of Biosorption and Bioaccumulation

 The elimination of metal cations from fluids is mainly accomplished through biosorption and
bioaccumulation.
 Wastewaters from the metallurgical sector, rinsed waters from electroplating, metal polishing,
printed circuit board manufacture, mining operations, leachates, surface and ground waters are
among the effluents that can be treated by both biosorption and bioaccumulation.
 Biosorption and bioaccumulation can remove a wide range of sorbates, including Al, Cd, Cr,
Co, Cu, Au, Fe, Pb, Mn, Hg, Mo, Ni, Ag, U, V and Zn.
 During the 1980s and 1990s, pilot installations and a few commercial-scale units were built in
the United States and Canada. The applicability of biosorption as a basis for metal sequestering/
recovery procedures was confirmed in these pilot plants, particularly in the case of uranium.
It was put to test as part of a biotechnologically based uranium production plan that included
in situ bioleaching. These pilot plants let researchers discover the drawbacks of employing
biosorption with inactive microbial biomass in an industrial setting, owing to the high expense
of converting the biomass into a suitable biosorbent material (Ying et al. 2008).
 The detrimental influence of co-ions in the solution on the immobilized microbial biomass’s
uptake of the targeted metals, as well as the biological material’s diminished resilience, make
recycling and reuse of the biosorbent even more challenging.
 Biosorption, on the other hand, is a process with a few distinct properties. It has great
effectiveness in sequestering dissolved metals from very dilute complicated solutions. As a
result, biosorption is an excellent contender for the treatment of complicated wastewaters with
high volume but low concentration. Additionally, it has recently been demonstrated that in
biological reactors with metabolically active microbial cells, biosorption works in tandem with
other metabolically induced mechanisms such as bioprecipitation and bio reduction. As a result,
in any metal-bearing water-treatment method based on the interactions of microbial cells with
soluble metal species, biosorption should always be considered a metal immobilization process.
 It is feasible to use biomass as a source of specialized binding molecules that can be used to
separate valuable biomolecules from a mixture. This would allow for a single-step recovery
while reducing the number of traditional separation steps.
 Another strategy is to use biomass as a carrier of highly accessible microelements in livestock
diets, substituting microelements linked to the biomass via biosorption or bioaccumulation for
microelements provided in the form of inorganic salts. The focus would be on bio binding
rather than bio removal in this case.
64 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

4.9 Conclusions and Prospects

With reference to the presented analysis of biosorption and bioaccumulation potentials, the following
conclusions can be formulated:
Heavy metals are among the pollutants that are the most difficult to eliminate as a complement to
currently employed physical and chemical approaches. When using biotechnological methods to
remove heavy metals from the environment, several physicochemical factors should be considered,
including temperature, pH, biomass contact time with a solution containing metals, biomass
concentration and age and toxicity when using living organisms. Physical and chemical changes,
as well as biomass immobilization, can be used to improve metal removal efficiency. Stirred tank
reactors, fixed-bed reactors, and fluidized-bed reactors are the most often used reactors. One of the
most appealing aspects of using biosorbents is that they can be regenerated.
The removal of heavy metals from the environment is critical for preserving a healthy and safe
ecosystem. While physicochemical methods are frequently employed for comparable reasons,
biological processes, namely biosorption/bioaccumulation, appear to be a potential alternative option
in terms of prices, technological requirements, metal recovery efficiency, energy requirements and
environmental consequences. When biosorption and bioaccumulation were compared, the former
was revealed to be superior owing to the usage of dead/inactive biomaterials, which limit metal
uptake via the cell wall. Due to the variety of the microbial cell surface, selective adsorption remains
difficulty. Furthermore, when using live cells for heavy metal removal, genetic engineering may
be required to improve microbial strains’ metal tolerances. More research is needed to get a better
understanding of heavy metal removal by these two methods.

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Chapter 5
PAHs in Terrestrial
Environment and their
Phytoremediation
Sandip Singh Bhatti,1 Astha Bhatia,2 Gulshan Bhagat,2
Simran Singh,2 Salwinder Singh Dhaliwal,3
Vivek Sharma,3 Vibha Verma,3 Rui Yin4 and
Jaswinder Singh5,*

5.1 Introduction
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are organic compounds that are present everywhere in
one’s surroundings. PAHs have high melting and boiling points which facilitates them to remain solid
at room temperature. Other properties of PAHs include low vapor pressure and very low aqueous
solubility which decrease with an increase in molecular weight. The increase in the molecular weight
of PAHs is also related to their resistance towards oxidation and reduction processes. According to
IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry), phenanthrene and anthracene are the
simplest PAHs (Rengarajan et al. 2015).

5.2 What are PAHs?

Polycyclic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are persistent and widely spread organic pollutants that are found
in soil, sludge, water and air. Chemically these contain multiple aromatic (benzene) rings. They
are both naturally occurring and man-made. These are formed by the partial combustion of carbon
source materials like forest fires, volcanic eruptions (natural), fossil fuels, petroleum refining and
other anthropogenic activities. Due to anthropogenic factors, PAHs are released into aquatic systems,
deposited in surface water, soils, sediments and air (Honda and Suzuki 2020, Phan Thi et al. 2020).

1
Department of Chemistry, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, 144001-India.
Email: [email protected], [email protected]
2
Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, 143005-India.
3
Department of Soil Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, 141004, India.
4
Institute of Ecology, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, and Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes of the
Ministry of Education, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, China.
5
Department of Zoology, Khalsa College, Amritsar, 143005-India.
* Corresponding author: [email protected]
68 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

PAHs released from the industries into the marine ecosystems are the main source of
contaminated marine ecosystems, whereas PAHs in the air are mainly from two sources which
include stationary (e.g., industrial production including power plant, coking plant, boiler and
waste incinerator and residential combustion like smoking, cooking, etc.) and mobile sources (e.g.,
exhausts from railways, motor vehicle, aircraft, etc.). PAHs in food (or the food cycle) is a major
health concern (Premnath et al. 2021). PAHs in the soil through the precipitation is carried to the
surface/groundwater and incorporated into crops, which after human consumption is accumulated
in human and other organisms via the food chain (Wang et al. 2018).
In terrestrial environment, PAHs are covered by the SOM (Soil Organic Matter) and soil
minerals due to their hydrophobic, lipophilic and semi volatile properties resulting in their decreased
degradation by microorganisms and finally their accumulation into the soil in large quantities
(Mazarji et al. 2021). Due to the carcinogenic toxicity of PAHs, there are strict regulations to limit
their release into the natural sources (Chatzimichail et al. 2021).
Out of 100 detected PAHs (parent and alkylated derivatives) 16 are listed in Clean Water
Act, 1972 (United States of America) which are presented in Table 5.1, whereas eight are listed
by European Commission (2013) due to their potential risk to mankind and ecological well-being
(Table 5.2) (Ofori et al. 2021).
Table 5.1. List of 16 PAHs under Clean Water Act, 1972 (USEPA 2014).

1. Chrysene 9. Napthalene
2. Acenaphthylene 10. Benzo[b]fluoranthene
3. Acenaphthene 11. Benzo[k]fluoranthene
4. Phenanthrene 12. Benzo[a]pyrene
5. Anthracene 13. Benzo[a]anthracene
6. Fluoranthene 14. Dibenz [a,h]anthracene
7. Fluorene 15. Benzo[g,h,i]perylene
8. Pyrene 16. Indo[1,2,3-cd] pyrene

Table 5.2. List of 8 PAHs under Water Framework Directive (European Commission 2013).

1. Napthalene 5. Anthracene
2. Benzo[b]fluoranthene 6. Fluoranthene
3. Benzo[k]fluoranthene 7. Indeno [1,2,3-cd]
4. Benzo[a]pyrene 8. Benzo[g,h,i]perylene

5.2.1 Sources of PAHs in Soil

PAHs are mainly produced when there is incomplete combustion of coal, wood, gas, oil and
garbage. Petroleum product spillage and various domestic and industrial activities are known to
produce PAHs (Singh and Haritash 2019). PAHs can be released in the environment and can be
found dispersed in soil, air and water (Wang et al. 2018, Singh and Haritash 2019). Since PAHs are
hydrophobic and lipophilic in nature, soil remains a vital sink for PAHs. There are studies which
report that about 90% of PAHs can be stored in soil (Wang et al. 2018). When water contaminated
with PAHs is used to irrigate soil, it also acts as a source of PAHs in soil (Tsibart and Gennadiev
2013). PAHs can also be incorporated in crops through soil (containing PAHs) which can result in
accumulation of PAHs in human and other organisms through food chains (Wang et al. 2018). There
is thus, a dire need to monitor the concentration of PAHs in soils. Sources of PAHs in soil can be
mainly classified into two categories: (1) Natural sources; (2) Anthropogenic sources (Tsibart and
Gennadiev 2013). Natural sources of PAH refer to various cosmic, geological and biological factors
which favor the formation of PAHs (Tsibart and Gennadiev 2013). On the other hand, anthropogenic
sources of PAHs include various human activities which contribute to the production of PAHs in
soil. Production of cement, aluminium, asphalt, creosote and various petrochemical industries come
under anthropogenic sources of PAHs in soil.
 PAHs in Terrestrial Environment and their Phytoremediation 69

Based on the origin of production of PAHs, sources of PAHs can be categorized into three types,
i.e., pyrogenic, petrogenic and biogenic. Pyrogenic PAHs are produced when there is incomplete
combustion of fossil fuels at very high temperatures under anaerobic conditions. Petrogenic PAHs
are mainly present in crude and refined petroleum. These PAHs enter the soil during storage,
transport and leakage from oil refineries. Biogenic PAHs are produced by microorganisms, algae,
phytoplanktons and plants (Abdel-Shafy and Mansour 2016).

5.2.2 Effects of PAHs in Terrestrial Ecosystem

PAHs polluted soil can cause various health implications in humans and in other organisms (Abdel-
Shafy and Mansour 2016). Many PAHs are mutagenic and carcinogenic in nature. They act as
immunotoxins to various living organisms including microorganisms. Contamination of soil by
PAHs can affect the population and activity of microorganisms living in the soil (Singh and Haritash
2019). Overall microbial diversity in soil can also be affected as PAHs may have toxic effects
towards the microorganisms. When soil is highly contaminated with PAHs some adverse effects can
be seen such as tumors in invertebrate animals. High concentrations of PAHs in soil can also affect
development, immunity and reproduction of animals inhabiting that area. PAHs can be absorbed
by mammals through dermal contact with PAHs polluted soil (Tsibart and Gennadiev 2013). PAHs
can be absorbed by plants via roots and then transported to other parts of the plants. However,
phytotoxicity induced due to PAHs is of rare occurrence. PAHs can also enter food chain through
accumulation in plants. Water run-off from PAHs contaminated soils into the water bodies can cause
exposure of PAHs to seafood and fishes (Abdel-Shafy and Mansour 2016). In some studies, it is
reported that long term exposure of skin to PAHs causes skin cancer in animals.
Thus high levels of PAHs can prove fatal for various terrestrial animals. PAHs can leach from
soil and can contaminate underground water. Bathing with groundwater contaminated with PAHs
can cause skin problems. Dermal contact with soil contaminated with PAHs can cause redness of
skin, peeling or blistering. The health effects caused due to exposure of PAHs depend on the:
i. Quantity of PAHs entering the body
ii. Duration of exposure to PAHs
iii. Response of body to PAHs
Some tests are available to check the presence of PAHs in blood and urine. These tests cannot
predict the potential side effects of PAHs that entered the body. Cancer is the far most alarming side
effect of PAHs present in soil. Many PAHs present in soil are slightly mutagenic in-vitro but their
derivatives can be potent mutagens. The various effects of PAHs in terrestrial ecosystems are given
in Figure 5.1.

Acts as mutagens Affects population and

Affects aquatic life and cause cancer activity of microorganisms

and
Water pollution through
surface run off from
polluted soil into Acts as
waterbodies immunotoxins
Effects of
PAH in soil

Phytotoxicity Cause skin problems

Figure 5.1. Overview of effects of PAHs in soil.

70 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

5.2.3 PAHs in Terrestrial Ecosystems as Reported in the Literature

Several studies have been conducted to determine the levels of PAHs in different types of soils of
India and other countries that are presented in the Table 5.3. The natural concentration of PAHs
present in the soil is in the range of 0.001–0.010 µg g–1 or by Dutch standards 0.02–0.05 µg g–1 DW
(Wang et al. 2010). The concentration of PAHs increases due to anthropogenic inputs in soils around
industrial belts, urban and traffic areas. The level of PAHs can be as high as 200000 µg kg–1 (DW) in
the soil near oil refineries and in traffic-affected soils it is less than 2000 µg kg–1 (DW) (Rengarajan
et al. 2015). In some studies, the health risks of PAHs were also assessed. For such assessment, the
USEPA (2005) health risk model is used. PAHs are very toxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic even at
very low concentrations. The carcinogenic potencies of PAHs are measured by determining TEFs
(Toxic Equivalency Factors).

5.2.4 Overview of Remediation measures for PAHs in Soil

PAHs have many environmental implications, as they are resistant to environmental degradation. The
reasons behind their resistance are their hydrophobic nature, low water solubility, low sorption, low
volatility, high oxidative resistance and low bioavailability. They are ubiquitous pollutants. PAHs
can enter the human body by three major ways: inhalation, consumption and epidermal. They are
toxic, mutagenic, carcinogenic, teratogenic and potent immunosuppressants and hence have adverse
impacts on human health and other living organisms. PAHs contaminated-soil negatively affects
the soil microbial community. Microbial activity and biomass get reduced due to the presence of
PAHs in soil pores. It is investigated that the population of microorganisms of phyla Actinobacteria
Alphaproteobacteria Chlorfexi, Crenarchaeota and Deltaproteobacteria gets reduced after the
addition of pyrene in soil (Ren et al. 2015). Therefore, the accumulation of PAHs in the soil is of
great concern. Keeping this in mind, many methods have been developed for the removal of PAHs
from the soil. An overview of remediation methods for PAHs is depicted in Figure 5.2 and Table 5.4.
Physical and chemical methods like solvent extraction, chemical oxidation, air sparging, adsorption,
thermal desorption, photo-oxidation and electrokinetic remediation are available for remediation.
But these methods are expensive, labor-intensive, inefficient and can form toxic intermediates (Gan
et al. 2009). Thus bioremediation and phytoremediation are the two emerging potential approaches
to mitigate the effects of PAHs. In bioremediation, living organisms (mainly microorganisms) and
their products (mostly enzymes), are used to remove persistent pollutants like PAHs. The catabolic
actions of enzymes convert complex PAHs (both high molecular weight and low molecular weight)

Bioaugmentation

Figure 5.2. Overview of remediation methods for PAHs in soil.

 Table 5.3. PAHs detected in soils in different geographical regions of the world.

Sr. No. Types of Soil Sites Sampling time/study Extraction methods No. PAHs Range of PAHs References
year
1 Air-port soil Indira Gandhi International November 2005–May Ultra-sonication method 12 2394–7529 Ray et al. 2008
Airport, Delhi, India 2006 (ng g–1)
2 Traffic soil Delhi, India Winter season, 2006 Ultra-sonication 16 1062–9652 Agarwal 2009
Method (µg kg–1)
3 Forest-fire region soil South Korea 2001 Accelerated Solvent 16 153–1,570 Kim et al. 2011
Extraction (ASE) (ng g–1)
4 Soil from brick Mexico (North America) - Soxhlet extraction 13 7–1384 (ng g–1) Barrán-Berdón et al.
manufacturing site 2012
(San Nicolás)
5 Urban soil Kurukshetra, June 2012 Ultra-sonication 16 19.1–2538.0 Kumar et al. 2013
India (µg kg–1)

PAHs in Terrestrial Environment and their Phytoremediation

6 Roadside soil Punjab, Jalandhar, 2011–2012 Soxhlet extraction 16 Kumar et al. 2014
India Summer 18.17(µg g–1)
Winter 4.04 (µg g–1)
Autumn 16.38(µg g–1)
7 Industrial soil Ulsan city July 2010 Soxhlet extraction 16 65-12,000 (ng g–1) Kwon and Choi 2014
South Korea
8 Urban soil Kogarah Bay, Sydney July 2012 to January Solvent extraction method 15 0.4–7.49 Nguyen et al. 2014
Australia 2013 (mg kg–1)
9 Sub-surface soil Yellow River delta, China May 2006–2008 Soxhlet extraction 16 27–753 (ng g–1) Yuan et al. 2014
10 Agricultural soil of coal Xinzhou, China June 2010 ASE 16 N.D.–782 Zhao et al. 2014
production area (ng g–1)
11 Urban soil Guwahati city, Brahmaputra May 2011 Ultrasonic agitation 799.7–19 492 Hussain and Hoque
valley, India (monsoon) (ng g–1) 2015
November 2011 1271.4–51299.7
(Post-monsoon) (ng g–1)
February 2011 1639.7–29492.3
(Pre-monsoon) (ng g–1)

Table 5.3 contd. ...

71
...Table 5.3 contd.

72
Sr. No. Types of Soil Sites Sampling time/study Extraction methods No. PAHs Range of PAHs References

Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

year
12 Eastern Himalayan soil Guwahati, Tezpur, Dibrugarh, 2014 Soxhlet Extraction 16 15.3 to 4762 Devi et al. 2016
Itanagar, India (ng g–1)
13 Urban soil near Lanzhou, China July 2012 Soxhlet extraction 22 115 to 12,100 Jiang et al. 2016
industrial area (µg kg–1)
14 Urban traffic soil Jharkhand, November 2014 Ultra-sonication method 13 1.019–10.856 Suman et al. 2016
India (µg g–1)
15 Industrial soil Dilovasi, Turkey February 2015–Feb Ultrasonication 15 49–10512 (µg g–1) Cetin et al. 2017a
2016
16 Urban soil Istanbul, Turkey September–Dec 2014 Ultrasonic extraction 16 684 ± 609 (µg kg–1) Cetin et al. 2017b
17 Around chemical plant Shanxi, China September 2016 Ultrasonication 16 Jiao et al. 2017
Agricultural soil 3.87–76.0 (mg kg–1)
Roadside soil 35.4–116.0 (mg kg–1)
Park green space soil 5.93–66.5 (mg kg–1)
18 Exposed-lawn soil of Guangzhou, May 2014 Ultrasonic extraction 16 76.44–890.85 Ke et al. 2017
urban parks China (ng g–1)
19 Agricultural soil near Yangtze River delta region, 2015 Ultrasonic extraction 16 Wang et al.
industrial area China 189.5–1070.4 2017
Surface soil (ng g–1)
Sub-soil 103.8–743.7
(ng g–1)
20 Waste-water irrigated Tongliao, September 2012 Soxhlet extraction 16 103.28–479.32 Zhang et al. 2017
subsurface soil China (ng g–1)
Ground-water irrigated 140.46–418.32
subsurface soil (ng g–1)
21 Oil refinery sludge Haldia, Barauni and - Ultrasonication method 13 67.023–95.21 Tarafdar and Sinha
Guwahati, (µg g–1) 2018
India
22 Metropolitan soil Naples December 2014–Feb Accelerated Solvent 20 94.9 (ng g–1) Qu et al. 2019
Southern Italy 2015 Extraction (ASE)
23 Coal mines soil Dhanbad, India October–December Ultra-sonication 13 8.256–12.562 Tarafdar and Sinha
2016 method (µg g–1) 2019
24 Urban soil Tezpur, Brahmaputra valley 2015 Ultra-sonication 16 Deka et al. 2020
India Pre-monsoon (March) 242.68–2414.37
Monsoon (July) (ng g–1)
Post-monsoon 134.25–773.79
(December) (ng g–1)
594.73–7961.22
(ng g–1)
25 Urban soil near thermal Delhi, pre-winter (October Ultra-sonication 7 956–2348 Gupta and Kumar
power plants India 2011) (µg g–1) 2020
post-winter (March 1230–2714
2012) (µg g–1)
26 Dumpsite surface soil Chennai, - Microwave assisted 16 0.62–3649 Rajan et al. 2021
India extraction system (ng g–1)
27 Urban soil Industrial sites, Jamshedpur January–mid March Solvent extraction method 16 Ambade et al. 2022
Bokaro, 2020 2223.1–11265.9

PAHs in Terrestrial Environment and their Phytoremediation

India (ng g–1)
729.6–5358.9
(ng g–1)
28 Solid waste dumpsite Awka, Nigeria Dry season - - 4.73 ± 5.69 (µg g–1) Aralu et al. 2022
soil Wet season 6.83 ± 10.58 (µg g–1)
29 Power plants soil Bijie, Guizhou province of - Soxhlet extraction 16 0.2–12.2 (mg kg–1) Liu et al. 2022
China
30 Coal based soil Chattisgarh sites: May 2008–May 2015 Solvent extraction method 16 8689–87458 Nayak et al. 2022
(road dust) Raipur, Bhilai, Korba, (ng g–1)
India
31 Roadside soil Lucknow, - - 15 478.94–8164.07 Shukla et al. 2022
India (ng g–1)

73
74 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

Table 5.4. Different remediation measures for PAH contaminated soils.

Sr. Remediation Details

No. Method
1. Solvent In the solvent extraction method, as the name suggests, solvents are used to separate out compounds
extraction based on the solubility in the solvent. In this technique, PAHs are removed or washed from the soil
method/Soil with the help of solvents or surfactants. As PAHs are hydrophobic, they get readily dissolved in
washing organic solvents. Individual or a mixture of different organic solvents, vegetable oils (sunflower oil,
vegetable oil) and cyclodextrins can be used for PAHs extraction. The solvent extraction method
is a two-step process, involving desorption and elution. The mixture of cyclohexane and ethanol,
(3:1), mixture of ethyl acetate, acetone and water, (5:4:1), mixture of 1-pentanol (5%), water
(10%) and ethanol (85%) can be used as solvents for PAHs extraction (Singh and Haritash 2019).
However, these solvents can be toxic, so selection of solvents is important before proceeding.
β-cyclodextrin (BCD), methyl β-cyclodextrin (MCD) and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPCD)
are three cyclodextrins which are used for PAHs flushing from soil. They are non-toxic and
biodegradable. To enhance the efficiency of washing of PAHs surfactants can be used, known as
surfactant-aided soil washing. Non-ionic surfactants such as Tween 40, Tween 80, T-Maz 80, Brij
30, CA 620 are used in PAHs washing (Gan et al. 2009).
2. Thermal Heat is used in thermal treatment to destroy or volatilize the PAHs into gases which are then
treatment collected for further ex-situ treatment. In thermal desorption, the maximum temperature of
450°C is applied to increase the vapor pressure of PAHs to convert them into a gaseous form. In
microwave frequency heating, microwave energy is converted into heat energy to remove PAHs
via volatilization. Vitrification is another thermal technique, in which extreme temperatures of the
range 1600–2000°C is used to melt the contaminants in soil. The temperature is provided through
an electric current via molybdenum electrodes.
3. Chemical Chemical treatment can be of different types viz; chemical oxidation, electrokinetic remediation
treatment method or photocatalytic degradation. In the chemical oxidation method, there is an involvement
of electrons or redox reactions. Electrons are transferred from one chemical to another,
converting more toxic chemicals to fewer toxic ones. It involves the use of different oxidants
such as Ozone, Fenton’s reagent, hydrogen peroxide, persulfate, potassium permanganate and
peroxymonosulfate for PAHs remediation. In the electrokinetic method, direct low voltage electric
current is applied to remove soil contaminants. Contaminants get accumulated towards electrodes,
which are then collected for further treatment. The electrokinetic method can be combined with
different surfactants and solvents to increase the solubility and desorption of contaminants. In
the photocatalytic degradation method, photocatalysts are used for oxidizing reactions or photo
reactions for the degradation of PAHs in soil. The function of photocatalysts is to enhance the rate
of photodegradation. TiO2, and H2O2 are photocatalysts that help in the remediation of PAHs (De
Boer and Wagelmans 2016).
4. Biological Different types of biological remediation methods are available and are being developed.
treatment Bioremediation, biostimulation, bioaugmentation, phytoremediation, landfarming, composting
and bioventing are biological techniques for PAHs remediation. In bioremediation, living
organisms mainly potential natural microorganisms that have the capability (enzymatic
machinery) of degradation, are used to convert toxic organic pollutants to CO2 and H2O.
Acinetobacter, Aeromonas, Alcaligenes, Alcanivorax, Arthrobacter, Bacillus, Corynebacterium,
Enterobacter, Microbulbifer, Micrococcus, Mycobacteria, Paenibacillus, Pseudomonas,
Ralstonia Sphingomonas and Xanthomonas are the reported bacterial genera that are capable of
PAHs degradation. Bioremediation through fungi is known as mycoremediation. Aspergillus,
Bjerkandera adusta, Irpex lacteus, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, Pleurotus ostreatus are the
reported PAHs degrading fungi. In biostimulation, nutrients and oxygen (electron acceptor) are
added to contaminated soil to stimulate the degradative activity of microorganisms. Nutrients
can be carbon, organic biostimulants (phycocyanin) nitrogen (NH4CL), phosphorous (NaH2PO4)
(Singh and Haritash 2019). In bioventing, air or oxygen is supplied to contaminated soil through
wells to trigger the growth of PAHs degrading microorganisms. In the landfarming technique,
contaminated soil is excavated from the site and transported to the landfarming site, where by the
degradative action of the microorganisms’ PAHs are degraded slowly. In composting, mesophilic
and thermophilic microbes, degrade contaminants at high temperature, i.e., 55–66°C. Compost
beds (mushroom compost) are prepared for this. Phytoremediation is the process where plants and
associated microbes with some soil amendments and agronomic techniques are used to accumulate,
immobilize, adsorb, absorb, degrade or volatilize the harmful contaminants into less harmful ones.
Phytoremediation in combination with other techniques, increases the remediation efficiency. The
detailed account of phytoremediation method is discussed below.
 PAHs in Terrestrial Environment and their Phytoremediation 75

into less toxic forms under both aerobic as well as anaerobic conditions. In aerobic degradation, CO2
and water are formed as by-products, while in anaerobic conditions, methane is formed. Some of
the bacterial species involved in PAHs remediation are Pseudomonas, Rhodococcus, Bacillus and
Mycobacterium (Imam et al. 2022). Gamma-proteobacteria and actinobacteria are the two major
bacterial lineages that degrade PAHs in PAH-contaminated soils (Chaudhary et al. 2015). Apart
from bacteria, fungi are also employed for remediation known as mycoremediation due to their co­
metabolic activity (Srivastava and Kumar 2019).
Phytoremediation is a broader term, it includes many techniques where plants are used to
remove, detoxify or immobilize contaminants like PAHs in soil. It is even more efficient, eco-friendly
and cost-effective than bioremediation. Phytoextraction, rhizoextraction, phytovolatilization,
phyto stabilization, phyto stimulation, phyto transformation, phyto assimilation, phyto reduction,
etc., are various green technologies of phytoremediation. Plants involved in the phytoremediation
process are called “hyperaccumulators” or “phytoremediators”. The process in which plants
remove contaminants from soil by storing them in tissues is called phytoextraction/rhizoextraction/
phytofilteration. In the phytovolatilization process, plants remove the contaminants through
volatilization. In phyto stabilization, plants reduce the mobility of contaminants. Phyto stabilization
followed by the addition of microbes degrade the immobile contaminants. The physical, chemical
or biological remediation methods can be employed both in-situ and ex-situ. In in-situ, remediation
is done at the original contaminated soil whereas in ex-situ, contaminated soil is transferred to
another location for remediation. Bionano-remediation is also an emerging technique for PAHs
degradation. The use of nanoparticles like Nano zero-valent iron and metal oxides, carbon-based
and polymer-based materials with biotechnological tools could be a promising approach for PAHs
remediation. It is observed that the addition of nanoparticles in soil positively affects the mobility
of PAHs, decreases the phytotoxicity and microbial flora remain unaffected (Mazarji et al. 2021).
Combinations of physical-biological, chemical-biological or all the three (physical-chemical­
biological) known as integrated methods are also used as remediation techniques for PAHs (Patel
et al. 2020). Although various remediation technologies are available for PAH contaminated soils,
but out of them, the most suitable and sustainable technology is the phytoremediation (Dolatabadi
et al. 2021).

5.3 Phytoremediation of PAHs from Soil

Phytoremediation is a process that involves the use of plant/parts of plants to remove, degrade
or stabilize the pollutants from soil/water. By the process of phytoremediation (phytodegradation,
rhizodegradation, phytoextraction, rhizofilteration, etc.) different PAHs can be removed (Bose et al.
2022). The term “Phytoremediation” refers to the technique that uses plants to clean up soil and water
contaminated with harmful substance (Ashraf et al. 2019, Dhaliwal et al. 2020). Phytoremediation
has gained the attention of the scientific community for environmental remediation as it provides
an alternative to the conventional methods that are energy intensive, use expensive chemicals and
instruments and alter the soil properties (Ali et al. 2013, Dal Corso et al. 2019). Thus, to achieve
site-specific remedial goals, phytoremediation is considered as a cost-effective and sustainable
approach that has a profound restoration effect without disturbing the native microflora (Wan
et al. 2016, Nedjimi 2021). The technology uses green plants (trees, shrubs, grasses and aquatic
plants) because of their transport capacity and accumulation of contaminants which enables them to
remove, degrade or isolate toxic environmental contaminants (Yan et al. 2020). These contaminants
include heavy metals, organic compounds such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and
radioactive substances in soil or water. Till date, various plants have been used for remediation of
various contaminants (Table 5.5).
76 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

Table 5.5. Application of Phytoremediation for removing PAHs from soil.

Type of phytoremediation Plant Contaminant References

Phytostabilization Robinia pseudoacacia Nyirsegi Phenanthrene Wawra et al. 2018
Phytodegradation Erythrina crista-galli L. Petroleum-contaminated de Farias et al. 2009
soil
Lupinus luteus PAHs Gutiérrez-Ginés et al. 2014
Acorus calamus Phenanthrene and pyrene Jeelani et al. 2017
Maize Phenanthrene and pyrene Houshani et al. 2021
Vallisneria spiralis and Hydrilla Phenanthrene and pyrene He and Chi 2019
verticillate
Sorghum Pyrene Salehi et al 2020
Rhizodegradation Avicennia marina Pyrene Jia et al. 2016
Mangrove (Kandelia candel (L.) Phenanthrene and pyrene Lu et al. 2011
Druce)
Maize (Zea Mays L.) Inoculated Petroleum-contaminated Zamani et al. 2018
with Piriformospora Indica soil
Rhizophora mangle Ʃ16 PAHs Verâne et al. 2020
Melia azadirachta with Benzo(a)pyrene Kotoky and Pandey 2020
bacteria Bacillus flexus and
Paenibacillus sp. S1I8
Lolium multiflorum Total petroleum Hussain et al. 2022
hydrocarbon

5.3.1 Mechanism of Phytoremediation

The mechanism of the phytoremediation process varies with the chemical properties of the contaminant
as well as plant characteristics (Figure 5.3). Thus, different strategies under phytoremediation have
been discussed below.

5.3.1.1 Phytoextraction
In phytoextraction, contaminants are absorbed by roots followed by their translocation and
accumulation in their aboveground biomass (Sreelal and Jayanthi 2017).
Screening of suitable plant species is the key and most straightforward strategy for successful
phytoextraction, i.e., the plant must be efficient in accumulating contaminants in the aerial parts.
Besides hyperaccumulation, the plant to act as eminently suitable for phytoextraction must
also possess traits like (1) rapid growth and production of large biomass; (2) vast root systems;
(3) easy cultivation and harvesting management; (4) preferably be repulsive to herbivores to avoid
the entrance in food chain (Seth 2012). However, natural hyperaccumulating plants lack these
characteristics thus limiting the phytoextraction potential (Chaney et al. 2005). To overcome the
problem, research has focused to modify or engineer large biomass producing non-hyperaccumulator
plants to achieve the above-mentioned attributes. To date, numerous hyperaccumulator plants ranging
from annual herbs to perennial shrubs and trees, have been used for phytoextraction. Phytoextraction
is considered advantageous as it does not alter the landscape, preserves the ecosystem and is cost-
effective, thus considered as the most commercially promising technique. However, several factors
such as lower bioavailability and absorption of metal in the roots limit the metal’s phytoextraction
by plants. However, the technique has been so far used for heavy metals (Jacobs et al. 2017, Guo
et al. 2020).
 PAHs in Terrestrial Environment and their Phytoremediation 77

Phyto stabilization

Figure 5.3. Different mechanisms for phytoremediation.

5.3.1.2 Phyto Stabilization

In phyto stabilization, the contaminants are immobilized in the root system through adsorption
on roots, adsorption and accumulation by roots or precipitation in the rhizosphere. The process
supresses the pollutants mobility, preventing their migration by leaching, erosion or dispersion
along with soil, water or air and thus attenuate their bioavailability in the food chain (Radziemska
et al. 2017, Zgorelec et al. 2020). Phyto stabilization does not physically eliminate the pollutants
from the soil, but rather causes the deactivation and immobilization of their potential ions, thereby
preventing further migration to the food chain. For an effective phyto stabilization process, selection
of suitable plants that offer certain characteristics is necessary. Plants should grow rapidly under
field conditions, possess high tolerance to the soil conditions and vast root system. Moreover, the
plants must be easy to maintain under site-specific conditions and must have a relatively long life
(Muthusaravanan et al. 2018). The efficiency of the phyto stabilization process is generally affected
by various factors such as contaminant to be removed, soil cover, rhizosphere modification and root
system of the plant. Vegetation cover interrupts the direct impact of wind and rain, increases the
soil compaction thus reducing the velocity of runoff, and acts as an insulator against temperature
variation. Rhizosphere induces changes such as acidification, microbial activity and release of
organic acids alter the soil properties and thus the transformation, bioavailability and mobility of
contaminants which affects the phyto stabilization of contaminated sites. The plant root anatomy is
a critical factor for potential application of this technique. The higher root biomass producing plants
with dense and deep roots are desirable for phyto stabilization as they can exploit larger volumes
of contaminated soils. Fibrous roots provide greater surface area for contaminant absorption and
plant–microbe interactions. Remediation potential of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia Nyirsegi)
78 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

on soil contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was also studied. The concentration of
phenanthrene was reduced to greater extent with the integrated application of black locust and soil
amendments after 1 yr of plant growth. The uptake of trace elements Cu, As, Cd, Pb and Sb to leaves
was low (Wawra et al. 2018).

5.3.1.3 Phytovolatilization
Phytovolatilization has been observed for numerous contaminants including volatile organic
compounds and inorganic contaminants. Based on the possible mechanisms, the technique has
been divided into two categories, i.e., direct phytovolatilization by stems or leaves and indirect
phytovolatilization from the root zone. In direct phytovolatilization, the pollutants are absorbed by
roots, transported through the xylem and excreted to the atmosphere from the aerial plant parts in the
volatile form. However, in indirect phytovolatilization process, volatile organic contaminants flux
increases from the subsurface due to plant roots activities, e.g., increasing soil permeability, chemical
transport via hydraulic redistribution or water table fluctuations (Limmer and Burken 2016). This
strategy may prove advantageous as the contaminant can be transformed from more a toxic form to
a relatively lesser toxic substance, however, there might be the possibility that the resultant form is
still potentially toxic, and thus resettle into the environment. The phytovolatilization can be applied
for contaminants present in soil, sediment or water, particularly, for organic contaminants. Till date,
this technique has been used for heavy metals (Shrestha et al. 2006, Sakakibara et al. 2010).

5.3.1.4 Phytodegradation
‘Phytodegradation’ is a subset technique of phytoremediation under which organic contaminants are
absorbed by the roots followed by degradation due to catalytic action of enzymes which are involved
in metabolism of the plant (Newman and Reynolds 2004, Sharma and Pandey 2014). The enzymes
involved in the phytodegradation process are dehalogenase, peroxidase, nitroreductase, nitrilase and
phosphatase (Chatterjee et al. 2013). Phytodegradation is primarily used for the remediation sites
by contamination with organic pollutants like and PAHs (Muthusaravanan et al. 2018). To date,
numerous plants have been used for phytodegradation of organic contaminants. Lupinus luteus in
association with endophytic bacteria has shown immense phytodegradation potential in landfill soils
of the Iberian Peninsula contaminated with PAHs (Gutiérrez-Ginés et al. 2014). He and Chi (2019)
investigated the phytodegradation of phenanthrene and pyrene using aquatic plants, Vallisneria
spiralis and Hydrilla verticillata, in PAH-polluted sediments. Among them, sediments planted with
V. spiralis showed the highest dissipation of phenanthrene and pyrene (85.9 and 79.1%) as compared
to sediments planted with H. verticillata and unplanted sediment. Phytodegradation of phenanthrene
and pyrene using the maize plant has been confirmed using GC-MS analysis. The degradation rate
of phenanthrene was found to be faster than that of pyrene and prominently occurred in the roots
(Houshani et al. 2021).

5.3.1.5 Rhizofiltration
‘Rhizofiltration’or ‘phytofiltration’refers to the process that uses both terrestrial and aquatic plants in
adsorbing contaminants in the surrounding root zone (rhizosphere), concentrating and precipitating
them on or within the root (Rahman and Hasegawa 2011). The plants’ roots are harvested after
becoming saturated. The plant species which possess high tolerance towards metal toxicity and
have a high surface area for absorption of metal are preferred (e.g., Salix spp., Populus spp.,
Brassica spp.). Terrestrial plants have been reported as a suitable candidate for rhizofilteration as
they possess a more developed and fibrous root structure, thus provide a higher surface area for
absorption of contaminants (Cule et al. 2016). This strategy can be applied for the remediation of
contaminated sites loaded with heavy metals and radionuclides. The factors that limit the application
of this technique are pH adjustment, hydroponic cultivation in a greenhouse, frequent harvests and
proper disposal of the plants (Kristanti et al. 2020).
 PAHs in Terrestrial Environment and their Phytoremediation 79

Research studies demonstrated that sunflowers have shown greater potential for phytoremediation
of soil contaminated with radionuclides (caesium and strontium) in Chernobyl, Ukraine. The
results indicated that Cs was accumulated in roots, whereas Sr uptake was recorded in the shoots
(Prasad 2007). Another study reported that rhizofiltration using and Phaseolus vulgaris has shown
remediation of uranium contaminated groundwater (Lee and Yang 2010). The aromatic medicinal
plant, Plectranthus amboinicus, has been evaluated as a candidate for rhizofilteration of lead-
containing wastewater. The results indicated that P. amboinicus showed potential tolerance towards
Pb toxicity and accumulates Pb maximum in the roots, whereas translocation in the stem and leaf was
limited (Ignatius et al. 2014). In hydroponic experiments, Typha angustifolia and Acorus calamus
(aquatic) and Pandanus amaryllifolius (terrestrial) plants were evaluated for rhizofiltration of Cd
and Zn. Among these, T. angustifolia showed maximum tolerance towards HM toxicity without loss
in dry biomass production. With maximum HM accumulation in roots, T. angustifolia was found to
be the most suitable candidate plant for phytoremediation in constructed wetlands and aquatic plant
systems (Woraharn et al. 2021).

5.3.1.6 Rhizodegradation
Rhizodegradation is an emerging technique for remediation of contaminated soil that involves
plant roots, plant-supplied nutrients and soil microorganisms. This process occurs through the
plant-supplied substrates such as bacteria, fungi and yeasts which favors the growth of microbial
communities in the rhizosphere to break down organic pollutants (Allamin et al. 2020, Rajkumari
et al. 2021). The factors affecting the rhizodegradation efficiency of processes are the type
of contaminant, the ability of microflora to degrade the contaminants and the bioavailability of
pollutants (Noroozi et al. 2017, Patel and Patra 2017). Plant roots provide air to the soil and release
exoenzymes and nutrients through root exudates. The advantages of rhizodegradation are complete
mineralization of the contaminant, lesser translocation of the contaminant to other plant parts or in
the atmosphere, low installation and maintenance costs (Dos Santos and Maranho 2018). However,
there exist some disadvantages of the process as it is a slow process and effective only on the surface
of contamination (20–25 cm of depth); the limited depth of the roots and requirement of fertilizers
by plants.
Various studies have reported the effective remediation of soils via rhizodegradation
contaminated including PAHs, pesticides and solvents containing benzene ring. Plants such as
Avicennia marina (Jia et al. 2016) or Lolium multiflorum (Hussain et al. 2022) have shown immense
potential towards the degradation of PAH following the rhizodegradation mechanism. The efficiency
of Rhizophora mangle to extract PAHs in mangrove sediment contaminated with crude oil has also
been studied. The soil planted with Rhizophora mangle showed higher removal of 16 PAHs as
compared to natural attenuation (Verâne et al. 2020).

5.3.2 Parameters that affect the Phytoremediation Efficiency

To achieve maximum efficiency of the phytoremediation process, different aspects of certain
parameters should be taken care of. These include the type of contaminant, selection of plant species,
type of soil and other biotic and abiotic conditions (Mudgal et al. 2010).

5.3.2.1 Contaminant Characteristics and Concentration

To date, phytoremediation technology has been used for the removal of a wide range of soil
contaminants including inorganic and organic contaminants (Henry 2000). For organic pollutants, the
hydrophobicity affects the efficiency of its uptake by the plants to a greater extent. The remediation
of soil contaminated with moderately hydrophobic pollutants has been successfully reported due to
efficient uptake and translocation by the plant (Cunningham and Ow 1996). Inorganic pollutants
generally include heavy metals and the efficiency of phytoremediation process for removal of one
metal may vary as compared to a removal of mixture of metals (Dushenkov et al. 1995). Apart
80 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

from the contaminant type, the concentration of the contaminant should also be estimated prior
to the phytoremediation to prevent the toxicity effects on healthy plants. The non-aqueous phase
pollutants create adverse effects on plant growth. Pollutants with low bioavailability are difficult to
extract with phytoremediation process (EPA 2000).

5.3.2.2 Selection of Plant Species

It requires substantial information regarding the plant biological system before deciding its
suitability for phytoremediation of a given area. The root system of the plants significantly affects the
phytoremediation potential. Fibrous roots offer the advantage of greater surface area for adsorption
and hence extraction of the pollutant. On the other hand, tap roots possess central large roots
extending in the deeper soil layers, thus can extract the pollutant from the deeper layers (Schwab
1998). The desirable root depth for phytoremediation varies for different plants. Non-woody plant
roots have shown efficient removal with feet depth, whereas tree roots less than 10–20 feet are found
to be most effective (Gatliff 1994). The scrutiny of seed source and seed health is also imperative
before commencing the phytoremediation process. Seeds from local regions are preferred as these
adapt to the environmental conditions easily (EPA 2000).

5.3.2.3 Climatic Conditions and site Accessibility

Climatic conditions such as temperature, moisture, rainfall and sunlight influence seed germination
and plant growth to a major extent. Thus, as a suitable candidate for phytoremediation, the
adaptability of the plant under climatic variations must be considered (EPA 2000). Consideration of
accessibility to the site is imperative before the commencement of the process as the consumption
of these plants by livestock or general public may lead to severe health consequences. Thus, edible
plants are not usually preferred for remediation (Ghavzan and Trivedy 2005).
Conclusively, phytoremediation is an economic, sustainable and environment friendly process
for soil reclamation. Moreover, the process is catalyzed by natural solar driven pumps and their
associated metabolic processes. It is also environmentally benign as it reduces water losses by
reducing its evaporation, limits soil erosion and prevents run-off that occurs due to heavy rain or
flooding.

5.4 Future Perspectives

Undoubtedly, the phytoremediation technology has proved beneficial over the conventional methods
for soil reclamation. However, there exists a gap between the process and its practical application.
• The strategy has been applied in laboratory and greenhouse tests, but its application extensively
at field studies should be tested.
• Another major problem of the process is the effective extraction, the contaminant is located
shallow enough for the plant roots to reach it, which is not possible in case of each contaminant.
• Longer lifecycle duration of most plants to attain the maturity stage also limits the application
of this process. Nowadays plants with a short lifecycle are being scrutinized to overcome this
problem.
• Extremely high levels of contaminants pose adverse effects on the plants’ growth and may even
led to plant death. Thus, the process is effective only for lower concentrations of contaminant.

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Chapter 6
Fungal Strategies for the
Remediation of Polycyclic
Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Nitu Gupta,1 Sandipan Banerjee,2 Apurba Koley,3
Aman Basu,4 Nayanmoni Gogoi,1 Raza Rafiqul Hoque,1
Narayan Chandra Mandal 2 and
Srinivasan Balachandran 3,*

6.1 Introduction
A progressive increase in industrialization over several decades has caused the release of various
potentially hazardous contaminants such as xenobiotic compounds and heavy metals, that severely
affect the environment, i.e., soil, air and water. In these conditions, nowadays, environmental
pollutants are becoming a global concern for our ecosphere. These contaminants exhibit versatile
harmful effects on the human body and ecosystem. The significant human health hazards associated
with Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) include carcinogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic and
immune suppressants. It can rapidly assimilate in the gastrointestinal tract of mammals because
of its lipid-dissolvable nature (Abdel-Shafy and Mansour 2016). Such toxic substances can be
bioaccumulated in the food chain due to their non-polar, hydrophobic and lipophilic nature (Masih
et al. 2012). Several findings reveal that PAHs induce tumors in humans. This carcinogenic
characteristic of PAHs is co-relatable with their molecular structure. Structurally, carcinogenic
PAHs have a bay or K locale, showing a high affinity towards mammalian DNA. As a result,
PAHs-linked DNA adducts transformed the typical cell into a tumorigenic cell (Weis et al. 1998).
Hence, more attention should be paid to the remediation and restoration approaches for cleaning
up the contaminated environment from these pollutants. In this context, PAHs are considered one
of the prime concerns for the ecological malaise. PAHs are characterized as hydrophobic organic
compounds that are chemically constituted by two or more benzenoid rings. They are omnipresent,

1
Department of Environmental Science, Tezpur University, Napaam, Tezpur, Assam, 784028, India.
2
Mycology and Plant Pathology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan 731235, West Bengal,
India.
3
Department of Environmental Studies, Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan-731235, West Bengal, India.
4
Department of Biology, York University, Canada.
* Corresponding author: [email protected]
 Fungal Strategies for the Remediation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons 87

and their concentration is elevated in the vicinity of the industries associated with petroleum and gas
production. On the other hand, anthropogenic combustion is the key contributor to PAHs pollution
(Banerjee and Mandal 2020, Ghosal et al. 2016).
PAHs compounds constitute two or more aromatic rings structurally arranged linearly, clusterly
or angularly. Generally, PAH compounds are comprised of carbon-hydrogen atoms; additionally,
nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur atoms can also be involved in forming heterocyclic aromatic compounds.
Broadly PAHs can be categorized into two groups: Low-Molecular-Weight PAHs (LMW-PAHs)
having less than four benzenoid rings whereas High-Molecular-Weight PAHs (HMW-PAHs) with
more than four benzenoid rings. The stability of the PAHs primarily depends on the arrangement of
the aromatic ring; the linear arrangement of aromatic rings (LMW-PAHs) represents the instability
and exhibits fewer recalcitrance characteristics, whereas the angular arrangement of aromatic rings
(HMW-PAHs) is highly stable and exhibits more recalcitrance features of PAHs compounds (Blumer
1976). In addition to this, according to United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA),
16 PAHs are classified as priority environmental pollutants and seven PAHs are categorized as
potent human carcinogens, known as carcinogenic PAHs (USEPA 2002).
PAHs are omnipresent environmental contaminants, generated from the partial burning of fossil
fuels. Air mass movement and transboundary deposition play a significant role in the distribution of
PAH in the environment. Through long-range transport, rural areas are also getting affected, which
are usually situated far from the actual origin of the PAHs. Soil and street dust are the primary sinks
for the deposition of atmospheric PAHs. Furthermore, this opens the gateway for PAHs to enter
the aquatic ecosystem. PAHs are preferentially fragmented and assembled in the particle state of
sediments in aquatic environments due to their hydrophobic nature. In this way, PAHs are present
throughout the multi-compartment structure of the ecosystem, paving the path for various exposure
routes to these carcinogens (Hussain et al. 2018). Broadly, PAHs can evolve from two types of
sources, i.e., naturogenic or anthropogenic sources. The naturogenic sources include forest fires,
volcanic eruptions, petroleum spills, bacterial and algal synthesis and decomposition of litter fall
(Abdel-Shafy and Mansour 2016). Various sources of PAHs and their exposure routes to human are
reported by many researchers. The major contributors of PAHs in the ecosphere are anthropogenic
sources such as the combustion of wood gas, fuels, crude oil and industrial wastes (Hussain
et al. 2018). PAHs produced from anthropogenic sources are mainly categorized into pyrogenic,
petrogenic and biological. Pyrogenic mediated PAHs are produced from partial burning of organic
matter subjected to high-temperature ranges from 350 to 1200°C under anaerobic conditions.
Examples of pyrogenic processes include the partial combustion of motors fuels in automobiles
and coal is thermal distilled into coal tar and coke, thermal cracking of oil deposits asphalt creation.
Therefore, pyrogenic PAHs released in the open air are accumulated more in urban regions. The
PAHs generated from the petrogenic process are similar to pyrogenic except regarding petroleum
processing (Nayak et al. 2022).
In this case, bioremediation is nature’s own green machinery that acts consistently as a good
cleanup, cost-effective, energy-efficient and eco-sustainable alternative equipment in comparison to
the physicochemical techniques viz, soil replacement, soil washing and flushing, chemical reduction
and oxidation, incineration and thermal desorption, vitrification, encapsulation, immobilization,
electrokinetic remediation, nonthermal plasma technology, etc. (Mandree et al. 2021, Kuppusamy
et al. 2017). The main objective of the bioremediation approach is based on the mineralization
of these hazardous compounds into non-toxic compounds and can be achieved by employing
bioremediating representatives like plants (phytoremediation), earthworms (vermiremediation),
as well as microorganisms, i.e., bacteria, yeast, fungi and algae. Such microbial agents are well
equipped with their enzymatic systems to bio transform the PAHs compounds into either carbon
dioxide (CO2) or partially degraded non-toxic metabolites, i.e., byproduct where no CO2 is liberated
(Cerniglia 1993). The microbial PAHs metabolism is generally achieved by a variety of mechanisms
based on the enzymatic depository systems.
88 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

In regard to microbial PAHs bioremediating representatives, bacteria are extensively

documented as organisms being used for bioremediation practices due to their biochemical as
well as genetic flexibility (Banerjee et al. 2017). However recently, mycoremediation has been
acknowledged more (Conejo-Saucedo et al. 2019, Treu and Falandysz 2017). Fungi are the most
suitable agent for PAHs biotransformation and are preferred above bacteria, algae or plants for
various reasons. The association of the mycelia meshwork of fungi is capable of penetrating soils
and accessing the soil void space. In comparison to unicellular bacteria, the fungal mycelium act
as a unit, proliferates like a net or mesh-like structure or formulates rhizomorphs around hazardous
materials and can propagate in an indeterminate way until the resources are accessible (Banerjee
and Mandal 2020). In addition, the key equipment of fungi is that they habitually produce a greater
number of bioactive molecules, especially the extracellular enzymes which are accountable for the
degradation of macromolecules like PAHs (Mougin et al. 2009, Ritz and Young 2004, Osono et al.
2003). Further, ligninolytic fungi gained great attention due to their enzymatic appliances, which
are not only associated with lignin degradation but also employed during the mycoremediation
practices in PAHs contaminated environment (Gadd and Gadd 2001). Apart from these enzymatic
approaches, this chapter is also focused on the diverse fungal strategies such as the production
of biosurfactants, biochar immobilized mycoremediation and the contribution of rhizospheric and
endophytic fungi to remediate the PAHs.

6.2 Bibliographic Analysis

In this bibliographic study, a total of 1641 articles have been extracted from the Web of Science with
the combinations of keywords such as PAHs, biodegradation, mycoremediation, white-rot fungi,
enzyme, peroxidase, biochar, biosurfactant and so on, which are relevant to construct this chapter.
All the keywords have been analyzed with the help of VOS viewer software. Here the co-occurrence
keywords have been chosen up to 17, and a fractionalization network of linkage map was constructed
displaying the frequently searched keywords in those articles, which is illustrated in Figure 6.1.
A total of five clusters were found in this keyword co-occurrence analysis. Each cluster and co­
occurrence keywords are represented by specific size and color, and the straight lines connecting
them display the anecdote links. From this network analysis of the keywords, it was discovered
that these articles primarily addressed the following five clusters or aspects: (1) different PAHs and
their mycoremediation strategies, i.e., biosorption, biosurfactant, biochar, fungal consortium, etc.
(red cluster) (2) fungal enzymes responsible for PAHs degradation like laccase, lignin peroxidase,
manganese peroxidase, etc. (green cluster) (3) fungal members with PAHs degrading ligninolytic
enzymatic activity (yellow cluster) (4) fungal metabolism in the biotransformation of the PAHs (sky
blue cluster) (5) mycoremediation with enzymatic and surfactant based approaches (purple cluster).
This keywords-oriented text mining study explored the fungal members and their strategies involved
in the remediation of PAHs. At the same time, it is also demonstrated that the rhizospheric as well
as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are the key appliances found in support of the mycoremediation
processes. Therefore, the connecting bond between these diverse fungal members and their strategies
assisted in the construction of this current study.

6.3 Fungal Strategies mediated PAHs Remediation

Due to the high population growth and excess usage of petroleum resources, the number of PAHs
released from street transportation, industrial, commercial and residential origin are increasing
exponentially day by day. Additionally, in urban areas spontaneous contamination is occurring
from the fossil fuel industries, motor vehicles, electricity generation plants, etc. (Figure 6.2)
(Ball and Truskewycz 2013). Further, the structural rigidity and human health impacts of PAHs
(Table 6.1) gained the attention of several environmental specialists. Therefore, remediating the
PAHs contaminated areas is indeed needed to restore the ecological health to a regular condition as
this hazardous pollution is detrimental to ecological damages. In this context, bioremediation appears
 Fungal Strategies for the Remediation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons 89

Figure 6.1. Keywords co-occurrence network analysis using VOS viewer software.

Figure 6.2. Sources and routes of PAHs exposure to humans.

as nature’s own reclamation or biorestoration practice where such pollutants are either degraded
or transformed into less toxic composites by various living organisms. Usually microorganisms
play an indispensable role in altering the pollutants into CO2, water, and cell biomass (Langenbach
2013). Examples of such bioremediation processes are usually known by different formulations
 able. 6.1. Structure of PAHs, their molecular weight, solubility and health risk (Adopted from
Table. 6.1. Structure of PAHs, their molecular weight, solubility and health risk (Adopted from
Pathak et al. 2022, Hussain et al. 2018)
Pathak et al. 2022, Hussain et al. 2018)
90 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup
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Anthracene 3 178.23 0.076 infection and nausea,
Diarrhea,
Diarrhea,
Diarrhea,
Diarrhea, skinnausea,
nausea,
nausea, eyeeye
eye
Anthracene Anthracene 3 178.23 0.076 0.076 Diarrhea,
infection
Diarrhea, andnausea,
skin
nausea, eyeeye
eye
Anthracene
Anthracene
Anthracene
Anthracene 333 3 3 178.23
178.23
178.23
178.23
178.23 0.076
0.076 irritation
0.076irritation
0.076 infection
Diarrhea,
infection
infection
infection
infection and
and and and
nausea,
and
skin skinskin
eye
skin
skin
irritation
Anthracene 3 178.23 0.076 Diarrhea,
infection nausea,
irritation
Diarrhea, and
nausea,skineye
eye
Anthracene
Anthracene 333 178.23
178.23 0.076
0.076 Carcinogenicity
irritation
infection
irritation
irritation
infection
irritation
and
and and
skin
skin skin
Anthracene 178.23 0.076 Carcinogenicity
infection
irritation
Carcinogenicity
Carcinogenicity
and
and skinand
Carcinogenicity andskin
and
and skin
skin
skin
Phenanthrene 3
Phenanthrene 3178.23 178.23 1.2 1.2 irritation Carcinogenicity
irritation
Carcinogenicity
Carcinogenicity and and
skin skin
skin
Phenanthrene
Phenanthrene
Phenanthrene
Phenanthrene 3
Phenanthrene 3 178.23
33 3 178.23
178.23
178.23
178.23 1.2 1.2
1.2 1.2
1.2 irritation
irritation
irritation
irritation
Carcinogenicity
irritation
irritation
irritation and skin
Phenanthrene 3 178.23 1.2 Carcinogenicity
irritation
Carcinogenicity and
andskinskin
Phenanthrene 3 178.23 1.2 Changes irritation
in morphology
Phenanthrene
Phenanthrene 33 178.23
178.23 1.2
1.2 Changesirritation
Changes
Changes
irritation
Changesin in morphology
morphology
inin
morphology
morphology
Changes
Changes in morphology
in morphology
Pyrene Pyrene 4
Pyrene 4202.25
4 44 0.0770.077
202.25
202.25 of blood
0.077 ofcell
blood cell of
Pyrene
Pyrene Pyrene
Pyrene 4 4 202.25
4 202.25
202.25
202.25 0.077
0.0770.077
0.077 ofChanges
ofof
Changes
blood
of blood
Changes
in morphology
blood in
cell
blood
in
cell
cellmorphology
cell
Pyrene
Pyrene 4
202.25
202.25
0.077
0.077
of
of
blood
Changes
bloodbloodinmorphology
cell
cell morphology
cell
Pyrene
Pyrene 44 202.25
202.25 0.077
0.077 ofofblood
bloodcellcell

Fluorene Fluorene
Fluorene
Fluorene
Fluorene 3
Fluorene 33 33
3166.22 166.22
166.22
166.22
166.22
166.22 1.68–1.98
1.68–1.98
1.68–1.981.68–1.98
1.68–1.98
1.68–1.98 Eye
Eye
Eye andEye
Eye
Eye and
skin
and
and and
and skin
skin
infection
skin
skin
skin infection
infection
infection
infection
infection
Fluorene Fluorene 3 3 166.22166.221.68–1.981.68–1.98 Eye and skin infection
Fluorene
Fluorene 333 166.22
166.22 1.68–1.98Eye
1.68–1.98 Eyeand and skin
skininfection
infection
Fluorene 166.22 1.68–1.98 Eye Eyeand andskinskininfection
infection
Fluoranthene
Fluoranthene
Fluoranthene
Fluoranthene 44 44 202.25 0.2–2.6
202.25
202.25
202.25 0.2–2.6 Acute
0.2–2.6
0.2–2.6 Acute
Acute
Acute animal
animal
animal
animal toxicity
toxicity
toxicity
toxicity
Fluoranthene
Fluoranthene
FluorantheneFluoranthene 4 4202.25
4 202.25
202.250.2–2.6 0.2–2.6
0.2–2.6 Acute Acute
Acute
animal animal
animal toxicity
toxicitytoxicity
Fluoranthene
Fluoranthene
Fluoranthene
4 444 202.25 202.25 0.2–2.6
202.25
202.25
0.2–2.6 Acute
0.2–2.6
0.2–2.6 Acute
Acute animaltoxicity
animal
Acuteanimal
animaltoxicity
toxicity
toxicity
Benzo[a]
Benzo[a]
Benzo[a]
Benzo[a] Animal
Animal
Animal
Animal carcinogenicity
carcinogenicity
carcinogenicity
carcinogenicity
Benzo[a]
anthracene Animal carcinogenicity
Benzo[a] Benzo[a]
anthracene
Benzo[a]
anthracene 4 4 228.3
228.3 0.01
0.01Animal andand
Animal skinskin
carcinogenicityirritation
irritation
carcinogenicity
anthracene
Benzo[a]
anthracene
Benzo[a] anthracene
Benzo[a]
4444 228.3
228.3
228.3
228.3 0.01
0.01
0.01
0.01 and
Animal
Animal
and
Animal
and
Animal
skin
skin irritation
irritation
carcinogenicity
skincarcinogenicity
irritation
carcinogenicity
carcinogenicity
and
anthracene anthracene 4
anthracene 4228.3 228.3 0.01 0.01and and
skin skin irritation
irritation
skin irritation
anthraceneanthracene 4 44 228.3228.3
228.3 0.010.01
0.01 and and
and skin
skinskin irritation
Carcinogenicity,
irritation
Carcinogenicity,
irritationemesis,
Carcinogenicity, emesis,
emesis,
emesis,
Carcinogenicity,
Carcinogenicity, emesis,
Chrysene
Chrysene
Chrysene
Chrysene diarrhea,
Carcinogenicity,
diarrhea,
diarrhea,
diarrhea, eye
eye eye
eye and
and and
and skin
emesis,
skin
skin
skin
Chrysene 444 44 228.29 0.0028 Carcinogenicity,
0.0028 Carcinogenicity,
diarrhea,
infection,
Carcinogenicity, eye emesis,
andemesis,
heart skin
problems
emesis,
ChryseneChrysene 228.29
228.29
228.29
228.29 0.0028
0.0028
0.0028 Carcinogenicity,
Carcinogenicity,
infection,
diarrhea,
infection,
infection, eyeheart
and
heart
heart emesis,
emesis,
problems
skin
problems
problems
Chrysene Chrysene 4 228.29 0.0028 diarrhea,
0.0028diarrhea, eyeeye
infection, and
heart
and skin
problems
skin
Chrysene Chrysene 4
4228.29 228.29
228.29 0.0028
diarrhea,
diarrhea,
infection,
diarrhea,
infection, eye eye
eye
heart
heart
and
and
and skin
skin
problems
skin
problems
Benzo[b]
Benzo[b]
Benzo[b]
Benzo[b] 4 4 228.290.00280.0028 infection,
infection,
infection,heart
heart problems
heart
Carcinogenicity,
Carcinogenicity,
Carcinogenicity,
Carcinogenicity,
problems
problems
Benzo[b] 4 228.29 0.0028 infection, heart problems
Carcinogenicity,
fluoranthene
fluoranthene
Benzo[b]
fluoranthene
fluoranthene 55 55 252.3
252.3
252.3
252.3 0.0012 Carcinogenicity,
0.0012
0.0012
0.0012 jaundice,
jaundice,
jaundice,
jaundice, liverliver
liver
liver and
and and
and
Benzo[b]
fluoranthene
Benzo[b] 5 252.3 0.0012 Carcinogenicity,
jaundice,
kidney
Carcinogenicity, liver
failure and
Benzo[b] fluoranthene
fluoranthene
Benzo[b] 55
55 252.3
252.3
252.3 0.0012
0.0012 Carcinogenicity,
kidney
jaundice,
Carcinogenicity,
kidney
kidney
0.0012 Carcinogenicity,
jaundice,
kidney
failure
liver
failure
failure
liver
failure
and
jaundice,
and
Benzo[b] Benz[k]
luoranthenefluoranthene
Benz[k]
fluoranthene
Benz[k]
Benz[k]
Benz[k] 5 252.3 252.3 0.00120.0012jaundice, jaundice,
liver
kidney liver
Carcinogenicity,
andfailure
kidney
Carcinogenicity,
liver
Carcinogenicity,
Carcinogenicity,
kidney failure
Carcinogenicity,
andliver
andfailure liver
liver
liver
liver
fluoranthene fluoranthene
fluoranthene
Benz[k]
fluoranthene
fluoranthene 5 555252.3
5 252.3
252.3 0.0012
252.3
252.3 0.00076
0.00076
0.00076 jaundice,
0.00076 kidney
and
and and
and liver
failure
kidney
kidney
Carcinogenicity,
kidney
kidney andfailure
failure liver
failure
failure
Benz[k]
fluoranthene 5 252.3 0.00076 kidney andfailure
Carcinogenicity,
kidney failureliver
Benz[k]
fluoranthene 5 252.3 0.00076 kidney and failurefailure
Carcinogenicity,
kidney liver
Benz[k] fluoranthene 555 252.3 0.00076 Carcinogenicity,
and kidney failureliver
Benz[k] fluoranthene
Benz[k] 252.3
252.3 0.00076 and kidney failureand
0.00076 Carcinogenicity,
Carcinogenicity, liver liver
luoranthene 5
fluoranthene 252.3 0.00076 and kidney failure
kidney failure
fluoranthene 5 252.3 0.00076 and kidney failure

Benzo[a]pyrene 5 252.3 Animal

0.0023 carcinogenicity
Animal carcinogenicity and
eye infection
a]pyrene 5 252.3 0.0023 and eye infection

Carcinogenicity and Table 6.1 contd. ...

a,h] 5 278.4 0.0005 toxicity to aquatic life
ene

Toxicity to aquatic life,

 Fungal Strategies for the Remediation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons 91
Animal
Animal
Animalcarcinogenicity
carcinogenicity
carcinogenicity
...Table 6.1 contd.
pyrene
pyrene
a]pyrene 55 5 252.3
252.3
252.3 0.0023
0.0023 and eye
0.0023 andand infection
eyeeye
infection
infection
PAHs No. of Molecular Solubility Health risk Structure
Rings weight (g/mol) (mg/L)
Dibenz[a,h] 5 278.4 Carcinogenicity
0.0005 and
Carcinogenicity
Carcinogenicity
Carcinogenicity andand toxicity
and
anthracene to aquatic life
h]
h]
[a,h] 55 5 278.4
278.4
278.4 0.0005
0.0005 toxicity
0.0005 toxicity to
to aquatic
toxicity aquatic
to life
lifelife
aquatic
eeene

Benzo[ghi] 6 276.3 Toxicity

Toxicity
0.00026 to
to aquatic
Toxicity
Toxicity toto aquaticlife,
aquatic
aquatic life,
life, lung
life,
i]peryl
i]peryl
ghi]peryl 66 6perylene 276.3
276.3
276.3 0.00026 lung
0.00026 lung
0.00026 and skin
andand
lung skin
and skin
skin

Carcinogenicity,
Carcinogenicity,
Carcinogenicity, nausea,
nausea,
nausea,
Indeno[1,2,3-cd] 6 276.3 0.062 Carcinogenicity, nausea,
2,3-
2,3-
[1,2,3- 66 6 pyrene 276.3
276.3
276.3 0.062
0.062
0.062 emesis
emesis and
and diarrhea
diarrhea
emesis and diarrhea
emesis and diarrhea
eeene

viz, biosorption used dead or alive microbial organic matter, bioaccumulation assisted by microbes,
biostimulation is ameliorating on-site microbial community, phytoremediation associated with plants,
bioaugmentation is the unnatural incorporation of microbial communities and rhizoremediation is
the interaction between plants and microbes. Among the bioremediation practices, microbes (algae,
fungi, bacteria) mediated remediation is the most effective in PAHs mineralization and numerous
documentations have reported more than 100 genera and 200 species of microorganisms. Where,
fungi are the most predominant group with 103 genera among the other microbial representatives,
i.e., bacteria (79 genera), algae (19 genera) and cyanobacteria (9 genera) documented from a
different environment and responsible for effective PAHs degradation (Premnath et al. 2021).
Fungi and bacteria utilize versatile strategies for remediating PAHs in contaminated soil. The first
stage of the bacterial PAHs degradation mechanism includes oxidation as well as hydroxylation of
PAHs. The detoxification operation is carried out as the initial stage in fungal PAHs mineralization.
Individually, fungal members like Aspergillus sp., Fusarium oxysporum and Trichocladium
canadense can also mineralize LMW-PAHs. However, in contrast to the LMW-PAHs, HMW-PAHs,
i.e., pyrene (PYR) and phenanthrene (PHE) can be efficiently mineralized by the Penicillium sp.,
A. terreus and Verticillium sp. (Biswas et al. 2015). Moreover, as a consortium of bacteria and
fungi, rather than individuals, proficiently enhance the rate of PAH degradation (Winquist et al.
2014, Li and Li 2008). On the other hand, fungal consortia of A. flavus, A. fumigatus, A. nomius,
Trichoderma asperellum and Rhizomucor variabilis can also escalate the remediation of Benzo(a)
pyrene [B(a)p], PYR and PHE (Tripathi et al. 2017). Universally fungal agents are equipped with
several remediating strategies like enzymatic activities, the production of biosurfactants and the
utilization of rhizospheric and endophytic fungal communities.

6.3.1 Enzymatic Activity

The notable evidence of fungal bioremediation is the synthesis of a vast number of biochemically active
biomolecules, primarily extracellular enzymes, i.e., Laccase, Cytochrome P450 monooxygenase
(CYP450), Lignin Peroxidase (LiP), Dioxygenase, Manganese peroxidase (MnP), Versatile
Peroxidase (VP), and Dye-decolorizing peroxidases, etc., by fungi. Primarily, there are two fungal
phenomenal bioremediation-oriented mechanisms, i.e., lignin catabolism-dependent mechanism
(ligninolytic fungi) and CYP450 system-dependent system (non-ligninolytic fungi) (Srivastava
92 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

and Kumar 2019). Ligninolytic fungi are proficient in synthesizing extracellular enzymes viz, LiP
and MnP which are utilized in PAHs mineralization, apart from intracellular enzymes. Ligninolytic
enzymes, break down such contaminants and produce free radicals. These free radicals then oxidize
various aromatic molecules, resulting in different quinones (Kadri et al. 2017). Non-ligninolytic
fungi are usually inefficient in extracellular enzyme production and intracellular enzymes such
as CYP450 play a significant role in PAHs degradation (Dutta and Laha 2022). The predominant
fungal phyla that are highly considered as a potential bioagent for PAHs remediation belong to
Ascomycota (non-ligninolytic fungi), followed by Basidiomycota (ligninolytic fungi) and the least
by Zygomycota that is categorized under the non-ligninolytic members (Banerjee and Mandal 2020,
Passarini et al. 2011). In this, diversified fungal agents which have the potential to eliminate the
PAHs from contaminated soil and their mode of action have been documented in (Table 6.2) and
from this analysis a similar pattern of dominant fungal phyla was observed, where Ascomycota
appeared as the most dominant member (64%) followed by Basidiomycota (33%) and Zygomycota
(3%), respectively (Figure 6.3).

Figure 6.3. Diversity of fungal representatives involved in PAHs biodegradation.

6.3.1.1 PAHs Degradation by Ligninolytic Fungi

In the last couple of decades, ligninolytic fungi have been thoroughly investigated for their PAHs
remediating potentialities. Phenomenally they produce extracellular enzymes such as laccase
and peroxidases which play the most crucial role in PAHs mineralization (Kadri et al. 2017). In
this aspect, most extracellular ligninolytic enzymes-producing fungi belong to Basidiomycota
(Winquist et al. 2014). White-Rot Fungi (WRF) also play a crucial role in PAHs degradation, e.g.,
Bjerkandera adusta, Pleurotus ostreatus, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, Trametes versicolor, Irpex
lacteus (Bezalel et al. 1996, Vyas et al. 1994, Field et al. 1992). Some investigations show that
 Fungal Strategies for the Remediation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons 93

Table 6.2. Fungal mechanisms for enzymatic bioremediation of PAHs.

Fungi Phylum Substrate Mechanism References

Lasiodiplodia Ascomycota Benzo(a)pyrene Enzymatic cleavage Cao et al. 2020
theobromae
Phanerochaete Basidiomycota Phenanthrene, Enzymatic cleavage Guo et al. 2019
chrysosporium fluoranthene, and
benzo(a)pyrene
Tolypocladium sp. Ascomycota Pyrene Benzo(a)pyrene Cytochrome P450 Vasconcelos et al. 2019
Xylaria sp. Ascomycota monooxygenase
Penicillium canescens Ascomycota Benzo(a)pyrene Ligninolytic Fayeulle et al. 2019
Cladosporium Ascomycota enzymes
cladosporioides Ascomycota
Fusarium solani Ascomycota
Talaromyces helices
Aspergillus sp. Ascomycota Naphthalene, Intra and Al-Hawash et al. 2019
phenanthrene, and extracellular
pyrene enzymes
Ganoderma lucidum Basidiomycota Phenanthrene and Ligninolytic Agrawal et al. 2018
pyrene enzymes
Penicillium oxalicum Ascomycota Anthracene, Oxygenase enzyme Aranda et al. 2017
phenanthrene,
dibenzothiophene and
dibenzofuran
Phanerochaete Basidiomycota Pyrene Aerobic fungal Aydin and Karacay
chrysosporium enzymatic system 2017
Trichoderma Ascomycota Phenanthrene Anerobic
longibrachiatum biodegradation
Trametes polyzona Ascomycota Phenanthrene, Ligninolytic Teerapatsakul et al.
fluorene, and pyrene enzymes 2016
Pleurotus ostreatus Basidiomycota Fluorene and Ligninolytic Pozdnyakova et al.
fluoranthene enzymes 2016
Penicillium oxalicum, Ascomycota Naphthalene and Endophytism Kannangara et al. 2016
Nigrospora oryzae Ascomycota phenanthrene
Aspergillus oryzae Ascomycota
A. aculeatus Ascomycota
Phanerochaete Basidiomycota Anthracene Ring cleavage Jove et al. 2016
chrysosporium Basidiomycota
Irpex lacteus Basidiomycota
Pleurotus ostreatus
Pleurotus sajor-caju Basidiomycota Pyrene and chrysene Ligninolytic Saiu et al. 2016
enzymes
Mycoaciella bispora Basidiomycota Anthracene Ligninolytic Lee et al. 2015
enzymes
Punctularia Basidiomycota Phenanthrene Cytochrome P450 Young et al. 2015
strigosozonata monooxygenase
Pycnoporus sanguineus Basidiomycota Anthracene and pyrene Cytochrome P450 Zhang et al. 2015
monooxygenase
Fusarium sp. Ascomycota Chrysene Ligninolytic Hidayat and Tachibana
enzymes 2015

Table 6.2 contd. ...

94 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

...Table 6.2 contd.

Fungi Phylum Substrate Mechanism References

Peniophora incarnate Basidiomycota Phenanthrene, Laccase and
fluoranthene, and manganese
pyrene peroxidase activity Lee et al. 2014
Phlebia brevispora Basidiomycota Anthracene Enzymatic catalysis
Pycnoporus sanguineus Basidiomycota Anthracene and pyrene Laccase activity Li et al. 2014
Tinea versicolor Basidiomycota phenanthrene and Enzymatic cleavage Rosales et al. 2013
pyrene
Anthracophyllum Basidiomycota mixture of Manganese peroxide Acevedo et al. 2011
discolor benzopyrene, activity and lignin
phenanthrene, and peroxide activity
pyrene
Mucor racemosus Zygomycota Benzo(a)pyrene Non-ligninolytic Passarini et al. 2011
enzymatic cleavage
Ceratobasidum stevensii Basidiomycota Phenanthrene Ligninolytic Dai et al. 2010
enzymatic activity
Aspergillus flavus Ascomycota Benzo(a)pyrene Cytochrome P450 Romero et al. 2010
Paecilomyces farinosus Ascomycota monooxygenase
Bjerkandera adusta Basidiomycota Anthracene and other Versatile peroxidase Eibes et al. 2010
PAHs
Aspergillus sp. Ascomycota Naphthalene, Ligninolytic activity Silva et al. 2009
Fusarium oxysporum Ascomycota phenanthrene,
Trichocladium Ascomycota chrysene,
canadense perylene, naphthol,
Trichoderma sp. Ascomycota pyrene and
Verticillium sp. Ascomycota decacyclene
Daedalea elegans Basidiomycota Naphthalene and Ligninolytic activity Arun et al. 2008
Fomitopsis palustris Basidiomycota anthracene
Fusarium solani Ascomycota Benzopyrene Cytochrome P450 Koukkou and Drainas
monooxygenase 2008
Irpex lacteus Basidiomycota Benzoanthracene and Ligninolytic activity Cajthaml et al.
benzopyrene 2008
Pleurotus ostreatus Basidiomycota Phenanthrene Ring-opening Cajthaml et al. 2006
reaction by
cytochrome P450
monooxygenase
Phanerochaete Basidiomycota Anthracene Ring-fission reaction
chrysosporium
Phanerochaete Basidiomycota Naphthalene Manganese peroxide D’Annibale et al. 2005
chrysosporium Basidiomycota activity
Pleurotus pulmonarius
Penicillium ochrochloron Ascomycota Pyrene Ring cleavage Saraswathy and
Hallberg 2005
Aspergillus terreus Ascomycota Phenanthrene, Cytochrome P450 Capotorti et al. 2005
anthracene, pyrene, monooxygenase
and benzo[a]pyrene
Penicillium canescens Ascomycota Fluorene Ring cleavage Garon et al. 2004
P. janczewskii Ascomycota
P. montanense Ascomycota
P. simplicissimum Ascomycota
P. restrictum Ascomycota

Table 6.2 contd. ...

 Fungal Strategies for the Remediation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons 95

...Table 6.2 contd.

Fungi Phylum Substrate Mechanism References

Cladosporium Ascomycota Naphthalene, Laccase activity Potin et al. 2004
sphaerospermum acenaphthylene,
acenaphthene,
fluorene,
phenanthrene,
anthracene,
pyrene, benz(a)
anthracene,
chrysene, benzo(b)
fluoranthene,
benzo(k)fluoranthene,
benzo(a)
pyrene, dibenz(a,h)
anthracene,
indeno(1,2,3-c,d)
pyrene and
benzo(ghi)perylene
Cunninghamella elegans Zygomycota Phenanthrene Cytochrome P450 Lisowska and
monooxygenase D1ugonski 2003
Trichoderma harzianum Ascomycota Pyrene Cytochrome P450 Saraswathy and
Penicillium Ascomycota monooxygenase Hallberg 2002
simplicissimum Ascomycota
P. janthinellum Ascomycota
P. funiculosum Ascomycota
P. terrestre
Penicillium chrysogenum Ascomycota Fluorene Enzymatic cleavage Garon et al. 2002
P. italicum Ascomycota
Penicillium janthinellum Ascomycota Benz[a]pyrene Enzymatic cleavage Boonchan et al. 2000
Penicillium chrysogenum Ascomycota Pyrene Cytochrome P450 Ravelet et al. 2000
P. aurantiogriseum Ascomycota monooxygenase
P. crustosum Ascomycota
P. decumbens Ascomycota
P. griseofulvum Ascomycota
P. janczewskii Ascomycota
P. janthinellum Ascomycota
P. roqueforti Ascomycota
P. rugulosum Ascomycota
P. simplicissimum Ascomycota
P. velutinum Ascomycota
Fusarium solani Ascomycota Benzo[a]pyrene Cytochrome P450 Rafin et al. 2000
monooxygenase

white-rot fungus can degrade LMW-PAHs as well as HMW-PAHs with removal efficiencies of up
to 58–73 and 21–26%, respectively (Kariyawasam et al. 2021, Leonardi et al. 2007). Utilization
of extracellular enzymes laccases and peroxidases accelerate the B(a)P metabolized into B(a)
P-1,6, -3,6-quinones or B(a)P-6,12-quinones intermediates observed in fungal species such as
P. chrysosporium, Cunninghamella elegans, A. ochraceus, T. versicolor and P. cinnabarinus
illustrated in Figure 6.4 (Majcherczyk et al. 1998, Datta and Samanta 1988, Haemmerli et al. 1986,
Cerniglia and Gibson 1980). Another report of WRF P. ostreatus in immobilized commercial pellets
that can degrade a significant number of PAHs such as 69.1% of Benzo(a)anthracene [B(a)A], 29.7%
of chrysene (CHY), 39.7% of Benzo(b)fluoranthene [B(b)F], 32.8% of Benzo (k)fluoranthene
[B(k)F], 85.2% of B(a)P and 80% of the total PAHs (Covino et al. 2010). Furthermore, Bhattacharya
et al. (2017) discovered that the biodegradation of B(a)P was enhanced when it was subjected to
96 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

Figure 6.4. B(a)P mineralization by P. chrysosporium, C. elegans, A. ochraceus, T. versicolor and P. cinnabarinus
(Majcherczyk et al. 1998, Datta and Samanta 1988, Haemmerli et al. 1986, Cerniglia and Gibson 1980).

consortia of P. ostreatus with Penicillium chrysogenum by 86.15% removal rate and P. ostreatus with
Pseudomonas aeruginosa by 75.1% removal rate, whereas P. ostreatus PO-3 only remediated 64.3%.
On the other hand, the ligninolytic fungi or the WRF are known for their magnificent PAHs­
degrading abilities with their potential intra and extracellular enzymes. In WRF mediated PAHs
remediation process, PAHs oxidation begins with the formation of dihydrodiol by a multi-component
dioxygenase enzyme system which further undergoes ortho or meta ring cleavage pathways and
produces metabolites such as catechol and protocatechuate (Sipilä et al. 2010). Furthermore, some
fungi undergo more extensive PAH decomposition, leading to the breakdown of the benzenoid rings
and the release of CO2. Enzymes involved in WRF-mediated PAHs breakdown mainly belong to the
LiP, laccase, MnP and VP (Gupta and Pathak 2020). The mechanisms involved in PAHs degradation
by both ligninolytic and non-ligninolytic fungi have been depicted in Figure 6.5.

6.3.1.1.1 Laccase
Extracellular enzymes, especially laccase, are crucial features that contribute to PAHs cleanup.
Laccases are benzenediol: oxygen oxidoreductases and are metalloproteins in nature, which belong
to the polyphenol oxidases and consist of four copper atoms of altered types in their catalytic site
(Baldrian 2006). Laccases are one of the key ligninolytic biomolecules that oxidize a broad range of
aromatic compounds holding phenolic moieties, benzenothiols, aromatic amines and hydroxylindols
(Dhagat and Jujjavarapu 2022). Such enzymes utilize the molecular oxygen as an electron acceptor
and organic or inorganic metal complexes as substrates (Zimmerman et al. 2008). Additionally,
laccases use oxygen as an oxidizing agent and reduce it into water molecules (Tavares et al.
2006). Laccases are produced by diversified living systems like plants, fungi, bacteria and insects
(Show et al. 2022). Among microbes, laccases of bacterial origin are reported from some potent
 Fungal Strategies for the Remediation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons 97

Figure 6.5. Ligninolytic and non-ligninolytic fungal mechanism responsible for PAHs degradation.

members viz, Bacillus subtilis, Azospirillum lipoferum, Sinorhizobium meliloti and Streptomyces
lavendulae, whereas in the fungal system, intracellular and extracellular laccases are documented for
a different type of PAHs remediation (Banerjee and Mandal 2020, Pawlik et al. 2016). Several reports
have demonstrated that fungi utilize PAHs via the production of an extracellular enzyme like laccases
resulting in PAHs degradation with CO2 as a byproduct. A significant amount of PAHs removal
capability by laccase-producing WRF Anthracophyllum discolor was documented with 62% of PHE,
73% of anthracene (ANTH), 54% of fluoranthene (FLU), 60% of PYR and 75% of B(a)P degrading
potentiality (Acevedo et al. 2011). In a recent study, a WRF strain Trametes versicolor exhibited
excellent remediational attributes like 81.0% CHY and 91.0% B(a)P degradation with
37.8 Ug–1 laccase producing potentiality (Vipotnik et al. 2022). In addition, another report of a WRF
Pycnoporus sanguineus with 2516.7 UL–1 of laccase production ability displayed 90.1% B(a)A and
45.6% PHE degrading capacity (Li et al. 2018). Further, laccase produced by T. versicolor was also
found to be able to remediate contaminants such as acenaphthene (ACE), B(b)F and PYR (Noman
et al. 2019). In this regard, Punnapayak et al. (2009) reported that laccase-producing WRF
Ganoderma lucidum can also efficiently degrade ACE and acenaphthylene.

6.3.1.1.2 Peroxidases
Peroxidases are the glycosylated extracellular enzyme that requires hydrogen peroxide to catalyze
lignin and organopollutant compounds like PAHs (Thurston 1994). The peroxidases are classified
into two categories based on their substrate interaction—MnP which is the most effective reducing
substrate and LiP which catalyzes both non-aromatic and aromatic compounds (Ten Have and
Teunissen 2001). Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is essential for the activation of the MnP and LiP are
synthesized by fungal producers during their metabolic processes. In such metabolic processes,
H2O2 acts as an oxidizing agent that oxidizes the PAHs and transforms them into a substrate
98 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

(Deshmukh et al. 2016). VPs also fall in this peroxidase isozymes family, capable to operate on
a number of substrates. Several scientific reports have been documented regarding the PAHs
degradation by fungal peroxidases.

6.3.1.1.2.1 Manganese peroxidase

Manganese peroxidases are the heme peroxidase, principally oxidize the Mn2+ ions that persist
within the xenobiotic compounds such as PAHs, into Mn3+ which is an extra reactive form and
fixed by fungal chelator, i.e., oxalic acids. Though, Mn3+ performs as a low molecular weight
molecule that functions as a soluble redox mediator, which disintegrates both the phenolic and
nonphenolic contaminants and generates free radicals that have the propensity to break reluctantly.
Structurally, MnPs are comprised of two α-helices with haem in between them, two Ca2+ ions, and
five disulfide bridges (Sutherland 1992). MnP has pronounced industrial applications viz, beverage,
biofuel, pulp and paper, textile and food industries in addition to PAHs degradation (Karigar and
Rao 2011, Chowdhary et al. 2019). An example of such fungal MnP-mediated PAHs degradation
was documented from I. lacteus, where the experimented PAHs were ANTH and PYR (Kadri
et al. 2017). Another example of WRF is G. lucidum, which can produce 47,444 UL–1 and 50,977 of
MnP for the degradation of 99.65 and 99.58% of 20 mg L–1 PHE and PYR, respectively (Agrawal
et al. 2018). In addition to this, 7.21 U g–1 MnP production was also observed from a WRF Agrocybe
aegerita for the mineralization of 50 mM fluorene (FLR), PYR, CHY and B(a)P (Vipotnik et al.
2021). Further, Trametes sp. is a WRF that can degrade a significant amount of FLR, FLU, PYR,
PHE and ANTH mixture with 69.7 UL–1 of MnP production (Zhang et al. 2016).

6.3.1.1.2.2 Lignin peroxidase

Lignin peroxidases of fungal origin can oxidize most PAHs and requires manganese and hydrogen
peroxide to function. Generally, LiP can oxidize a number of phenolic and nonphenolic substances.
Such LiP has two locations for Ca2+ binding and glycosylation and in addition to that have four
disulfide bridges. All these integral conformations sustain the enzyme’s 3-D structure. Eight minor
and major-helices, structured into two domains, make up the globular configuration of LiPs, which
contains the active center. This active center constitutes the haem-chelater: ferric ion. Due to its
higher redox potential, LiPs can oxidize compounds that other peroxidases are unable to oxidize.
Several steps are involved in each catalytic cycle of LiPs. Firstly, H2O2 produces a radical cation as
an intermediate by oxidizing the native enzyme known as ferryloxo porphyrin. Subsequently, the
first step succeeds by a pair of single electron reduction stages by an electron donor compounds,
i.e., veratryl alcohol to generate an intermediate complex as well as a radical cation. Now,
oxidation of another veratryl alcohol molecule occurs through such a transient composite and
thereafter the transient composite converts to its native state to begin a new catalytic cycle of LiP
(Sigoillot et al. 2012, Wong 2009, Choinowski et al. 1999). Additionally, LiP has a non-specific type
of mechanism toward the substrates. One such example is ANTH bioremediation by utilizing LiP
of P. chrysosporium with metabolites like 9,10-anthraquinone and phthalic, illustrated in Figure 6.6
(Pozdnyakova 2012). In another instance, G. lucidum, a member of WRF can produce 3613 UL–1
and 3283 UL–1 of LiP, which is responsible for 99.65 and 99.58% mineralization of 20 mg L–1 PHE
and PYR, respectively (Agrawal et al. 2018). Further, 85.9% remediation potentiality with 2419
UL–1 LiP production was also observed from Fusarium sp. in response to the 5 mg L–1 mixture of
HMW-PAHs [FLU, PYR, B(a)A, CHY, B(b)F, B(k)F, B(a)P, dibenzo(a,h)anthracene, benzo(g,hi)
perylene and indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene] (Zhang et al. 2020). Interestingly, 2.24 ± 0.09 Ug–1 and
2.08 ± 0.04 Ug–1 of LiP production from A. aegerita was documented with 85.62 and 85.% FLR,
83.64 and 80.42% PYR, 79.24 and 60.32% CHY, 80 and 85.74% B(a)P degradation when treated
with kiwi peels and peanut shells on solid state fermentation condition, respectively (Vipotnik
et al. 2021). In a recent study, Omoni et al. (2022) demonstrated that 2.00 Ug–1 and 1.10 Ug–1
of LiP production were achieved by the WRF P. chrysosporium and P. ostreatus for utmost PHE
degradation.
 Fungal Strategies for the Remediation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons 99

Figure 6.6. Bioremediation of anthracene by P. chrysosporium (Pozdnyakova 2012).

6.3.1.1.2.3 Versatile peroxidase

Versatile Peroxidases (VP) belong to the peroxidase family and are glycoproteins in nature which
consist of 11–12 α-helices, a pair of Ca2+ binding sites, four disulfide bonds, a haem pocket and
an Mn2+ binding site (Perez-Boada et al. 2005). It can be used in bioremediation of both aromatic
and aliphatic contaminants. It involves the oxidative reaction of Mn2+, aromatic compounds and
methoxybenzenes like LiP and MnP. VP is more efficient than other peroxidases as it exhibits various
substrate specificities and can function even in manganese-deficient conditions. This enables VP to
be a potent biocatalyst and opens new doors in biotechnological techniques for the bioremediation
of organic pollutants (Ruiz-Duenas et al. 2007). Examples of WRF which produced VP enzyme are
B. adusta and P. eryngii (Naghdi et al. 2018). Additionally, a significant amount of PAHs degradation
of ANTH, PYR and B(a)P was documented from the B. adusta by its VP enzymatic appliances
(Wang et al. 2003). Another example of VP-mediated PHE degradation was also reported from a
member of WRF T. versicolor (Collins et al. 1996). Further, Bogan et al. (1996) observed that the
utmost FLR degradation was achieved by a WRF P. chrysosporium. CHY remediation was also
documented from the P. ostreatus with its VP activity (Nikiforova et al. 2010). P. ostreatus was also
reported for its PYR degrading capability through VP producing ability (Pozdnyakova et al. 2010).
Multiple PAHs remediating potentiality was also achieved by the VP producing WRF Nematoloma
frowardii (Sack et al. 1997).

6.3.1.2 PAHs Degradation by Non-ligninolytic Fungi

Ligninolytic fungi primarily grow on woody substances, which partially restrict their growth in
soil. Hence their potentiality for PAHs biotransformation in the soil condition is quite ambiguous
(Steffen et al. 2002). Therefore, non-ligninolytic fungi with intracellular enzymes, especially
CYP450, can metabolize PAHs along with only substrate. Detoxification of organic pollutants by
non-ligninolytic fungi is a predominant characteristic of their ability to pass through the cell wall
where cell membrane-mediated enzymes such as cytochrome P450 monooxygenase and hydrolase
operate the mineralization process (Marco-Urrea et al. 2015). The enzymatic mechanism involves the
catalysis and hydrophobic (water-insoluble) PAHs transformed into less-toxic partially hydrophilic
(water-soluble) intermediates via the epoxide ring opening mechanism, which cleaves the aromatic
structure of PAHs and leads to the formation of arene oxide. This can be further transformed into
phenol and trans-dihyrodiols, which are catalyzed by the hydrolase enzyme (Sutherland 1992).
Chrysosporium pannorum, C. elegans and A. niger are among such examples, involved in PAH
degradation with such a mechanism. The biotransformation of PAHs by non-ligninolytic fungi depicts
a typical sequential pattern having two significant phases. The first phase causes the production of
dihydroxy-quinone and dihydrodiol-derivatives, which further conjugates in the second phase with
O-glucoside, O-sulfate, O-glucuronide, O-methyl and O-xyloside. These metabolites are water­
100 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

soluble and non-hazardous when compared with their parental PAHs compounds, hence lowering
health-risk. C. elegans exhibit a sulfur addition process in which naphthalene (NAP) and ANTH are
converted into 1-naphthyl and 1-anthryl sulfate metabolites, respectively (Lisowska and Długoński
2003). On the other hand, enhancement in PAHs degradation by accelerating the PAHs solubility
can be achieved by conjugation process. P. chrysosporium shows glucose as PAHs conjugates.
According to Sutherland (1992), 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene can be biotransformed by C. elegans
producing trans-3,4-dihydrodiol metabolites. It can be further metabolized into phenol carried out
by Mucor sp., P. chrysogenum. S. racemosum biosystem via conjugating with glucuronic acid.
ANTH biodegradation can be accomplished by various fungi such as Fusarium sp., Aspergillus sp.,
Penicillium sp., Trichoderma sp., Ulocladium chartarum and Absidia cylindrospora (Giraud et al.
2001). In addition to this, the non-ligninolytic fungi involved in pherenthrene metabolism usually
belong to Alternaria sp., F. culmorum, P. janczewskii, C. elegans, Cladosporium herbarum and
T. hamatum, etc. (Schmidt et al. 2010).

6.3.1.2.1 Cytochrome P450

Cytochrome P450 monooxygenase is a heme thiolate intra-cellular biocatalyst produced by
various species of fungi and bacteria. Usually, CYP450 accomplishes as terminal monooxygenases
which catalyze a wide range of biochemical reactions such as carbon hydroxylations, heteroatom­
oxygenations, dealkylations, epoxidations, reductions and dehalogenations (Bernhardt 2006).
Phenomenal eukaryotic Cytochrome P450 systems consist of P450 monooxygenase and P450
oxidoreductase and both these are typically membrane-associated (Zhuo and Fan 2021). WRF has
employed P450 monooxygenase systems for the oxidative decontamination and eradication of
several xenobiotic compounds, especially various organic pollutants like PAHs. It helps in converting
water-insoluble compounds into water-soluble compounds and cleaves the organic pollutants by
incorporating molecular oxygen. Most of the non-ligninolytic fungi can secrete this class of enzyme.
Examples of CYP450 producing fungi are P. chrysosporium, Cochliobolus lunatus and A. niger
which are evidenced by the bioremediation of PAHs. A significant amount (up to 89%) of B(a)P
degradation by the WRF P. chrysosporium has also been documented (Bhattacharya et al. 2013).
PHE degradation via cytochrome P450 system of P. sanguineus was also observed by Li et al.
(2018). Multiple PAH degrading capability and their transformation from PYR to 1-hydroxypyrene;
PHE to 3-phenanthrol, 4-phenanthrol, 9-phenanthrol; and B(a)P to 3-hydroxy B(a)P by the activity
of cytochrome P450 from P. chrysosporium has also been reported (Syed et al. 2010). Further,
Syed et al. (2011 and 2013) reported HMW-PAH degradation by the similar enzymatic potentiality
of P. chrysosporium. In addition to that, the conversion of PHE to phenanthrene trans-9,10­
dihydrodiol was shown by the P. chrysosporium with its same enzymatic activities (Ning et al.
2010). Ostrem Loss et al. (2019) investigated that PHE was bioremediated by the non-ligninolytic
fungi, P. chrysosporium, by utilizing CYP450 as the key enzyme. Despite the fungal origin,
researchers explored the enhanced CYP450 production by the development of recombinant strain
and subsequently gene expression in white-rot fungus in response to HMW-PAHs; for example,
the expression of genes CYP450-pc-1 and CYP450-pc-2 in P. chrysosporium (Lin et al. 2022). In
another study, the recombinant strain CYP63A2 of P. chrysosporium revealed ameliorated oxidation
capacity towards HMW-PAHs (Syed et al. 2013).

6.4 Production of Biosurfactants

Recent bioremediation studies emphasize on the use of biosurfactants having a microbial origin that
have attributed to the mineralization of PAHs in the environment (Guo and Wen 2021, Mekwichai
et al. 2020, Karlapudi et al. 2018). Greater biodegradable potentiality, lower toxicity, foam
formation and eco-sustainable nature of biosurfactants promote their application in the remediation
of PAHs over chemical surfactants (Pi et al. 2017). Microbial biosurfactants are surface-active
 Fungal Strategies for the Remediation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons 101

compounds made up of amphiphilic domains consisting of both a hydrophilic (polar) head as

well as hydrophobic (non-polar) tail, which bind with the complementary polarity compounds
by lowering the surface tension and interface pressure of solutions (John et al. 2021, Kour
et al. 2021). Synthesis of biosurfactants by various microbes enhances the solubility and causes
ease to mineralize non-polar compounds such as PAHs via mobilization, micelle formation and
solubilization, that accelerate their bio-accessibility to the microbial community in the environment
(Imam et al. 2022, Pourfadakari et al. 2021, Maia et al. 2019, Dell’Anno et al. 2018). Based on
the molecular structure, biosurfactants are categorized into two types (1) Low-molecular-weight
biosurfactants and (2) High-molecular weight biosurfactants. LMW-Biosurfactants are primarily
composed of lipopeptides, phospholipids, lipoproteins, fatty acids, glycolipids and neutral lipids,
which enhance the surface area of organic pollutants and accelerate their bioavailability in the
microbial cleanup process (Henkel and Hausmann 2019, Yuliani et al. 2018). HMW-Biosurfactants
include polysaccharides, lipopolysaccharides, proteins and lipoproteins which in turn can readily
interact with various surfaces and act as an emulsifier of pollutants like PAHs (Fenibo et al. 2019,
McClements and Gumus 2016).
Phellinus sp. and Polyporus sulphureus belong to the Basidiomycota phylum and are capable
of mineralizing HWM-PAHs by producing a high amount of biosurfactant. Biosurfactants secreted
by Phellinus sp. and P. sulphureus were achieved to remediate the oil spillage by the production
of biosurfactants with dry weight 3.4 g/L and 2.6 g/L where PAHs degradation potentiality were
evidenced as the emulsion index were 122 and 106%, respectively (Arun and Eyini 2011). Wang
et al. (2008) suggested that the biosurfactant rhamnolipid enhanced the functionality of extracellular
enzymes such as LiP and MnP synthesized by P. chrysosporium and laccase secreted by
P. simplicissimum. Additionally, P. ostreatus can degrade both LMW-PAHs as well as HMW-PAHs
facilitated with an emulsifier agent which also escalates the action of VP (Nikiforova et al. 2009).

6.5 Biochar Immobilized Fungal Administration

Biochar is a pyrolyzed carbonaceous substance that can be produced from biomass (woody waste)
through thermal treatment under anaerobic conditions. Biochar is environmentally friendly, of
low cost and a sustainable administrator, its features are primarily used for organic and inorganic
pollutant remediation. Biochar that has been totally carbonized and generated at temperatures
exceeding 500°C acts as a superior adsorbent for organic contaminants because of its vast surface
area, microporosity, hydrophobicity, C-N ratio and high pH value (Jatav et al. 2021). Features
that make biochar a promising strategy for the bioremediation of organic hydrocarbons like PAHs
are (i). Biochar can readily change its surface volume and quantity of oxygen molecules having
functional groups, (ii). Affinity towards organic hydrocarbon through the π-π bond, hydrogen bond
and covalent bond, (iii). Reduction in the bioavailability and solubility of organic pollutants such
as PAHs (cause immobilization of PAHs), and (iv). Microbial augmentation and phytoremediation
assisted with biochar enhancing its pollutant remediation efficiency by many folds. García-Delgado
et al. (2015) investigated that biochar immobilized fungal agent with P. ostreatus exhibited 55,
40, 31 and 89% biodegradation of HMW-PAHs like B(a)P, B(a)A, CHRY and DBA, respectively.
Biochar immobilized with P. chrysosporium hyphae was able to accelerate the rate of abatement of
PAHs like PHE with more than 90% removal efficiency (Zhang et al. 2022).

6.6 Utilization of Rhizospheric and Endophytic Fungi

Numerous documents have been recorded describing the plant uptake and bioaccumulation of
organic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from the soil (Anderson et al. 1993). Rhizospheric and endophytic
microbes play a critical part in the removal of PAHs from the soil, exhibiting an eco-friendly, low-
cost and sustainable approach. The rhizospheric microorganisms reside in the vicinity of plant roots
and get nourished by the root exudates, whereas endophytic microorganisms are the residents of
plant internal tissue. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi symbiotically associated with most herbaceous
102 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

plants are omnipresent. Arbuscular mycorrhizae perform several roles in plant growth, such as
enhancing nutrient and minerals uptake, drought resistance and immunization from plant diseases
(Pramanik et al. 2021, Hildebrandt et al. 2007). Arbuscular mycorrhizae such as Glomus mosseae
and G. etunicatum associated with ryegrass roots efficiently degrade PAHs such as FLR and PHE
(Gao et al. 2010). Chulalaksananukul et al. (2006) reported that Fusarium sp., isolated from the
leaves of Pterocarpus macrocarpus, capable of degrading B(a)P by 70% of 100 ppm concentration.
Kannangara et al. (2016) identified different endophytic fungi such as P. oxalicum, Nigrospora
oryzae, A. oryzae and A. aculeatus which are very efficient at degrading NAP as well as PHE above
than 85% of removal efficiency.

6.7 Conclusion
Nowadays, bioremediation approaches for environmental pollutants like PAHs of contaminated soil
have received significant importance in the scientific community as they are not easily eliminated
by natural processes and can reside for decades in the environment. In accordance with this, PAHs
are associated with various health issues such as cancer, kidney failure, lung malfunction, etc. In
this context, among the different PAHs remediation approaches, fungal bioremediation approaches
are the most promising techniques for the future as it promotes sustainability and cost-effectivity.
Fungal representatives like Basidiomycota and Ascomycota are the predominant communities,
involved in biodegradation of different types of LMW and HMW PAHs compounds. Accelerated
biotransformation of PAHs via mycoremediation strategies such as enzymatic metabolism,
biosurfactant production, biochar immobilized fungal administration and utilization of rhizospheric
and endophytic fungi can be harnessed as nature’s own medicine to combat with such polluting
ecological malaises. Utilization of these fungal strategies can accelerate the bioremediation of PAHs
and can open a “novel biotechnological green-window” for eco-sustainable mother earth.

Acknowledgement
Sandipan Banerjee and Nitu Gupta thank the Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India, for
granting DBT Twinning Project and Research Fellowship [No. BT/PR25738/NER/95/1329/2017
dated December 24, 2018]. Apurba Koley is thankful to the BBSRC, United Kingdom, for granting
funding from the BEFWAM project: Bioenergy, Fertilizer and Clean water from Invasive Aquatic
macrophytes [Grant Ref: BB/S011439/1] for financial support and research fellowship.

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Chapter 7
Microbe-Assisted
Bioremediation of Pesticides
from Contaminated Habitats
Current Status and Prospects
Karen Reddy,1 Shisy Jose,1 Tufail Fayaz,2
Nirmal Renuka,2,* Sachitra Kumar Ratha,3
Sheena Kumari 1 and Faizal Bux 1

7.1 Introduction
The rapid growth of the global pesticide market, driven by widespread use of pesticides in
agriculture and non-agriculture sectors, has led to the introduction of numerous pesticide residues
into the environment (Mali et al. 2022). Pesticides are recalcitrant and non-biodegradable, thus when
applied to farmlands, gardens and other vegetation, they often remain toxic for years (Gonçalves
and Delabona 2022). They are also carcinogenic in nature and are banned in many countries due to
the risk created by their presence in the environment (Singh et al. 2020). In addition to polluting soil
and crops, they also pose a threat to ground water and other aquatic environments (Castelo-Grande
et al. 2010, Lehmann et al. 2018). Most pesticides reach destinations other than their intended target,
even though each is designed to eliminate a specific pest (Huang et al. 2018, Mali et al. 2022).
Several technologies have been developed and applied to contaminated sites to eliminate
the adverse environmental effects of pesticides. These include, physical treatments (adsorption
and percolator filters) and chemical treatments (advanced oxidation) (Satish et al. 2017). Even
though these methods seem promising, they are not cost effective and have several disadvantages.
As a result, a strategic plan for reducing agrochemical use and implementing sustainable farming
practices is essential (Gupta et al. 2016, Sun et al. 2020, Avila et al. 2021).
One such avenue that has been explored is bioremediation and degradation combined with
microbes. It is a cost effective and environmentally friendly technology of soil and water reclamation

1
Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa-4001.
2
Algal Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, India-151401.
3
Phycology Laboratory, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, India-226001.
* Corresponding author: [email protected]
110 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

(Subashchandrabose et al. 2013). The two processes use living organisms to metabolize xenobiotics,
recalcitrant and toxic materials found in soil, water and sediments (Avila et al. 2021). There has been
extensive research on the biological removal of pesticides by microorganisms, including bacteria
(Arthrobacter, Bacillus, Corynebacterium, Flavobacterium, Pseudomonas and Rhodococcus), algae/
cyanobacteria (Chlorella, Scenedesmus, Synechococcus, Phormidium, Nostoc sp., Oscillatoria,
Anabaena sp., and Aulosira) and fungi (Penicillium, Aspergillus, Fusarium and Trichoderma)
(Nicolopoulou-Stamati et al. 2016). Several species display a strong pesticide degradation activity
and are highly adaptable (Subashchandrabose et al. 2013, Huang et al. 2018, Tarla et al. 2020). With
advanced metabolic mechanisms, microorganisms can use or transform pesticide molecules into
non-toxic or less hazardous forms of metabolites (Huang et al. 2018). This chapter aims to describe
the current status of pesticide pollution, and the types and mechanisms involved in microbe-assisted
bioremediation of pesticides.

7.2 Types of Pesticides

The term “pesticide” is used to describe a variety of insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, rodenticides
and garden chemicals. They may be grouped according to the type of pest to be controlled and by
their mode of action, penetration, chemical composition and toxicity (Table 7.1) (Castelo-Grande
et al. 2010). Pesticides are classified according to their chemical nature as organochlorine pesticides,
organophosphorus pesticides, carbamates and other pesticides such as pyrethroids, triazine, and
neonicotinoids (Nicolopoulou-Stamati et al. 2016). The use of pesticides creates significant risks to
the environment and non-target organisms, such as beneficial soil microorganisms, plants, fish and
birds. The main classes of pesticides are considered as follows:

7.2.1 Organochlorine Pesticides

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are chlorinated hydrocarbons that have been extensively used since
the 1940s for commercial agriculture, mosquito, termite and tsetse fly control (Nicolopoulou-Stamati
et al. 2016). The widely known organochlorine pesticides are dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane,
dieldrin, endosulfan, heptachlor, dicofol and methoxychlor (Nicolopoulou-Stamati et al. 2016).
These chemical substances act upon the pest’s nervous system by disrupting the enzyme that regulates
neurotransmitters (Huang et al. 2018). After application, they remain in the environment for up to
three decades and accumulate in water, food and sediments (Kafilzadeh 2015). Many studies suggest
the toxic potential of OCPs to human health including reproductive failure, birth defects, endocrine
disorders, lipid metabolism, immune system dysfunction and cancer (Lehmann et al. 2018, Tarla
et al. 2020, Bose et al. 2021, Gonçalves and Delabona 2022, Mali et al. 2022). Consequently, in
many countries, several OCPs are no longer permitted due to health and environmental concerns.

7.2.2 Organophosphorus Pesticides

Organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) are known as one of the major groups of pesticides widely
used in agriculture to control pests from exhibiting undesirable behavior. These include esters of
phosphoric acids as an alternative to organochlorine in pesticides (Mali et al. 2022). The most
widely used OPPs are glyphosate, chlorpyrifos, monocrotophos, acephate, bromophos, ectophos,
leptophos, quinalphos, malathion, parathion, dimethoate, tribufos, merphos and trichlorofon (Foong
et al. 2020). Studies have reported that these chemicals persist in soil for up to 10 to 360 d (Singh
and Walker 2006). Thus, posing increased environmental risk to flora and fauna in terrestrial and
aquatic ecosystems. Many ecosystems have been contaminated by OPPs, and they present threats
such as cardiovascular disease, dementia, neurological problems, autoimmune disorders, negative
effects on the reproductive system and other adverse effects on human health (Subashchandrabose
et al. 2013, Gonçalves and Delabona 2022).
 Microbe-Assisted Bioremediation of Pesticides from Contaminated Habitats 111

Table 7.1. An overview of commonly used pesticides.

Types of Chemical classification and Names of common pesticides References

pesticides mechanism of action
Insecticides Organochlorines, Acephate, aldrin, azinphos-methyl, Singh and Walker
organophosphorus, pyrethroids, bromophos, carbaryl, carbofuran, 2006, Huang et al.
carbamates, neonicotinoids carbosulfan, chlorpyrifos, chlordane 2008, Nicolopoulou-
• Acts upon insects’ nervous coumaphos, DDT, deltamethrin, Stamati et al. 2016,
system diazinon, dimethoate. Mali et al. 2022
Herbicides Triazines, urea Acetanilides, asulam, baraban, bentazon, Castelo-Grande et al.
• Inhibits photosynthesis butylate, chlorbromuron, chloropropham, 2010, Alamgir Zaman
chlorbrupham, cycloate, diallate, diuron, Chowdhury et al.
EPTC, glyphosate, karbutilate, linuron 2013, Bhandari, 2017,
Huang et al. 2018
Fungicides Organochlorines, organomercurials Azadirachtin, copper sulfate, ferbam, Zhang et al. 2011,
• Respiration and sterol mancozeb, maneb, pentachlorophenol, Bhandari, 2017
biosynthesis inhibitors thiram
Algicides Dicarboxylic acid, copper sulfate, Bacillamide, copper sulfate, Castelo-Grande et al.
copper chelates copper chelates, endothal, phorate 2010
• Targets specific physiological nostocarboline
process
Bactericides Concentrated alcohol, ether, Broponol, blue copper, chlorothalonil, Singh and Walker
aldehydes, phenolic compounds copper hydrochloride, copper 2006, Castelo-Grande
• Inhibit bacterial protein oxychloride, dithane, dithiocarbamates, et al. 2010, Huang
synthesis pathway formaldehyde, mancozeb, metalaxyl, et al. 2018, Tarla et
methyl phosphorus, polytrin, ridomil, al. 2020
triazoles, thiocarbamates
Nematicides Carbamates Adicarb, carbofuran, chloropicrin, Castelo-Grande et al.
• Damages specific and vital furadan, paladin, oxamyl, telone II, 2010, Hajihassani
processes in the nematode temik, vapam, vydate et al. 2018
tissues

Rodenticides Organobromines Brodifacoum, bromethalin, carbon Castelo-Grande et al.

• Interferes with the activation monoxide, chlorophacinone, 2010, DeClementi and
of blood clotting factors in the cholecalciferol, diphacinone, hydrogen Sobczak 2012
liver cyanide, methyl bromide, sulfur dioxide

DDT – Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, EPTC – Ethyl dipropylthiocarbamate

7.2.3 Carbamates
Carbamate compounds are commonly used as insecticides (esters of carbamic acid). While, the
derivatives of carbamic acid, thiocarbamic acid and dithiocarbamic acid are used as herbicides
(Gupta 2014). Regularly known carbamate pesticides are aldicarb, bendiocarb, carbofuran,
carbosulfan, carbaryl, methomyl, oxamyl, propoxur and ziram (Gupta 2014, Huang et al. 2018).
In soil and water, carbamates tend to hydrolyze easily, thus resulting in low levels of persistence in
the environment. The direct application of carbamates in soil can cause a significant reduction in
the microflora, worms and some of the compounds are toxic to mammals and birds (Basheer et al.
2009). Additionally, the excessive use of carbamates can disrupt enzymes that regulate acetylcholine,
which is a neurotransmitter in the nervous system. They cause disorders in reproductive and cellular
metabolic functions in animals and humans (Huang et al. 2018, Gonçalves and Delabona 2022).
112 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

7.2.4 Pyrethroids, Triazine, and Neonicotinoids

Pyrethroids are synthetic insecticides that are widely used in agriculture and the public health
sector. These are considered to be among the safer compounds currently available (Kolaczinski and
Curtis 2004). Pyrethroids are found in many commercial products used to control insects, including
household insecticides, pet sprays and shampoos (Nicolopoulou-Stamati et al. 2016). These include
permethrin, resmethrin, sumithrin, cypermethrin, chlorfenvinphos, deltamethrin, fenvalerate,
flumethrin and ivermectin (Huang et al. 2018). These compounds are neurotoxic, and extremely
toxic to fish and other insects but show less toxicity towards mammals and land birds (Kolaczinski
and Curtis 2004, Ray and Fry 2006). Triazines are widely used in agriculture as herbicides for
controlling weeds. Commonly used triazines are atrazine, simazine and ametryn. Among these,
atrazine is widely used as an herbicide, however, it has been banned from production to preserve
the environment (Nicolopoulou-Stamati et al. 2016). These herbicides are endocrine-disrupting
and carcinogenic, having long-term residual effects and creating health and environmental risks
(Zhang et al. 2021). Neonicotinoids are now the world’s most widely used insecticides (Hoshi
et al. 2014). It is water-soluble, easily absorbed by plants and transported throughout their tissues
for protection (Goulson 2013). Regularly known neonicotinoids are imidacloprid, thiacloprid and
guadipyr. Studies have concluded that these insecticides do not present a high risk to non-targeted
organisms; however, they can have possible adverse effects on the endocrine and reproductive
systems of animals (Bal et al. 2012).

7.3 Current Status of Pesticide Pollution

In the past decade, the global production of pesticides, or so-called plant protection products, has
been growing at a significant rate. In 1990, the production was 2.3 million tons, but in 2018, it
reached 4.1 million tons and this growth is expected to continue during the next decade (Degrendele
et al. 2022). While pesticides protect food production and cater to global food demand, they are also
ubiquitous environmental pollutants that negatively impact water quality, biodiversity and human
health (Landrigan et al. 2018). As a result of their toxicity and carcinogenicity, pesticides have always
been deemed potentially harmful to living systems and have been a matter of debate and concern.
Over the last few years, a high concentration of pesticides has been detected in environments such
as agricultural, forest regions and surrounding water, across the globe. Recent data reports by Tang
et al. (2021), documented the world geography of environmental risk of pollution by pesticides
in 168 countries. Worldwide, more than 70% of agricultural land is polluted by pesticides. The
risk of pollution was determined by pesticide residues exceeding the no-effect concentration in
the environment, and it was considered high risk if the residues exceeded this by three orders of
magnitude. In Figure 7.1, the land area subjected to low quantity and high variability of water
supply and high risk of pollution by pesticide mixtures is demonstrated for the top 30 high- and
low-income countries. About 34% of high-risk areas are in high-biodiversity regions, 5% are in
water-scarce areas, and 19% are in low- and lower-middle-income countries. Among the regions
of concern are South Africa, China, Australia and India due to high pesticide pollution risks, high
biodiversity and water scarcity. Therefore, in order to transition to a low-pesticide future, global
mandates for pesticide management and responsible food consumption should be implemented to
reduce pesticide application at a global scale.

7.4 Microbe Assisted Bioremediation and their Prospects

Bioremediation of pesticides can be achieved by using various biological systems, as microorganisms
(bacteria, fungi, cyanobacteria and algae) are major ways involved in the breakdown of pesticides.
Microbe-assisted bioremediation is considered eco-friendly and a green option for converting
pesticides into non-toxic or less toxic metabolites. It is a low-cost technology approach that is
generally accepted by the public and can be carried out most often on site (Azubuike et al. 2016).
 Microbe-Assisted Bioremediation of Pesticides from Contaminated Habitats 113

Figure 7.1. The top 30 countries susceptible to high pesticide pollution risk (Tang et al. 2021).

A bioremediation method can be classified into three subcategories: in-situ, ex-situ solid or ex-situ
slurry. In-situ techniques treat soils and associated groundwater on-site without excavation, while
ex-situ techniques require excavation prior to treatment (Shukla et al. 2010). Three fundamental
principles guide the choice of an appropriate bioremediation technology, namely the ability of the
pollutant to be transformed biologically, the accessibility of the contaminant to microorganisms and
the possibility of optimizing biological activity (Dua et al. 2002). Biological activity is achieved as
microorganisms use the contaminants as nutrients or energy sources. By introducing microorganisms
with desired catalytic capabilities or by supplementing nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), electron
acceptors (oxygen) and substrates (methane, phenol, and toluene), the activity of the microbe can
be further stimulated (Shukla et al. 2010). However, the appropriate degrading enzymes and several
environmental factors also contribute to the remediation of pesticides. The possible roles and
applications of microbes for the remediation of pesticides are further summarized.

7.4.1 Bacteria-assisted Degradation

In nature, pesticides continue for many years and travel along various food chains (Kalyabina et al.
2021). The fate of pesticides in the ecosystem is determined by their physico-chemical properties and
inherent biodegradability as a result of their structure (Bernardino et al. 2012). Many pesticides have
insoluble properties, that can cause residues to remain in the environment and then negatively affect
the ecosystem. In order to minimize the impact of pesticides in the environment, several methods
have been developed for pesticide remediation. The traditional methods for pesticide remediation
(physical, chemical and physico-chemical degradation) can, however, produce secondary pollutants
that cause additional harm to the environment. Furthermore, the increased cost involved in using
these techniques makes them unfeasible for pesticide removal from contaminated sites (Rajmohan
et al. 2020). Thus, bioremediation of pesticides by using beneficial living organisms has been
explored as an alternative (Deng and Wang 2016). Bioremediation of pesticide-polluted sites or
samples via microorganisms has become a desired method for decontamination. It is an efficient,
cost-effective technique for remediating pesticides without causing any harm to the environment,
as they metabolize pesticides for nutrients and release CO2 and H2O during the process (Huang
et al. 2018). Several microorganisms, including bacteria, have been isolated and used to degrade
toxic pesticides from contaminated sites (Sarker et al. 2021). Many potential bacterial genera, such
as Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Acinetobacter, Klebsiella and Burkholderia are effective in pesticide
114 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

Table 7.2. The remediation of pesticides by common bacterial strains from the environment.

Bacterial strain Pesticide Remediation (%) Retention time References

Acinetobacter Diazinon 88.27 20d Amani et al. 2018
Pseudomonas Chlorpyrifos 65 6d Ajaz et al. 2012
Endosulfan 70–80 5d Zaffar et al. 2018
DDT 67.55 7d Powthong et al. 2016
Atrazine 99.9 2d Cai et al. 2003
Bacillus Fipronil 73 42d Mandal et al. 2013
Mesotrione 99 5h Sun et al. 2020
DDT 67.55 7d Powthong et al. 2016
Imidacloprid 25.36–45.48 25d Sabourmoghaddam et al. 2015
Klebsiella Imidacloprid 78 7d Phugare et al. 2013
Burkholderia Dieldrin 39 7d Matsumoto et al. 2008
Endrin 74 14d Matsumoto et al. 2008

DDT – Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; d – days; hr – hours

bioremediation of diverse chemical classes (Singh et al. 2020). Pesticides are remediated by bacteria
based on species specificity and several abiotic factors, such as temperature, pH, nutrient content,
moisture and humidity (Huang et al. 2018). Among pesticides, bacteria are the main degraders
of organochlorines. These are synthetic organic compounds containing at least one covalently
bonded chlorine atom and are insecticides primarily composed of carbon, hydrogen and chlorine.
Some of the most known organochlorine pesticides include, dieldrin, aldrin, lindane, endosulfan,
dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH). Pesticides containing
organophosphates (imidacloprid, diazinon and chlorpyrifos) are also among the chemical groups
investigated for degradation by bacteria (Jayaraj et al. 2016).
A few earlier reports (Table 7.2) had suggested the potential of Pseudomonas sp. for the
remediation of insecticides and herbicides. Endosulfan (insecticide) was bioremediated by
Pseudomonas fluorescens during a 5 d laboratory study. The results of the study showed that up to
80% of endosulfan could be remediated (Zaffar et al. 2018). In another study, approximately 99.9%
of atrazine (herbicide) was remediated after 2 d incubation with Pseudomonas sp. There has also been
research into the use of bacterial mixtures for pesticide remediation (Cai et al. 2003). When a mixture
of Pseudomonas stutzeri, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus firmus was used in a week-long
laboratory study, approximately 68% of the DDT (insecticide) was remediated. Imidacloprid, another
insecticide, was remediated by Klebsiella pneumonia (78%) and Bacillus subtilis (25.36–45.48%)
during 7-d and 25-d experiments, respectively (Phugare et al. 2013, Sabourmoghaddam et al. 2015).
Additionally, Burkholderia and Acinetobacter were found to be capable of remediating pesticides
during tests conducted over a week. Almost all the potential bacterial strains were isolated from soil
samples, indicating the cost-effectiveness of using indigenous bacteria for pesticide remediation.
Bacteria can interact, both chemically and physically, with substances, leading to structural
changes or complete degradation of the target molecule (Ortiz-Hernández et al. 2013). Bacteria
can transform or degrade pesticides into less toxic or non-toxic forms (McGuinness and Dowling
2009). This is commonly known as a detoxification mechanism (Figure 7.2), where bacteria produce
intracellular and extracellular enzymes (Singh et al. 2020). The activity of enzymes depends on the
metabolic potential of the bacteria to detoxify or transform the pollutants, which depends on both
accessibility and bioavailability (Ramakrishnan et al. 2011). There could be three phases to the
metabolism of pesticides. Phase one involves the transformation of the initial properties of the parent
compound through oxidation, reduction or hydrolysis. This transformation produces a more water-
soluble and usually less toxic product than the parent. In the second phase, a pesticide or pesticide
 Microbe-Assisted Bioremediation of Pesticides from Contaminated Habitats 115

Figure 7.2. Mechanisms of pesticide degradation in bacterial system.

metabolite is conjugated to a sugar or amino acid, that increases its water solubility and reduces its
toxicity. During the third phase, phase two metabolites are converted into secondary conjugates,
which are also non-toxic (Ramakrishnan et al. 2011). The overall metabolism of pesticides by
enzymes proves to be favorable, as enzymes are more resistant to environmental conditions, which
makes it easier for them to remove pesticides more efficiently from affected areas (Huang et al.
2008). Therefore, it is imperative to identify species of bacteria that can thrive in extreme conditions
and completely degrade pesticides. A combination of mechanistic approaches and microbial genetic
advancement can enhance sustainable pesticide bioremediation by identifying the most effective
bacterial strains or bacterial consortia.

7.4.2 Phyco-assisted Degradation

The persistence of pesticides creates a grave threat to the environment, and their removal is crucial
in maintaining stability in the ecosystem (Bodin 2014). For many years, biological approaches have
been used in the removal of inorganic pollutants such as pesticides. There is a growing interest in
cyanobacteria and micro- and macroalgae as potent organisms for removing pesticides. It has been
shown that these organisms easily adapt to environmental changes and can grow efficiently under
various stress conditions (Mata et al. 2010). A wide range of photosynthetic algae exist, ranging
from single cells to multicellular organisms (Singh et al. 2020). They can grow in the presence and
absence of light and utilize organic carbon as an energy source (Subashchandrabose et al. 2013). As
part of a sustainable future, these photosynthetic microorganisms can be used for the remediation
of pesticides at contaminated sites. Research on phycoremediation technology, i.e., the utilization
of microalgae/cyanobacteria and their consortia as bioremediating agents, has proved to have
promising potential. Several authors have reported that common algal strains can remove pesticides
from contaminated environments, mainly by biosorption, bioaccumulation and biodegradation
(Table 7.3) (Verasoundarapandian et al. 2022).
Pesticide biosorption occurs in both living and dead photosynthetic organisms, as this
mechanism is not dependent on energy for the removal of pesticides in contaminated environments.
116 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

Table 7.3. Remediation of pesticides by common algal/cyanobacterial strain.

Algal/ Pesticide Mode of action Remediation Retention References

cyanobacterial (%) time
Strain
Nostoc Malathion Biodegradation 91 52 d Ibrahim et al. 2014
Coleofasciculus Chlorpyrifos Biodegradation 90 21 d Vijayan et al. 2020
Fischerella Methyl parathion Bioadsorption ~ 80 5d Tiwari et al. 2017
Chlamydomonas Trichlorfon Biodegradation 100 10 d Wan et al. 2020
Fluroxypyr Bioaccumulation/ 57 5d Zhang et al. 2011
biodegradation
Prometryne Bioaccumulation/ 30-40 4d Jin et al. 2012
biodegradation
Atrazine Bioaccumulation 14-36 Kabra et al. 2014
Scenedesmus Pyrimethanil Biodegradation 10 4d Dosnon-Olette et al.
2010
Dimethomorph Biodegradation 24 4d Dosnon-Olette et al.
2010
Isoproturon Biodegradation 58 4d Dosnon-Olette et al.
2010
Chlorella Simazine Biodegradation 97 5d Hussein et al. 2017
Pendimethalin Biosorption 88 5d Hussein et al. 2017

d – days

In the biosorption process, the liquid and solid phases contain the dissolved or suspended pesticides
to be absorbed. It could be defined as the attachment of potentially toxic pesticides to the surface
of the photosynthetic strain. Pesticides are biosorbed in a passive and metabolically independent
process that occurs faster than bioaccumulation (Verasoundarapandian et al. 2022). Strains
such as Chlorella and Fischerella have been reported to remediate > 80% of pesticides through
biosorption (Hussein et al. 2017, Tiwari et al. 2017). While bioaccumulation studies on fluroxypyr,
prometryne and atazarine, have shown that members of Chlorophyta are able to accumulate
pesticides during 4–5-d intervals but at a lower rate (< 60%) (Jin et al. 2012, Kabra et al. 2014,
Zhang et al. 2021). The bioaccumulation ability of organisms such as algae is determined by their
lipid content, which is influenced by their growth conditions and cell distribution (Sakurai et al.
2016). In addition to bioaccumulating pesticides, these photosynthetic organisms are also able to
transform and degrade pesticides into non-toxic or less toxic compounds. Pesticide degradation is
influenced by microorganism types, optimal environmental conditions and the metabolic activity of
various enzymes (hydrolase, phosphatase, phosphodiesterase, oxygenase, esterase, transferase and
oxidoreductases) (Verasoundarapandian et al. 2022). The probable biosorption, bioaccumulation
and biodegradation processes for the removal of pesticides in photosynthetic microorganisms are
shown in Figure 7.3.
Phycoremediation technology offers additional benefits such as minimized greenhouse
gas emissions from the environment and biomass reuse (Renuka et al. 2018, Reddy et al. 2021,
Renuka et al. 2021). Therefore, phycoremediation of pesticides can be a promising integrated and
sustainable approach for eco-friendly and efficient removal of pesticides from contaminated areas
with additional environmental benefits (Singh et al. 2020).
 Microbe-Assisted Bioremediation of Pesticides from Contaminated Habitats 117

Figure 7.3. Mechanisms of pesticide remediation in algae.

7.4.3 Myco-assisted Degradation

Fungi are ubiquitous eukaryotic heterotrophic living organisms present in various habitats (Sanchez
and Demain 2017, Singh et al. 2020). Several fungi can remove harmful chemicals from the
environment, including pesticides, industrial wastes, dyes and personal care products (Deshmukh
et al. 2016). Fungal mycelium facilitates deep penetration into soil, allowing many pollutants to
be transported or translocated to cells (Sagar and Singh 2011). Therefore, fungi can access the
contaminated area in the deeper layers and degrade compounds that are inaccessible to bacteria
(Harms et al. 2011). Since fungal mycelium has low specificity of catabolic enzymes and can utilize
non-specific organic compounds, it is more suitable for degrading pesticides (Harms et al. 2011,
Chen et al. 2012).
Several studies have been conducted to isolate and characterize fungal strains that can
remediate pesticides (Shahi et al. 2016, Saez et al. 2018). Different fungal species are reported
to remediate pesticides using different processes and mechanisms (Figure 7.3). Bioremediation
of many pesticides such as oxytetracycline, cypermethrin, carbofuran, hexachlorocyclohexane,
chlorophenol and petroleum-based pesticides has been reported to be achieved using fungi such as
Trametes versicolor (Chen et al. 2014, Mir-Tutusaus et al. 2014), Pleurotus ostreatus (Sadiq et al.
2015) and Ganoderma lucidum (Kaur et al. 2016). Trametes versicolor is also known for its ability
to degrade carbamate pesticides (methomyl, methocarb and aldicarb) when grown in a defined
liquid medium (Rodríguez-Rodríguez et al. 2017). Phlebia species such as Lenzites betulinus and
118 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

Irprex lacteus demonstrated degradation rates greater than 70%, when grown in the presence of
chlorpyrifos at a temperature of 30°C and pH 7 (Wang et al. 2020). In another study, Fang et al.
(2008), reported the removal of chlorpyrifos by the fungal strain verticillium sp. with high removal
efficiency. Kulshrestha and Kumari (2011), explored the potential removal of chlorpyrifos in both
mixed and pure fungi. They reported that mixed cultures could remove up to 300 mg L–1 chlorpyrifos.
Another widely used insecticide of interest, allethrin, has a direct impact on human health. Bhatt
et al. (2020) isolated Fusarium proliferatum CF2 from an allethrin contaminated agriculture site.
The isolate could completely degrade the allethrin in 6 d. Endosulfan is degraded by a variety of
fungal strains, including Paecilomyces variotii, Paecilomyces lilacinus (Hernández-Ramos et al.
2019), Aspergillus sydoni (Goswami et al. 2009), Pleurotus eryngi (Wang et al. 2018), Aspergillus
niger, Penicillium chrysogenum and Aspergillus flavus (Ahmad 2020). Endosulfan degradation
was also reported using Trametes hirsute (Kamei et al. 2011). Two pathways were reported, i.e.,
hydrolysis and oxidation of endosulfan that convert it to endosulfan diol and endosulfan sulfate,
respectively. In an aqueous medium and soil, the bacterial and fungal consortia could remove
endosulfan effectively (Abraham and Silambarasan 2014).
Several studies have reported the efficacy of fungi to degrade different pesticides (Table 7.4).
Phanerochaete chrysosporium grown in 10 mg L–1 of thiamethoxam resulted in degradation rates
of 49 and 98% during 15 and 25 d, respectively (Chen et al. 2021). An estimated 71% of triclosan
was degraded by Aspergillus versicolor (Ertit Taştan and Dönmez 2015). Trichoderma harzianum
CBMAI 167 isolated from a marine environment was grown in 50 mg L–1 of pentachlorophenol
(PCP), which resulted in complete degradation to pentachloroanisole (PCA) after incubation for
7 d (Vacondio et al. 2015). It was also observed that PCA was degraded by Trichoderma harzianum
CBMAI 167. When Bjerkandera adusta and Anthracophyllum discolor species were grown in PCP
contaminated soil (100, 250 and 350 mg kg–1), both fungi degraded PCP, however, the highest

Table 7.4. Pesticide removal efficiency of various fungal strains from the environment.

Fungal Strain Pesticide Pesticide Remediation Reaction References

concentration (%) time
(mg L–1)
Phanerochaete Thiamethoxam 10 49 10 d Chen et al. 2021
chrysosporium 10 98 25 d
Fusarium oxysporum Malathion 0.4 100 8d Peter et al. 2015
Strain JASA1
Aspergilus fumigatus and Chlorpyrifos 10 98.4 30 d Kumar et al. 2021
Byssochlamys spectabilis
consortia
Fusarium proliferatum Allethrin 50 100 6d Bhatt et al. 2020
Strain CF2
Aspergillus vesicolor Trichlosan 7.5 71.91 5d Ertit Taştan and
Dönmez 2015
Aspergillus niger Endosulfan 35 100 5d Bhalerao and
Puranik 2007
Aspergillus niger Diazinon 25 82 7d Hamad 2020
13 MK640786
Ganoderma lucidum GL2 Lindane, 0.004–0.040 75.5 28 d Kaur et al. 2016
Trichoderma harzianum Pentachlorophenol 50 100 7d Vacondio et al.
CBMAI 167 2015

d – days
 Microbe-Assisted Bioremediation of Pesticides from Contaminated Habitats 119

removal (95%) of PCP was attained by Anthracophyllum discolor after an incubation of 28 d

(Rubilar et al. 2007).
Abdel-Fattah Mostafa et al. (2022), isolated six fungal strains from contaminated soil and
determined their removal efficiency for diazinon. The collected soil samples were found to contain
0.106 mg kg–1 of the pesticide diazinon. Among different fungal strains, B. antenatal was more
effective in removing diazinon (83.88%) followed by Trichoderma viride (80.26%), A. niger
(78.22%), Rhizopus stolonifer (77.36%) and Fusarium graminearum (75.43%) in 10 d. Strains
such as Aspergillus sydowii CBMAI 935 and Trichoderma sp. were able to reduce 63 and 70% of
chlorpyrifos after 30 d of incubation, respectively (Alvarenga et al. 2015). Ganoderma lucidum
GL-2 strain, showed the potential for the degradation of lindane (organochlorine pesticide) when
grown on rice bran substrate (Kaur et al. 2016). Biodegradation of lindane was higher (59.4%)
using F. solani when compared to F. poae (56.7%) (Sagar and Singh 2011). It has been reported that
Phlebia tremellosa, Phlebia brevispora and Phlebia acanthocystis could eliminate roughly 71, 74
and 90% of heptachlor, respectively, in a period of 14 d (Xiao et al. 2011). Alvarenga et al. (2014)
studied the efficiency of Aspergillus sydowii CBMAI 934, and Penicillium decaturense CBMAI
1234 for methyl parathion removal. A. sydowii CBMAI 934 was able to remove 100% of methyl
parathion in 20 d, whereas P. decaturense CBMAI 1234 degraded 100% methyl parathion in 30 d
(Alvarenga et al. 2014).
Different fungal species have been reported to effectively remediate pesticides from various
contaminated environments. However, several factors, such as species type, temperature, incubation
time and growth medium, influence the rate and efficiency of remediation of agrochemicals. In
addition, accelerated co-metabolism can be achieved by implementing the use of microbial consortia
for the effective bioremediation of many pesticides. Therefore, mixed consortia or synergistic
effects of the rhizosphere encourage and require further research for improving the efficiency of
bioremediation of pesticides.

7.5 Future Aspects and Conclusion

The overall evaluation of microbial bioremediation suggests a constructive outlook for microbe-
assisted pesticide remediation. Nevertheless, more scientific investigations into the technical
aspects of microbial bioremediation systems are needed. The major restriction in microbial pesticide
bioremediation is the long response time, which is usually due to the growth of microbes not being
supported by environmental conditions. The accessibility and bioavailability of pesticides is another
major challenge that limits the efficiency of bioremediation. Researchers are continuously exploring
advanced bioengineering techniques to develop bioremediation tools that could be applied to explore
the molecular basis of bioremediation and improve its efficiency. In depth studies using molecular
approaches, including metatranscriptomics, metagenomics, metaproteomics and metabolomics, are
required to reveal the interactions within communities and between different species in the microbe-
assisted bioremediation systems. Genetic engineering is a crucial systemic technology to modify
the metabolic pathways of microbes for improved remediation. In order to improve the practical
feasibility, some novel concepts for degrading pesticides using integrated processes and genetic
modifications to improve microbial based bioremediation technologies are also recommended.

Acknowledgment
The authors hereby acknowledge the Durban University of Technology, South Africa (UID: 84166),
Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, India (CUPB/Acad./2022/1194), and CSIR-National
Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, India for providing facilities.
120 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

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Chapter 8
Pseudomonas putida
An Environment Friendly Bacterium
Sneha S. Das and Gunderao H. Kathwate*

8.1 Introduction
The world’s population is rapidly increasing. The current global population is estimated to be
7.97 billion people as of 2020. This has obvious consequences for the world in which we live.
To meet the needs of a growing population, soil, water and air pollution are unavoidable. The use
of living organisms to degrade pollutants in order to prevent pollution, restore natural surroundings
and prevent further pollution is known as bioremediation. This process employs microorganisms
such as bacteria, fungi, algae and others. Pollutants including pesticides are metabolized and used
as carbon or nitrogen sources for survival. Microorganisms can also be used to synthesize a number
of metabolites, including anabolites and catabolites. Recombinant DNA techniques can be used to
modify wild-type organisms.
Microorganisms can also be used to synthesize a range of metabolites, including pesticide
and other xenobiotic compounds. Traditional methods and recombinant DNA techniques are being
used to improve the productivity of wild-type organisms. This can be accomplished through the
selection of mutants with desired phenotypes in controlled environmental conditions. Microbial
techniques have attempted to compete with chemical product synthesis. Rising prices for petroleum,
a non-renewable resource, necessitates the use of microbial production. First, advances in metabolic
engineering techniques have resulted in engineered microorganisms that produce an excess of
metabolites and intermediates. Another significant advancement is “heterologous expression of
genes”, which involves introducing genes from other organisms into microbial cells, that then
express these foreign genes.
Second, the compounds produced by microorganisms are highly specific in terms of structure,
position and stereochemistry. As a result, the cost of the downstream process is reduced. Third,
unlike chemical synthesis, microbial processes do not use toxic heavy metals as catalysts, and the
operating temperatures and pressures are lower. Microorganisms can produce valuable chemicals as
well as degrade toxic pollutants. Sophisticated recombinant DNA techniques are used for targeted
genetic manipulations, changing existing pathways or heterologous expression of genes in a new
external pathway (Santos and Stephanopoulos 2008). However, the relationship between phenotype
and genotype in organisms is extremely complex. To achieve the desired phenotype, a combination
of genome editing tools are used.

Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune 411007.

* Corresponding author: [email protected]
126 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

The purpose of genetic improvement would be to develop non-growing but metabolically active
sedentary cells that would reroute the metabolic fluxes away from growth and towards product
formation. However, when it comes to products such as recombinant proteins that are intimately
related to the process of growth, it could be challenging to identify the genes that need to be
knocked-out or knocked-in in order to achieve the phenotype that is desired. In order to get around
the challenge, inverse metabolic engineering is the best option. Inverse metabolic engineering is the
process of elucidating a metabolic engineering technique through the identification, construction
or calculation of a desired phenotype, the identification of the genetic or specific environmental
elements conferring that the phenotype, and the intentional genetic or environmental alteration of
another strain or organism to give that phenotype. Inverse Metabolic Engineering (IME) is divided
into three steps:
i. Choosing or creating strains with the desired phenotype.
ii. Investigating the impact of genetic and environmental factors on the phenotype.
iii. Transferring the phenotype to a different organism.
An ideal balance between phenotypic expression and cell viability is essential since genes are
being overexpressed. The expression of several enzymes should be balanced (Koffas et al. 2003,
Pitera et al. 2007). All the enzymes involved in a pathway must work together. An imbalance
expression leads to accumulation of intermediate metabolites, potentially impairing cell viability.
This chapter will briefly discuss y how genetic modifications can be made in microbial cells
to achieve the desired phenotypic expression. Some prior knowledge about the pathways and the
metabolites is important prerequisite.
The applications of Pseudomonas spp. described in this chapter are divided into two parts.
To begin with, it entails the use of engineered microbes to degrade pollutants in the environment.
Pesticides of the class organophosphate and others are discussed here, including Benzene/
toluene/p-xylene (BTX), phenylurea, methyl parathion and cadmium; 1,2,3-trichloropropane;
phenol; chlorpyrifos; carbofuran; c-hexachlorocyclohexane (c-HCH) or lindane; S-triazines;
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs); Diuron; Naphthol. Second, it includes ethylene,
polyhydroxyalkanoate, 2-methylcitric acid, isoprenoid, long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids,
n-butanol, para-hydroxyl benzoic acid, and enzyme production using pollutants as a substrate
(Figure 8.1). Many conventional chemical synthesis methods rely on depleting petroleum as a
prerequisite. As a result, microorganisms are being used in the clean and green synthesis of a wide
range of petroleum products.
Pseudomonas putida

Parathion Ethylene
Value added products

Chlorpyrifos
Pesticides

Benzene Mcl PHA

Toluene Scl PHA
p-Xylene methylcitric
Phenyl urea
Methyl parathion acid
Trichloro propane FDCA
Phenol Isoprenoid
c-HCH
Carbofuran Lc PUFA
β-cypermethrin n-Butanol
s-Triazine PHBA
PAH
Naphthalene Enzymes

Figure 8.1. Utilization of Pseudomonas putida for the degradation of pesticides and production of value-added
products, PAH-Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, c-HCH-c Hexachlorocyclohexane, mcl-PHA, medium chain length
polyhydroxyalkanoates, short chain length polyhydroxyalkanoates, FDCA-2,5 furandicarboxyalic acid, Lc-PUFA-long chain
polyunsaturated fatty acid, PHBA-para-Hydroxy benzoic acid.
 Pseudomonas putida: An Environment Friendly Bacterium 127

Microorganisms found in nature may have some restriction on degradation of substrate and
synthesis of a product. Such microorganism especially bacteria can be improved by making a
change in the genes using different tools available today. Furthermore, utilization of constitutive
promoter libraries can modulate gene expression. They have a wide range of expression levels and
can control multiple genes at the same time (Alper et al. 2005b, Jensen and Hammer 1998). This
kind of system also eliminates the need for inducible systems. It is extremely useful in large-scale
product production. Secondary structures of mRNA, RNase cleavage sites and RBS sequestering
sequences are the post-transcription modulators and control the expression of multiple genes under
the control of single promotor. Tunable Intergenic Regions (TIGR) placed between coding regions
aid in post-transcriptional manipulation of phenotype expression (Pfleger et al. 2006).

8.2 Techniques for strain Improvement

Microorganisms with/without desired characters can be improved by using various methods
modulating sequence in the genome by adding or removing the nucleotides. Such changes can
be made using evolutionary engineering and genetic engineering. The concept of evolutionary
engineering is based on the idea that organisms naturally evolve and undergo mutations in order
to do so (Sauer 2001). As the frequency of mutation is very low in evolutionary engineering,
mutagenic agents, physical or chemical can cause changes in an organism’s DNA. This includes
the use of nitrosoguanidine, ultraviolet light, etc., to introduce point mutations and increase the
population’s variation (Adrio and Demain 2006). Site directed mutation is carried out due to prior
knowledge of functioning of the gene. Required mutation can be implemented using different
methods revolving around thermocycler mediated polymerizing reactions. Using recombinant DNA
technology, random or site-specific genetic variations can be introduced into the microorganism.
This can be accomplished through transposon mutagenesis. Transposition is the process of moving a
chromosomal segment from one location to another. For example, the incorporation of an antibiotic
marker sequence into the organism’s genome via transposon (Alper et al. 2005a). Tn5 transposon
is used for random chromosomal integration, and Tn7 transposon is used for targeted chromosomal
integration, homologous recombination (RecET-mediated recombination can be used for greater
efficiency), and Cre/loxO integration (Aoyama et al. 2005). Pseudomonas putida KT2440 rDNA
is a favourable locus for biosynthetic gene cluster expression (Bojanovič et al. 2017). Antisense
RNA inhibition is another approach (antisense cDNA is used to downregulate the gene expression)
to control the expression of a particular gene (Bojanovič et al. 2017). In some cases, instead of
down regulating the gene expression, overexpression is necessary. Gene overexpression can be
accomplished by inserting the expression vector plasmid into the organism. In plasmid vectors,
single or multiple biosynthesis genes or operons are introduced (Aoyama et al. 2005).
Site specific recombination can generate a scar after deletion mutation in the form of FRT
(Flp/Flp recombination target) or lox sites. Thus, the recognition sites recombine in the chromosome
generating deletion or inversion mutations. Furthermore, the selection method fails to select
resistance cassette deleted mutants. A counter-selective marker is a method of genetic modification
that does not use markers. This technique can be used to positively select double recombinants for
plasmid excision. Counter-selective marker systems employ sucrose, fusaric acid and streptomycin
as substrates for mutant selection (Reyrat et al. 1998, Graf and Altenbuchner 2011). A novel
counter-selective marker system is the upp gene, which codes for UPRTase from Bacillus subtilis,
Enterococcus faecalis and other bacteria. UPRTase converts 5-flurouracil to 5-fluro-UMP, which
is then converted to 5-fluro-dUMP. The latter is harmful to cells. This is particularly useful for
the deletion or insertion of large DNA fragments. Meganucleases, Zinc Finger Nucleases and
Transcription activator-like effector nucleases are homing endonucleases that recognize and cleave
longer DNA sequences (12 to 40 base pairs). ZFNs and TALENs are fusion proteins made up of
a DNA binding domain engineered by scientists and a nonspecific nuclease (Sharma and Shukla
128 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

2022). TALENs and ZFNs can recognize one and three base pairs with modular regulatory proteins,
respectively. CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats)-Cas is an
adaptive immune system that protects bacteria from foreign nucleic acids. CRISPR-Cas systems
are a type of adaptive immune defence mechanism found in prokaryotes. This mechanism can be
used to create specific double-stranded DNA breaks. NHEJ or HDR oversee repairing these sites
(Sharma and Shukla 2022). CRISPR has several benefits, including high precision, convenience of
design, fast turnaround time and is inexpensive. The disadvantage of CRISPR is that it may cause
cell death in bacteria that lack the NHEJ repair system. To combat this, recombinase proteins such as
SSr and -Red are used (Caldwell and Bell 2019). For example, 2,5--furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA)
is a renewable alternative to petroleum-based terephthalic acid and is used to make polyurethanes,
polyamides and polyesters (Pham et al. 2020). As a result, FDCA is a critical component of industrial
production. A number of enzymes convert 5-hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF) to FDCA (Caldwell
and Bell 2019, Pham et al. 2020 Zhang et al. 2002, Biot-Pelletier and Martin 2014). Recombinant
P. putida S12 expressing HMF/furfural oxireductase can produce FDCA where CRISPR-Cas was
used to induce double-stranded breaks. Double-stranded breaks were then used to recombine
HMF/furfural oxidoreductase through Red-mediated recombineering. The recombinant strain was
extremely efficient, converting approximately 88–85% of HMF to FDCA and frequent one-step
stable gene integration was possible into all chromosomes of polyploid P. putida S12. As a result,
the most stable strain of P. putida S12 was produced for the synthesis of FDCA. Although the
stable integration of genes and efficient degradation was observed in this recombinant strain, higher
concentration HMF (100 mM) was affecting the conversion. Initial increased density of biomass
rescues the inhibition with increased conversion 100 mM and 150 mM HMF to 96 to 75% of FDCA
(Hsu et al. 2020).
Genome shuffling is another method usually used for strain improvement at the industrial level.
It is a combination of DNA shuffling and directed evolution used to improve strains (Zhang et al.
2002). DNA shuffling has successfully achieved directed molecular evolution of several genes and
pathways (Biot-Pelletier and Martin 2014). For genome shuffling, the protoplast fusion method is
employed where the fusion of two cells with different genetic traits achieves the desired modified
phenotype. Even intergenic hybridization between Aspergillus niger and Penicillium digitatum
results in increased verbenol production (Rao et al. 2003). The consequence of protoplast fusion is
a library of strains with accumulated mutations. These strains can now be screened for phenotypes
of interest. As a result, it is a very useful tool, and more hybrid strains can be obtained than through
protoplast fusion as more parents are involved and saves a lot of assays and time (Zhang et al. 2002).
Pseudomonas are the gram-negative saprophytic in most of the soil dwelling bacteria. One
of the most important features of Pseudomonas sps., is degradation of almost all type of carbon
skeletons. The Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee has approved Pseudomonas putida as one
of the popular bacteria for genetic engineering and certified it as a biosafe host for heterologous gene
expression (Nelson et al. 2002). They exhibit rapid and robust growth. P. putida is resistant to very
high concentrations of toxic especially xenobiotic compounds due to solvent resistance mechanisms
mediated by the interaction of cellular factors (Ramos et al. 2002). Some examples include fine-
tuning lipid fluidity to adjust membrane functions, activating stress response systems and inducing
efflux pumps. P. putida is also metabolically extremely adaptable. It has a ED/EMP cycle, a distinct
metabolic pathway that employs enzymes from the Entner-Doudoroff (ED), pentose phosphate
and Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas (EMP) pathways (Nikel et al. 2015). Due to the availability of the
ED/EMP cycle, it is now possible to build completely different biochemistries using new
methodologies. In this chapter, the use of genetically modified Pseudomonas sp. especially P. putida
for compound synthesis and degradation to aid in pollution control will be described.
 Pseudomonas putida: An Environment Friendly Bacterium 129

8.3 Degradation of Pesticides

Advances in biodegradation of toxic pesticides using microorganisms are being made with prior
knowledge of microbial metabolism and genetic techniques. Liquid cultures are used to test
microbes for the optimization of temperature, pH, organic nutrients, substrate bioavailability and
concentration that play an important role in bioremediation in soil. But at the same time, this is
not enough to overcome the problem of pesticide pollution. Using genetic techniques, genes from
microbes with desired phenotypes should be transferred to industrially useful strains. As a result,
critical enzymes for bioremediation can be economically and successfully produced. Non-native
microbial bioremediators are used in bioaugmentation. It can degrade hydrocarbons, pesticides,
explosives and other substances (Monga et al. 2021). The number of soil microorganisms, their
enzymatic capabilities and the pace of pesticide degradation in response to changes in soil conditions
play a major role in the elimination of pesticides from the environment (for example, pH). Pesticide
degrading genes are usually found on plasmids. Carbofuran, atrazine, 2,4D and parathion degrading
genes have been identified (Gong et al. 2016, Neumann et al. 2004, Dejonghe et al. 2000, Rani and
Lalithakumari 1994). In addition, a deeper understanding of microbial genomes and proteomics can
facilitate the manipulation of microorganisms for the purpose of more effective bioremediation of
contaminants (Kondakova and Cronan 2019, Mandalakis et al. 2013).

8.3.1 Organophosphates Pesticides

Organophosphate Pesticides (OP) are insecticides and herbicides, and have contaminated
groundwater. They are strong cholinesterase inhibitors and thus toxic to humans (Serdar et al.
1989, DeFrank 1991). OPs are neurotoxins that inhibit acetylcholine esterase, causing the CNS
function to be disrupted, paralysis of the muscle and death (Carvalho et al. 2003). As a result,
they are more toxic to vertebrates (Malhat and Nasr 2011). To detoxify OP, chemical treatment,
photodecomposition, incineration and other methods can be used, but they are not environmentally
friendly as they produce organophosphate triesterases, which could be toxic. On the other hand,
microbial detoxification is cheap and environment friendly. Bacteria such as Flavobacterium sp.
(Yoshida and Sathunathan 1973), Arthobacter sp. (Mallick et al. 1999) and P. diminuta are the
prominent Ops degraders (Serdar et al. 1989). Similarly, the soil microorganism P. putida was also
found to mineralize OP, parathion (DeFrank 1991). Parathion is a well-known example of OP, which
is degraded into diethyl thiophosphate (DETP) and para-nitrophenol (PNP). DETP is non-toxic, and
it can be metabolized by microbial cultures (Shelton and Somich 1988). This reaction is catalyzed
by organophosphate (encoded by the opd gene). As PNP is carcinogenic, it should be metabolized.
Bacillus, Arthrobacter (Bhushan et al. 2000), and Pseudomonas perform this function (Bang 1997).
Pseudomonas sp. ENV2030 has operons that encode PNP transformation to beta-ketoadipate
via hydroquinone (Zylstra et al. 2000). To reduce the concentration of parathion, opd and PNP
degrading operons are introduced into P. putida KT2442. The organophosphorus hydrolase (OPH)
enzyme, which is encoded by the oph gene, the mpd gene and/or the opd gene in different strains,
aids in the detoxification of OPs (Bigley and Raushel 2013). Chlorpyrifos (O, O-diethyl O-(3,5,6­
trichloro-2-pyridyl phosphorothioate) is a pesticide used in both the home and agriculture. The oph
gene oversees the chlorpyrifos degradation. Chemical mutations by ethylmethane sulphonate (EMS)
have been used to improve the yield of bacterial enzymes in order to improve bioremediation by
bacterial strains. AchM15 and AchMS1 mutants degraded 63 and 82.03% chlorpyrifos, respectively,
compared to 35% in the wild type (El-sayed et al. 2019).

8.3.2 Benzene, Toluene and p-xylene (BTX)

BTX indicates the presence of benzene, toluene and p-xylene. These water-soluble petroleum
components have poisoned the most of the bodies of potable water. A single microbe can mineralize
130 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

all three chemicals in a combination of the tod and tol metabolic pathways (Worsey and Williams
1975, Zylstra et al. 1988).
As a result of the inability of catechol 2,3-dioxygenase in the tod pathway to attack
3,6-dimethylpyrocatechol produced from p-xylene and xylene oxygenase in the athway to employ
benzene as a substrate, it is possible that complete biodegradation of the BTX combination through
these two pathways will not be possible (Worsey and Williams 1973, Zylstra et al. 1988, Gibson
et al. 1970, Gibson et al. 1974). Consequently, an existing route must be restructured. In order to
manipulate the genes for two pathways in P. putida, a hybrid metabolic pathway was constructed
around the crucial metabolic step. In P. putida, an attempt was made to mineralize BTX by a
hybrid route. To construct the hybrid pathway, a bridging step between the tod and tol pathways
was identified. The tol pathway destroys cis-glycol chemicals, which are metabolic intermediates
immediately before the catechol molecules in the tod pathway. As the only source of carbon, BCG
was 90% degraded (Lee et al. 1994). P. putida TB101 was generated by introducing the TOL plasmid
pWW0 into P. putida F39/D, a P. putida FI variant incapable of converting cis-glycol chemicals to
catechols. Toluate-cis-glycol dehydrogenase in P. putida TB101 diverted the metabolic flux of BTX
into the tod pathway at the level of cis-glycol molecules, resulting in the simultaneous mineralization
of BTX mixture without accumulation of any metabolic intermediates (Lee et al. 1994). Toluate-cis­
glycol dehydrogenase, which is encoded on the TOL plasmid of P. putida mt-2, was considered to
be responsible for the degradation of these cis-glycol compounds due to the comparable chemical
structure of its original substrates, benzoate-cis-glycol (BACG) and TACG. BCG was utilized as
a substrate during the toluate-cis-glycol dehydrogenase experiment. The observation shows that
the reaction product produced by BCG’s toluate-cis-glycol dehydrogenase may be destroyed by
catechol 2,3-dioxygenase, the enzyme that follows toluate-cis-glycol dehydrogenase in the tol
pathway. In P. putida TBlOl, a hybrid pathway was developed for the complete mineralization
of benzene, toluene and p-xylene. Using P. putida TBlOl, simultaneous biodegradation of BTX
combinations was accomplished with maximum specific degradation rates of 0.27, 0.86 and
2.89 mgmg–1 biomass/h for benzene, toluene, and p-xylene, respectively (Lee et al. 1994).

8.3.3 Phenylurea
Phenylureas like diuron linuron isoproturon and chlorotoluron were once used to control weeds, but
they have now contaminated drinking water. Diuron is a phenylurea herbicide that is used to control
weeds in a number of crops (Moretto et al. 2019). It has been found in soil and water (Giacomazzi
and Cochet 2004). Diuron has been linked to kidney disease, haematopoiesis and hemolytic anaemia
(Ihlaseh-Catalano et al. 2014). In high salinity conditions, the CASB3 strain of Stenotrophomonas
rhizophila was used to degrade diuron. Fifty mg L–1 diuron was completely degraded in 48 to
120 hr (Silambarasan et al. 2020). Arthrobacter globiformis D47 can ‘partially’ degrade herbicide
diuron via urea carbonyl group hydrolysis (Cullington and Walker 1999, Turnbull et al. 2001). The
concentration of 3,4-dichloroaniline (DCA) rises as the diuron degrades. A very small amount of
DCA can be converted to 3,3’ 4,4’ tetrachloroazobenzene and the remaining bulk of the DCA continue
bound to the organic matter with slow half-life for several years. Pseudomonas putida strain was
enriched for the demineralization of DCA. The pathway investigation study suggested biodegradion
through 3,4 dichloromuconate, 3 chlorobutenolide, 3 chlorolevulinic acid, 3 chloromelyelacetate
3chloro 4 ketadipate to succinate (You and Bartha 1982).

8.3.4 Methyl Parathion

Microbes are also decomposers that improve soil fertility by degrading pesticides and immobilizing
heavy metals. Toxic pollutants include organophosphate pesticides such as Methyl Parathion (MP)
and heavy metals like cadmium. MP-degrading enzymes are found in microbes such as Pseudomonas
sp. A3 (Ramanathan and Lalithakumari 1999), Plesiomonas sp. M6 (Zhongli et al. 2001), and
Pseudomonas sp. SMSP-1 (Shen et al. 2010). They convert Methylparathion to paranitrophenol
 Pseudomonas putida: An Environment Friendly Bacterium 131

(PNP) and dimethyl phosphorothioate but are unable to degrade PNP further. These bacteria were
used to clone ophc2, an organophosphorus hydrolase encoding gene. Cd can be immobilized
by bacteria such as P. aeruginosa KUCd1 and Pseudomonas sp. strain RB (Zhang et al. 2016).
A soil-dwelling bacterium was isolated having the potential of methyl parathion degradation ability.
The bacteria were responsible for producing the enzyme organophosphorus acid anhydrase, which
was responsible for the hydrolysis of methyl parathion into p-nitrophenol. Hydroquinone and 1, 2,
4-benzenetriol were produced eventually as a by-product of further degradation of p-nitrophenol.
At the end Maleyl acetate was produced by cleaving the last ring component, 1, 2, 4-benzenetriol,
which was catalyzed by the enzyme benzenetriol oxygenase (Rani and Lalithakumari 1994).
Pseudomonas sp., isolated from a mixed population of methyl parathion and parathion-degrading
bacteria, can hydrolyze the MP to p-nitrophenol and demands glucose and other carbon sources
for growth (Chaudhry et al. 1988). Flavobacterium sp. isolate from the same mixed population
could convert pnitrophenol to nitrite. It can take up to 48 hr for both bacteria to mineralize methyl
parathion as their only carbon source. Surface expression of metal-binding proteins in host strains is
an effective way to increase heavy metal immobilization. To maximize bioremediation, an EGFP-
expressing X3 bacterium was metabolically engineered to have MP degrading genes as well as a
Cd-immobilization phenotype (Zhang et al. 2016).

8.3.5 1,2,3-trichloropropane (TCP)

TCP is a solvent, a precursor of soil fumigants, a catalyst in the synthesis of dichloropropene or
polyphsulfone liquid polymers (WHO 2003), and a toxic industrial waste classified as a persistent
pollutant (Dvorak et al. 2014). P. putida K2440 was designed to degrade 1,2,3-trichloropropane
(Gong et al. 2017). The microbe was engineered with haloalkane dehalogenase (Kulakova et al.
1997), haloalcohol dehalogenase (van Hylckama et al. 2001) from Rhodococcus rhodochrous
NCIMB 13064 and epoxide hydrolase (Rink et al. 1997) from Agrobacterium radiobacter AD1.
This engineered strain was capable of successfully converting up to 10 mg L–1 of TCP (Dvorak
et al. 2014). The strain was further improved by deleting the glpR gene, which increased carbon
flux in this pathway, and improved the degradation with expression of Vitreoscilla haemoglobin,
in aerobic conditions. By deleting flagella-related genes, the energy charge and reducing power
were improved (Stark et al. 2015, Kim et al. 2005). The most common biological detoxification
mechanism is oxidative dehalogenation of pollutants, which is limited to oxic environments. As
a result, organohalide degradation is difficult in anoxic conditions (Janssen et al. 2001). P. putida
was engineered to contain several genes that participate in respiration by facultative anaerobes and
aerotolerant bacteria. These genes include the haloalkane dehalogenase activity from Pseudomonas
pavonaceae 170, the acetate kinase (ackA) gene of the facultative anaerobe Escherichia coli, and
the pyruvate decarboxylase (pdc) and alcohol dehydrogenase II (adhB) of Zymomonas mobilis.
Under anoxic circumstances, the recombinant strain proved successful in degrading pollutants such
as 1,3-DCP (Nikel and de Lorenzo 2013). Another method involved the expression of Vitrescilla
haemoglobin (VHb) in P. putida KTUe. This made it possible for the microbe to proliferate more
quickly in environments with a scarcity of oxygen. The capacity of the strain to bind oxygen is
improved by the presence of VHb.

8.3.6 Phenol
Phenol is widely used and is a unfavourably industrial waste produced by petroleum refineries
(NPCS Board of Consultants and Engineers 2000). As it quickly penetrates to the skin and can cause
irritation to the eyes, respiratory tract and can be fatal in chronic exposure. The use is unavoidable
leaving an option of maintaining the permissive limit. The maximum allowed level is 2ppm and
can be maintained below or neutralized to zero level using P. putida. P. putida FNCC-0071 cells
immobilized in alginate beads were used to degrade phenol (Hannaford and Kuek 1999). About
600 ppm of phenol was degraded within 48 hr without affecting viability. Recently, a constant
132 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

electric current was applied for the enhancement of phenol degradation. Basically P. putida and
other microorganisms degrade via meta and para cleavage pathways influenced by the concentration,
temperature and biogenic factors. Most of the redox biochemical reaction are facilitated by applying
constant voltage across the bioreactor along with microbial community (Bandhyopadhyay et al.
1999).

8.3.7 Chlorpyrifos and Carbofuran

Carbofuran is a chemical that is used to kill insects and corn rootworm (Tomasek and Karns 1989). As
a nitrogen source, Achromobacter species WM111 can hydrolyze N-methylcarbamate (Karns et al.
1986). The mcd gene encodes N-methylcarbamate hydrolase, which aids in degradation. This gene
has been cloned and is being expressed in soil bacteria (Tomasek and Karns, 1989). Chlorpyrifos
and carbofuran were also co-degraded in P. putida KT2440 by scarless counter-selectable marker
heterologous expression of CP/carbofuran hydrolase genes (Gong et al. 2016). Compared to the
CP/carbofuran, the digestion products’ toxic effects were significantly diminished. Interestingly,
CP/carbofuran were used as the only carbon source by the mutant for the growth and degradation
rate was also found high compared to uninoculated soil.

8.3.8 Beta-cypermethrin
Beta-cypermethrin (β-CY) is a significant pyrethroid pesticide (Xiao et al. 2015). It is a toxin that
affects the reproductive, immune, nervous and genetic systems. (Jin et al. 2011, McKinlay et al.
2008, Schettgen et al. 2002). The pesticide can be co-metabolized and degraded by Aspergillus
niger YAT, Bacillus licheniformis B-1, Brevibacterium aureum and Brevibacillus parabrevis
BCP-09 (Tran et al. 2013, Chen et al. 2013, Deng et al. 2015, Tang et al. 2018). However, soil
degradation was limited. As a result, Loh and Wang (1997) discovered that P. putida ATCC 49451
can degrade 4-chlorophenol. The process was accelerated in the presence of sodium glutamate. But
this process was hampered by glucose (Zhao et al. 2019a,b).
Lindane or c-hexachlorocyclohexane, c-HCH is a highly toxic pesticide that cause Anabaena
to lose protective chaperons, inhibit photosynthesis and fix nitrogen (Bueno et al. 2004, Singh
1973, Nawab et al. 2003). In Sphingomonas paucimobilis B90, the linA2 gene encodes c-HCH
dehydrochlorinase, which degrades the pesticide. Similarly, the pesticide is degraded by the linA
gene in P. paucimobilis UT26 (Adhya et al. 1996, Nagata et al. 1997). In the presence of an inducible
promoter PpsbA1, these genes were knocked in and overexpressed in Anabaena. In 12 hr, this strain
could degrade 10 ppm of lindane isomers (Chaurasia et al. 2013).

8.3.9 s-Triazines
s-Triazines are a class of herbicides used to control weeds, such as atrazine. Pseudomonas sp., strain
A uses ozone to oxidize atrazine, and the ozonated products are used by soil microbes (Karns et
al. 1987, Kearney et al. 1988). S-triazine is also used as the only nitrogen source by Pseudomonas
(A, D and F) and Klebsiella pneumoniae strain 90 and 99 (Cook and Hutter 1981). Aminohydrolases,
which catalyze ring deamination, and amidohydrolases catalyze this conversion. These genes were
discovered through transposon mutagenesis (Eaton and Karns 1991). Recently pure culture of
Pseudomonas sp., ADP was identified which can mineralize the complete ring of atrazine to CO2
and hydroxyatrazine and polar metabolites.

8.3.10 Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)

PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons) are both mutagenic and carcinogenic (Jones et al. 1989).
The combustion of organic matter, as well as the processing and use of fossil fuels, are the sources
of these pollutants. Pseudomonas sp., strain IOCa11 demonstrated broad substrate specificity for
PAHs including dibenzothiophene, benzo (α) pyrene, naphthalene and phenanthrene from oil-
 Pseudomonas putida: An Environment Friendly Bacterium 133

contaminated soil (Kumar et al. 2012). After nitosoguanidine treatment, phenotypically favourable
strains were chosen for protoplast fusion (Dai et al. 2005, Singleton et al. 2009, Dai and Copley
2004, Gong et al. 2009). As a result, the SF-IOC11-16A strain created by genome shuffling was
efficient in degradation of PAHs (Kumar et al. 2012).

8.3.11 Naphthalene
Naphthalene degradation is associated with Pseudomonas putida PpG7 (Dunn and Gunsalus 1973),
P. paucimobilis Q1 (Kuhm et al. 1991) and P. putida ND69 (Song et al. 2018). In 48 hr, the latter
can degrade up to 98% of 2mg L–1 naphthalene. Jia Yan et al. (2008) observed the degradation of
naphthalene in Pseudomonas N7 in 2008; the degradation rate reached 95.66%. The naphthalene
degrading gene in P. putida ND6 is found on pND 6-1, a 102 kb plasmid. pND 6-1 has a G + C content
of 57%, which includes the oriV, the region related to plasmid replication and stable inheritance, and
the naphthalene degradation gene region. For naphthalene degradation, there are 23 coding domains
(Li et al. 2004). The genes involved are nahG, which codes for salicylic acid hydroxylase, and nahR,
that codes for NahR, a transcriptional regulatory protein of the LysR family. The gene nahY encodes
a naphthalene chemotactic protein, while the gene nahV encodes a salicylaldehyde dehydrogenase
(Song et al. 2018).

8.3.12 Toluene
The strain P. putida DOT-T1E is rifampin resistant. It can withstand supersaturating toluene
concentrations (Ramos-Gonza’lez et al. 2003). Toluene is used as a carbon and energy source (Ramos
et al. 1995). The mechanism is the tod-pathway, which converts toluene into 3-methylcathecol, is
then used in the Krebs cycle (Mosqueda et al. 1999). P. mendocina KR1 metabolizes toluene to
p-cresol via the T4MO pathway using the tmo gene product (Whited and Gibson 1991). Pcu genes
further oxidize this to 4-hydroxybenzoate. 4-HBA is a precursor to paraben and methylparaben,
which are used in the production of liquid glass and antimicrobial agents (Huang et al. 1992, Soni
et al. 2002). Toluene is also converted into 4-HBA by P. putida DOT-T1E. To prevent toluene and
4-HBA from being misrouted, the tod and beta-ketoadipate pathways were turned off to maximize
product formation (Ramos-Gonza’lez et al. 2003).

8.4 Biosynthesis of Value-added Products

P. Putida is not only proven to demineralize the xenobiotic compounds like pesticides, but also
been explored to synthesize value-added products. These products are synthesized mostly using
waste material that may not be degraded by common bacteria. Some products are synthesized as
intrinsic property and others after introducing heterologous genes from various microorganisms.
Use of P. putida for synthesis of all the compounds discussed below by P. putida is one of the best
eco-friendly options.

8.4.1 Production of Ethylene

Ethylene is a vital petroleum-derived raw material in the chemical industry (Kniel et al. 1980).
However, as petroleum reserves deplete, alternatives should be found. Pseudomonas syringae and
Penicillium digitatum, for example, produce ethylene from 2-oxoglutarate. There are two methods
for producing ethylene. The first uses 2-oxo-4-methylthiobutriyric acid (KMBA) as a precursor,
while the second uses 2-ketoglurate (Chagué et al. 2002). The ethylene-forming enzyme (EFE) is
responsible for ethylene production. This gene was cloned from endogenous plasmids of P. syringae
pv. glycinea. Through double crossover recombination, efe gene was integrated into the P. putida
K2440 16S rDNA sites of P. putida KT2440 (Watanabe et al. 1998). It contains seven identical
copies of 16S rDNA, so efe gene can be integrated multiple times without causing any harm; and
the ethylene production can be increased even further. P. putida was given pMEFE1, a plasmid with
134 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

a high copy number and a broad host range that carried efe from P. syringae. The recombinant’s
maximum ethylene production rate was 26 times greater than that of the parental P. syringae. The
oxygen and carbon sources could be improved to increase yield even further (Wang et al. 2010).

8.4.2 Medium Chain Length PHA

A bioadaptive functional polymer is medium-chain-length polyhydroxyalkanoate (mcl-PHA). It
is found in fluorescent Pseudomonas species that share the same rRNA homology as P. putida,
P. oleovorans and P. aeruginosa (Kim et al. 2006). Mcl biosynthesis is controlled by the phaC1
and phaC2 genes (Rehm and Steinbüchel 1999, Steinbüchel and Hein 2001). The phaC1 gene was
overexpressed, resulting in a 2.86-fold increase in mcl biosynthesis. It produced larger, higher
molecular weight and less crystalline mcl-PHA granules, which aided in the purification process.
Overexpression of phaC2 had no effect.
The engineered P. putida KCTC1639 overexpressing the phaC1 gene encoding PHA synthase
I was grown in a pH-stat fed-batch system, resulting in increased mcl-PHA concentration and
content of 8.91 g L–1 and 70.5%, respectively (Kim et al. 2006). Under nitrogen-limited conditions,
P. menodocina NK-01 produces mcl-PHA and alginate oligosaccharide from glucose. This strain’s
production was improved by using a counter-selective maker (Wang et al. 2015). Ferulic acid is
a phenolic lignocellulose component. In P. putida, ferulic acid is converted into mcl-PHA via a
non-beta-oxidative pathway. This conversion rate is extremely low. To overcome the limitations
of conventional CRISPR-Cas9n—Red genome editing, a type II CRISPR-Cas9n—Red genome
editing strategy was used (in bacteria with no or less NHEJ system, the cell viability goes down,
mutation efficiencies of different targets are highly variable). The expression of nine genes was
altered in order to improve the ferulic acid to PHA conversion (Volke et al. 2020).

8.4.3 Short Chain Length PHA

Thermoplastic polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) with a short chain length (scl) can be utilized as an
alternative to plastics derived from petroleum (Gahlawat and Soni 2017). It has application in the
field of medical as well as packaging (Kamravamanesh et al. 2018). PHAs that have shorter chain
lengths are made up of 3-hydroxybutylate, also known as 3HB (Lemoigne 1926). The melting
point of the polymer can be lowered by adding poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalate) and
4-hydroxyvalate to scl-PHA. Additionally, the polymer’s toughness can be increased, making it a
very valuable material (Gahlawat and Soni 2017, Yang et al. 2012, Schmack et al. 1998). Levulinic
acid, which is used in the production of 3 Hydroxyvalate and 4 Hydroxyvalate monomers, is
not made from petroleum-based precursors; rather, it is produced from sugars generated from
biomass, specifically glucose and xylose (Koller et al. 2017, Novackova et al. 2019). In P. putida,
the breakdown of LA is controlled by a seven-gene operon called lva (lvaABCDEFG). P. putida
strain SP01 was developed by removing the native PhaC1, PhaC2 and PhaZ genes from P. putida
strain EM42. This was done with the intention of inhibiting the synthesis of mcl-PHA and halting
the degradation of scl-PHA. It was not necessary to apply an external inducer because the IvaA
promoter is already stimulated by LA. The PHA synthase (PhaEC) of Thiococcus pfennigii, which
has a broad substrate specificity, was only expressed in the LA catabolic pathway of P. putida in
order to create scl-PHA from two intermediates (4HV-CoA and 3HV-CoA). This route is responsible
for the degradation of fatty acids (Cha et al. 2020). P. putida has been genetically modified to
produce a greater amount of PHA. The gcd gene, which encodes dehydrogenase, has been removed
in order to divert flux towards products that are more desirable (Tiso et al. 2016).

8.4.4 2-methylcitric Acid and others

2-methylcitric acid (2-MC) has the potential to inhibit fast cancer cells. It can also be used in synthetic
materials or pharmaceutical products as an emulsifier or polymer plasticizer (Ewering et al. 2006).
 Pseudomonas putida: An Environment Friendly Bacterium 135

As the chemical synthesis of 2-MC requires hazardous solvents such as benzene, microorganisms
are used. 2-MC was produced using Ralstonia eutropha H16 and P. putida KT2440 (Brämer and
Steinbüchel 2001). The manipulated strains, R. eutropha DeltaacnM (Re) OmegaKmprpC (Pp)
and P. putida DeltaacnM (Pp) OmegaKmprpC (Re), were created by inserting the 2-methylcitrate
synthase gene, causing the 2-methyl-cis-aconitate hydratase to be disrupted (acnM). Due to the
disruption of the acnM, there was an excessive generation of 2MC, which led to its build up. The
maximum concentrations attained by the stains after 144 hr of cultivation were 7.2 g L–1, which
is equivalent to 26.5 mM, and 19.2 g L–1, that is equivalent to 70.5 mM, respectively (Ewering
et al. 2006). Guaiacol is one of the products of depolymerization of kraft lignin along with catechol
benzoate and toluene. In recent years, more attention was diverted to convert guaiacol to a value
added product like muconic acid. P. putida KT2440 is engineered for two step the conversion of
guaiacol to muconic acid. Deletion of CatBC gene thereby blocking the catabolism to muconic and
insertion of cytochrome P450 and ferredoxin reductase gene from R. rhodochrous enabling the
conversion of guaiacol to catechol (Almqvist et al. 2021). Multiple natural enzymes in P. putida
KT2440 are capable of utilizing vanillin as a substrate. Vanillin dehydrogenase and various aldehyde
reductases are enzymes involved in the breakdown of vanillin into vanillyl alcohol and vanillic acid,
respectively (Simon et al. 2014). GN442PP 2426, which was previously modified to manufacture
vanillin from ferulic acid (Graf and Altenbuchner 2014, García-Hidalgo et al. 2020), may be a
more ideal host strain than KT2440 for the generation of VA since vanillic acid can then be further
assimilated via protocatechuate. This is because ferulic acid is converted into vanillin by genetically
engineering KT2440. P. putida EM42, a genome-reduced variety of P. putida KT2440 with superior
physiological features, was recently modified for growth on cellobiose (Dvořák). Cellobiose and
glucose can be used together in the same metabolic pathway owing to a mutant (PP_1444) that
lacks the periplasmic glucose dehydrogenase Gcd, but unfortunately the Δgcd strain suffered from
a significant growth defect. The growth defect was compensated by introduction of heterologous
glucose (Glf from Zymomonas mobilis) and cellobiose (LacY from Escherichia coli) transporters
with surprised production of pyruvate (Bujdoš et al. 2023)

8.4.5 Isoprenoid
It is a profitable molecule that has implications in the pharmaceutical, as well as the food and
beverage industries (Arendt et al. 2016). Bacteria such as P. putida can tolerate larger amounts
of isoprenoids (Mi et al. 2014). As a result, they can be utilized to satisfy an increasing demand.
P. putida is utilized in the process of biotransformation of isoprenoids in order to get oxidation
products of the plant monoterpene, limonene (Loeschcke and Thies 2015) or de novo biosynthesis
of the monoterpene geranic acid (Mi et al. 2014) or the carotenoids zeaxanthin and -carotene.
P. putida utilizes the methylerythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway, whereas other bacteria utilize
the unrelated mevalonate (MVA) process to produce acetyl-CoA. P. putida KT2440 was genetically
modified to manufacture modest quantities of lycopene via the MEP route under the control of
IPTG-induced stress regulated promoters. These promoters allowed to produce measurable levels
of lycopene. The amount of lycopene that was produced by this strain increased by a factor of 50
(Hernandez-Arranz et al. 2019).

8.4.6 Long-chain Polysaturated Fatty Acids

In the treatment of cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes, long-chain polyunsaturated
fatty acids like eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), for example, are
adopted (Lorente-Cebrian et al. 2013). Both EPA and DHA were first extracted from fish and fish
oil, but both of those resources are becoming increasingly scarce (Lenihan-Geels et al. 2013). In
marine species, polyketide synthase (PKS)-like enzymes and pfa biosynthetic gene clusters are
responsible for the synthesis of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) from acyl-CoA
(Kaulmann and Hertweck, 2002, Napier, 2002, Wallis et al. 2002). pfa gene clusters are present in
136 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

the proteobacteria Shewanella pneumatophori SCRC-2738, Photobacterium profundum SS9 (both

of which are manufacturers of EPA) (Allen and Bartlett 2002, Metz et al. 2001) and Moritella
marina MP-1 (which is a generator of DHA), amongst others. Both the Sorangium cellulosum
species and the Aetherobacter sp. were found to contain two pfa gene clusters, which are responsible
for the production of linoleic acid (Garcia et al. 2011, Gemperlein et al. 2014). These organisms are
sluggish, tough to control, and challenging to manipulate genetically. As a result, P. putida is utilized
as a stable host for the expression of pfa gene clusters, which ultimately leads to the creation of high
quantities of LC-PUFA (Gemperlein et al. 2014, Gemperlein et al. 2016). In order to increase the
amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids that are produced by marine species, transposon mutagenesis
was utilized (Amiri-Jami et al. 2006).

8.4.7 n-Butanol
Currently, n-butanol is produced from petroleum compounds. It is used as a precursor in the
production of polymers and paints (Cuenca et al. 2016). Microorganisms can also produce butanol
from municipal solid waste and lignocellulose materials (Ezeji et al. 2007). Butanol can be produced
at concentrations of 5mg L–1 in P. putida S12 by the heterologous expression of the Clostridium
acetobutylicum pathway (Nielsen et al. 2009). The gene glcB encodes an enzyme in the glyoxylate
shunt. The glcB mini-Tn5 mutant is mutated to prevent butanol assimilation.

8.4.8 Para-hydroxyl Benzoic Acid (PHBA)

It is a petroleum-derived chemical that is used in the chemical industry to produce liquid crystal
polymers, as well as paraben preservatives in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products (Ibeh
2011). High temperatures and pressures are difficult to achieve (Yoshida and Nagasawa 2007).
Research has been done on the production of PHBA in modified strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae
and Escherichia coli (Barker and Frost 2001), Klebsiella pneumoniae (Müller et al. 1995). The
shikimate pathway produces aromatic amino acids (tryptophan, 2phenylalanine, tyrosine), quinones,
secondary metabolites and other compounds (Karpf and Trussardi 2009, Koma et al. 2012, Gosset
2009). By adding extra versions of the shikimate pathway genes aroA (5-enolpyruvylshikimate
3-phosphate synthase), aroL (shikimate kinase), aroB (3-dehydroquinate synthase) and aroF, strain
D2704 was able to obtain a titer of 12 g L–1 and a C-mole yield of 13% (feedback-insensitive DAHP
synthase). As P. putida is resistant to PHBA, it is used in industrial production (Krömer et al. 2013,
Ebert et al. 2011, Poblete-Castro et al. 2012). It only uses the ED pathway to produce more NADPH
in order to prevent oxidative stress via the 3-dehydrogenase function (Ng et al. 2015, Chavarría
et al. 2013). Furthermore, random nitrosoguanidine mutagenesis was used to improve the results.
Pathways that degrade PHBA and those that compete with it have been removed. ubiC was not
the only gene that was overexpressed; a feedback-resistant DAHP synthase that was encoded by
aroGD146N was also overexpressed (Ebert et al. 2011).

8.4.9 Enzyme Production

Biofuels (bioethanol, biodiesel and bio hydrocarbon) are non-renewable fossil fuel alternatives
(Koçar and Civaş 2013). However, the cost and competition with conventional petroleum limit the
use of biofuels. Bio hydrocarbons produced by bacteria, fungi, algae and other microorganisms
are concerned with various fatty-acid-derived hydrocarbons and their microbial sources (Liu and
Li 2020). Cytochrome P450cam, for example, was isolated from P. putida (Ng et al. 2015). CamC
is the gene that encodes cytochrome P450cam. This protein is overexpressed in Escherichia coli
for large-scale production and structural studies (Gunsalus and Wagner 1978, Unger et al. 1986).
Dimerization is the primary issue with the wild type P450cam. As a result, DTT was used to dissolve
the disulphide bonds. To prevent dimerization, the cystine residue was later replaced with alanine
via site-directed mutagenesis (Nickerson and Wong 1997). Strain P. putida LUA15.1 isolated from
 Pseudomonas putida: An Environment Friendly Bacterium 137

the rice rhizospheric soil and mutated for improved production of laccase enzyme using UV and
chemical mutation. The mutant strain E4 was a hyper producer of laccase with 34.12 U.L–1 with
8.09 percent yield (Verma et al. 2016). Another strain of P. putida 922 was optimized to produce
lipase with 24 U ml yield of enzyme in 48 hr (Khan et al. 2014). Along with chemical fertilizers
P. putida have improved the production of soil enzyme and thereby improving crop yield (Nosheen
et al. 2018).

8.5 Conclusion
The growing population will only continue to grow adding a large amount of waste that may not
be degraded by natural degraders. As a result, the environment is in desperate need of remediation.
Remediation can be accomplished in a number of ways. Using biological organisms or products
to do the same is the most cost effective and least harmful to the environment. This is referred to
as bioremediation. This chapter describes how P. putida can be used as a bioremediation tool. It
is a very robust soil organism that is relatively easy to genetically modify. P. putida is rod shape,
gram-negative motile bacteria, ubiquitous in the environment, especially in pollutant-contaminated
water and soil. It thrives on almost all the carbon skeletons including plastic (Vague et al. 2019).
This organism is naturally equipped with various kinds of enzymes making them highly important
bacteria from the environmental point of view. Unlike E. coli, strains of P. putida are already adapted
to the soil environment. They can grow and degrade pollutants in the soil or groundwater more
easily. P. putida KT2440 has been bred to grow in anoxic conditions. As NADH produced during
metabolism must be re-oxidized, oxygen is required. This strain has also been genetically modified
to degrade pesticides (methyl parathion, chlorpyrifos, fenpropathrin, cypermethrin, carbofuran and
carbaryl) (Gong et al. 2018). Pseudomonas strains that are resistant to extreme temperatures, pH and
pressure can be created through further modification. As a result, the scope of bioremediation can
be expanded to include harsher conditions. Pseudomonas has a wide range of applications due to its
unique metabolism. It has demonstrated applications in both bioremediation and the production of
compounds that will aid in the reduction of reliance on petroleum products.

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Chapter 9
General Aspects/Case Studies
on Sources and Bioremediation
Mechanisms of Metal(loid)s
Manoj Kumar, Sushma K. Varma, Renju,
Neeraj Kumar Singh and Rajesh Singh*

9.1 Introduction
With the growing world population, the consequential demand for industrial establishments to
suit human requirements has caused a rise in pollution in air, land and aquatic ecosystems due to
an overuse of accessible resources (Tarekegn et al. 2020). Environmental pollution by inorganic
pollutants like heavy metal(loid)s is the main problem (Kumar and Singh 2017). Apart from Arsenic
(As), Boron (B), and Selenium (Se), ‘heavy metal(loid)s’ refers to elements (metalloids and metals)
having atomic densities larger than 6 g cm–3 in general. In this category, there are both biologically
necessary (viz. Zn, Co, Mn, Cu and Cr) and non-essential components (viz. Hg, Cd and Pb). The
necessary components with nutritional value for plants and animals. As these are required only
in small quantities, are referred to as micronutrients. In the chemical industry, because they are
phytotoxins and zootoxins, non-essential metal(loid)s are referred to as “toxic elements. Higher
amounts of these non-essential metal(loids) are harmful to both plants and animals (Adriano 2001).
Heavy metal(loid)s contamination through natural and anthropogenic activities may deteriorate
the environment and cause adverse effects on humans and animals (Douay et al. 2008, Shen
et al. 2017, Liu et al. 2021, Adlane et al. 2020). Heavy metal(loid)s have become increasingly
controversial due to their possible harmful health and environmental consequences, as well as their
effects on international trade in a number of locations throughout the world. The increase of Cd in
grazing animals’ (mainly kidneys and liver) renders it unfit for human consumption; however, it
also poses a threat to the export of offal products. The Cd bioaccumulation in potatoes, wheat and
rice crops has significant consequences for the marketing of these crops on a local and international
basis (Roberts et al. 1994, Mclaughlin et al. 1996, Kirkham, 2006, Makino et al. 2006, Mavropoulos
et al. 2002, Pérez and Anderson 2009). Therefore, there is a worldwide alarm in ensuring that the
heavy metal(loid)s content of food fulfills regulatory criteria and compares well to those of other
countries. An organic amendment to soil can enhance the process of bioremediation, which is a

School of Environment and Sustainable Development, Central University of Gujarat, Gandhinagar, 382030, Gujarat, India.
* Corresponding author: [email protected]
146 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

natural phenomenon that uses fungi, bacteria and higher plants. It reduces the toxicity of soil by
changing the soil environment through bioaugmentation and biostimulation processes. The organic
amendments, higher plants and microorganisms include biological agents in the bioremediation of
contaminated soil with metal(loids). These organisms can render metal(loid)s harmless by lowering
their bioavailability and using chemical contaminants as a source of energy (Alexander 2000,
Zhuang et al. 2007).

9.2 Sources of Environmental Contamination by Heavy Metals(loid)s

The quantity of metals contained in the parent material from which the soil evolved and chemical
contributions from human activities make up the heavy metal(loids) total concentration in soil
(contamination sources). Heavy metals(loids) are found in the atmosphere in raindrops, aerosol
particles (< 30 mm diameter), agriculture fertilizers, agrichemicals, organic manure, livestock
sludge and compost. Metal(loids) are present in the soil as parent material, anthropogenic material,
ashes, mine wastes and demolition rubble. Metal(oids) leach into the soil profile by water and
winds (Alloway 2013). These metal(loids) in higher concentrations cause a loss in agriculture yield
(Alloway 2013).

9.2.1 Sulfidic Mine

The Earth’s crust contains a number of sulfur-containing minerals. There is a significant proportion
of rocks that are composed of sulfides. Various deposited metal sulfides ores are copper, lead, zinc,
gold, nickel, iron, uranium, PO4–3 ores, oil shales, coal seams and mineral sands. Sulfides eventually
get exposed to oxygen during mining and give rise to acidic mine drainage. Tailing dams, waste rock
dumps, open pit floors, open-pit faces, haul roads, quarries and other rock mines are all common
places to expose sulfide minerals. In the presence of oxygenated groundwater or the atmosphere,
the sulfides are oxidized to produce acidic water rich in sulfate, metalloids and heavy metals (Anju
and Banerjee 2010). There are a few types of sulfide minerals that are relatively common, including
pyrite (FeS2). At mine sites, acidic water containing sulfate and metal(loids) is released mostly as a
result of the weathering of these minerals. Consequently, acid mine drainage has emerged as a main
environmental issue that has an impact on the mining sector as a whole (Bernd 2007).

9.2.2 Acidic Mine Waste

The formation of low pH waters is attributed to the oxidation of sulfur-bearing minerals. Mining
activities tend to cause this type of event, affected by Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) from open-pit
mined areas or after mine abandonment, the formation of Acidic Mining Lakes (AML) in surface
depressions (İlay et al. 2019). Hazardous substances and metals and metalloids, Al, Cr, As, Mn, Ni,
Cd and Zn are a few examples, have higher concentrations at low pH. Aquatic life downstream can
be destroyed by AML drainage water. The dissolution of carbonate minerals in soil caused by acidic
mining lakes causes landslides along with degraded water quality (Geller et al. 1998, Schultze and
Geller 1996).
Acid mine drainage has an impact on aquatic species that live in water bodies. Acid mine
drainage lowers the diversity of the environment, abundance and aquatic macroinvertebrates in
streams. Polluted waters also affect many fish species (Letterman and Mitsch 1978). Pollution levels
can alter the abundance of specific macroinvertebrates, as some species range widely, while others
are confined to a limited area (Rasmussen and Lindegaard 1988).

9.2.3 Bauxite and Magnesite Mine

Mining has generated mine waste for several centuries. In mining tailings, metal concentrations
range from 1 to 50 g kg–1, depending on the metal (Monica et al. 2008). In the environment, metals
are a significant source of toxicity for biota. The effects of these elements are felt by organisms
 General Aspects/Case Studies on Sources and Bioremediation Mechanisms of Metal(loid)s 147

like algae, microbes, yeast and fungi as well as in addition to ecosystems, activities and processes
facilitated by microbes (Giller et al. 2009, Wang et al. 2010, Babich and Stotzky 1985, Baath 1989).

9.2.4 Smelter Contaminated Soils

Smelting and mining of zinc and lead ores have significant negative effects on the environment (Anju
and Banerjee 2011, Dudka and Adriano 1997, Lambert et al. 1994). Health loss, pollution of water
and soil, phytotoxicity, soil deterioration and environmentally harmful effects occur as a result of
contact with Pb, Zn and Cd polluted smelter sites (Adriano et al. 1997, Pierzynski 1997). Instead of
the level of biological contamination, the presence of heavy metals in the soil serves as an indicator
of the level of action needed for soil cleanup or “bioavailability” of heavy metals. However, soil
heavy metal bioavailability is linked to environmental risk. Heavy metals are assimilated by humans
through the following multiple routes from the contaminated soils: (i) Exposure to Cd and Zn via
plant absorption in the food chain, and (ii) accidental consumption of contaminated soil. Hand-to­
mouth activity (pica) results in inadvertent consumption of soil. Exposure to metal(loid)s through
incidental soil ingestion represents a significant source of non-dietary exposure to metals (Anju and
Banerjee 2003, Chaney and Ryan 1994, Day et al. 1979, Duggan et al. 1985, Wixson and Davies
1994).

9.2.5 Fertilizer Products

Heavy metal(loid)s input from fertilizers, particularly phosphate (P) fertilizers, is believed to be the
primary source of Cd. However, phosphate fertilizers with low Cd content can be used as fertilizers.
PO₄³⁻ rocks with low Cd contents may therefore be utilized to manufacture fertilizer products. Several
countries have introduced voluntary Cd limits on P fertilizers distributed by fertilizer manufacturers.
By the year 2000, the Cd level of P fertilizer in New Zealand decreased by 280 mg Cd kg–1 P,
compared to 340 milligrams Cd kilogram–1 P in the 1990s. The production of P fertilizers can be
achieved by using PRs that have low Cd content; however, for practical and economic reasons,
many countries continue to use sources with high Cd content (Bolan et al. 2003). Several chemical
approaches have been researched to eliminate Cd from phosphoric acid followed by its conversion
to fertilizers containing P. Two of these are the use of amines to extract wet phosphoric acids and the
use of ion-exchange resins. Phosphate rocks are preheated in a calcination process through a stream
or by a volatilization process to reduce Cd content in phosphate rocks. However, because calcination
is expensive and reduces PRs’ reactivity, it could not be a practical choice in the fertilizer sector;
consequently, they are less suited for immediate usage as a phosphate source (Ando 1987).

9.2.6 Manure and Biosolids

Manure usage is gradually gaining prevalence globally, especially in metal enrichment in soils.
The amount of metal(loid) in soils has multiplied due to frequent and extensive applications.
Animal manure contributes 5247, 1821 and 225 mg of zinc, copper and nickel, correspondingly, to
agricultural areas in England and Wales each year, accounting for 25 to 40% of overall contributions
(Nicholson et al. 1999). Australia contains high Cd and Zn levels in vegetable soils when poultry
manure was applied to agricultural soils Jinadasa et al. (1997). Copper concentrations in cow,
chicken, pig and sheep dung in China were investigated by Xiong et al. (2010), who discovered
the mean Cu concentrations to be higher than the national average in pig, poultry, sheep excrement
and cattle, ranging from 699.6 to 31.8, 81.8 to 66.85 mg kg–1, respectively. A large quantity of
bioavailable cadmium and arsenic are found in poultry feces mixed with soil (Sims and Wolf 1994,
McBride 1995, Haynes et al. 2009). Biosolids are commonly contaminated with heavy metals(loids)
by contamination of Zn, Cu, Ni, Pb, Cd and Cr with industrial wastewater (Haynes et al. 2009).
When heavy metals like Zn, Ni and Pb are transported through sand and sandy loams with
biosolids, Gove et al. (2001) discovered that drying and composting increase groundwater
148 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

Table 9.1. Metal(loid)s sources and toxicity to humans.

Metal and Toxicity to human Sources References

Metalloids
Arsenic (As) Carcinogenesis, cardiac Paints, timber, pesticides industries, natural/ Chandra et al. 2017,
dysfunction, skin infection, geogenic process, thermal, geothermal, Lone et al. 2008,
lung damage, gastrointestinal smelting operation, burning fuels Gupta and Kumar 2017
problems
Lead (Pb) Mental disorders, kidney Metal products, electronic waste, petroleum Chandra et al. 2017,
damage and affecting the additives, thermal power plants operated Lone et al. 2008,
nervous system with coal, Bengal and ceramic industries Gupta and Kumar 2017
Cadmium Renal disorders, carcinogens Electronic industries, smelting and Chandra et al. 2017,
(Cd) and bone degeneration electroplating industries, paint industries Lone et al. 2008,
Gupta and Kumar 2017
Copper (Cu) Wilson disease, liver damage Electroplating, mine industries, timber, Chandra et al. 2017,
and insomnia electronic waste, paint and pigment Lone et al. 2008,
industries Gupta and Kumar 2017
Chromium Allergic reaction, dermal Leather industries, chromium salt Chandra et al. 2017,
(Cr) infection, carcinogen, DNA industries, dye industries, pesticides, timber Lone et al. 2008,
mutation, gastrointestinal Gupta and Kumar 2017
hemorrhage
Manganese The steel industry, municipal Cardiovascular, respiratory and central Chandra et al. 2017,
(Mn) wastewater, fertilizers nervous disorder Lone et al. 2008,
industries Gupta and Kumar 2017
Mercury (Hg) Mental retardation, deafness, E-waste, medical waste, thermal power Chandra et al. 2017,
blindness and kidney damage plant and geothermal, fumigants Lone et al. 2008,
Gupta and Kumar 2017
Nickel (Ni) Cardiovascular damage, Thermal power plants, smelting operations, Chandra et al. 2017,
chronic asthma, nausea e-waste, alloys, battery industries Lone et al. 2008

contamination with meta(loids). The biosolid treatment has little effect on Ni and Cr contents in
soil (Illera et al. 2000). The occurrence of these metals in biosolids caused a significant rise in Zn,
Cd, Cu and Pb levels. It has been noticed that grazing and immobilization of soil are harmful to the
soil’s microflora. It can rise the concentration of metal(oids) Zn, Pb and Cu whereas decreasing C
and N in plants, animals and soil microbes (Haynes et al. 2009, Kao et al. 2006). Various metals and
metalloid sources and their toxicity to human beings are shown in Table 9.1.

9.3 Heavy Metal(loid)s Reaction Mechanisms

Prior knowledge of the reaction mechanism between the binder substrate and metalloid is necessary
for the development of sustainable treatment technology. The existing report confirms that the reaction
mechanism plays a vital part in metalloid removal (Park et al. 2011). These detailed mechanisms will
help in better understanding and development of technologies for real environmental applications.
The systematic research on the metalloid’s removal mechanisms is discussed below.

9.3.1 Adsorption
Adsorption, according to Sposito (1984), is the accumulation of a solute at the interface between
a liquid solution and a solid. The process of forming a chemical connection with metal ions on
the surface of adsorbents is known as adsorption. The adsorption is categorized dominantly into
two sets, i.e., specific adsorption and non-specific (Bolan et al. 2014). By using functional groups,
specific adsorption binds the solute to the adsorbents (Sposito 1984). Solutes are bound by non­
specific adsorption through electrostatic attraction (Bolan et al. 2014). The adsorbent’s properties
 General Aspects/Case Studies on Sources and Bioremediation Mechanisms of Metal(loid)s 149

depend on pH, as a rise in pH attributes to a –ve charge on the adsorbent’s surface (Martı́nez-
Villegas et al. 2004). Pb precipitates to form hydroxide ions and structures hydroxyl species which is
more strongly bound in comparison to free metal ions (Martı́nez-Villegas et al. 2004). Multinuclear
metal-hydroxyl species in aqueous forms can precipitate metal hydroxyl in homogenized solutions
(Martınez-Villegas
́ et al. 2004, Park et al. 2011).
Components of the soil, such as organic matter, silicate clay, manganese oxides, iron and
aluminium, influence the metal(loid)s’ adsorption process (Merdy et al. 2009). These soil components
form inorganic and organic complexes with metal(oid)s (Bolan et al. 2003). Surface functional
groups form semi-covalent bonds with dissolved ions (Bradl 2004). The rise in pH dissociates H+ ions
from functional groups like phenolic, carboxyl, carbonyl and hydroxyl, increasing the metal cation’s
affinity (Bolan et al. 2003). The soil’s exterior surface, which has a number of hydroxyl groups,
creates stable surface complexes with heavy metalloids (Hanlie et al. 2001). Heavy metalloids form
two types of complexes with the soil: When water molecules are present between the soil’s surface
and the functional group in an outer-sphere complex, metalloids are directly attached to the functional
groups of the soil (Hanlie et al. 2001). Complexes within the inner sphere are typically more stable
than those outside (Bradl 2004). Natural ligands (fulvic, humic acid) and anthropogenic ligands
(nitrile tri-acetic acid and EDTA) form complexes with heavy metals (Bradl 2004). Phytoextraction
technology is used for the extraction of heavy metalloids by enhancing the mobility of heavy
metal(loid)-EDTA or NTA complexes (Meers et al. 2009). Numerous variables, including the type
of soil, affect the formation of metal(loid)-organic complexes, dominant cations, temperature, soil
solution pH, and ionic strength (Luo et al. 2010). pH governs negative charge formation on surface
functional groups (Yang et al. 2006). It has been noted that the soil’s constituents also contribute to
the formation of metalloid complexes (Bradl 2004). Fine particle soil has more active surface sites;
therefore, it has a high retention potential for the metal(loid) (Bradl 2004). Adsorption of metalloids
such as As(V) depends on the mineral surface characteristics like soil having low oxide content
adsorption property has a very negligible effect of increasing pH (Smith et al. 1999).

9.3.2 Methylation/Demethylation
Toxic metal(loid)s are removed by methylation through biological methods by transforming
(e.g., Hg) into methyl derivatives, which get removed further by the volatilization process
(Frankenberger and Losi 1995). Se, Hg and As methylated derivatives are acquired from biological
and chemical mechanisms. These mechanisms may reduce their toxicity by changing their volatility,
solubility and mobility. Both biological and chemical mechanisms can result in the methylation of
metal(loids) (Bolan et al. 2014). Biomethylation is a dominant process found in both aquatic and
soil environments. Biomethylation reduces toxicity by excreting methylated compounds from cells,
and are frequently volatile, e.g., organic arsenic. Researchers have categorized methylation into
two groups: fission-methylation and trans-methylation (Thayer and Brinckman 1982). The fission
of a chemical (methyl source) is known as fission methylation, not always having a methyl group
in order to completely get rid of a compound like formic acid (Bolan et al. 2014). Subsequently,
another substance that has been reduced to a methyl group captures the fission molecule. Unlike
trans-methylation, which includes the exchange of methyl groups between sources (donors) (methyl
acceptor). Microorganisms are active methylators in soil and sediments. For abiotic and biotic
methylation in sediment and soil, organic matter serves as a source of methyl-donor. The methylation
of Hg in sediments is influenced by organic matter and alternative electron acceptors (Martın- ́
Doimeadios et al. 2004). A study has shown that methylated As species result in the breakdown of
eliminating waste arsenicals or cellular organ arsenicals complex (Li et al. 2009).
Under anaerobic and aerobic conditions, methylation of Hg occurs (Martı́n-Doimeadios et al.
2004) and in undisturbed lake sediments under anaerobic conditions, significantly higher Hg
methylation was observed (Martın-Doimeadios
́ et al. 2004). Under these environments, Hg(II) ions
are methylated biologically to produce monomethyl and dimethyl compounds, which are extremely
150 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

lethal than any other form (Ullrich et al. 2001). Selenium removal from contaminated environments
by biomethylation has also been reported (Adriano et al. 2004).

9.3.3 Oxidation/Reduction Mechanism

Microbes use oxidation/reduction reactions to decrease Cr, Se, Hg and As. Dissimilatory and
assimilatory reactions are the two main classes into which the oxidation/reduction reactions are
separated. In dissimilatory reactions, the metal(loid)s do not play any specific function in the
growth of microbes (Bolan et al. 2014). They are found by accidental reductions linked to microbial
oxidations to produce H2, alcohols, simple organic acids and aromatic compounds (Holden and
Adams 2003). In assimilatory reactions, the growth of microbes is promoted by metal(loid) to assist
as the terminal e- acceptor (Holden and Adams, 2003).
Bacteria reduce the toxicity of Cr(VI) and Hg(II) to less toxic forms by enzymatic reduction
(Choppala et al. 2015). A study has shown that Se(VI) reduces to Se(0) from wastewater by anaerobic
bacteria (Nejad et al. 2018). This remediation strategy has been proven as a successful approach
for wastewater treatment. The oxidation mechanism’s capability to transmute As(III) to As(V) has
been found in archaebacterium Sulfolobus acidocaldarius (Lindström and Sehlin 1989). It has been
reported that in an aqueous medium, in the presence of Fe(III), the oxidation rate of As(III) to As(V)
is enhanced. As(V) are less toxic than As(III) and firmly bound with the inorganic soil components
that result in immobilization and bioremediation through microbial oxidation (Lindström and
Sehlin 1989). A similar reduction mechanism is followed by Cr(VI) to Cr(III) in the soil component.
A study reported that Bacillus sp. isolated from the Cr-contaminated landfill reduces the potent
Cr(VI) to a lesser toxic form Cr(III) (Bolan et al. 2003). In situations with a convenient source of
e- (Fe(II)), chromate (Cr(VI)) can be reduced to Cr(III), and microbial Cr(VI) reduction takes place
in the presence of organic matter as an e- donor (Bolan et al. 2014).

9.3.4 Precipitation
In polluted soils with basic concentrations and several anions present including phosphate, carbonate,
sulfate and hydroxide, the precipitation mechanism of metal(loid)s removal has been discovered
(Ok et al. 2010). Metal(loid) precipitation like Pb and Cu with carbonate and phosphate is an
immobilization mechanism of bioremediation for elimination from soil or wastewater (McGowen
et al. 2001). Studies show that phosphate reduced the discharge of Zn, Pb and Cd (McGowen et al.
2001). Similarly, additional research presented the precipitation of Cr(III) by the addition of lime
by enhancing the soil pH (Bolan et al. 2003). The existence of iron oxyhydroxides causes changes
in the surface chemicals present on the substrate and often leads to co-precipitation of metal(loid)s
(Bolan et al. 2014, McGowen et al. 2001). The Pb(II) precipitates at pH 4 by the effect of ferric
oxyhydroxides with hydroxide chloride [Pb(OH)Cl], chloride (PbCl2) and carbonate (PbCO3),
while reacting with Mg/Al in an aqueous solution with hydroxides (Violante et al. 2007). Usually,
phosphate compounds are added to the soil to prevent heavy metal(loid) leaching (Bolan et al.
2014). Stability of metallic phosphates is found in the following order Pb > Cu > Zn (Bolan et al.
2003).

9.3.5 Biological Transformation

Metal(loids)s solubility can be enhanced by microbial processes (Krebs et al. 1997). Microbes raise
the bioavailability that results in immobilization (Park et al. 2011). Solubilization of the metalloids
by microbes is grouped into two categories: Autotrophic (chemolithotrophic) and heterotrophic
(chemoorganotrophic) (Krebs et al. 1997). Immobilization via microbes of metals could possibly
be brought into the framework by the means of reduction, precipitation, biosorption, accumulation,
sequestration and localization (Gadd 2010). Metal is removed through adsorption when metal(loid)s
 General Aspects/Case Studies on Sources and Bioremediation Mechanisms of Metal(loid)s 151

are present in microbial excreta and their derivative products (Park et al. 2011). Metallothioneins,
the cysteine-rich polypeptides bind metal(loid)s. Microbial exopolymers, metal-thiolate clusters,
cysteine-containing-glutamyl peptides and phytochelatins are associated with the reduction of
metal-(loid) binding and detoxification (Cobbett and Goldsbrough 2002, Park et al. 2011). The
bacterial species Micrococcus luteus and Azotobacter sp. immobilized Pb, i.e., 490 mg g−1 and
on a dry weight basis about 310 mg Pb g−1 on (Tornabene and Edwards 1972). Other groups of
researchers found that Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria (SRB) effectively remove Zn from the medium.
SRBs use phosphogypsum as a sulfate source for terminal electron acceptors for energy production.
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia reduced the toxicity of Se(III) from the legume rhizosphere of
Astragalus bisulcatus (Gregorio et al. 2005). The plant roots have a significant role in the chemistry
of the metalloids and soil environment (Tao et al. 2004). Metal(loid)s removal from contaminated
soils by plant roots is an emerging eco-friendly remediation technology (Ernst 1996). This
bio-transformation technology in soil depends on pH changes, microbial activity, phytochelatins,
metal binding by root exudates and plant uptake via roots. Plant root exudates form complexes with
organic acid and metal(loid)s in soil (Koo et al. 2010).

9.4 Bioremediation Approaches of Metalloids

The hazardous metallic and metalloid contamination has appeared as a critical problem of
unease with the development of industrial, and agricultural areas with a rising human population.
Additionally responsible for the increasing amount of the metal(oids) are natural biogeochemical
processes. Various kinds of bioremediation methods can be employed to remediate metalloids.
Bioremediation, an ideal method at recovery, is a process that employs microorganisms, fungi and
higher plants to decontaminate or degrade the pollutants in the environment through the processes
of biodegradation, biotransformation and biodeterioration. The addition of fungi and bacteria
enhances the bioremediation process to reduce pollutants to environmentally acceptable and legally
permissible levels (Pointing 2001). When the crop is grown in afflicted areas, metallicoids can enter
the body directly by drinking contaminated water or indirectly through the food chain.

9.4.1 Industrial Wastewater

Industrial effluents are the major sources contributing harmful contaminants to the environment.
Many metalloid industries situated near the coastal areas discharge effluents to shore water bodies.
Such harmful compounds generated in the surroundings also cause various harmful effects on living
organisms throughout the food chain. Printing and dyeing industrial wastewater need to be treated
before discharge. Dyeing, rubbing and desizing are the major sources of water contamination of
effluents from textile industries. The residual dye-containing waters are characterized by visibly
intense color, huge COD, suspended solids and alkaline pH (Anjaneya et al. 2011). Thus, effluents
from these industries create a major concern for the environment. Bioremediation of textile
wastewater has been done using potential organisms like Brevibacillus chashiuensis, Bacillus
subtilus, Pseudomonas species, B. cereus, Micrococcus species and B. mycoide (Mahmood et al.
2013, Durve et al. 2012). Dubey et al. (2019) found that Phormidium mucicola has a maximum
potential of biosorption of 86.12 and 94.63% removal abilities for zinc and copper. Hence, to some
extent, with the aid of biodegradation, it is possible to mitigate the metal(oids) contamination in the
environment because of the increasing growth of industries that pressurize society and all natural
resources. Cyanobacteria have demonstrated a remarkable potential in industrial effluent treatment,
aquatic and terrestrial habitat bioremediation, chemical effluent detoxifying, fertilizing ability, as
a fuel alternative and as a protein source in the food industry. Some species of cyanobacteria viz.
Nodularia species, Cyanothece species, Synechococcus species and Oscillatoria species have great
biosorption and biodegradation abilities in industrial wastewater (Kumar et al. 2011).
152 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

9.4.2 Soil Contamination

Soil contamination is on the rise, which is catalyzed by the modern development of industry, chemical
fertilizer uses on large-scale and pesticides, etc. The demand for food is increasing continuously,
which is stressing the already contaminated soil for growing crops. Hence, there is a major need
for the decontamination of soil, which can be brought about physio-chemically and biologically
(Jin et al. 2021). But, increasing the quantity of various substances in the soil and waters because
of the outbreak of industries has generated harrowing conditions for people and water bodies (Dixit
et al. 2015). The plant-based techniques have an excellent capacity to degrade, extract and stabilize
the contaminants in phytoremediation, which has become evident as a great alternative in respect of
cost and is eco-friendly. Metals are introduced in underground water aquifers through soil by water
flow, these metals are introduced into soil by anthropogenic activities (Shabir Hussain 2012).
Microbial remediation techniques make use of microorganisms with unique functions that help
in reducing the pollutants by degrading them, by converting them into non-toxic substances with
their metabolism under environmentally adapted conditions. Some of the limitations in microbial
remediation are that the microbes mutate easily due to poor genetic stability and are not able to
remove the pollutants completely. The inability to compete with the indigenous strain is a significant
need that easily affects their performance (Rudakiya et al. 2019). About 72 species of acidophilic
thermophilic species have been isolated by primary and secondary screening for resistance to heavy
metal concentrations and their ability to biosorption (Umrania 2006). Phosphate-dissolving bacteria
can detoxify metalloids (Saranya et al. 2018, Li et al. 2016). Plants convert pollutants into non-toxic
forms (Jin et al. 2021). Alfalfa plants possess potentially reduced metalloids (Agnello et al. 2016).

9.5 Bioremediation Techniques for Heavy Metal(oid)s Removal

Enhancement
Inorganic metals/metalloid pollutants like Cu, Hg, Zn, As, Cd, Mn and Se appear in the environment
mainly as cations and anions rely only on the plant vascular system for their translocation and uptake
(Dhankher et al. 2012). Inorganic pollutants are therefore changed (reduced/oxidized), transported
within plants and volatilized (Se, Hg) in a few instances, but they cannot be treated as such. Many
bioremediation techniques, such as microorganism-based techniques, have demonstrated their
potential for degrading and detoxifying many organic as well as inorganic pollutants. In comparison
to other traditional approaches, biological systems are barely resistant to environmental extremes;
hence they have an edge over other approaches as they are less expensive (Cunningham and
Ow 1997).
Plant-based remediation solutions, also known as phytoremediation, have sparked increased
interest because they are potentially more cost-effective, have low adverse effects and are
ecologically sound (Cunningham and Ow 1997). Metal ions are taken up from the root and
delivered to the above-ground components through the shoot system during phytoremediation,
where they concentrate. The components of the plant are harvested, and so is the metallic build­
up, leading to the elimination of pollutants (i.e., metals) from the site (Nandakumar et al. 1995).
Plants have demonstrated the capability to survive predominantly at higher levels of metal
contaminates and organics toxicity by quickly converting them into less toxic metabolites in many
circumstances. This can be accomplished through phytoextraction (the intake and recovery of
metallic pollutants in the form of above-ground biomass), rhizofiltration (the filtering of metals
in root systems) or phytostabilization (the stabilization of waste sites through erosion control
and large-scale evapotranspiration), among other methods (Cunningham and Ow 1997). The
phytoremediation procedures are not mutually exclusive, and they can be employed in tandem for
greater effectiveness and efficiency. Phytostabilization, phytoaccumulation in harvest-worthy plant
tissues (phytoextraction or rhizofiltration) in rare situations, and phytovolatilization are among
the phytoremediation strategies available for inorganics. However, bioremediation techniques for
 General Aspects/Case Studies on Sources and Bioremediation Mechanisms of Metal(loid)s 153

Figure 9.1. A description of the interactions between plants and metal contamination as well as potential outcomes for the
metal contaminants (Ojuederie and Babalola 2017).

metal(oid) removal also have some shortcomings. These include the requirements for nutritional
resources, certain climatic conditions, and appropriate soil properties for normal plant growth
(Karami and Shamsuddin 2010). The most significant disadvantages of phytoextraction are the
lengthy time required, which has hampered the widespread implementation of phytoremediation.
An overview of plant-metal contaminants interaction and the possible fate of the metal contaminants
is shown in Figure 9.1.

9.5.1 Valence Reduction/Oxidation

The mechanism involved in the reduction of Se, Hg, Cr, and As, among other metal(loid)s, was
developed as a result of the oxidation/reduction processes carried out by beneficial microorganisms.
Metal(loid) speciation and mobility are influenced by redox processes. As(III) gets converted to
As(V) by microorganisms in sediments and soils (Bachate et al. 2012, Battaglia Brunet et al. 2002).
As(V) has a strong attraction for inorganic soil elements, it gets immobilized following its oxidation.
In well-drained soils, As(V) is the dominant form of As, whereas in poorly drained soils, As(III)
predominates, however arsine gas (H2As) [As(0)] and elemental arsenic can also be found. In most
cases, the breakdown of organic materials by bacteria, the reduction is followed by the role of SO4–
as the terminal e- acceptor, and then reduction, mediates the reduction and methylation processes
in sediments (Kim et al. 2002). In the instance of Cr, its mobility and bioavailability improve with
its oxidation into Cr(VI). Oxidizing agents like Mn(IV), Fe(III) to a small extent, while the Cr(VI)
- Cr(III) reduction is mediated by mechanisms that are both abiotic and biotic (Choppala et al.
2015). The settings having an accessible available electron source Fe(II), chromate Cr(VI) can get
reduced into Cr(III). When organic fraction serves as an e- donor, reduction via microbial Cr(VI) is
boosted, while a marked enhancement of Cr(VI) reduction can be observed under acidic conditions
(Choppala et al. 2015, Hsu et al. 2009). The metal(loid)s are usually reduced rather than oxidized
in most biological systems. Chemical reductants like sulfide or hydroxylamine, or glutathione
reductase biochemically reduce Se (Zhang et al. 2004). Microorganisms have a major bearing in
converting the reactive Hg(II) species into its non-reactive counterpart Hg(0), which is susceptible
to losses by volatilization. Mercuric reductases have been known to reduce Hg(II) into Hg(0), and
the bacteria Shewanella oneidensis, which carries out dissimilatory metal(loid) reduction, has been
demonstrated to reduce Hg(II) into Hg(0) when electron donors are present (Wiatrowski et al. 2006).
154 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

9.5.2 Immobilization or Phytostabilization

Immobilization refers to the vegetation’s ability to maintain contaminated soils and sediments
in place, as well as the immobilization of harmful pollutants in soils (Mukhopadhyay and Maiti
2010). In-situ inactivation or phyto immobilization are other terms for phytostabilization. Sorption,
precipitation, complexation and metal valence reduction are strategies that can help plants to
stabilize metals (Ghosh and Singh 2005). An in-situ remediation process is a suitable option for
metal remediation (Jadia and Fulekar 2009). Root-zone microbiology and chemistry, as well as
changes in the soil environment or contaminant chemistry, all, contribute to phytostabilization. Plant
root exudates or CO2 generation can modify the pH of the soil, that has a bearing on metal ion
transport. Phytostabilization can affect metal solubility and mobility, as well as organic compound
dissociation. Metals can be converted into an insoluble oxidation state from a soluble state in a
plant-affected soil environment (Salt et al. 1995). Plants can also help to prevent metal-contaminated
soil from eroding. Plants having elevated transpiration rates, like forage plants, grasses, reeds and
sedges, can help with phytostabilization that could be used for metal remediation. The approach of
utilizing trees, such as the densely rooted and perennial, in combination may be a good mix (Berti
and Cunningham 2000).

9.5.3 Phytovolatilization
Toxic metals, including mercury, selenium and arsenic, are capable of being biomethylated to
produce volatile substances that are discharged into the atmosphere. Phytovolatilization is the
mechanism which is involved in the reduction of pollutants via the transpiration of plants. The plant
absorbs the contaminant that is present in the water, passes through it, or undergoes transformation
there, then is released into the atmosphere. Water passes through the plant’s internal transport
mechanism circulating from roots up to the leaves, where the inorganics get evaporated or volatilized
and consequently released in the air enclosing the plant, potentially modifying the contaminant.
Using phytovolatilization and phytoextraction to remove metals from commercial projects is a
realistic option (Sakakibara et al. 2010). Tritium (3H), a radioactive isotope of hydrogen, has been
successfully phytovolatilized; it decomposes into a stable form of helium, having a half-life of about
12 yr. HMs can be absorbed by several plants, including Arabidopsis thaliana, Chara canescens and
Brassica juncea, converting them into their gaseous forms within plants, and then releasing them
back into the environment (Ghosh and Singh 2005). Dimethylselenides and dimethyldiselenides
are produced by plants (i.e., Brassica juncea and Arabidopsis thaliana), which are the volatile
forms of volatile Se when grown on a high Se medium. Similarly, data from a study on heavy
metal volatilization revealed that P. vittata is quite efficient at volatilizing Arsenic (As), as had been
documented by its removal by almost 90% of total intake from As-affected soils in a greenhouse
with subtropical conditions (Sakakibara et al. 2010). In contrast to the other ways of cleanup,
after toxins have been removed via volatilization, they cannot be stopped from spreading to other
areas. Similar occurrences of soil remediation based on volatilization have been recorded in many
other publications (Tangahu et al. 2011, Conesa et al. 2012). Although it is well recognized that
microbes dispense a significant function in the Se volatilization from soil systems (Karlson and
Frankenberger 1989), it was investigated that plants can fulfil the same job. B. juncea has been
recognized as a useful source for extracting Se from soils (Bauelos and Meek 1990, Baualos et al.
1993). The Se volatilization into methyl selenates has been hypothesized as a dominant mechanism
for plant Se elimination (Zayed and Terry 1994, Terry et al. 1992). Non-volatile methyl selenate
derivatives accumulate in the leaf of some plants, allowing them to extract Se from the soil. In the
Se accumulator Astragalus bisculatus, the enzyme that serves in producing methyl selenocysteine
was isolated and described (Neuhierl and Bock 1996).
 General Aspects/Case Studies on Sources and Bioremediation Mechanisms of Metal(loid)s 155

9.5.4 Phytoextraction
Phytoextraction, better known as phytomining or phytoaccumulation, is the practice of raising a
certain crop that has been known for collecting toxins within its shoot system and leaves (hyper
accumulator or tolerant plant), harvesting them followed by elimination of contaminants from the
affected areas. Unlike destructive degrading mechanisms, this process produces a consolidated
plant and contaminate (mostly metallic) mass that must be disposed of or recycled. Correlated to
landfilling and excavation, this technology is based on the concentration of pollutants which leaves
a significantly smaller bulk of pollutants to be disposed off (Wani et al. 2012). Chelation is the
process by which soil-borne metal pollutants are transported by roots to tissues. By translocation
from roots to stems and leaves, metal(oids) are removed from the soil in Figure 9.2.

Figure 9.2. Metals uptake by Phytoextraction: Metal(oids) are eliminated from the soil by translocation into plant roots,
stem, and leaves (Mishra et al. 2017).

A lot of studies have been undertaken on phytoextraction, including novel phytoextractors

(Baker and Brooks 1989), for a better understanding of plant-metal absorption, metabolism,
transport, excretion and tolerance (Krämer et al. 1996, Rauser 1995, Salt et al. 1999, Lasat et
al. 1998) and genetic changes to improve plant metal accumulation and tolerance (Rauser 1995,
Krämer et al. 1996, Kärenlampi et al. 2000, Clemens et al. 2002, Krämer 2005). An alternative
option to advance this concept was to combine plants producing high biomass with chemical agents
that boost the solubility of metals for plant uptake (Blaylock et al. 1997, Huang et al. 1997). Hyper-
accumulators are plants that abnormally uptake metals. Over 400 varieties of plants have been
found to improve the quality of soil and water (Lone et al. 2008). Since distinct plants have distinct
capacities to absorb significant levels of contaminants, a variety of plants can be introduced for
the phytoremediation process to see their effectiveness. One of the methods utilized to create a
phytoremediation plant is the genetic engineering of improved hyperaccumulators. Arabidopsis sp.,
Sedum alfredii sp., and Thlaspi sp. are the hyper accumulators that have been examined the most
by scientists (Brassicaceae and Alyssum are members of the Brassicaceae family) (Milner and
Kochian 2008).
156 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

9.5.5 Modification of Rhizosphere

Rhizosphere bioremediation uses microbes accompanied by roots’ remarkable abilities to break
down organic contaminants and convert hazardous metals. As this plant-based approach is an in-situ
photo restoration method, it is cost-effective, efficient and simple to implement in the field (Kumar
and Fulekar 2018). The toxicity of metals could be reduced by volatilization, phytoextraction and the
degradation process. Metals should usually be physically removed or immobilized, whereas organic
substances can be destroyed. Rhizoremediation has been documented to be a virtuous technique
along with various strategies like microbial augmentation as well as transgenic approaches (Kumar
and Fulekar 2018).

9.5.5.1 Transgenic Technology in Bioremediation

Proteomic, metabolomic, transcriptomic, genomic and metagenomic approaches are being used
to determine traits that maximize the utility of on-ground harvesting techniques and control the
resistance, degradation and accumulation potential of plants and microorganisms to a diversity
of inorganic and organic contaminates by recent advances in omics technologies. Transgenic and
cisgenic techniques can be used to manipulate potential plant species to boost pollutant intake,
transport and degradation, plant development and vitality, root formation and abiotic stress resilience.
Organic matter can be detoxified and inorganic contaminants can be enriched using transgenic
plants (Maestri and Marmiroli 2011). The production of genes that break down pollutants in
prospective bioenergy systems aims to reduce organic contamination of plant tissues and make plant
products from plant protection plantations more accessible. Selected metal transporters expressed in
transgenic plants increase sulfur metabolism output. Chelators that detoxify metals, metallothioneins
and phytochelatins, can also improve heavy metal uptake, transport and accumulation (Ruiz and
Daniell 2009). Transgenic plants expressing three microbial reductases can also promote Hg and Se
volatilization as well as arsenic accumulation in plant shoots. There are also several cases of microbial
genes being successfully incorporated into plant tissue for better biodegradation. These genes code
aid in transporting metals and the breakdown of organic pollutants (Dhankher et al. 2012, Iimura
et al. 2007, Che et al. 2003, Bittsanszkya et al. 2005, Van Dillewijn et al. 2008, Doty et al. 2000). For
instance, to decontaminate explosives (TNT and RDX), transgenic plants were created employing
microbial pollutant-degrading genes (Iimura et al. 2007, Che et al. 2003, Bittsanszkya et al. 2005,
Van Dillewijn et al. 2008). Plants that grow fast and generate a lot of biomasses, including jatropha,
poplar and willow, could be used in two ways- for energy production and phytoremediation.

9.5.5.2 Designer Plant Approach

Organic pollutants are stored and built up in plant tissues, reducing the plant’s lifespan while
negatively impacting the environment by volatilizing through the leaves, that is one of the most
critical limitations of phytoremediation. To address this issue, degrading microorganisms are put on
plant tissues before their transfer to the polluted site, allowing pollutants to degrade in plant tissues
(Aken et al. 2011). In addition, customizing plant-microbial interactions for specific applications is
a new method for pollutant targeting in complex ecosystems (Abhilash et al. 2012).
Phytoremediation will need to be adopted in combination with other multipurpose remediation
techniques in the future (i) conventional biotechnology and (ii stressors, e.g., nutrient deficiency
and location toxicity can be mitigated with integrated bioaugmentation employing advantageous
microorganisms. Such multipurpose remediation systems, once applied, have the potential to
change the remediation domain by providing environmental, economic as well as social advantages
to all the stakeholders involved. Though all phytoremediation technologies are constrained by
economic viability, plant species that provide additional benefits have a better chance of resolving
this problem soon (Abhilash et al. 2012). The remediation of metal(loid)s by the combination of
plants and microbial species are depicted in Table 9.2.
 General Aspects/Case Studies on Sources and Bioremediation Mechanisms of Metal(loid)s 157

Table 9.2. Remediation of metal(loid)s by the combination of plants and microbial species.

Metals Plant species Microbial Species Mechanism of removal References

Zn Brassica juncea Pseudomonas Organic acid secretion and Adediran et al.
brassicacerarum, metal chelation enhancement by 2015
Rhizobium leguminosarum phytochelatins
Cicuta virosa Rhodopseudomonas sp., Siderophores and indole-3­ Nagata et al. 2015
Pseudomonas putida acetic acid production
Ni Alyssum Arthrobacter Siderophores and organic acid Cabello-Conejo
pintodasilvae nicotinovorans production et al. 2014
Helianthus Pseudomonas libanensis Solubilization of phosphate, Ma et al. 2019
annuus and Claroideoglomus ni phytostabilized by
claroideum exopolysaccharide (EPS)
Al Miscanthus Chaetomium cupreum Production of siderophore Haruma et al.
sinensis (oosporein) 2019
Cd Ocimum Arthrobacter sp. Production of EPS Prapagdee and
ratissimum Khonsue 2015
Zn, Cu and Pb Clethra Clethra barbinervis, Melanin and siderophore Yamaji et al. 2016
barbinervis Rhizodermea veluwensis production
Zn, Cd and Pb Sedum Endophytic bacterium E6S Organic acid production, Ma et al. 2016
plumbizincicolaa Aminocyclopropane-1­
carboxylate (ACC) and Indole­
3-acetic acid (IAA) production,
phosphate solubilization,
As, Cd, Cu, Pb Miscanthus Pseudomonas koreensis Aminocyclopropane-1­ Babu et al. 2015
and Zn sinensis AGB-1 carboxylate (ACC) deaminase
Cr(VI), Fe, Vetiveria Bacillus cereus Production of IAA, ACC, Nayak et al. 2018
Mn, Zn, Cd, zizanioides solubilize phosphate and
Cu and Ni production of ACC
Cd and Pb Simplicillium Phragmites communis Pb bio sorption by EPS and Cd Jin et al. 2019
chinense chelate formation
Cd, Zn and Cu Solanum nigrum Pseudomonas sp. Lk9 Organic acids and siderophore Chen et al. 2014
and biosurfactant production
Zn, Cd and Pb Salix dasyclados Streptomyces sp. Siderophore production Złoch et al. 2017

9.6 Case Studies on Bioremediation of Metal(oids)

9.6.1 Arsenic
Microorganisms have evolved arsenic defense systems because of arsenic’s ubiquitous presence in
the environment. The arsenic resilience operon’s existence (ars) encodes enzymes degradation of
arsenate in an exhaustive study undertaken in Leon, Spain (Mateos et al. 2006). It was noted that as
arsenate gains entry into the cell via specialized (Pst) or nonspecific (Pit) phosphate transporters, its
incorporation in phosphate-rich fluids or environments is lower. When C. glutamicum is cultivated
in a low-phosphate medium or when the concentration of phosphate is reduced by precipitation,
As(V) absorption increases, followed by disabling the three arsenite permease genes found in
C. glutamicum’s genome, arsenite outflow was minimized. C. glutamicum ArsB1-B2, a double
arsenite permease mutant, was particularly sensitive to arsenate and arsenite (Ordóñez et al. 2005).
Ordóñez et al. (2005) successfully created C. glutamicum strains using omics approaches that may
horde heavy metals outside the cell (as a biosorbent), similar to E. coli and Ralstonia eutropha
(Kotrba et al. 1999) and Ralstonia eutropha (Valls et al. 2000).
158 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

9.6.2 Cadmium
In their analysis of 465 studies on the level of heavy metal contamination in Chinese agricultural
soils (Zhang et al. 2015); the findings revealed that heavy metals polluted around 10.18% of arable
soil, with cadmium (Cd2+) having the highest contamination rate at 7.75%. Through the food chain
and the soil-crop system, Cd2+ causes a health risk to humans (Nogawa and Kido 1996). According to
research, Cd2+ causes lesions on bone, renal problems and pulmonary inadequacy in people (Sharma
1995, Chakravarty et al. 2010). As a result, steps should be taken to reduce or neutralize its negative
effects in Cd-contaminated soil. To treat heavy metal-affected soils, microbial bioremediation is a
promising approach. Based on its 16s rRNA sequence and metabolic profile, a study was undertaken
in Wuhan, China (Xu et al. 2019). In which Raoultella sp. strain X13 was discovered to be a Cd­
resistant bacterium that was isolated from a heavy metal-affected soil environment in southern
China, demonstrated Cd2+ biosorption and bioaccumulation abilities and depicted tolerance of up
to 8 mM Cd in LB medium. As a result, strain X13 has been proven to be used as a possible Cd2+
immobilizing substance in contaminated soil since it promotes plant development as well as Cd2+
fixation. In the case of Cd2+ pollution, many studies have shown that metal-resilient PGP microbes
may promote plant development, improve heavy metal stability and raise plant resistance to heavy
metals (Das et al. 2014).

9.6.3 Mercury
Mercury pollution has become a global problem, more precisely in the soil environment. It is a big
problem in mercury mining locations, artisanal gold smelting areas and chlorine industrial plants,
among other places, resulting in a lot of contamination of mercury (Driscoll et al. 2013).
The mercury mining regions of Wuchuan and Wanshan in China (Qiu et al. 2006, Li et al. 2008),
Almadén, a mercury mining zone in the Amazon, are located in the heart of the region, these regions
are mercury-prone areas (Higueras et al. 2006). In Dehua, Fujian Province, China, small-scale and
artisanal gold mining activities occur, and an abandoned gold mining and smelting area (United
Nations Environment Programme 2013) are all examples of mercury-polluted locations that cause
serious ecological and environmental risks. Remediating mercury-polluted sites is an imminent
but pressing task. In an investigation carried out in Beijing, China (Xun et al. 2017), Cyrtomium
macrophyllum was naturally growing in the soil mercury region. Cyrtomium macrophyllum
demonstrated remarkable mercury accumulation and translocation capabilities (Xun et al. 2017).

9.7 Future and Prospects

Rapidly increasing industrialization and rampant development have their share of negative impacts,
such as contamination of soil and damage to soil health. The potential threat to living organisms
due to the heavy metals contamination in soil and water cannot be overlooked. Many techniques
or methods have served to reduce the risk, including many biological methods. The bioremediation
method can be used ideally for the reduction of toxicity aroused by metal contaminants in soil. It
is a safe and accommodating technique based on microbes present in soil essentially and does not
cause harmful hazards in the habitat and organisms surviving in that region (Tarekegn et al. 2020).
However, there are some limitations in the bioremediation methods, all microorganisms are not
capable of removing toxic substances and this process hinders the effects of the microbes’ activity
(Dixit et al. 2015). Heavy metals are deleterious to living beings as it is followed by accumulation in
tissues of the body that persist in the organs like kidneys, liver and bones for a longer time (Kapahi
and Sachdeva 2019).
Conventional techniques for treatment have many limitations and would be replaced by low
cost, efficient and eco-friendly methods like nature base solutions. To overcome the shortcomings,
the need of the hour is to utilize advanced techniques like bioremediation that either chemically
converts these compounds into less harmful products or degrades them together. Bioremediation
 General Aspects/Case Studies on Sources and Bioremediation Mechanisms of Metal(loid)s 159

techniques have indefinite use, like the production of biodiesel, bioethanol, CO2 fixation, heavy
metals pollution controls and so on. And it is also favorable to treat wastewater and polluted land
because the contaminated site is highly nutrient-rich for some organisms like Ideonella sakaiensis,
a plastic waste degrading bacterium, Sulfurospirillum arsenophilum, Bacillus arsenicoselenatis,
Chrysiogenes arsenatis and Archaea (Pyrobaculum arsenaticum, Pyrobaculum aerophilum) used
for arsenic pollution control of polluted water (/Kudo et al. 2013). Species like Brassica napus can
even control soil heavy metals pollution by cadmium, cobalt and nickel (Boros-Lajszner et al. 2021).
Bioremediation is not a new technique to treat pollution load, but it is a slow process. But from
the future prospective, highly efficient bioremediation techniques need to be developed by advanced
research with the help of bioinformatics, biostatics analyses and other omics approaches helping to
understand the metabolism of microorganisms efficiently. Certain significant aspects that should be
taken care of include: (1) net reduction of pollution in actual and laboratory conditions, that requires
better equipment handling, patience and regular monitoring; (2) studying the possible contributing
factors (abiotic and biotic); and (3) the remediation technology should be cost-effective, reliable
and rapid. Moreover, the endeavor should be made to integrate the phytoremediation method with
bio-energy for the two-fold utilization of plants for phytoremediation and bio-fuel generation on
polluted lands. These methods should be beneficial to the phytoremediation of polluted regions
and concurrently generate sustainable power that can balance the prices that bear on this kind of
methodologies (Mosa et al. 2016).

9.8 Conclusion
Being an eco-friendly technology for heavy metals remediation and organic contaminants,
phytoremediation has a lot of promise. Rhizospheric bacteria and plants have shown the capability
of detoxifying and converting organic pollutants into harmless compounds that may be eliminated
from the soil without accumulating. The above-ground biomass can carry toxic metals, and
plants can then detoxify, translocate, accumulate and recover heavy metals like lead. Although
phytoremediation has excellent potential to be applied to contaminant removal from water,
sediment and soil, it has not been widely commercialized or implemented on a broad basis. Field
implementation of phytoremediation has still not been studied A lack of comprehensive insight into
the uptake mechanism of metals from the soil system to the roots has hampered the commercialization
of phytoremediation for heavy metals and metalloids. Several recent studies have focused on
transcriptomic and proteomic techniques for metal accumulation in plants and elucidating heavy
metal transport. This chapter summarizes the efficient, environmentally sound and cost-efficient
methods for removing metal(oids) from the environment and protecting the ecology.

Acknowledgment
All the authors listed in the chapter have contributed substantially, directly and intellectually to the
work and have approved its publication. The UGC, GOI, New Delhi, is sincerely appreciative of its
support of the NFSC fellowship on behalf of one of the authors, Kumar M.

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Chapter 10
Metal(loid)s Toxicity
and Bacteria Mediated
Bioremediation
Sushant Sunder,1 Anshul Gupta,1 Mehak Singla,1
Rohit Ruhal 2 and Rashmi Kataria1,*

10.1 Introduction
Pollutants are impurities that enter the natural environment beyond permissible limits and have
a notable negative impact on the inhabitants. These chemical compounds could be new to the
environment or present naturally, such as metal pollution in mining regions, volcanic eruptions, air
fallout, sea salt particles, etc. Industrialization and aggressive utilization of natural resources have
produced a number of contaminants or pollutants that are either biodegradable or non-biodegradable
in nature. Contaminants including toxic metals, heavy metals, insecticides, herbicides and
radioactive compounds are among the pollutants that have caused significant environmental and
health problems. It has been observed that pollutants are being continuously released from industrial
waste and anthropogenic sources to the environment, and this waste circulates from the physical
environment to plants, plants to animals, and so on enter the food chain to reach humans.

10.2 Toxic Metals

The metabolic processes in plants, animals and humans are impacted by different toxic metals.
Copper (Cu), Cobalt (Co), Zinc (Zn), Nickel (Ni) and Chromium (Cr) are examples of potentially
hazardous metals, and some of these serve both as micronutrients and essential components of redox
reactions. These metals are important for regulation, electrostatic interactions and cofactor’s stability
in many compounds and reactions. Trace components, also known as heavy metals, are necessary
for the smooth functioning of the human body metabolism; however, their harmful effects cannot be
neglected if present in excessive quantities. The high-density metallic elements are toxic in nature,
even in relatively smaller quantities. The detrimental effects of these toxic metals are discussed in
Table 10.1. Any amount of lead (Pb) may have a negative impact on the body. In some cases, lighter

1
Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University (DTU), Bawana Road, Delhi 110042.
2
Department of Biological Sciences. 1250 W Wisconsin Avenue, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53233,
USA.
* Corresponding author: [email protected]
168 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

Table 10.1. Effects of toxic metals on human health.

Toxic Metals Impact on Human Health References

As • Bladder cancer, skin cancer, leukaemia and lung cancer García-Esquinas
• Neurological disorders throughout puberty and adulthood et al. 2013,
• Diabetes and heart related diseases Lin et al. 2013,
• Pregnancy-related foetal death and premature birth Heck et al. 2014
Cd • Inhalation issues, pulmonary edema, and mucous membrane degradation Nogawa et al.
• Vomiting and diarrhoea 2004, Nordberg
• Severe impacts on bone and kidney 2004
Co • Pulmonary fibrosis, coughing, lungs inflammation and reduced pulmonary Sheikh 2016,
functioning Leyssens et al.
• Plasma cells cancer, damage in recurrent laryngeal nerves and brachial plexus 2017
neuropathy
• Loss of visual and hearing capacity
Cr • Asthma, chronic bronchitis, chronic irritation, chronic pharyngitis, chronic Brutti et al. 2013,
rhinitis, congestion and hyperaemia, polyps of the upper respiratory tract, Abdel-Gadir et al.
tracheobronchitis and nasal mucosa ulceration with probable septal perforation 2016,
• Irritant and allergic contact dermatitis Ray 2016, Lim
• Respiratory system malignancies such as lung cancer, nose cancer and sinus et al. 2017
cancer
• Insufficient oxygen and blood flow supply to kidney, sudden kidney failure
• Derangement of liver cells, necrosis, damage in lymph cells, increase in
Kupffer cells and histiocytic infiltration
• Anaemia and haematocrit, leucocytosis, reticulocyte counts and plasma
haemoglobin
Cu • Inflammation in mouth, eyes and nose, headaches, drowsiness, vomiting and Kodama et al.
stomach cramps 2012, Okereafor
• Severe damage to liver and kidney et al. 2020
• Wilson’s illness, brain damage, damage to myelin sheath, improper functioning
of kidney and copper deposition in the cornea
Hg • Neurological disorders and behavioural problems such as tremors, sleeping Hamada et al.
disorders, loss of appetite, droopy eyelids, double vision, cramps and 2013, Andreoli and
movement issues Sprovieri 2017,
• Red blood cell accumulation (competes with iron for haemoglobin binding) Al Osman et al.
and suppression of myelin formation in developing foetus 2019
• Immune, enzyme and genetic alterations
• Young’s syndrome (Azoospermia sinopulmonary infections)
Mn • Risk of Parkinson disease Spangler and
• Abrupt functioning of cardiovascular system Spangler 2009,
• Memory loss, tremors, neurological disorders, mortality of infants. Meeker et al. 2010
• Sexual incompatibility in males
Ni • Respiratory issues, vomiting, dizziness, nausea, headache, coughing Das et al. 2008,
• Lowering of oxygenated blood in lungs, improper functioning of lungs, Zdrojewicz
increase chances of lung cancer, chronic bronchitis et al. 2016
• Inflammatory responses in skins due to allergies
• Oncogenic haematotoxicity, congenital malfunction to foetus, toxic to immune
system
Pb • Renal damage, inflammation, neurological disorders, fatigue, sleep disorder, Okereafor et al.
hallucinations, vertigo, hypertension, arthritis, birth defects, mental retardation 2020
• Abrupt functioning of Central Nervous System (CNS) due to disruption of
intracellular second messenger systems
Zn • Respiratory disease caused by inhaling zinc smoke, epigastric pains, increased Plum et al. 2010,
risk of prostate cancer and lethargy Okereafor
• Imbalance of copper in body et al. 2020
• Inflammation and corrosiveness in gastrointestinal tract, nausea, vomiting and
interstitial nephritis
 Metal(loid)s Toxicity and Bacteria Mediated Bioremediation 169

metals such as beryllium may be hazardous. However, the necessary elements or metals, such as
iron (Fe), could be poisonous. Metals in certain oxidation phases may also be toxic, such as Cr (III) is
an essential micronutrient, whilst the other form Cr (VI) is a potential carcinogen. The consequences
of heavy metal toxicity include decreased fitness, problems with reproduction, cancers and mortality.
Organometallic forms, such as methyl Hg (mercury) and tetraethyl Pb, may be extremely hazardous,
while organometallic derivatives, such as cobaltocenium cation, are less toxic. Radium, which is a
radioactive heavy metal, mimics the property of calcium as it gets absorbed in bones and, along with
Pb and Hg, causes several health complications. However, there are exceptions in cases of Barium
(Ba) and Aluminum (Al), which are rapidly eliminated by the kidneys.

10.3 Effects of Toxic Metals

In the environment, toxic metals are present significantly in effluents, waste streams and sediments,
affecting bacterial diversity, population size, and overall activity (Xie et al. 2013). Toxicity induced by
metals is frequently documented as an environmental health challenge which causes bioaccumulation
of toxic metals in the food chain. The severe consequences are seen in humans, animals and plants
(Aycicek et al. 2008). The impacts of poisonous trace metals are reliant on a number of variables,
including the element’s dietary content, absorption by the body, maintaining homeostasis for these
toxic metallic elements, and the number of animals affected by these elements (Rajaganapathy
et al. 2011). Furthermore, the oxidation state of a hazardous metal influences its toxicological and
biological impacts on the environment. The functional and structural changes in DNA, RNA and
proteins, along with challenges of oxidative phosphorylation and osmotic imbalances, are widely
observed due to metal toxicity (Yao et al. 2008). Toxic metal contamination has occurred as a severe
health issue due to industrial waste streams and agricultural residues. Humans are typically exposed
not only orally but also via cutaneous contact, inhalation and ingestion. The severity of a single
compound’s harmful effects (including immunotoxin) may be altered by interactions with one or
more other heavy metals or xenobiotics. As a result, the synergistic interactions of insecticides and
heavy metals may lead to different health problems.

10.3.1 Effects of Toxic Metals on Human Health

A large fraction of the population in most developing nations faces the challenge of toxic metal
contamination in food items (D’Souza and Peretiatko 2002, Cheng 2003, Meharg 2004). These
toxic metals promote serious health complications in the human body because their introduction
causes the malfunctioning of crucial cellular processes by displacing important metals from their
correct positions (Vieira et al. 2011). People who are more exposed to trace element-polluted areas
or those who work in metal mines are continuously being jeopardized with rising health issues
(Table 10.1). Metal poisoning in humans may cause slow development in children, dementia in
adults, nervous system related problems, renal illnesses, liver diseases, insomnia , depression and
visual abnormalities (Jan et al. 2011).
Toxic metal transmission in humans is rather complicated. Lead (Pb) is taken up by the body
mainly through the stomach and respiratory tracts before it enters the circulatory system. Phosphate
enters the respiratory tract and digestive tract in the form of soluble salts, protein complexes and ions
with a concentration of more than 95% insoluble Pb accumulating for bones build-up (Okereafor
et al. 2020). It is also a strong pro-organizational element that alters and damages the kidney,
liver, reproductive organs, neurological functioning and digestive system. The urinary system, the
immunological networking and the cells performing fundamental physiological processes and gene
expression (Mahurpawar 2015) are also affected. A longer duration of exposure to Pb results in
brain damage, short-term memory loss, adapting skills and coordination complexities in children.
Prenatal Pb exposure may lead to a decrease in immunity and weight of new born babies. It is
one of the main reasons why certain babies are associated with asthma and allergies. Studies have
170 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

concluded that lead (Pb) could influence behavioural inhibition systems, resulting in an increase of
aggression, and it could also promote tooth decay.
The rate of consumption is also a determining step for toxicity in human health. Metals such
as copper, nickel and zinc are essential trace elements for the body but are harmful if consumed
in excess. Prolonged exposure to copper is linked to abnormalities that severely affect capillaries,
kidneys and liver functions. It also leads to central nervous system irritation along with depression.
System dysfunction impedes growth and development. Excess zinc is related to infertility. Exposure
to nickel among humans enhances the risk of developing respiratory cancer nasopharyngeal
carcinoma (Barta et al. 2019). Excessive mercury harms the neurological system and affects
muscle functioning, body balance, partial blindness and abnormalities in infants (Baby et al. 2010).
According to some studies, mercury may harm both the foetal and embryonic neural systems at
concentrations lower than the WHO’s recommended limits, resulting in learning difficulties, poor
memory and reduced attention spans.
Cadmium (Cd) poisoning damages the liver, brain, lungs, placenta, kidneys and bones. The
severity depends on the amount of exposure (Sobha et al. 2007). Extreme exposure has been
related to mortality and pulmonary oedema. Emphysema, bronchiolitis and alveolitis are the other
consequences of exposure to Cd. Cadmium is associated with many clinical problems, including
heart failure, malignancies, cataract development and lung-related issues. The toxicity symptoms
of arsenic, mercury and lead, depend on the form in which these are consumed. Arsenic promotes
protein coagulation with coenzymes and inhibits adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis. Arsenic
oxides are carcinogenic and serve violent mortality in higher concentrations. Arsenic is associated
with several disorders, such as Guillain-Barre syndrome, which is known as an anti-immune
disorder. In this condition, the patient’s Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) is attacked by the human
immune system, which results in nerve inflammation and muscle weakness.

10.3.2 Effects of Toxic Metals on Plants

A minimum concentration of metal ions is essential for optimal plant growth. The absence of the
same could result in growth deficiencies, whereas excessive access to Cd, As, Hg and Pb are highly
toxic in plants (Okereafor et al. 2020). There are many parameters such as temperature, pH of the
soil and plant growth environment, which decide the plant’s metal absorption (Nagajyoti et al. 2010).
Excessive levels of hazardous metals affect plant growth and development (Musilova et al. 2016).
Different metals like Mn, Pb, Cd, Cr and Co cause slow development in maize plants (Mujtaba
Munir et al. 2020). If exposed to a high concentration, toxic metals may cause oxidative stress, cell
structural deformation and slow photosynthetic activities in the plants. Zn and Cd phytotoxicity
is shown in different plant species such as Brassica juncea by delayed growth and development,
alteration in metabolism and inductive oxidative damage (Okereafor et al. 2020). Cd and Zn at
extremely high concentrations may cause oscillations in the catalytic competence of enzymes in
pea plants (Romero-Puertas et al. 2004). Zinc poisoning has also been observed in plants causing
slow development of roots and shoots and chlorosis in younger leaves. There have been reports
of agricultural yield reductions owing to Ni toxicity, which inhibited specific enzymatic activity
(amylase, protease and ribonuclease), reducing seed germination. Membrane stability, nitrate
reductase and carbonic anhydrase were also impacted by Ni (Yusuf et al. 2012).
Cu is a micronutrient for plants, which is essential for ATP production and CO2 absorption.
Cu is found in several proteins, including plastocyanin which is important in the photo system,
Cytochrome Oxidase and Electron Transport Chain (Demirevska-Kepova et al. 2004). When it
is present in excess, it may cause stress, growth retardation and leaf chlorosis in plants. Plants
suffer from oxidative stress because of elevated Cu levels, which disrupts metabolic pathways and
damages macromolecules. It is also observed that copper poisoning affects Alyssum montanum,
whereas copper and cadmium cause poor germination, small seedling length and roots development
in Solanum melongena (Al Khateeb and Al-Qwasemeh 2014).
 Metal(loid)s Toxicity and Bacteria Mediated Bioremediation 171

Mercury (Hg) is found widely in higher aquatic plant species in several forms, including HgS,
Hg2+, methyl-Hg and Hg0 (Wang and Greger 2004, Kamal et al. 2004, Malar et al. 2015). Higher
quantities of Hg2+ are known to be highly phytotoxic to plant cells, causing apparent lesions and
physiological problems, which affects the closing of stomata in leaves and blockage of transportation
of water in plants (Zhou et al. 2007). It is also observed that high amounts of Hg2+ have been
found to interfere with the plant mitochondrial function, resulting in the alteration of cell membrane
components, including lipids, and affecting the cellular metabolism (Messer et al. 2005, Cargnelutti
et al. 2006).
Lead impacts negatively on plant shape, growth, photosynthesis and metabolic activities by
interfering with essential enzymes, limiting seed germination (Zulfiqar et al. 2019). Another problem
caused by increased Pb concentrations is oxidative stress. In plants, it promotes the formation of
Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) (Reddy et al. 2005). Plants which act as accumulators are highly
resistant to heavy metals in their habitat and can tolerate high concentrations. These plants can use
a different mechanism, such as Exclusion, which limits the excessive transportation of metals in
the plant. A constant concentration of different metals can be maintained in the shoots. Secondly,
Inclusion, a mechanism that prompts the plants to absorb the maximum metals from the soil. Thirdly,
Bioaccumulation, which is the build-up of the toxic metal concentrations in the plants. Table 10.2
summarizes the different toxic metals and their impacts on plants.

10.3.3 Effects on Animals

Mutation, carcinogenicity, teratogenicity, poor physical condition and decreased reproduction are
the most common adverse consequences associated with prolonged exposure to heavy metals in.
pets (dogs and cats, in particular). Animal species such as pigs, hens and dairy cows have shown that
elements like Pb and Cd could have subtoxic effects due to their prolonged consumption through
dietary amounts. Both Pb and Cd get accumulated in organs like the liver and kidneys, while lead
(Pb) could also be deposited in the bones of dairy animals. Modest consumption of the livers and
kidneys from Pb-exposed animals could be harmful. Consumption of these organs from Cd-exposed
animals should be avoided. It is quite evident that some toxic metals such as lead, mercury and
selenium with an inappropriate level of some essential trace elements like chromium are observed
in some wild plant species from Northeast India (Kennady et al. 2018). With the help of cutting-edge
technology such as plasma spectroscopy, toxicity behavioural studies can be concluded from bones,
hairs and cellular and surface ultrastructure features. Behavioural investigations revealed numerous
symptoms associated with specific elemental anomalies, such as lack of appetite, constipation,
salivation, photophobia, etc.
Since metals are not degraded by bacteria, and the presence of pollutants in rivers disturbs the
balance of the aquatic environment and causes a massive reduction in marine life (Woo et al. 2009,
Ay et al. 2009). Cellular intoxication, interference in the fish’s metabolic processes, and death at
the cellular level are a few histopathological changes observed due to toxic metals. The continual
flow of water via gills and food sources continuously exposes fish to waterborne and particulate
hazardous metals. The Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) are often generated by toxic metals and
cause degradation of cellular components, including protein, DNA, enzymes and fatty acids in
the aquatic organisms. These toxic elements interact with the large surface area of fish gills to
produce various abnormalities, including epithelial lifting issues, leucocytic necrosis, etc. (Mehana
et al. 2020).

10.4 Bacteria Mediated Bioremediation

Bacteria use the environment and interactions with other organisms to attain carbon sources and
nutrients for microbial cell maintenance. Bacterial bioremediation involves the use of aerobic and
anaerobic bacteria to reduce environmental pollutants (Nagajyoti et al. 2010). The availability of
172 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

Table 10.2. Effects of toxic metals on plants growth and development.

Toxic Metals Plants Impacts on Plant References

As Rice (Oryza Sativa) Smaller leaves, decreased germination capacity and Abedin et al.
lower seedling height. 2002,
Tomatoes (Lycopersicon Drop in fruit yield and lower yield of fresh leaves. Okereafor et al.
esculentum) 2020

Canola oil (Brassica napus) Restricted growth, chlorosis and wilting.

Cd Wheat (Triticum sp.) Lower seed germination capacity, low nutritional Wang et al. 2007,
value of plant. Yourtchi and
Garlic (Allium sativum) Lower shoot induction, Cadmium build-up. Bayat 2013

Maize (Zea mays) Lower root and shoot induction.

Co Tomato (Lycopersicon Reduced abstraction of nutrition from plants. Jayakumar
esculentum) et al. 2007, 2008,
Mung Bean (Vigna radiata) A decrease in the antioxidant quality of the plant, Okereafor et al.
as well as loss of carbohydrates, sugar, amino acids 2020
and protein content.
Radish (Raphanus sativus) Reduced root and shoot induction, as well as
decreased leaf area, also a decrease in antioxidant
enzyme activity, chlorophyll content, sugars, starch,
amino acids and protein content.
Cr Wheat (Triticum sp.) Root and shoot development stunted. Ray 2017,
Tomato (Lycopersicon Plant nutrient acquisition reduced. Okereafor et al.
esculentum) 2020

Onion (Allium cepa) Germination inhibition, as well as a decrease in

plant biomass.
Cu Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) Build-up of Cu in plant results in malformation and Sheldon and
reduction in roots length. Menzies 2005,
Black bindweed Increased plant mortality, decreased production of Okereafor et al.
(Polygonum convolvulus) plant biomass and seeds. 2020

Rhode grass (Chloris Root growth slowed.

gayana)
Hg Rice (Oryza sativa) Deprived shoot induction, reduction in flowering Du et al. 2005,
capacity, lower yield of biomass production, Shekar et al. 2011
enhanced bioaccumulation.
Tomato (Lycopersicon Lower germination capacity, attenuated shoot
esculentum) growth, decrease in the percentage of germination,
reduced plant height, decreased fruit weight,
chlorosis.
Mn Broad bean (Vicia faba) Chlorosis due to manganese build-up in the shoot Doncheva et al.
and root. 2005,
Spearmint (Mentha spicata) Decrease in the amount of chlorophyll and Asrar et al. 2005,
carotenoid. Arya and Roy,
2011
Pea (Pisum sativum) Decreased relative growth rate and photosynthetic
activity.
Tomato (Lycopersicon Slower plant development; decreased chlorophyll
esculentum) content.
Ni Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) Inhibition in photosynthesis, decreased enzyme
activity affecting the Calvin cycle and CO2 fixation. Okereafor et al.
Rye grass (Lolium perenne) Reduced nutrient uptake by the plant, decreased 2020
shoot production, chlorosis.
Wheat (Triticum sp.) Plant nutrient uptake is reduced.
Rice (Oryza sativa) Root growth is slowed
 Metal(loid)s Toxicity and Bacteria Mediated Bioremediation 173

nutrients is an important factor for microbial growth that affects pollutant degradation. Several
microbial mediated approaches are used. Biostimulation is the technique that involves a selective
enrichment of existing soil microbe for efficient bioremediation; bioaugmentation involves the
addition of a microbial strain for biodegradation of specific contaminant; bioaccumulation consists
of the uptake of pollutants in the microbial cells for storage and utilization in metabolic activity
(Mehana et al. 2020). Biofilm biosorption involves the removal of contaminants via surface
adsorption. Bacterial bioremediation has the benefit of being resistant to the presence of particular
pollutants.

10.4.1 Microbial Mechanism for Bioremediation of Toxic Metals

Heavy metals are extremely unsafe for plants, animals and human health. Microbes have developed
defense mechanisms against pollutants by developing biological processes to use heavy metals.
The detoxifying pathways for contaminants include extracellular barrier exclusion, binding of toxic
metals, extracellular polymeric substances, intracellular sequestration (confinement of these toxic
metals in the cytosol), active transport, efflux (microbial efflux machinery to transport away the
toxic elements) and enzyme mediated detoxification (toxic metals are transformed into less or non­
toxic substances). Thus, microbial biodegradation represents an affordable, efficient and economical
approach for the bioremediation of pollutants from the environment.
Microbes aided remediation tries to harness various microbial activities and the metabolic
potentials of important bacteria depending on the specific site conditions. Microbe-mediated
remediation of sediments polluted by heavy and toxic metals involves multiple approaches, including
bioleaching, biosurfactants, bioaccumulation, biosorption, bioprecipitation, biotransformation and
bio volatilization, as shown in Figure 10.1.

Figure 10.1. Microbial bioremediation of toxic metals (created by www.biorender).

Figure. 10.1. Microbial bioremediation of toxic metals (created by www.biorender)
174 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

10.4.1.1 Bioleaching
The bioleaching approach by acidophilic bacteria facilitates the solubility of heavy metals from
sediments and contaminated sites. It predominantly affects the concentrations of toxic metals,
including iron and sulfur, in sediments. Thus, groups of bacteria oxidize iron and sulfur compounds
include: Firmicutes (e.g., Alicyclobacillus sp., Sulfobacillus sp.), Nitrospirae (e.g., Leptospirillum sp.),
Proteobacteria (e.g., Acidithiobacillus sp., Acidiphilium sp., Acidiferrobacter sp., Ferrovum sp.),
Actinobacteria, archaea (Crenarchaeota). These microorganisms are known as bioleaching
microorganisms (Akcil et al. 2015). They can establish an acidic environment by oxidizing minerals,
and therefore dissolve toxic metals ions into an aqueous medium (Akcil et al. 2015).
Chemolitho-autotrophic bacteria Leptospirillum oxidized Fe+2 under acidic conditions
(pH = 1.5 – 1.8) in a sample adulterated with uranium (U92) (Bertrand et al. 2015), whereas
Thiobacillus is found to be capable of generating energy by oxidation of sulfur and thiosulfate (Xin
et al. 2009). Fungal strain Aspergillus niger is also found to be efficient for leaching the elements
and removing pollutants from sediment (Zeng et al. 2015).
The efficiency of bioleaching depends on various parameters, including abiotic stresses,
characteristics of ions present in sediments, pH, and size of sediments. The biotic factors like the
presence of microbial communities, metabolic pathways used for the process, and adaptability to
minerals also play a significant role. As and Fe are the most leached metals from sediments. With
these, a small percentage of Cu is also leachable. The bioleaching process is not suitable for Hg.
The remediating capabilities of indigenous heterotrophic bacterial isolates of Bacillus have been
observed in the leaching of toxic metals from polluted sites (Štyriaková et al. 2016).
These methods are viable both financially and environmentally. According to different research
studies, bioleaching of toxic metals is more effective than the conventional leaching methods
(Liu et al. 2003, Deng et al. 2013). However, several significant disadvantages restrict the utilization
of this technique for an effective detoxification process. Excessive metal concentrations usually limit
the development or functioning of susceptible microbes (Collinet and Morin 1990). A high load of
solid materials and organic materials in polluted sources also hinders microorganisms, resulting in
decreased bioleaching effectiveness (Cho et al. 2002).

10.4.1.2 Biosurfactant
Biosurfactants are synthesized by various classes of microorganisms, including fungi, and are
known to be a substitute for conventional leaching owing to factors such as low toxicity, high
biodegradability and significant environmental friendliness (Shekhar et al. 2015). Biosurfactants
are the molecules that serve as biological chelating agents for a number of heavy metals. The
biosurfactant-producing microorganisms are used at heavy metal-contaminated locations (Pacwa­
Płociniczak et al. 2011). Biosurfactants are composed of different functional groups, including fatty
acids, glycolipids and phospholipids (Pacwa-Płociniczak et al. 2011). Rhamnolipid is the most
studied biosurfactant for heavy metal elimination (Mulligan et al. 1999).
Z-glycolipid in Burkholderia sp. is capable of being utilized as a biosurfactant to remove a
mixture of toxic metals like Pb, As, Cu, Cd, Zn and As from polluted soil. Due to large acid-soluble
properties and high chelation with biosurfactants, Mn, Zn and Cd have been more efficiently
removed from the soil. The biosurfactant, rhamnolipid, demonstrated efficient heavy metal removal
from polluted river sediments in exchangeable, carbonate bound or iron-manganese oxide–bound
fractions (Chen et al. 2017).
Using biosurfactants to remove pollutants from soil, waste and sediments is an extremely
interesting approach. It may also be used for the pre-treatment of contaminated areas before
proceeding with stabilization/solidification, natural attenuation or electrokinetic processes. This
method has the edge over other bioprocesses due to its ability to operate effectively even at high pH
up to 11, while other bioprocesses (such as bioleaching and biosorption) work effectively only at low
pH levels. Biosurfactants with excellent degradability and biocompatibility provide a considerable
advantage with high environmental acceptability (Mulligan 2005). However, the exorbitantly high
 Metal(loid)s Toxicity and Bacteria Mediated Bioremediation 175

cost of biosurfactant production and the poor productivity of biosurfactants serve as a barrier to their
commercial applications in bioremediation. Further, endeavors are needed in this area to recycle and
reuse biosurfactants in order to decrease total costs via the development of cost-effective recovery
techniques.

10.4.1.3 Bioaccumulation
Bioaccumulation is a complicated and dynamic procedure that requires the absorption and
deposition of heavy metal ions in microbial intracellular components. The metabolism-dependent
heavy metal transporting mechanisms determine its effectiveness. Heavy metals move across cell
membranes via ion channels, protein pathways and carrier-mediated movement (Mishra and Malik
2013). The lipid bilayer allows for passive diffusion and could even enable toxic metals to enter the
cell through endocytosis. Heavy metal active transportation is observed in a number of microbial
species, including pseudomonas, Micrococcus, Bacillus and Aspergillus. However, this technique
is not very useful for bioremediation since heavy metal deposited in the cell may mediate harmful
effects on microbial metabolism. The efflux pathway releases heavy metals into the environment
after a certain level of build up. Despite these restrictions, bioaccumulation has been utilized as
a complete bioremediation method when the requirements of a minimum growing medium with
low harmful impact on cells during treatment are required. In one study, the removal of Hg via
bioaccumulation was shown to be more efficient than biosorption when using a live seaweed
Ulva lactuca (Henriques et al. 2015).

10.4.1.4 Biosorption
Microorganisms, including bacteria, are used to extract toxic metals from sites like contaminated
sewage, soil and sediments (Bano et al. 2018). Biosorption is a metabolism-independent, passive
absorption mechanism that binds heavy metals to the cell membrane. It comprises both the
physical and chemical bonding such as electrostatic, covalent, exopolysaccharides, ion-exchange,
Van der Waal’s force and microprecipitation with different functional groups (Montazer-Rahmati
et al. 2011). Several factors, including acidity, temperature, ionic strength of the environment,
permeability, origin, pre-treatment of biosorbents, amount and speciation of heavy metals, affect the
adsorption process (Zhu et al. 2013, Fomina and Gadd 2014). The bacteria Ochrobactrum MT180101
showed high biosorption efficiency for copper chelated with other compounds (Sun et al. 2021).
The affinity for metal binding is attributed to the presence of functional groups on the microbial
cell that includes alkanes, amides, amines, as well as negatively charged exopolysaccharides
(EPS). Furthermore, EPS modifications like acetylation, carboxymethylation, and methylation may
increase the affinity for metal ions (Gupta and Sar 2020).

10.4.1.5 Bioprecipitation
The process of altering soluble toxic metals ions into insoluble species like hydroxides, carbonates,
phosphates and sulfide groups by microorganisms is known as bioprecipitation. In this approach,
microbe-assisted precipitation is not contingent on the activity of microbes, as it could be present
in live and dead cells. Moreover, it may result in the precipitation of toxic metals that are directly
linked to the cells. Ambient factors such as pH levels and redox potentials influence the efficiency of
bioprecipitation. Sulfate-reducing bacteria produce hydrogen sulfide in an anaerobic environment
using organic substances as a nucleophile, and they can precipitate metal ions. Biological
oxidation of soluble ferrous iron under oxidative circumstances produces Fe (III) hydroxides that
co-precipitate additional ions such as sulfide, Cd, and U indirectly (Kaplan et al. 2016, Rinklebe and
Shaheen 2017). The leaching capability and the availability of toxic metals in sediments are greatly
reduced by these insoluble complexes. By oxidation, the sulfide group is resolubilized into the
aqueous phase. Hence, it is a critical process to track fluctuations in environmental redox potential
and microorganisms’ activity.
176 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

10.4.1.6 Biotransformation
Microbes interact with toxic metals and alter their form to a reasonably less toxic form via multiple
biological reactions such as condensation, hydrolysis, formation of new carbon bonds, isomerization
and introduction of functional groups, etc. (Table 10.2) (Guo et al. 2019). In Bacillus species
converts Cr (VI) to Cr (III) under physical conditions like pH (7–9), temperature (between 30ºC
and 40ºC), and Cr (VI) levels (50–250 mg L–1) (Lei et al. 2019). Under optimal conditions of pH 7
and at 37ºC, this species completely reduced the Cr (VI) concentration of 120 mg L–1 in just 48 hr.
By using acetate as a carbon source, a heterogenous anaerobic colony containing Anaerolineaceae,
Spirochaeta and Spirochaetaceae exhibited the capability to the reduction of Cr (VI) and V (V)
with high efficiency of 97 and 99.1%, sequentially (Wu et al. 2019). In the presence of hematite and
dissolved organic compounds, Geobacter sulfurreducens showed the capacity to eliminate Cr (VI).
Microorganisms use a sequence of methylation reactions for the conversion of As to volatile
forms. Microorganisms transform arsenic trioxide (As2O3) into volatile toxic tri-methyl arsine
(CH3)3As and increase the mobility and release of As into the environment. Acinetobacter sp.
and Micrococcus sp. are likewise found to be converting poisonous As (III) into nontoxic and less
soluble As (III) and lessen its toxicity. In methylation of Hg, bacteria convert mercuric ions into
methyl mercuric, which increases the bioavailability of Hg through food sources in the aquatic
environment. The biochemical processes of methylation of Hg and SO42– in contaminated sites are
significantly associated with reducing the pollutant levels in sediment pore water (Hines et al. 2012).

10.5 Biofilm in Toxic Metal Removal

An aggregation of microbes consisting of one or more strains bonded to a substratum and
encapsulated in a self-synthesized composite including water, proteins, carbohydrates and extra
cellular DNA, is known as a biofilm (Jia et al. 2013). It is expected that diverse microbial species
found in biofilm communities, each with its unique metabolic breakdown mechanism, can degrade
numerous pollutants collectively or individually (Gieg et al. 2014). As they fight for nutrients and
oxygen, biofilm-producing bacteria are adapted to thrive in adverse circumstances. It is considered
that biofilm-mediated remediation is an economical and environment-friendly alternative strategy
of removing toxic chemicals. Biofilms are useful for bioremediation because they accumulate,
precipitate, and eliminate many environmental pollutants. Indigenous populations in severely polluted
regions create bacterial biofilms to help them survive, flourish and cope with the harsh environment.
Gene expression in biofilms varies and is unique, analogous to free-floating planktonic cells. Several
genes play an important role in the degradation of pollutants through different metabolic pathways.
Chemotaxis and motility in bacteria are very important in biofilms formation (Horemans et al.
2013). Microorganisms use various motility behaviours such as chemotaxis, swimming and quorum
sensing to coordinate the movement of microbe toward pollutants and improve biodegradation
(Pratt and Kolter 1999).
Under normal environmental conditions, bacteria surviving in the form of biofilm enclosed
in a polymeric substance are known as exopolysaccharides (EPS) and offer a favorable assembly
to biofilm-producing microorganisms in bioremediation (Lacal et al. 2013, More et al. 2014). The
EPS is composed of polysaccharides, amino acids, fatty acids, nucleic acids, proteins and humic
compounds (Flemming and Wingender 2001). The composition of these EPS is variable in different
species and depends upon growth conditions, surface for attachment for biofilms and type of physical
stress (Jung et al. 2013). Biofilms form filamentous and mushroom-like structures that grow rapidly
in flowing and stagnant water, correspondingly (Miqueleto et al. 2010). In the presence of predatory
protozoa, bacteria frequently adapt to produce biofilms in the form of vast inedible microcolonies
that allow survival and persistence under hostile environments (Edwards et al. 2000). The biofilm
matrix protects microorganisms against adverse environmental conditions, mechanical stress, pH
stress, antibiotics, antimicrobial compounds, dehydration, predators, solvents, UV radiations and
 Metal(loid)s Toxicity and Bacteria Mediated Bioremediation 177

elevated doses of dangerous chemicals and pollutants better than planktonic cells (Davey and
O’toole 2000, Matz and Kjelleberg 2005).
Biofilm-producing bacteria are efficient to bioremediate as they are imprisoned in an EPS
that also immobilizes pollutants during breakdown (Mah and O’Toole 2001). Due to the low
concentration of oxygen towards the center, all the microbes, including aerobes and anaerobes,
heterotrophs (nitrifying bacteria) and sulfate reducers are present in close proximity in the three-
dimensional network of EPS, facilitating quicker degradation of various contaminants in natural and
artificial systems (Sutherland 2001). Toxic metals are removed from the aqueous environment using
EPS from cyanobacteria as a biosorbent (de Philippis et al. 2011). Several enzymes are present in
biofilms EPS, which detoxify heavy metals and organic compounds. Due to the presence of many
negatively charged functional groups in EPS, it acts as a trap for metals and metalloids, allowing
the formation of chelates with toxic metals and organic contaminants and thus facilitating their
elimination (Li and Yu 2014). Different metals like zinc, lead, nickel, magnesium, cadmium, iron,
manganese and copper are known to bind to EPS (Pal and Paul 2008). Nutrient restriction may
lead to enhancement in EPS and copper production and allow to absorb more pollutants from the
polluted site. The EPS of phosphorus-accumulating bacteria in biofilms serves as a reservoir and
aids in the bioremediation and recovery of phosphorus from wastewater (Zhang et al. 2013).
Biofilms may be observed in natural environments such as soil, plants, sediments, streams,
ponds, rivers and man-made environments. Fungus, bacteria, protozoa and algae make up biofilms
that form on the water’s surface.
During bloom periods, fragile structures termed flocs are formed. The floc-activity of activated
sludge plants is used to treat municipal wastewater. Slow-sand filters are used to separate organic
chemicals and metals from the natural environment by using biofilms (Burmølle et al. 2006).
Planctomycetes found in seaweed biofilms in coastal habitats can be used to remove nitrogen from
wastewater by anammox reactions by converting ammonia to dinitrogen anaerobically (Kartal et al.
2010).
Biofilms are extensively used for risk assessment or as an indication for monitoring and assessing
toxic metal pollution. There may be a change in biofilm structural and physiological functions in the
presence of toxic compounds. Microbial biofilms could accumulate contaminants, and contaminants
offer an easy attachment site for biofilms. They are applied as an indicator system (Bengtsson and
Øvreås 2010). Microbes are the first organisms in aquatic habitats to interact with minerals and
pollutants, and as a result, biofilms may be used as a risk assessment tool in aqueous bodies (Fuchs
et al. 1997). Several biofilm marker properties, including biomass production, microbial species,
photosynthetic machinery, pigment formation and enzyme activity, may be used in monitoring
environmental pollution. The microbial species present in river biofilms vary depending on the
season and as well as the level of pollution (Peacock et al. 2004). Contaminated sites with various
toxic metals such as zinc and cadmium may also affect the microbial species; hence, it could be
related to the level of contamination (Brümmer et al. 2000). Biofilm sampling has been shown
to provide a more accurate assessment of heavy metal pollution in aquatic microbial populations
(Bricheux et al. 2013). The algal biofilm could be used as an indicator of pollution due to changes
in biomass in the presence of heavy metals (Ancion et al. 2013). The pigment-formation property
of the biofilm may be altered after exposure to hazardous chemicals, which serves as a biomarker
(Navarro et al. 2002, Dorigo et al. 2004, Dewez et al. 2008).

10.6 Bioremediation Using Extremophiles

During the past several decades, the methods for sustainable bioremediation of toxic metals have
been explored using extremophilic bacteria. Acidophilic bacteria capable of sliving in extremely
acidic environments are used as host cultures for the bioremediation of toxic chemicals (Gumulya
et al. 2018, Saavedra et al. 2020). Acidothiobacillus species, a most ubiquitous acidophilic
and chemolithotrophic bacterium, have been used to develop bioremediation techniques.
178 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

Acidothiobacillus ferrooxidans, for instance, has demonstrated the ability to achieve industrial-scale
bioleaching (Zhang et al. 2018). Acidocella aromatica and Acidiphilium symbioticum demonstrated
the capability to reduce vanadium ions and biosorption of cadmium cations under extreme pH levels
(Okibe et al. 2016).
A more effective method for toxic metal removal could be accomplished by using a microbe’s
consortium. The bioremediation of these pollutants by using an acid-isolated acidophilic microbe
consortia was performed on a contaminated sediment site. An acidophilic microbial composed of
Acidothiobacillus thiooxidans, Leptospirillum ferrooxidans and Acidiphilium cryptum demonstrated
effectiveness in extracting over 90% of Cu2+, Cd2+, Hg2+ and Zn2+ (Beolchini et al. 2009)
(Table 10.3).
Halophilic bacteria provide significant benefits in the remediation of hazardous contaminants in
extreme saline environments. As marine bacteria can survive at high salinity, bioremediation using
marine bacteria may be a viable alternative for cleaning seawater composed of toxic metals. Vibrio
harveyi has shown a significant potential to acquire cadmium ions. The adsorption capacity was
observed to be up to 23.3 mg Cd2+/g dry cells (Abd-Elnaby et al. 2011). The other marine bacteria,
Enterobacter cloaceae, could make complexes with Cd, Cu and Co from mixed-salts solutions
(Iyer et al. 2005). In conjunction with marine bacteria, thermophilic microbes have high biosorption
capability, indicating these microbes have a high potential for removing contaminants from polluted
environments (Özdemir et al. 2013).
Another approach is to study new extremophilic bacterial enzymes: extremozymes, which
have peculiar structure-function properties such as stability at high temperatures, severe pH, high
ionic strength, in the presence of organic solvents and toxic metals (Cabrera and Blamey 2018).
Extremophilic bacteria such as Metallosphaera sedula, Leptospirillum ferriphilum and Sulfolobus
solfataricus have been sequenced, and segments containing the Hg-resistance gene merA have been
discovered.
Table 10.3. Efficiency of extremophiles in bioremediation of toxic metals.

Toxic Metal Bioremediation Extremophiles Initial Conc. Efficiency References

Mechanism
As (III) Bioleaching Acidothiobacillus - 35.9% Chen et al. 2011
ferrooxidans BY-3
U (VI) Bioleaching At. ferrooxidans 100 mg L–1 50% Romero-González
et al. 2016
Cu (II) Bioprecipitation Acidothiobacillus 50 mM > 99% Jameson et al. 2010
ferrivorans
V(V) Bioreduction Acidocella 1 mM 70% Okibe et al. 2016
aromatica
Cd (II) Bio-accumulation Vibrio harveyi 30–60 mg L–1 84% Chakravarty and
Banerjee 2012

Biosorption Acidiphilium 250 mg L–1 248.62mg Cd Abd-Elnaby et al.

symbioticum H8 (II)/g biomass 2011

Enterobacter 100 mg L–1 65% Iyer et al. 2005

cloaceae
Geobacillus 50 mg L–1 85.4% Özdemir et al. 2013
thermantarcticus
Anoxybacillus 50 mg L–1 74.1% Özdemir et al. 2013
amylolyticus
Cr (VI) Bioreduction Pyrobaculum 600 µM 100% Kashefi and Lovley
islandicum 2000
 Metal(loid)s Toxicity and Bacteria Mediated Bioremediation 179

As a result, extremophiles could be used in the elimination of toxic metals from toxic locations
and sludges. However, more research into advancing technology for investigating microbial
surroundings and gaining insight into the pathways analysis which influence microbial activity and
metal degradation metabolic pathways under severe environments is necessary.

10.7 Recombinant DNA Technology for Bioremediation

Genetic engineering methods such as recombinant DNA technology, which include genetic transfer
between bacteria, are used to manipulate the genetic makeup of organisms, which are known as
Genetically Modified Microorganisms (GMM) or Genetically Engineered Microorganisms (GEM).
Microbial Metal Resistance genes (MMRg) are useful genetic strategies for modifying bacteria.
Several MMRg-based bioremediation technologies have been proposed (Zheng et al. 2019).
Genetically modified microorganisms are being used for the effective removal of toxic metals from
the environment. Customized microbial genes in genetically modified organisms provide novel
metabolic pathways that improve the efficiency of bioremediation methods (Holliger and Zehnder
1996). In genetically modified microorganisms, the expression of genes is controlled, which is more
important for the conversion of toxic metals to fewer toxic species/forms (Bondarenko et al. 2008).
The microbial potential has been successfully utilized in different investigations.
The genome sequence of many bacterial communities involved in bioremediation has been
done (Rahman et al. 2017, Yang et al. 2017). The genetic makeup of Pseudomonas sp. KT2440
(6.2 MB) has been analyzed, revealing the presence of genes encoding a wide range of enzymes and
proteins and efflux pumps, each of which plays a critical role in the deterioration of a number of
chemicals. Several additional investigations have revealed that microorganisms are engaged in the
bioremediation of toxic metals, dyes and other chemicals, depending on their genome (Belda et al.
2016, Dangi et al. 2017).
A genetically engineered E. coli strain could successfully remove mercury from the
contaminated area, including water or soil (Sharma and Shukla 2020). Transgenic bacteria with
metallothioneins and polyphosphate kinase genes are appropriate for mercury bioremediation.
Similarly, Cd-contaminated industrial effluent was reported to be treated using genetically modified
Ralstonia metallidurans and Caulobacter spp. (Patel et al. 2010, Azad et al. 2014). Arsenic (As)
may be removed from contaminated soil by transgenic bacteria expressing the ArsM gene through
volatilization (Liu et al. 2019). Bioaccumulation has also been observed in genetically modified
strains of E. coli with enhanced expression of the ArsR gene (Kostal et al. 2004). Nickel is one of
the most refractory pollutants that could be accumulated by genetically engineered E. coli strain
from an aqueous solution (Pacwa-Płociniczak et al. 2011). In another study, the merB and merG
genes were added to the mercury-resistant Cupriavidus metallidurans strain MSR33 to regulate Hg
biodegradation (Rojas et al. 2011).
Even though genetic engineering has devised a number of variants and bacterial species capable
of degrading contaminants, there are many barriers. A major concern towards developed strains
and microorganism’s species is their low bioremediation efficiency. In microbiological ecology,
the use of Stable Isotope Probing (SIP) and related methods have shown that Rhodococcus and
Pseudomonas, which grow faster, are often used as biodegradation hosts but are much less effective
in various natural conditions (Tahri et al. 2013). The main issue with this effective bioremediation
state is keeping the ground conditions for engineered microbes under control. P. fluorescens HK44
has been actively monitored for the optimum ground conditions for bioremediation in the ecosystem
(Ripp et al. 2000). As a result, when it comes to pollution clean-up, GEMs do not appear without
the risks of their introduction into the environment. The adverse field conditions for the designed
microorganisms constitute a significant issue in bioremediation. In naturalistic settings, bacteria
such as E. coli (Bondarenko et al. 2008), B. subtilis (Ivask et al. 2011), and P. putida (Wu et al. 2006)
have been used to focus on ways in which the molecular significance is primarily restricted. The
need for adaptation of created bacterial strains to meet the new challenge is a crucial characteristic
180 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

of open biotechnological applications. The most pressing issue is developing genetically modified
bacteria with an acceptable degree of environmental assurance for field release in bioremediation.
The efforts to evaluate the performance of modified bacteria under severe environmental conditions
include endurance and horizontal gene transfer capacity, that may influence the native microflora
of the environment. To avoid this, field bacteria are specially developed for in vitro bioremediation.
It is unclear if the intentional discharge of genetically engineered bacteria for bioremediation has
any negative impact on native microorganisms (Sayler and Ripp 2000). As a result, the survival of
genetically modified microorganisms in a hostile environment remains a major concern.

10.8 Conclusions
Several studies have been conducted for the bioremediation of toxic metals from the environment.
Microbial mediated bioremediation is found to be a sustainable approach. However, certain
areas need to be more focused on and explored so that they can be applied for commercial use.
As bioremediation in most studies is successful in the laboratory and controlled conditions, hence
there is a need to explore the mechanism to carry out bioremediation under natural environment
without controlled conditions. Besides this, GMOs are being used due to their high capability to
perform bioremediation in comparison to wild-type microbial strains. However, there are several
risks associated with this technology, such as ecological disturbance and horizontal gene transfer,
which cause the limited use of GMOs in bioremediation. Extremophiles need to be explored more,
and there might be unculturable microbes present in the environment, hence the need to develop the
process to culture these unexplored microbes. The process development for scale-up is required for
more commercial applications.

Acknowledgments
This work is supported by Grant no. BT/RLF/Re-entry/ 40/ 2017 from the Department of Biotechnology
(DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology and SERB project file no: EEQ/2020/000614 Govt. of
India. We acknowledge the CSIR pool scientific scheme Grant no. 9103, Govt. of India. Pictures are
created by using www.biorender.com.

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Chapter 11
Lead Induced Toxicity,
Detoxification and
Bioremediation
Shalini Dhiman,1 Arun Dev Singh,1 Isha Madaan,2,7
Raman Tikoria,3 Driti Kapoor,4 Priyanka Sharma,5
Nitika Kapoor,6 Geetika Sirhindi,2 Puja Ohri 3 and
Renu Bhardwaj1,*

11.1 Introduction
Lead is a hazardous element that comes from various technogenic sources like ammunition, batteries-
based industries, bangle manufacturing, building material, ceramic ware, cosmetics, gasoline,
glassware, plastic pipes, paints with Pb pigments, petrochemicals, radiation protection, leaded fuels,
bullets, fishing sinkers, mining, smelting, electroplating of the metallic ores (Dotaniya et al. 2020).
All the possible routes of Pb exposure beyond its permissible limits lead to Pb toxicity in soil,
water, air, humans, animals as well as in plant systems. Pb inside soil disrupts soil properties and
soil ecosystem mainly by reducing nutrients availability to plants, which in turn effects soil-forming
processes, microbiota, soil health, crop quality and productivity. However, Pb uptake beyond
permissible limits inside plant systems causes many abnormal morphological and physiological
symptoms like disturbance in photosynthesis, water potential, nutrient uptake, respiration and causes
nuclear damage. Moreover, plants also show tolerance and detoxification mechanism against heavy
metal stress such as compartmentalization, metallothionine, phytochelatins, Pb-immobilization by
plants roots exudates, organic acid, etc. (Mitra et al. 2020).

1
Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, India, 143005.
2
Department of Botany, Punjabi University, Patiala, India, 147002.
3
Department of Zoology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, India, 143005.
4
Department of Botany, School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, India,
144402.
5
School of Bioengineering Sciences & Research, MIT-ADT Loni Kalbhor, Pune, Maharashtra, India, 412201.
6
PG Department of Botany, Hans Raj Mahila Maha Vidyalaya, Jalandhar, Punjab, India, 144623.
7
Government College of Education, Jalandhar, Punjab, India, 144001.
* Corresponding author: [email protected]
188 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

Harmless removal of Pb from Pb-contaminated sites is the need of this modern century. Such
safe disposal and proper remediation of Pb from polluted sites have been done using various modern
tools and techniques such as bioremediation, especially phytoremediation. Some plants are very
capable of remediating contaminants from contaminated sites, and such processes are collectively
also known as phytoremediation (Jagetiya and Kumar 2020). Soils polluted with Pb are remediated
by other living forms such as fungi, algae, microbes, etc. A considerable number of studies have
been successfully carried out on Pb-bioremediation because these techniques are acceptable, safer,
cheaper and more ecofriendly than any other techniques for the removal of Pb.

11.2 Lead Toxicity in Soil Plant System

Various heavy metals act as pollutants and create serious threats to plants’ health by altering their
metabolism, growth rate and other physiology. Among them, lead (Pb) is the second most dangerous
heavy metal due to its potential toxicity to plants (Shahid et al. 2011). In the soil-plant system, Pb
comes from fumes of automobiles, factories, storage batteries, mining, metal plating and finishing
operations. Once it gets established in the soil, it is more easily accumulated in it (Hadi and Aziz
2015).
Plant nutrient dynamics is an important factor for determining the growth and yield of the crop.
In healthy soil, a good amount of plant biomass and yield is produced. Large numbers of organic acid
(having low molecular weight) are secreted by the plants into the soil. Most of the microorganisms
get their raw food material from them and enhance the nutrient mineralization processes. Studies
showed that approximately 40–65% of the photosynthesis products were released by the living
plants as root exudates. These exudates are constituted of amino acids, plant growth hormones, etc.
(Dotaniya et al. 2020). The toxic levels of Pb inside soil negatively impact the normal root exudation
processes and decline their secretion. These conditions are very critical in the presence of higher
concentrations of Pb as the fertility of soil decreases up to a level from where land will not produce
even a single blade of grass. Pb creates oxidative stress on plants and generates reactive oxygen
species, which are phytotoxic. The most common symptoms of Pb toxicity are loss of chlorophyll
content, disruption in respiration and photosynthesis, etc. It has been reported that younger plants
and leafy crops are more susceptible to Pb toxicity as compared to older and less leafy crops.
Similarly, peri-urban vegetables also tend to be more susceptible to lead toxicity. Once established
in the food chain, Pb toxicity greatly affects human health, especifically infants. Such infants show
symptoms like stunted growth, mental retardation, hair loss and organ and metabolic process failure.
Different plant species get affected to varying degrees of toxicity due to Pb. Some plants have their
own excluder strategies through roots to reduce the effect of Pb toxicity. Some plants have a higher
potential for tolerating Pb toxicity. These plants are referred to as hyperaccumulators, and are also
used in phytoremediation (Dotaniya et al. 2017, Dotaniya et al. 2018a).

11.2.1 Lead Toxicity in Soil

Lead is found naturally in the crust layer of the earth, having levels less than 50 mg kg–1 (Arias
et al. 2010). But anthropogenic activities may lead to change this level very frequently. These
anthropogenic activities may result in the accumulation of Pb onto the surface layer of the soil.
Further, its content declines with an increase in depth (Cecchi et al. 2008). According to ATSDR
(2020), the Pb level in soil was increased by one thousand-fold in the past three centuries because
of the availability of more advanced techniques that can detect Pb in very small fractions (ATSDR
2020). In soil, Pb may be present in many forms, including free metal ion, complex forms (devise
complexes with inorganic constituents like carbonate, bicarbonate, sulfate and chloride ion) or maybe
found in its organic forms such as fulvic acid, amino acid and humic acid. Alternatively, adsorption
of Pb occurs on the surface of particles like iron oxides, biological and organic matter, etc. (Vega
et al. 2010, Sammut et al. 2010). However, due to strong binding affinities of Pb with colloidal/
organic material, it created the possibility that only a tiny fraction of Pb is soluble in soil, and
 Lead Induced Toxicity, Detoxification and Bioremediation 189

therefore less accessible for plant uptake (Punamiya et al. 2010). An investigatory report given by
Kumpiene et al. (2017) showed that lead is a versatile element present in the soil with a background
amount of 27 mg kg–1. Lead-contaminated soil is divided into five categories depending on the level
of contamination, i.e., extremely low (< 150 ppm), low (150–400 ppm), moderate (400–1000 ppm),
high (1000–2000 ppm) and extremely high (> 2000 ppm). The degree of Pb contamination also
varies from one season to another, and in different mediums (Patel et al. 2010). Reports suggested
that a high level of lead is reported in some places where anthropogenic activities are prominent. For
example—at smelting sites, lead concentration in soil ranged from 10 to 7100 mg kg–1 (Chlopecka
et al. 1996), road dust (105–110 mg kg–1) (Bi et al. 2018), mining site (132–45016 mg kg–1) (Higueras
et al. 2017). Further, the industrial site contained lead at a level of 42–131 mg kg–1 (He et al. 2017);
in previous garden soil, it was 1020–1030 mg kg–1 (Egendorf et al. 2018). Similarly, Pb in flooded
soil was in between 105–115 mg kg–1 (Antić-Mladenović et al. 2017), and in the soil of shooting
ranges was 32,500–33,500 mg kg–1 (Mariussen et al. 2018).

11.2.1.1 How Lead Toxicity Affects Soil Ecosystem

The presence of Pb in excessive concentrations in the soil affects the soil ecosystem in several ways:

11.2.1.1.1 Reducing Nutrient Availability to Plants

Nutrients inside the soil ecosystem play a vital role in the growth of plants and animals. An increase
in the amount of lead in the soil decreased the other metal ions’ availability to the plants. Soil
contaminated with Pb may generate abiotic stress to the living flora, which further reduces the
uptake of other macronutrients ions like potassium, calcium and magnesium and micronutrients like
zinc, copper, nickel as well as nitrogen uptake (Wu et al. 2011). For example, enhancement of Pb
level reduces the nickel ion concentration in spinach in Madhya Pradesh, India. Further, elevated
concentrations of Pb in black soil also affected its enzymatic properties (Pipalde and Dotaniya
2018).

11.2.1.1.2 Effect on soil Forming Processes

There are various pedogenic processes like oxidation-reduction, mineralization-immobilization,
dissolution-precipitation, sorption-desorption, etc., which are responsible for the formation of soil.
These reactions are involved in regulating the dynamics of various nutrient cycles and ultimately,
soil biodiversity by creating competition among the nutrients. Once elevation occurs in the
concentration of Pb, it leads to disruption in these reactions and affects the dynamics, ultimately
pedogenesis (Dotaniya and Pipalde 2018).

11.2.1.1.3 Effect on Soil Health and Microbiota

Lead toxicity affects the microbial count in the soil ecosystem by direct or indirect effects. The
decomposition rate of organic material was suppressed due to the presence of moderate or excessive
concentrations of metal ions inside the soil (Bahar et al. 2012). According to reports, approximately
8–16 times higher concentration of lead was discovered in crops developed on polluted sites
(smelter plant) in France (Douay et al. 2013). Further, enhancement in the level of Pb leads to a
decline in the biodiversity, richness and population count of microorganisms (Banat et al. 2010).
If Pb concentration was reached to 100 mg/kg, it reduced the rate of carbon mineralization as well
as enzymatic activities such as dehydroascorbate reductase. Reports suggested that lead toxicity
reduces the amount of nitrogen fixation organisms, thus affecting the rate of biological nitrogen
fixation (Dotaniya et al. 2020).

11.2.1.1.4 Crop Quality and Productivity

Crop loss and fall in quality are among the most typical consequences of Pb toxicity. Lead
accumulation in crops reduce the food grain quality, which has detritus effects on human health
after consuming these crops. Vegetables and their parts are more prone to the accumulation of toxic
190 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

metals as compared to edible crops. Further, crops grown on land continuously supplied by sewage
water also have a high level of lead, which ultimately leads to a bad color of the crops (Bhupal Raj
et al. 2009). Onion crops quality was found inferior in the soil irrigated by lead-contaminated water
in Ratlam, India (Meena et al. 2020).
Severe loss of yield in crops was observed in soybean, gram, fenugreek and garlic. These crops
got affected by Pb contaminated water, which decreased farmers’ output (Panwar et al. 2010).

11.2.1.2 Factors Affecting Pb Toxicity in Soil

Lead toxicity in the soil is affected by several factors. These factors might be topographic, climatic
or due to human activities. Some of these factors are:

11.2.1.2.1 Soil Properties

Soil properties like pH, porosity, amount of organic matter, cation exchange capacity, clay content,
soil structure and the presence/absence of other ions inside soils are the key factors that ultimately
determine lead toxicity (Meena et al. 2020). If clay content is high in the soil, it forms complexes with
humus, which ultimately reduces the mobility of Pb (Dotaniya et al. 2016). These complexes also
serve as sources of carbon for soil microorganisms, enhancing their growth and variety. Further, the
organic matter containing the carboxyl group binds with Pb and forms complexes, which ultimately
decrease its availability (Dotaniya et al. 2020). Solubility and accumulation of Pb in the soil are
influenced by the presence of phosphates and carbonates. Additionally, the availability of lead to
plants is typically low in the pH range from 5 to 7 (Blaylock et al. 1997). The presence of several
metal ions like zinc, copper, nickel and chromium also had adverse effects on Pb accumulation in
soil (Orroño et al. 2012). Rhizosphere containing soil fauna has a vital role in Pb availability, as
found in the case of Thlaspi caerulescens and Lantana camera (Jusselme et al. 2012).

11.2.1.2.2 Concentration of other Elements

An increase in the level of nickel ion to the level of 100 mg kg–1 leads to a reduction in Pb toxicity
(Pipalde and Dotaniya 2018). By introducing acid-neutralizing material into the soil, the mobility of
Pb can be reduced. Water stress might be helpful in lowering Pb concentration as on adding water,
Pb concentration is diluted (Dotaniya et al. 2018b). The toxicity of soil also depends upon the forms
of Pb. For example, Pb is present in oxyanion complexes in soil and water streams (Dotaniya et al.
2018c). Similarly, an increased amount of phosphatic fertilizers could be helpful in reducing the Pb
accumulation (Lenka et al. 2016).

11.2.1.2.3 Industries
Agricultural soil/lands that are situated closer to industrial areas are more prone to lead contamination
because of leakage of lead-containing pollutants (Saha et al. 2013). Pb level was found greater in
the soil surrounding the Coimbatore area near an electroplating and paint industry. Similarly, in
Tamil Nadu’s Dindigul district, the cement factory is the major source of lead poisoning (Meena
et al. 2020). Lead contamination into the soil is also caused by industries that make daily life
products such as Pb-based paints, solder, ceramics and pesticides. Industries that are involved in
mining smelting and tailing release high amounts of lead into nearby soil (Mitra et al. 2020, Anju
and Banerjee 2011).

11.2.1.2.4 Urbanization
Lead increase in urban soils might be due to increasing industrialization. Combustion of leaded
petrol results in vehicular emission containing tetraethyl Pb, which contributes significantly to lead
in urban areas. As per USEPA standards, the threshold limit of Pb in the soil is 400 mg/L, and in
portable water, it is 0.01 mg/L (Bureau of Indian Standard) (Mitra et al. 2020).
 Lead Induced Toxicity, Detoxification and Bioremediation 191

11.2.2 Lead Uptake and Toxicity in Plant System

Pb is available in different exchangeable and non-exchangeable forms in soil. Among these, Pb (II) is
the only form that can be absorbed by plants. Higher concentrations of Pb in soil may lead to its entry
inside the plant system. Soil pH is also one of the essential factors which affect the bioavailability
of Pb to plants. Pb is adsorbed by plant roots at low pH, as high pH favors the formation of stable
and insoluble covalent Pb compounds such as acetates, carbonates and hydroxides (Shahid et al.
2017). The most common mechanism by which Pb enters the plant body is through roots. However,
Pb is translocated through the apoplast pathway and Ca channels on the plasma membrane to above
ground parts of the plant. Nevertheless, the level of Pb that reaches the shoot region is very low as
most of it is sequestered through chelation with the mucilage and galacturonic acids of the cell walls
of roots. Even lower concentrations of Pb that enter the plant system causes significant disturbances
in plant fundamental processes.
Pb being a toxic heavy metal, has no biological function in plant primary as well secondary
processes. Excessive amounts of Pb in growing environments may negatively influence plant
activities from seed germination to crop yield. Pb contamination disrupts seed germination by
inhibiting activities of various enzymes such as amylases, proteases thereby leading to retarded
seedling development. Decreased root, shoot length, leaf area and impaired photosynthesis are other
symptoms reflected in plants grown in Pb prone areas.
Pb pollution inhibited root growth, root hair differentiation, water and essential divalent cations
absorption such as Mg, Ca, Mn, Fe, etc., by roots, which resulted in damage to normal machinery
of plants (Rucińska-Sobkowiak 2016). Pb may also directly interact with many functional groups
such as -OH, -COOH, -SH, CO, CHO, etc., thereby, leading to conformational changes in primary
biomolecules, i.e., lipids, proteins, carbohydrates and nucleic acids. In addition to this, the production
of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) under Pb stress has also been reported in many research studies.
These ROS may oxidize vital plant metabolites and hence, hamper the overall efficiency of various
metabolic processes such as photosynthesis, respiration, transpiration, etc. (Ghori et al. 2019,
Hasanuzzaman et al. 2020).
Pb is also shown to inhibit the action of enzymes involved in the production of chlorophyll
synthesis and upregulates the activity of chlorophyllase, chlorophyll degrading enzyme which results
in decreased chlorophyll content in plants (Yang et al. 2020). In certain cases, the replacement of
the central Mg atom of chlorophyll by Pb has also been found. Other processes which are disturbed
include hill reaction, Calvin cycle and grana stacking in the chloroplast. All these factors lead to
impaired photosynthesis, one of the most indispensable processes influencing crop productivity
(Santos et al. 2015). The toxic effects of Pb on plant health have been summarized in Figure 11.1.
A large amount of nuclear damage resulting from Pb toxicity has also been reported in different
plants, including polyploidy, replication errors leading to single stranded DNA formation, incomplete
cell cycle and chromosome stickiness (Pizzaia et al. 2019). In addition to these, modifications in
the level of water potential, membrane integrity and hormonal signaling may also occur due to Pb­
induced induced plant damage. All these alterations assertively result in dwindled crop productivity
and hence create a serious threat to the world’s health and economy.

11.3 Lead Tolerance and Detoxification Mechanism Inside Plant System

Pb enters the environment as a result of a number of anthropogenic activities. Plants being sessile
organisms, cannot change their habitat in response to such conditions. Therefore, they adapt to such
an environment by stimulating intracellular mechanisms that ensure the normal survival of plants.
These mechanisms may include Pb accumulation in plant parts without any visible symptoms,
sequestration of Pb into vacuoles, exudation from roots into soils in the insoluble precipitated form
that cannot be reabsorbed. All such mechanisms are referred to as tolerance and detoxification
mechanisms (Figure 11.2). Usually, entry of Pb stimulate either or all the following detoxification
processes:
192 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

DISTRESSED RESPIRATION
IMPAIRED PHOTOSYNTHESIS
 Decreased chlorophyll content  Downregulation of TCA cycle enzymes
 Altered chloroplast structure  Improper electron and proton transport
 Inefficient Hill reaction and
& Calvin
Calvincycle
cycle

PHYTOHORMONAL IMBALANCE WATER POTENTIAL

 Over-production of ABA and
& Ethylene
Ethylene  Decreased leaf and
& stomatal
stomatalarea
area
 Low levels of Cytokinin and
& GAs
GAs  Less water uptake

DISTURBED NUTRIENT UPTAKE NUCLEAR DAMAGE

 Hinderance to uptake of essential ions- Pb effects  Replication errors
Ca2+, Mg2+, Fe2+, Zn2+, Cu2+, NO3 within plant  Chromosome bridges and
& stickiness
stickiness
 Chromosomal aberrations- poly and
& aneuploidy
aneuploidy

Pb in Soil

Figure 11.1. Uptake of lead from soil and its toxic effects within the plant.

Pb in PLANT SYSTEM

Detoxification Strategies

CONSTITUTIVE INDUCIBLE ADS ACTIVATION

 THICKENING OF CELL WALL  UPREGULATION OF SOD, POD,

 VACOULAR SEQUESTRATION
CAT, GR, GST, GPOX.
 ADSORPTION OF METAL ON
CALLOSE THICKENINGS  PHYTOCHELATIN & METTALOTHIONEIN
PHYTOCHELATIN AND
METTALOTHIONEIN SYNTHESIS
SYNTHESIS  INCREASED LEVELS OF GSH,
AsA &
ASA TOCOPHEROLS.
AND TOCOPHEROLS.
 EXTRACELLUAR SEQUESTRATION

Figure 11.2. Lead detoxification mechanisms within a plant system.

11.3.1 Constitutive Mechanisms

Such mechanisms act as the first level of plant defense against mild Pb stress. This method of Pb
detoxification involves the adsorption of Pb on the cellular compartments, mainly on thickened cell
walls. Entry of Pb stimulates the synthesis of polysaccharides, callose and pectin, which causes
widening of the cell wall and hence restricts entry of Pb into the cell (Rucińska-Sobkowiak et al.
2013).
It also provides new sites for the Pb adsorption and enhances its sequestration extracellularly.

11.3.2 Inducible Mechanism

These mechanisms consume a large amount of energy and are usually activated under conditions of
high Pb toxicity. It involves the task of different transporters and ATPases for the efflux of symplastic
Pb into vacuoles. Along with this, the synthesis of Pb binding ligands such as phytochelatins (PCs),
metallothioneins (MTs) is also induced. PCs and MTs aid in Pb detoxification by its sequestration
 Lead Induced Toxicity, Detoxification and Bioremediation 193

within cytoplasm before it enters vacuoles and chloroplast, thereby minimizing the toxic effects of
Pb on the plant cell (Pourrut et al. 2013).

11.3.3 Activation of Antioxidative Defense System (ADS)

Harmful effects of Pb-induced ROS generation and oxidative stress are reciprocated by ADS
activation, which involves both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. The activities of
several enzymes, i.e., superoxide dismutase (SOD), guaicol peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT),
Glutathione Reductase (GR), Glutathione-S-Transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPOX),
polyphenol peroxidase (PPO), etc., is found to be upregulated in many plant species such as wheat,
rice, sunflower, mung bean, black grams and maize (Kandziora-Ciupa et al. 2013). Levels of
non-enzymatic antioxidants, including glutathione, tocopherols and ascorbic acid, have also been
reported to get enhanced significantly as their functional groups help in the sequestration of Pb by
forming stable metal-chelating complexes.
These detoxification mechanisms help in the survival of plants in Pb stressed habitats. However,
it is the need of the hour to cease human activities which introduce Pb into the environment as under
adverse conditions, even these processes may fail and hence lead to plant death.

11.4 Lead Bioremediation

Extensive reports indicate that continuous industrial, mining, urban development and overpopulation
are releasing toxic metal lead (Pb) persistently in soil flora beyond the permissible threshold value.
Being a non-biodegradable and biologically non-functional element, Pb is accountable for its toxicity
in rhizospheric flora, environment and all-living entities, resulting in consequential health issues
to human beings. Therefore, there is an urgent need to explore efficient and ecological friendly
sustainable techniques to minimize heavy metal contaminants like Pb, which are released in soil,
water, etc. The conventional physico-chemical methods such as landfill, soil incineration, chemical
precipitation, electrokinetic system, ion exchange, ultrafiltration, adsorption, etc., are effective,
but these approaches are very expensive and also generate secondary waste, that are the major
constraints for soil fertility, loss of biota and rhizospheric microbial flora (Akmal and Jianming,
2009, Li et al. 2014, Akhtar et al. 2017).
Hence, advancements in bioengineering are allowing more competitive approaches to grow
efficient, cost-effective, environment-friendly and sustainable methods for the remediation/
detoxification of non-biodegradable toxic Pb metal contaminants from the environment into
non-hazardous forms (Su 2014, Kushwaha et al. 2018). The latest researches are signifying a
sustainable bioremediation strategy for remediation of lead contaminated soil repositories either
via phytoremediation methods (using plants) or microbial remediation (via microbes) (Wuana and
Okieimen 2011, Kushwaha et al. 2018).
Bioremediation is a process where highly toxic, harmful pollutants such as Pb are transformed/
degraded to a non-reactive oxidative state or reduced to minerals via in- and ex-situ practices
(Kumar et al. 2021). Plants via the process of phytoremediation, recently played a promising role to
extract, immobilize, stabilize and transform the toxic ionization state of lead (Pb) from contaminated
sites through different processes viz. phytoextraction, phytostabilization, accumulation of toxic
compounds and rhizofiltration (Chibuike and Obiora 2014, Rigoletto et al. 2020) (Figure 11.3).
Currently, phytoremediation techniques have emerged as techniques of great interest due to their
cost-effectiveness, efficiency and environmental sustainability (Prakash et al. 2013).
Similarly, microbial communities also engage in different defensive strategies to combat fatal
toxicity by influencing the activity of Pb through siderophore, ion chelator production, biosorption,
extracellular sequestration, efflux, compartmentalization, etc. Thus, microbes and plants are
promising resolutions for sustainable development by restoring the contaminated sites of soil, water
and the environment. Next divergent bioremediation strategies by using microbes, plants, and algae
for the detoxification, stabilization and removal of lead from contaminated areas are described.
194 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

Lead Bioremediation

Plants Mediated

Microbes Mediated

Phytoremediation Processes
Rhizosphere
Mechanistic Approach by Microbes  Phytoextraction
 Phytostabilization,
 Biosorption, Bioaccumulation  Bioaccumulation of ions
 Biomineralization via oxidation state  Rhizofiltration
transformation and enzymes  Phtovolatization
 Efflux of ions
 Extracellular and intracellular sequestration
 Siderophores
 Metal chelation
Figure 11.3. Overview of bioremediation strategies to reduce lead toxicity.

11.4.1 Bacteria Assisted Remediation of Pb

Microorganisms are prevalent in the environment and have evolved unique systems for determining
the fate of hazardous heavy metals. Microbes like bacteria, algae, archaebacteria, fungi, etc.,
mediate crucial interactions with ions of metals without unveiling negative effects on their structure,
action and metabolism (Rahman and Singh 2020). However, some toxic metals affect the activities
and survival of microbe cells above the threshold limit by imitating their biological function,
biomolecular denaturation and accelerating ROS production (Prabhakaran et al. 2016). But, due to
the behavior of microorganisms like varying phenotypic expressions, they combat metal toxicity
and show a metal-resistant function (Yin et al. 2019). Recently, a lot of research has been conducted
to unravel the action of microorganisms to diminish the concentration of Pb via biosorption,
oxidation state transformation, efflux, sequestration, metal chelation, use of enzymes, synthesis of
exopolysaccharides, intracellular bioaccumulation, etc. Microbial assisted remediation of Pb shows
key advantages due to their biochemical features like specificity, viability for genetic modulation
and suitability for in situ conditions (Singh and Prasad 2015, Ullah et al. 2015).
Biosorption is a technique where metal ions bind to the peptidoglycan cell wall of bacteria
to confine their entry into the cell and enhance the extracellular sequestration of toxic ions. It is
observed that Pseudomonas aeruginosa biosorb lead, on account of functionally charged groups
available at the surface viz. sulfonate, amine, carboxyl, hydroxyl, phosphonate, etc. (Gabr et al.
2008, Kushwaha et al. 2018). However, efflux is a process to maintain the homeostasis of ions
intracellularly under the action of membrane transport proteins. Several researches revealed that
many ATPase allied transmembrane transporter proteins facilitated lead resistance in microbes, e.g.,
Staphylococcus aureus, R. metallidurans, Cupriavidus metallidurans in the efflux of Pb (Borremans
et al. 2001, Hynninen et al. 2009). The toxicity of HMs to organisms relies on their bioavailability;
thus, microorganisms boost the sequestration of toxic metals at the membrane level. Researchers
have found that exopolysaccharide (EPS) help in bioaccumulation of lead in Pseudomonas
aeruginosa, Marinobacter sp., Acinetobacter junii, etc. (Bramhachari et al. 2007, De and Ramaiah
2007, Kushwaha et al. 2017).
In the environment, the most common microbes are bacteria. During remediation of heavy
metals via bioaccumulation, sequestration and adsorption action, bacteria onset these mechanisms
 Lead Induced Toxicity, Detoxification and Bioremediation 195

by the functional groups present/occurring on their surface to adsorb metal ions (Yin et al. 2016).
In soil, bacteria restricted Pb concentration via fostering insoluble lead complexes with hydroxide,
sulfide and carbonates, transforming the active form into stable insoluble state.
Further, sequestration of toxic ions is mainly through exopolysaccharide, an organic
polysaccharide with smaller proteins and lipids. Many microorganisms like Xanthomonas,
Bacillus, Agrobacterium, Alcaligenes, Pseudomonas spp., etc., have been identified as genera of
EPS-producing organisms to achieve heavy metal remediation by utilizing the charged property of
EPS, where they are incorporated with abundant anionic functional groups (Tayang and Songachan
2021). This mechanism is critical in the process of biomineralization, metal ions biosorption and
bioaccumulation (Thakare et al. 2021). Similarly, Chen et al. (2015) described Bacillus thuringiensis
as a potential biosorbent for Pb (II) transformation. Further, Bacillus cereus could transform Pb into
Pb hydroxyapatite via enzymatic action. An experiment conducted by scientists revealed that the
bacterium Streptomyces and Staphylococcus showed a prominent binding affinity for lead and other
metals. Therefore, they can be effectively used for the biosorption of lead (Sahmoune 2018).
Li et al. (2017) findings revealed that the bacterial strains of Pseudomonas sps., can efficiently
absorb Pb (II) from wastewater sites. For the first time, Borremans et al. (2001) found a lead-
resistance strain, i.e., CH34 in R. metallidurans, which enhances uptake and efflux mechanism by
the pbr operon system. Later many studies have shown the involvement of specific genes expression
for resistance to Pb by metallothionein proteins, specifically in P. aeruginosa (Kumari and Das
2019). Kang et al. (2016) confirmed microbial (bacterial) remediation of Pb-contaminated soils due
to the function of precipitation, sequestration or variation in the oxidation state of Pb. They revealed
the synergistic effect of bacterial consortium (E. cloacae, Sporosarcina, Viridibacillus arenosi, and
Enterobacter cloacae) on a mixture of Pb along with other heavy metals against single strain culture.
These bacteria are accountable for the transformation of HMs by enzymes production (Huang et al.
2009). It was observed that Bacillus iodinium, Klebsiella aerogenes and Bacillus pumilus precipitate
Pb (II) into PbS 9 (Govarthanan et al. 2013).
It has been noted that c‐type cytochromes and porin–cytochrome proteins in outer membrane
proteins in the microbes are involved in declining contaminants toxicity (Shi et al. 2016). Several
studies have shown that microbes transformed the state of metal by changing the valence status of
metals via redox-mediated processes (Dixit et al. 2015, Shi et al. 2016). The bacterial organisms
such as Bacillus sps., A. eutrophus, Pseudomonas sps., produce siderophores enabling extraction of
Pb from soil (Naik and Dubey 2017, Kalita and Joshi 2017). Similarly, in another report, the positive
interaction among siderophores and metal Pb and Ni was revealed by the bacteria P. aeruginosa
(Braud et al. 2009, 2010). The Pteris vittata plant exhibited rapid growth in the Pb-contaminated
area, which was enabled due to Pseudomonas spp., resistance against metal Pb via the process of
extracellular sequestration (Manzoor et al. 2019). Therefore, these examples of evidence show the
significance of siderophore-producing bacteria, which cause extraction and mobilization of Pb from
contaminated soil.

11.4.2 Plants Assisted Remediation of Pb

Phytoremediation, or the use of plants to clean up contaminated soil, is a well-known practice that is both
environmentally beneficial and cost-effective (Ali et al. 2013). Various phytoremediation processes
like phytoextraction, rhizodegradation/rhizofiltration, phytovolatilization, phytodegradation/
phytoaccumulation, phytostabilization and phytorestoration are included in the phytoremediation
of polluted soil. This technique is also performed to eliminate heavy metals through immobilization
or detoxification (Ali et al. 2013). During the process of phytoremediation, heavy metals are
accumulated through the cultivation of hyper accumulator plants as these plants have great potential
to absorb heavy metals and then gather them in the aboveground plant parts (Aliyu and Adamu
2014). Heavy metals are then degraded within the plants through internal (via metabolic aspects)
or external (through the release of some chemicals in the rhizosphere by plant roots) breakdown
196 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

through the process of phytodegradation or phytotransformation. Hyperaccumulators plants have

the highest metal accumulation ability but little biomass efficiency, whereas non-hyperaccumulators
plants have high biomass efficacy and lesser accumulation potential (Ojuederie and Babalola 2017).
Rhizofiltration is one of the techniques used to clean up different metal-contaminated water
resources through the precipitation of metals in the plant roots (Zulfiqar et al. 2019). Numerous
plant cultivars like Nicotiana tabaccum, Zea mays, Brassica juncea, Helianthus annus, and
Spinacia oleracea have been studied to clean Pb from the terrestrial and aquatic systems (Camargo
et al. 2003). Phytostabilization is another in-situ plant-mediated remediation of metals via inhibiting
their mobility and bioavailability (Kunito et al. 2001, Ali et al. 2013). Miscanthus floridulus showed
greater phytoremediation potential for Pb metal (Cheng et al. 2016). Co-plantation of Pteris vittata
and the Ricinus communis exhibited significant phytoextraction potential for the remediation of Pb
from the soil through an elevation in the yield of P. vittata after Pb uptake (Yang et al. 2017).
Pb content was observed to decline from 218 to 32 mg kg–1 in stem and 7232 to 1196 mg kg–1
in Lolium italicum and Festuca arundinaceae roots system, respectively due to the presence of
compost (Kushwaha et al. 2018). Ludwigia stolonifera exhibited significant efficiency of 99% for
the removal of Pb (Saleh et al. 2019). Cyamopsis tetragonoloba and Sesamum indicum showed
significant Pb phytoremediation potential with higher Pb accumulation in the root. It was further
reported that these plant cultivars can be grown on marginally contaminated soils and could be
practised for phytostabilization (Amin et al. 2018). Glycine max exhibited good potential for Pb
removal from the soil, and the content of organic carbon of soil was also reduced in the remediated
soil (Aransiola et al. 2013). Biochar prepared from rice husk and pinewood showed remarkable
ability to remove the Pb through the process of adsorption (Liu and Zhang 2009, Raj and Maiti
2020). Alyssum maritimum showed good phytoremediation potential by accumulating Pb in various
plant organs, with the highest in the leaf followed by the root and stem. It has also been suggested
that this plant can be involved in the family of hyperaccumulator plants, with a high potential for
remediating Pb from soil (Solgi et al. 2020). Athyrium wardii was reported to show significant Pb
phytostabilization ability via accumulating most of the Pb in roots (Zhao et al. 2016). Salix purpurea
exhibited higher phytostabilization as compared to Salix viminalis; however, both the species were
shown to develop lengthy roots under Pb stress (Sylvain et al. 2016). Overall, Pb content in different
essential food crops should be evaluated cautiously to mitigate the Pb triggered health impacts.
Various plant species that can be practised for Pb phytoremediation are presented in Table 11.1.

11.4.3 Algae and Fungi Assisted Remediation of Pb

Plant-associated algae and fungi play an important function in the remediation of Pb from the soil
by promoting the Pb accumulation in plants and plant growth in contaminated soil. Recent studies
reported that plant endophytes enhance their phytoremediation potential (Waranusantigul et al.
2011, Deng et al. 2011, Gupta et al. 2013). A study on Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) fungi viz.
Glomus deserticola by Arias et al. (2010) revealed its Pb accumulation potential in Prosopis sp.
(mesquite plants). The Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) revealed G. deserticola’s
presence within the roots of Prosopis sp., which improved metal tolerance and accumulation in
plants. AM fungi reduce the Pb toxicity by inducing its accumulation in the plant’s roots, stems and
leaves. Further, phytoremediated Pb was found to be accumulated in the xylem and phloem cells of
mesquite plants. Another fungal endophyte, Mucor sp., CBRF59 helps in the remediation of Pb from
contaminated soil that has been recovered from rape roots growing in a heavy metal contaminated
environment. Inoculation of plant roots with mycelia of Mucor sp., CBRF59 significantly enhanced
the Pb availability of soil by 77% from contaminated soils (Deng et al. 2011). AM fungi are also
observed to reduce oxidative stress and improve plants growth in heavy metal contaminated sites.
Glomus mosseae inoculated Vetiver grass has increased chlorophyll content and decreased levels of
GSH, thereby increasing its ability to withstand metal-induced stress better. G. mosseae enhanced
the accumulation and translocation of Pb in Vetiver grass shoots (Punamiya et al. 2010).
 Lead Induced Toxicity, Detoxification and Bioremediation 197

Table 11.1. Role of various plant species for the remediation of Pb.

Sr. No. Plant species Effect on Pb accumulation References

1. Spinacia oleracea Application of S. oleracea with tartaric acid markedly Khan et al.
increased the uptake of Pb and its translocation from the root 2016
to stem through the process of phytoextraction.
2. Schoenoplectus californicus S. californicus growing in marshy environments showed Arreghini et al.
increased Pb absorption by largely retaining it in their roots. 2017
3. Sesuvium portulacastrum Enhancement in Pb levels in the shoot of S. portulacastrum Zaier et al.
compared to Brassica juncea and Pb accumulation in its 2014
upper portions was observed to be 3.4 mg g−1 of dry weight.
4. Lolium multiflorum Significant phytoremediation potential was shown by Salama et al.
L. multiflorum through the process of phytoextraction. The 2016
contents of heavy metals transported from roots to the upper
parts were greater than that remained in the soil.
5. Achillea wilhelmsii, Erodium These plant species were most appropriate for Mahdavian et
cicutarium, Nonnea persica phytostabilizing Pb and had good potential for al. 2017
and Mentha longifolia phytoremediation.
6. Coronopus didymus The roots of C. didymus showed maximum Pb accumulation Sidhu et al.
compared to the shoot and C. didymus was recognized as a 2018
good phytoremediation candidate in Pb-polluted soils.
7. Chrysanthemum indicum Greater remediation efficiency was shown by C. indicum Mani et al.
through increased clean-up of the Pb contaminated soils with 2015
maximum concentration in the root followed by the shoot
and flower.
8. Phragmites australis 95% of the Pb was removed from the Pb contaminated Bello et al.
water by using P. australis through the process of 2018
phytostabilization.
9. Daucus carota Pb accumulation was observed to be increased in the Babaeian et al.
D. carota via chelate application and can be used as 2016
a hyperaccumulator plant for Pb-phytoextraction and
phytostabilization from polluted soils.

Different strategies adopted by microorganisms to survive in heavy metal contaminated soils are
extrusion of metal ions by using metal efflux pumps, biotransformation of ions, intra/extracellular
metal sequestration, enzymatic usage, exopolysaccharide (EPS) generation, and metallothionein
and bio surfactants synthesis, etc. (Dixit et al. 2015, Igiri et al. 2018). Microorganisms can
further detoxify the metal ions by several different methods, including ion exchange, electrostatic
interaction, precipitation, surface complexation, etc. (Yang et al. 2015). Microorganisms have
negatively charged groups on their cell surface that facilitate them to bind to cationic metal ions
(Gavrilescu 2004).
Fungal hyphae remediate the heavy metal contaminated soils by intracellular sequestration
of toxic metal ions. Chitin, lipids, mineral ions, N-polysaccharide, polyphosphates and proteins
are major constituents of the cell wall of fungi. Fungal hyphae and their spores can eradicate the
heavy metal ions from the soil by ATPase pump-mediated uptake, extracellular and intracellular
precipitation and change in the oxidation state of metal ions. On the fungi cell wall outer surface,
there is the presence of various metal ions binding ligands/functional groups that enhanced the rate
of binding of toxic metals to hyphae, thereby reducing the availability of these toxic metals to plants.
The foremost metal-binding ligands present on the surface of the cell wall are the hydroxyl group,
carboxyl group, phosphoryl group, sulfate group, sulfite group, ester, amine group, carboxylate
group and sulfanyl group. Out of these functional groups, the amine group is most involved in metal
absorption as it can bind with both cationic as well as anionic metal ions by surface complexation
and electrostatic interaction, respectively (Gupta et al. 2015, Xie et al. 2016).
198 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

Various reports exhibited that active as well as inactive fungal cells, play an essential role in the
adsorption of inorganic metal ions (Srivastava and Thakur 2006, Tiwari et al. 2013, Igiri et al. 2018).
Lakkireddy and Kües (2017) reported that Coprinopsis atramentaria could accumulate 94.7% of
800 mg L−1 of Pb2+. As a result, it is being identified as a good heavy metal ion accumulator for
mycoremediation. Some of the fungal biomasses viz. Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus oryzae, Penicillium
chrysogenum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae are also effective in converting the most hazardous
oxidation state of heavy metal to less toxic/non-toxic oxidation state of heavy metals (Park et al.
2005). Inoculum of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) is found to enhance the Pb remediation
efficiency of Japanese clover (Kummerowia striata (Thunb.)) and barnyard grass (Echinochloa
crus-galli L.) (Chen et al. 2005). Fungi like Aspergillus sp. and Coprinopsis sp. are largely used
as biosorbents for eliminating toxic metals with great potential for metal absorption and recovery
(Akar et al. 2005, Dursun et al. 2003).
Biosurfactants produced by fungi also play a major role in cleaning heavy metals from
contaminated soil. Luna et al. (2016) reported that anionic biosurfactant from Candida sphaerica
has 79% removal efficiency for Pb from heavy metal contaminated soil. The biosurfactant was
found to be effective in removing the exchangeable, oxide, carbonate and organic fractions of heavy
metals by forming complexes with metal ions.
Yeast biosurfactants are also found to be effective in cleaning heavy metals and petroleum
derivatives from contaminated soils by reducing soil permeability. The crude biosurfactant
significantly reduced the concentration of Pb and other heavy metals from the test sample of soil.
Biosurfactants being amphoteric in nature, not only help in eliminating heavy metals but can also
be applied to remove hydrophobic organic compounds. They reduce the interfacial tension and
solubilize hydrocarbons in the aqueous phase or capture the oil droplets within their micelles. On
the other hand, anionic nature biosurfactants capture the metal ions through electrostatic interactions
or complexation (Rufino et al. 2011). In recent years, biosurfactants have received a lot of interest
for their biodegradable nature, low toxicity and diversity. Several yeast strains such as S. cerevisiae,
Rhodotorula pilimanae, Hansenula polymorpha, Yarrowia lipolytica and Rhodotorula mucilage
have been utilized to convert more toxic forms of heavy metals to non-toxic ones (Ksheminska
et al. 2008, Chatterjee et al. 2012).
Phycoremediation is an important aspect that deals with removing or degrading heavy metals
from contaminated sites with the help of algal biomasses. Features that make dead algae biomass
an ideal candidate for the removal of heavy metals include the presence of sulfate and carboxylic
acid functional groups on the cell wall that facilitate metal adsorption and large surface area/volume
ratios. In comparison to other microbial biosorbents, algae are autotrophic, require little nutrients and
produce large amounts of biomass. Heavy metal removal has been achieved using these biosorbents
with a high sorption capacity. Algal biomass bioremediates the heavy metal contaminated effluent
either through adsorption or by integrating inside the cells (Abbas et al. 2014, Chabukdhara et al.
2017, He and Chen 2014).
When compared to other microbial biosorbents, algal biomasses had biosorption effectiveness
of 15.3–84.6%. Ion exchange techniques are used to accomplish this (Mustapha and Halimoon
2015). For successful heavy metals cleanup from the polluted area, algal biomass has been
immobilized using various chemical pretreatments, which lead to the formation of stable cellular
aggregates with appropriate size, efficient mechanical strength, rigidity, porosity and increased
biomass concentration (Laxman and More 2002). Red marine algae Jania ruben L. was found to be
effectively bioadsorb Pb, which was further confirmed by thermal analysis (Hanbali et al. 2014).
Various reports are available in literature regarding the use of algal biomasses in the decontamination
of toxic metals. Goher et al. (2016) reported that dead cells of Chlorella vulgaris could be used for
the removal of copper (Cu2+), cadmium (Cd2+) and lead (Pb2+) ions from an aqueous solution under
several conditions of biosorbent dosage, pH and contact time. The biomass of C. vulgaris removed
cadmium (Cd2+), copper (Cu2+), and lead (Pb2+) at the rate of 95.5, 97.7 and 99.4%, respectively,
constituting a combined solution of 50 mg dm−3 of each metal ion. Thus applying appropriate
 Lead Induced Toxicity, Detoxification and Bioremediation 199

microbial inoculum under specific conditions of pH, temperature and dosage could aid plants to
remove heavy metals like Pb from contaminated soil efficiently.
Remediation of toxic contaminants from various substrates by employing a microbial agent,
fungus, is also known as mycoremediation. Fungi have a capacity to recover HMs owing to
filamentous structures that exhibit a charged group on the cell wall. In addition to functional groups,
they also display features of metal transporters by enzymatic activity, vacuolar sequestration and
antioxidant systems (Kumar 2017, Vacar et al. 2021). Fawzy et al. (2017) screened many fungal
species like Emercilla quadrillineata, Rhizopus stolonifier, Aspergillus niger, etc., and observed
an effective resistance even at higher concentrations of Pb in contaminated soil. Similarly, other
fungal isolates such as Rhizophagus irregularis and Funneliformis mosseae showed promising high
biomass of Helianthus annuus against Pb ions application (Hassan et al. 2013). Fungi, particularly
Aspergillus niger, revealed a detoxification mechanism in the environment by the processes of
compartmentalized sequestration, biosorption and chelation with organic acids. Thus, such pathways
can be used for decreasing lead levels through immobilization or mobilization (Bellion et al. 2006,
Iram et al. 2015).
Some species of fungi like Metarhizium and Paecilomyces can convert metallic lead into
chloropyromorphite in a lead mining site. This transformation occurred because of the organic acid
secreted by the fungi, which caused the precipitation of Pb (Rhee et al. 2012, Rigoletto et al. 2020).
Alongwith this, Povedano-Priego et al. (2017) confirmed that biomineralization of lead phosphate
in decaying wood caused tolerance to isolated fungi. They noted that Penicillium and Asperigillus
strains showed more tolerance to heavy metals. A summary of various algae and fungi involved in
the remediation of Pb from contaminated sites is presented in Table 11.2.

Table 11.2. Groups of microbes involved in phycoremediation/mycoremediation of Pb contaminated sites.

Microbes Group Bioremediators Sorption efficiency (mg g–1) References

Fungi Aspergillus niger 34.4 Dursun et al. 2003
Saccharomyces cerevisiae 80 Farhan and Khadom 2015
Phanerochaete 88.16 Iqbal and Edyvean 2004
chrysosporium
Botrytis cinerea 107.1 Akar et al. 2005
Aspergillus terreus 59.67 Joshi et al. 2011
Algae Codium vermilara 63.3 Romera et al. 2007
Cladophora sp. 13.7 Lee and Chang 2011
Spirogyra sp. 38.2 Lee and Chang 2011
Spirogyra sp. 140 Gupta and Rastogi 2008
Asparagopsis armata 63.7 Romera et al. 2007
Cystoseira barbata 196.7 Yalçın et al. 2012

11.5 Conclusion
Heavy metal Pb has a large number of applications in industries such as lead used as lead acetate in
sweeteners, installations of drinkable water, paints, additives used in gasoline and many more that
further increase the probability of Pb release, its exposure and penetration in all existing organisms
of our ecosystem. Beyond permissive limits, Pb accumulation inside the organisms creates toxic
hazards and severe morphological and physiological implications and finally decreases the
efficiency of the organism. Thus, the removal of Pb-based hazardous products should be firmly
perused in order to improve and avoid environmental as well as health risks. An essential criteria
for attaining Pb based contaminant-free environment require the development of highly efficient
bioremediation technologies such as phytoremediation, mycoremediation, phycoremediation and
200 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

microbial remediation, including research in the field of bioremediation. Additionally, advanced

transgenic plants and microbes, as well as modern genetic strategies widen the application of
bioremediation and finally lead to lesser environmental disturbances and production of a much safer
and healthy ecosystem.

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Chapter 12
Microalgal Bioremediation of
Heavy Metals:
An Integrated Low-cost Sustainable
Approach
Anubha Kaushik,1 Sharma Mona,2,3,* Randhir Bharti1
and Sujata 3

12.1 Introduction
Microalgae consisting of green algae and cyanobacteria have a remarkable range of applications,
including bioremediation of pollutants and production of biofuel, bioactive compounds and
biofertilizers. Microalgae have a short life cycle, and can be easily cultured in the laboratory.
Microalgae may be grown either in the conventional suspended form or in the attached form. The
suspended form has relatively lower efficiency for bioremediation, whereas, in the attached form,
they tend to form a biofilm that is more effectual in wastewater treatment and bioremediation
(Hasan et al. 2021). With a broad range of use for various heavy metals in different sectors, their
concentrations in wastewaters are increasing at an alarming rate in the wastewaters and solid wastes,
which ultimately enter the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, pollute the environment and health
is also affected (Briffa et al. 2020). There is a need to eliminate toxic metals from the environment
to safe levels for which bioremediation has emerged as an environmentally sound and low-cost
approach. The part of microalgae in the bioremediation of various toxic metals, various processes
and mechanisms, and the possibilities of adopting a biorefinery approach for wastewater treatment
with microalgae have been described in the chapter to make it an economically and environmentally
sustainable method.

1
University School of Environment Management, GGS Indraprastha University, New Delhi-110078, India.
2
Department of Environmental Studies, Central University of Haryana, Mahendergarh-123031, Haryana, India.
3
Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology,
Hisar-125001, Haryana, India.
* Corresponding author: [email protected], [email protected]
208 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

12.1.1 Heavy Metals Pollution in Water and their Impacts

Heavy metals are explained as metals with high atomic weight and high density. Metallic chemicals
and metalloids (selenium, arsenic) are highly toxic to human health, while some are typically non­
toxic, like gold and silver (Tchounwou et al. 2012). While toxic metals need to be removed, precious
metals must be essentially recovered from the wastewaters. There are some essential heavy metals
likes Cu, Fe, Mg, Zn, while non-essential heavy metals are Cr, Ni, Pb, As, Hg (Kumar et al. 2020).
Heavy metal accumulation in worldwide rivers and lakes is higher than the permissible limits as per
standards of the WHO (World Health Organization) and has been increasing over the past 4–5 decades
(Zhou et al. 2020). This increased metal pollution is mainly attributed to industrial waste and mining
activities, while the geochemical origin is the natural causal factor (Zeitoun et al. 2014). Chemicals
loaded with heavy metals are used in industries like metal plating, battery production, tanneries,
petroleum refineries and mining; wastewaters from these industries include large amounts of heavy
metals. Metals are mobilized in the environment, where they alter the biogeochemical processes
and bioaccumulate in the food chain (Waldichuk 1994). Plants, animals and microorganisms are all
affected by metal polluted water and soil. Human health is adversely affected because metals tend
to get bioaccumulated in the food chain and human beings occupy higher levels in the food web.
Concentrations of various metals such as Fe, Ni, Cd and Co which are known to have serious health
implications, were found to be exceeding the permissible limits in river Yamuna flowing across the
state of Haryana (Kaushik et al. 2001) and river Ghaggar (Kaushik et al. 2000) and these metals
were mainly related to anthropogenic sources. Table 12.1 shows the health impacts of some non­
essential heavy metals and metalloids as reported by researchers.

Table 12.1. Health impacts and sources of non-essential heavy metals.

Heavy metals Major sources Health impacts References

Arsenic Industrial waste, agricultural runoff, coal Psychological effect, decreased mental Rehman et al.
mining, fossil fuel burning, etc. performance, cardiovascular disease, 2018
kidney damage, carcinogenesis, effect
on reproduction, bone demineralization
Cadmium Mine drainage water, waste from the Kidney damage, osteoporosis, Fatima et al.
processing of ores, agricultural runoff cardiovascular disease, cancer, lungs 2019
damage, obesity and diabetes
Lead Paint industry, batteries, unregulated Affects brain and nervous system, high Demayo et al.
cosmetics and medicine risk of blood pressure, kidney damage, 1982, García-
effects pregnant woman or exposing Lestón 2010
the fetus
Nickel Batteries, paper industry, fossil fuels, Cardiovascular, kidney damage, lung Genchi et al.
mining, volcanoes, forest fires fibrosis, lung and nasal cancer and 2020
respiratory manifestations
Mercury Industrial effluents, coal combustion, Acute chemical bronchitis and Zhang et al.
battery and fluorescent lamp production, pneumonitis, Minamata disease 2007
cement production, Hg mining, and
biofuel burning

12.1.2 Metal Remediation Approaches

With increasing awareness about the harmful impacts of various heavy metals on ecosystems and
organisms’ health, there is a greater emphasis on the elimination and retrieval of the metals from
polluted waters and soils by adopting various techniques (physical, chemical, biological) available,
as shown in Figure 12.1.
 Microalgal Bioremediation of Heavy Metals 209

Metal Remediation Approaches

Physical Chemical Biological

Approaches Approaches Approaches

1.Ultrafiltration 1.Bioaccumulation
1. Neutralization
2.Coagulation 2. Biosorption
2. Solvent extraction
3.Flocculation 3. Microbial
3. Chemical
reduction of
precipitation
4.Membrane oxidation
filtration 4. Electrochemical
4. Metabolic
treatment
5.Ion exchange precipitation

5. Metal-
Phytochelatin

Figure. 12.1. Various Approaches

Figure for Heavy
12.1. Various Metal remediation
approaches for heavy metal remediation.

By using physical methods, almost all the pollutants can be removed, but these methods have
some limitations. Physical methods based on the distribution of the practical size of pollutants need
further processing and have a comparatively high cost of application. Although, chemical methods
of metal remediation are highly effective in these methods formation of byproducts increases further
downstream processing steps (Mona et al. 2008). The biological methods for metal remediation are
less costly and do not create any secondary pollution (Selvi et al. 2019).

12.1.3 Bioremediation using Microalgae—Merits and Potential

Bioremediation is a technique to exude and modify harmful pollutants (heavy metals) into less
harmful substances and/or eliminate toxic elements from the polluted environment (Eccles 1999).
Microalgae are found to be very potent in the bioremediation of different heavy metals from
wastewaters. Microalgae have several advantages like small size, simple structure, easy handling,
high photosynthetic activity, short life cycle, simple nutrient requirements, high adaptability and
tolerance to different types of stress conditions, which increase their potential for applications in
bioremediation. Therefore, there has been great interest in using microalgae in the phytoremediation
of toxic heavy metals. The cell wall of microalgae shows more binding affinity, the richness of
binding sites and wide surface area, all of which favor effective biosorption of the metals (Cameron
et al. 2018). Moreover, microalgae show good biosorption capacity as living or dead cells, free or
immobilized cells. Besides metal elimination capacity and being eco-friendly, bioremediation of
heavy metals has added significance, such as the development of value-added products.
Chlorella vulgaris and the Chlorella salina (marine alga) have been shown to remove 14 to
100% of heavy metals viz. Fe, Mn, Ni, Zn, Cu, Co and Cr from wastewaters along with other
pollutants such as TDS, pH, COD, BOD, calcium, magnesium, ammonia, nitrate, phosphate, sulfate,
sodium, potassium (El-Sheekh et al. 2016). While several microalgae species have shown very
good metal tolerance, they also show tolerance to certain toxic dyes and have additional merits of
being able to produce biohydrogen (Mona and Kaushik 2015a). Many cyanobacterial species show
excellent co-tolerance to metals and salts (Kiran et al. 2008). The metal-salt co-adapted Lyngbya
and Gloeocapsa strains were found to show better Cr removal capability in the presence of salts
(Kiran et al. 2007a). This indicates that the indigenous strains of microalgae may be more effective
in bioremediation when they have been exposed for a long time to different pollutants.
210 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

12.2 Microalgal Remediation of Metals

12.2.1 Metal Tolerance and Resistance in Microalgae
Many algae are found to grow in metal-polluted environments. These algae tolerate high
concentrations of heavy metals. Different groups of algae have varying levels of metal tolerance and
resistance (Table 12.2), and they may be genetically and physiologically fixed (Gaur et al. 2001).
The concentration and nature of metals define the toxicity of heavy metals.

Table 12.2. Metal Tolerance by different Microalgae.

Heavy metal Microalgae References

Zinc Chlorophyceae, Anacystis nidulans, Navicula, Caloneis, Reed and Gadd 1989, Gaur et al. 2001
Pinnularia
Copper Cyanophyceae, Caloneis, Eunotia, Cyanidium calarium, Hall 2002, Priyadarshini et al. 2019
Chlorella vugaris
Cadmium Chlorophyceae, Cyanophyceae, Nostoc linckia Brinza et al. 2009, Mona et al. 2011b
Mercury Chlorella, Pseudochloroccum typicum, Phormidium Gaur et al. 2001, Priyadarshini et al.
ambiguum 2019
Nickel Cyanidium calarium, Euglena gracilis García-García et al. 2018
Lead Pseudochlorococcum typicum, Scenedesmus quadricauda, Priyadarshini et al. 2019
Cladophora aglomerata
Chromium Scenedesmus dimorphus, Lyngbya putealis Toranzo et al. 2020, Kiran et al. 2007a,
Nostoc calcicola, Chroococcum Kamra et al. 2007, Mona et al. 2011a

Some metals like Cu, Ni, Mn, Fe are essential for the growth and conditioning of microorganisms
as they are required for the cells (Toranzo et al. 2020). While metals like Pb, Cd, Hg and As are
harmful at very low concentrations, essential metals are also toxic for microbial activity beyond
a threshold level (Hall 2002). Essential metals are displaced by non-essential metals because of
their high ionic force from their area of bindings and make complex bindings with working sites of
microbial cell walls.

12.2.2 Biosorption and Bioaccumulation

Metal removal by microalgae may take place through bioaccumulation or biosorption. In biosorption,
the biomass matrix functions as a sorbent. These activities present a low-cost, sustainable and
reversible solution for the remediation of various contaminants by rapid binding on the functional
groups of the biomass surface. It is independent of cellular metabolism. The biosorption process has
the edge over other regular treatment methods due to minimal use of chemicals, operation receiving
ambient conditions, low cost, high efficiency and little biological sludge. Further, auxiliary nutrients
are not required, and there is a potential for renewal of the biomass (sorbent) and regaining of metals
(Kratochvil and Volesky 1998). A critical review on biosorption of metals by algae demonstrated
excellent biosorptive properties of various groups of algae, particularly microalgae. Biosorption
can take place in pH range of 3–9 and temperature (4–45ºC). Biosorbent particle size is found to be
more suitable between 1–2 mm, and due to the small size, the equilibrium states of adsorption and
desorption are attained fast (Michalak et al. 2013).
Biosorption is a more reliable method for remediate of heavy metals (Sweetly et al. 2014). The
conventional adsorption method mediated through activated carbon is one of the efficient processes
for the extraction of contaminants like heavy metals, but there are disadvantages of this method like
non-recyclable and less cost-efficient (Naimabadi et al. 2020). The algae biosorbents have been
used for regaining of heavy metals. Thus, their use in metal bioremediation enhanced the attention
 Microalgal Bioremediation of Heavy Metals 211

Table 12.3. Microalgal biosorption of heavy metals.

Name of Microalgae Metal (s) Removal efficiency (%) References

Nostoc linckia Chromium, Cobalt 58–60 Mona and Kaushik 2015b, Mona
et al. 2011b
Maugeotia genuflexa Arsenic 24 Ubando et al. 2021
Laurencia obtuse Chromium, Cobalt, 98.6, 98.2, and 98.0 Hamdy 2000
Cadmium
Nostoc, Gloeocapsa Chromium 90–95 Sharma et al. 2016

of researchers across the world, leading to a huge amount of literature on the subject. Table 12.3
shows some reports on metal removal by various microalgae species.
Bioaccumulation is a procedure wherein heavy metal is controlled metabolically, producing
energy and altering heavy metal concentration (Arunakumara and Zhang 2008). Bioaccumulation
of metals by living cells depends on both the intra and extracellular processes, and passive gaining
is restricted (Fomina and Gadd 2014). Cladophora herpestica, a green alga that grows abundantly
in the Maruit Lake surface, has shown accumulation of residual nutrients from the atmospheric
and aquatic environment in introduction to heavy metal ions (Dahlia and Hassan 2017). Some
microalgae have also been reported to heavy metals bioaccumulation. Bioaccumulation of heavy
metals (Zn, Fe, Cu, Cd,Als) was shown by Chlorella vulgaris, Phacus curvicauda, Euglena acus
and Oscillatoria bornettia (Abrihire and Kadiri 2011). Amongst these species, Oscillatoria had a
high concentration of metal factor for Zn (0.306), Fe (0.302), Cu (0.091), Cd (0.276), while Phacus
and Euglena had relatively higher concentration factor for Al (0.439).

12.2.3 Factors Influencing Metal Remediation by Microalgae

In each type of environment, many factors present unique influences on metal remediation from
water. The biosorption method is regulated by many operating factors, including pH, temperature,
organic molecules, salinity, primary metal concentration, contact time and co-pollutants. There
have been extensive studies showing the influence of such factors on the metal biosorption process
(García-García et al. 2018).
(a) pH: Solution pH regulates the biosorption process and affects solution chemistry and functional
group activity in the biosorbents and competition with other co-pollutants (Vijayaraghavan and
Yun 2008). The optimum pH for maximum biosorption of the metals shows great variations.
Lyngbya putealis was found to show the highest Cr (VI) biosorption at acidic (pH 3.0). The
isoelectric point for algal biomass being acidic pH (3.0), there is hydronation of some functional
groups, and the occurrence of hydronium ions near the binding sites lead to greater binding of
Cr (VI) to the algal surface. Cr (VI), which exists as HCrO4−, Cr2O72−, in solution form at
optimum sorption pH, tends to bind to the protonated active sites of the biosorbent (Kiran
et al. 2007a). Extracellular polymeric substance (EPA) of Gloeocapsa calcarean and Nostoc
punctiforme remove maximum Cr (VI) at pH 2 (Mona et al. 2008). Cr (VI) and Co (II) are
removed by Nostoc at pH 2 and 3.5, respectively (Mona et al. 2013).
(b) Temperature: Temperature plays a crucial part in the heavy metal removal process from water.
With increasing temperature, the flow of adsorbate diffusion on the biosorbent surface, solubility
of heavy metals, enzymatic activity and metabolism increase, thus generally escalating the
removal process (Igiri et al. 2018). Numerous studies on the impact of temperature on heavy
metals remediation are available, but the response of different microalgae to temperature shows
inconsistent effects on remediation. Kumar et al. (2015) reported varying impacts of temperature
on removal of heavy metals; some indicated a rise in metal remediation with an increase in
temperature, while others showed a decline at high temperature. Aksu (2002) reported that the
dry biomass of Chorella vulgaris shows improved adsorption of Ni at increased temperature.
212 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

The temperature has the highest effect on metal remediation, but it has less impact than the
impact of pH (Lau et al. 1999). Therefore, it is important to find the optimum temperature for
each microalgal system before designing the biosorption operation for different metals.
(c) Organic matter: Organic matter concentration influences the biosorption method, and is
dependent on the type of metal and microalgal species used in bioremediation. For example,
biosorption of copper decreases from 3.2–2.3 mg L–1 and arsenic from 2.2–0.0 mg L–1 in
Chlorella, whereas in the case of Scendesmus almeriensis, removal declines from 2.1 to
1.6 mg L–1 for copper and 2.3 to 1.7 mg L–1 for arsenic in the existence of organic matter
(Saavedra et al. 2019). Since most wastewaters have some organic load, and organic matter
tends to chelate the metals-forming complexes, therefore it is paramount to comprehend the
effect of organic matter on the overall metal bioremediation protocol.
(d) Carbon dioxide: Microalgae need carbon dioxide for their photosynthesis as raw material, and
carbon dioxide is emitted by several industries. Microalgae can be grown by using this waste
gas and converting the same into useful biomass, which can then be used as a biosorbent to
clean metal contaminated waste streams. Oedogonium sp. shows rapid uptake of a few heavy
metals (particularly Cd, Al, Ni and Zn), and its biomass productivity gets increased when CO2
concentration is higher than normal conditions and escalates with productivity (Roberts et al.
2013).
(e) Nutrients: Algal growth is largely affected by the availability of nutrients. There are some
dominant species likes Chlamydomonas, Spirogyra, Euglena and Dinoflagellates that use
carbon and other nutrients from the wastewater for their maturation and photosynthetic activity,
increasing the efficiency of metal remediation microorganisms (Sayara et al. 2021).
Many other factors like initial metal concentration, types of metals such as tertiary and
quaternary multi-metal systems and contact time are also important factors for metal removal (Kiran
and Kaushik 2012).

12.2.4 Role of Exopolymers

Biofilms are formed on the surface where the algae get attached due to the secretion of exopolymer
substances that are essentially composed of proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, polysaccharides,
lipopolysaccharides and glycoproteins (Zeraatkar et al. 2016). The structure of exopolymers varies
depending upon the type of microorganism, age of biofilms and on environmental conditions.
Exopolysaccharides are surface-active bio-agents originating from algae, fungi, bacteria,
cyanobacteria and help in sequestering toxic metals from an aqueous solution (Sharma et al. 2009,
Mona and Kaushik 2015b). Chelating agents produced by exopolysaccharides for the elimination of
positively charged metal ions from water (Potnis et al. 2021).
The yield of exopolysaccharides by algae increases when disclosed to a higher concentration
of metal ions, which seems to play a crucial part in metal biosorption (Sharma et al. 2009). The
bioremediation of heavy metals by exopolysaccharides of the algae is gaining importance for future
use in bioremediation programs of wastewaters containing these metals.

12.2.5 Bioremediation Mechanisms

The remediation of pollutants (heavy metals) in algae occurs in two ways; first is fast passive
biosorption that takes place where the pollutants assimilate on the biomass surface within a lesser
period, and this step is not based on the metabolism of cells, and the second step is slow active
sorption of pollutants (heavy metals) into the cytoplasm of algal biomass, and this step is completely
based on metabolism of biomass (Monteiro et al. 2012).
Various analytical techniques have been used by researchers, which mainly include atomic
“Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) or Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) coupled
with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray spectroscopy, Infrared spectroscopy or Fourier-
 Microalgal Bioremediation of Heavy Metals 213

transform infrared, spectroscopy (IR or FTIR), X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) and Nuclear
Magnetic Resonance (NMR) to gain insight into the process and mechanisms of biosorption process
(Fomina and Gadd 2014, Michalak et al. 2013, Kiran et al. 2016).” It can be confirmed that surface
adsorption of the metals is found in the case of Cr (VI) bound at specific binding sites on the algal
biosorbent based on SEM and FTIR spectral analysis (Kiran et al. 2008).
To understand the procedure of the biosorption and optimize the processes, modeling and
simulation of the experimental data are generally done for which several models have been
developed (Volesky 2003a). The two regularly used models are Langmuir and Freundlich models, in
which the adsorption mechanism is demonstrated as a batch equilibrium isotherm curve to contrast
pollutant uptake proportion of different bio-sorbent and affinities for the metals (Mona et al. 2011a).
These equilibrium sorption models provide some normal information about a given process. As
the biosorbent adsorbs the metal to the equilibrium point, the value of metal uptake (qe) by the
bio-sorbent is plotted against the equilibrium (final) metal concentration (C). The Langmuir isotherm
assume a finite number of equal adsorption locations and the absence of lateral interrelation between
adsorbed species. The most regularly multilayer adsorption model is the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller
(BET) isotherm, which presume that the Langmuir equation is applied to every layer (Vijayaraghavan
and Yun 2008). Equilibrium data is right to Langmuir isotherm, and a linear plot is received from
this isotherm (Figure 12.2); and, the value of the Langmuir constant is calculated:

qe = QobCe + bCe

where;
qe = adsorption of metal (mg g–1); Ce = residual metal (mg L–1)
Qo (mg g–1) and b (L mg–1) are Langmuir constants exhibit the adsorption range and adsorption
energy (Mona et al. 2015a).
Freundlich isotherm considers a heterogeneous base of the adsorbent, and the equation is

Log qe = Log Kf + n Log Ce

“where;
qe = metal adsorbed (mg g–1); Ce = residual metal ion concentration (mg L–1); n = Freundlich
exponent; Kf = Freundlich constant indicating adsorbent capacity (mg g–1 dry weight).”
And a linear plot of Log qe versus Log Ce explains the applicability of this isotherm (Figure
12.2) for the biosorbent (Gadd 2009).
There is another model, Brunauer Emmer and Teller (BET); in this model the 1st layer of
sorbent gets absorbed on the upper layer with the energy approximate to the heat of adsorption for
single layer sorption, and the next layer has same energy.
Ce 1 Ce
qe = +
qmKL qm
“where;
Ce = the equilibrium concentration of the adsorbate and qe is the adsorption capacity adsorbed at
equilibrium, qm is maximum adsorption capacity
KL = the Langmuir adsorption constant”
Response Surface Methodology (RSM) is one of the most widely used approaches adopted for
optimization of the parameters to get the maximum metal removal response from the biosorption
process (Mona et al. 2011a). Box-Behnken Design (BBD) and Central Composite Design (CCD) are
two models of Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Box-Behnken model (BBM) of RSM is used
214 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

Figure 12.2. Equations and graphical representation of Freundlich, Langmuir and Brunuaer–Emmett–Teller (BET)
Figure.(adopted
isotherms 12.2. Equations and
from Gadd 2009, graphical
Park et al. 2011).representation of Freundlich,
Langm
and Brunuaer–Emmett–Teller (BET) isotherms (adopted from Gadd, 2009;
in the study with maximumetand al. minimum
2011). levels for each parameter (initial metal concentration,
pH, temperature). The CCD methodology is used for the prediction of the impact of different
parameters on the metal remediation process (Podstawczyk et al. 2015). To regulate the adsorption
equilibrium and kinetic behavior of chromium in an aqueous solution, batch mode experiments
were performed for Lyngbya, and maximum metal adsorption capacity was determined. The impact
of other parameters like initial metal ion concentration (10–100 mg/L), pH (2–6) and temperature
(25–45°C) on chromium adsorption were also noted , using Box–Behnken design (BBD) model of
RSM and the optimized conditions (50–60 mg/L initial Cr concentration, 2–3 pH, 45°C temperature)
were computed, when 82% of the metal was extracted from the solution by the alginate immobilized
alga (Kiran et al. 2007b).
The biosorption range of algal cells directly depends on the presence of different functional
groups viz. OH–, PO3O2, NH2, COOH, SH, etc., on the cell of algae. These groups provide a negative
charge to the cell (Kaplan 2013), which has a strong binding capacity for the positively charged
heavy metals present in the water. These functional groups form a complex or get linked with cell
wall components (teichoic acids, peptidoglycan, polysaccharides and proteins), directly or indirectly
provide metal-binding sites (Volesky and Holan 1995). Biosorption of Cd in Chlamydomonas
reinhardtti occurs in a unique manner, where Cd2+ ions form a complex with carboxylic groups
of the algal cells (Adhiya et al. 2002). Covalent bonding and electrostatic attraction are directly
responsible for the adsorption of Ni and Zn on the Chaetophora elegans (Andrade et al. 2005).
Bioremediation of aluminum (Al) follows a different mechanism of sorption on algal cells as it
 Microalgal Bioremediation of Heavy Metals 215

binds to the algal cell in a polynuclear form; after binding of aluminum ions, these ions prevent the
other metal ions from binding on the binding surface of the biomass (Bottero et al. 1980).

12.2.6 Metal Removal in Continuous Packed Bed-Reactors

For the industrial application of microalgal bioremediation of metals, the operation should be
carried out in a continuous mode, where packed bed reactors are found useful. For the dynamic and
static mode studies, Lyngbya putealis HH-15 cyanobacteria extracted from a metal-polluted surface
was used as a biosorbent of Cr (VI) from aqueous solutions (Kiran and Kaushik 2008). Through
regularly flow column experiments, the data effect of an initial concentration (5–20 mgL–1), flow
rate (1–3 mL min–1) and bed height (5–10 cm) on breakthrough time and adsorption capacity of
the immobilized alga was developed into Bohart-Adams model (Singh et al. 2012). The chromium
elimination efficiency and regeneration capacity of this biosorbent recommend its application use
in industrial activities, and the data generated strongly suggested potential for more increase in
the adsorption process. There is another discovery for metal sorption of a column packed with
Spirogyra granules, which could be successfully used up in many cycles of sorption and removing
Cu (II) and Pb (II), respectively (Singh et al. 2012). The excellent metal bonding ability of algae
has been proved by the assessment of maximum sorption capacity based on isotherm studies by
various researchers. Continuous flow studies in packed bed columns appear highly effective and
economically suitable than the metal absorption by batch operation. Thomas mass transfer model,
Adam-Bohart advection–dispersion-reaction equation and bed-depth-service-time model have been
established for understanding the breakthrough curve. Some fresh approaches, such as artificial
neural networking, may prove still more useful for elucidating breakthrough curves and metal
sorption in multi-metal systems (Kumar et al. 2016).

12.2.7 Pretreatment and Immobilization Approaches for Improved

Bioremediation
Microalgal biosorption of metals can be improved by adopting physical and chemical pretreatments
that provide extra binding sites on the cell surface by changing the cell surface structure. Physical
pretreatment (heating, boiling, freezing, crushing and drying) enhanced metal ion biosorption
(Ahluwalia et al. 2007). These kinds of pretreatments increase the cell wall surface area and
favor improved biosorption of the metals (Uzunoglu et al. 2014, Kiran et al. 2016). General algal
pretreatments include treating with calcium chloride, formaldehyde, glutaldehyde, NaOH and HCl.
The impact of temperature and acid treatment on the absorption of tetravalent chromium [Cr (IV)]
by the Chlamydomuns reinhardtii was observed and noted that biosorption capacity is higher than
the untreated biomass (Zeraatkar et al. 2016). Biofilm generation on natural or artificial packing,
engagements of biomass inside matrices, adsorption and binding of cells to a surface are considered
as the prime immobilization technique used in the metal elimination process (Nasirpour et al. 2017).
Saccharomyces cerevisiae immobilized polyacrylamide was used to bioaccumulate Cu2+, Cd2+,
Co (Duncan et al. 1997). Sequestration of Cr and Co by exopolysaccharides (EPS) of freshwater
2+

microalga has been demonstrated with high biosorption capacities 14.3mg Cr g–1 EPS and
17.9 mg Co g–1 EPS (Mona and Kaushik 2015b).

12.3 Challenges and Future Opportunities

Bioremediation of heavy metals, particularly the biosorption technique, has been one of the
most detailed studied subjects from the past six decades, with more than 13,000 research papers
in reviewed journals. A vital understanding of the complex biosorption mechanism has made it
possible to quantify the process based on equilibrium and kinetics studies and optimize the process
by manipulating various operational parameters using modeling approaches based on RSM. Though
testing of the process in pilot projects and at the industrial-scale is still in the initial stage, the
216 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

BV SORBEX, a company owned by the pioneer researcher in the field of biosorption, McGill
University and Bohumil Volesky from Canada, has applied the laboratory process of biosorption to
an industrial level (Volesky 2003b).
However, there are some limitations in the application of the biosorption method on an industrial
scale. This limitation is due to less durability and low mechanical resistance of the biomass, which
create problems in the process and other factors, including regeneration of the sorbent and its
subsequent declination. Thus the success of the sorption process depends on the recovery and reuse
of the sorbent. It is further required that the biosorption process be integrated into other microalgae­
based applications, including energy recovery in the form of biofuels like biohydrogen or biodiesel
and value-added biomaterial production to make the overall procedure more economically feasible
and sustainable. Next new directions for integrating various microalgae-based technologies have
been described with a view to make it a competitive metal bioremediation technology with additional
applications to raise its sustainability. Various new opportunities for such combined technologies
and the biorefinery approach for microalgal wastewater treatment and bioremediation are discussed
next.

12.4 Combining Microalgal Technologies as Low-cost and Sustainable

Approach
Schenk et al. (2008) emphasized on exploiting the biological pathways for improving the efficiency
of the bioremediation potential of algae. Wastewaters have been used for biomass production of
microalgae during the bioremediation process and utilized for yielding carotenoids (Kalra et al.
2020). Microalgae can grow about 10% of their total volume during every 2 d. The biomass of
Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus obliquus have the biochemical composition of 30–35% proteins,
6–8% lipids, 39–30% carbohydrates (Bhatia et al. 2017) and are used in pisciculture feeds. The algal
biomass derived from wastewater bioremediation sludge can also be used as a biostimulant for crop
plants (Kalra et al. 2020). The biomass of algae can be processed with the torrefaction process to
produce 72.5 ± 1.7% charcoal yields.
Further, microalgae can successfully hold carbon in the form of gas from the environment.
The heterotrophic algae can also intake carbon in the form of organic carbon from acetate, glycerol
and glucose, whereas autotrophic algae take up inorganic carbon. Carbonates soluble in water act
as a fount of carbon dioxide that enters the algal cell by diffusion at pH 5.0–7.0 (Picardo et al.
2013, Sydney et al. 2014). Bicarbonate is transformed to CO2 within the microalgal cell before
being turned into energy-rich molecules by enzyme ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase
(Gonçalves et al. 2017).
Wastewater contains heavy metals in addition to phosphate, nitrogen and carbon. Microalgal
assisted wastewater treatment is regarded as one of the most effective heavy metals elimination
methods. However, the metal ion bioconcentration capacity is influenced by various factors, such
as temperature, pH, availability of nutrients, cell number, cell size and cell structure (Kosek et al.
2016).

12.4.1 Integrating Biofuel Production and Bioremediation using

Microalgae
To make the overall process of microalga-based bioremediation of metals an economically sustainable
technology, it has been proposed to integrate the process with various other applications. It has
been reported that even the waste biomass of cyanobacteria from biohydrogen rectors can be used
successfully for metal bioremediation (Mona et al. 2011c). The twofold uses of the cyanobacterium
for constant hydrogen production and elimination of some contaminants from textile industry
wastewater by spent algal biomass as an integrated laboratory-scale system were demonstrated by
Kaushik et al. (2011). Waste algal biomass of Nostoc linckia tested at multi-stages (5, 15, 25 d) from
hydrogen-producing photobioreactors when tested for metal bio removal capability show very good
 Microalgal Bioremediation of Heavy Metals 217

adsorption capacity (15–18 mg/g) for Cr (VI) and Cd metals, and the efficiency is higher when the
spent biomass is obtained at a relatively earlier stage (Mona et al. 2013). Such studies suggest that
careful planning can lead to the highly successful integration of the algae-based bioremediation­
cum-bioenergy production.
These studies explore the application of waste algal biomass from biofuel producing systems for
metal bioremediation and use microalgal biomass produced in wastewater for biofuel production.

12.4.2 Using Microalgae for Bioremediation Adopting Biorefinery

Approach
Mass cultivation of algae can be done in a cost-effective way by growing them in wastewaters
that generally contain carbonaceous matter, nitrates and phosphates nutrients required for algal
growth. The cost of cultivating 1 kg microalgae using synthetic fertilizers in the culture medium or
freshwater is very high. While growing in such wastewaters, microalgae utilize all the inorganic and
organic nutrients (TP, TN, NH4+, NO3–, TOC). These nutrients are removed from the wastewater,
and COD and BOD are also decreased. When algal production is carried out by raceway ponds,
the cost decreases of biofuel production from wastewater treatment increases with added benefits
of less impacts of environment (Park et al. 2011). Chlorella sp. extracted from wastewater showed
high lipid production efficiency in a bioreactor under heterotrophic and photoautotrophic conditions
(Viswanath and Bux 2012). Under heterotrophic conditions, it produced 3.6-fold more biomass
than photoautotrophic growth conditions and enhanced lipid production by 4.4-fold. Microalgal
heterotrophic growth is an efficient way for producing high biomass and biochemicals of algae,
which could lower the cost of producing microalgal biomass. Since various microalgal species also
have an innate ability to produce certain peptides having functional groups such as amine, sulfate,
phosphate, carboxyl and hydroxyl, that can be attached to heavy metals; these biomolecules take
part in conclusive to the metal ions compactly (Gong et al. 2005). The dead microalgal cells also
show biosorption function for bioremediation of heavy ccc metals. As demonstrated by Kaushik
et al. (2011), even the spent biomass of algae from bioreactors shows very good metal biosorption
capability; thus, there are enormous opportunities that need to be explored and investigated
systematically for adopting a biorefinery approach (Figure 12.3).
There are several methods to produce different types of fuels from algal biomass using wastewater
as a biorefinery approach (Craggs et al. 2011), while several value-added biomaterials, including
pigments and carbohydrates, can also be obtained from the microalgae along with remediation of
the wastewater (Markou and Nerantzis 2013, Preeti et al. 2015).
Biodiesel production from microalgae occurs via transesterification, i.e., the conversion of lipids
into fatty acid methyl esters. The biodiesel formation from microalgae completed the sequential
steps: biomass production, lipid extraction from biomass, lipids transesterification and biodiesel
purification.
Bioethanol production from algal biomass or algal meals takes place through saccharification
and fermentation. The carbohydrates in algal biomass, such as starch, cellulose, glucose and
hemicellulose, get converted to bioethanol through fermentation. Porphyridium cruentum,
Spirogyra sp., Nannochloropsis oculate and Chlorella sp. are some of the most used microalgae for
carbohydrate synthesis (Markou and Nerantzis 2013).
Biogas and biomethane are created by fermented bacteria during the controlled, anaerobic
breakdown of microalgal biomass (Li et al. 2019). Methane fermentation involves a series of
biochemical reactions carried out by specific microbes, including hydrolysis, acidogenesis and
methanogenesis (Jankowska et al. 2017). Biobutanol can be made from green waste left behind
after extracting microalgae oil. It has a higher energy density than biomethanol or bioethanol and
a chemical structure like gasoline. It can also be used as a solvent in industries, in addition to
being a biofuel (Yeong et al. 2018). Microalgal strains which have high starch and sugar content,
such as Chlorella vulgaris, Tetraselmis subcordiformis and Scenedesmus obliquus, are favored for
biobutanol synthesis.
218 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

Figure 12.3. Wastewater bioremediation with biorefinery approach using microalgae.

Figure. 12.3. Wastewater bioremediation with biorefinery approach using microalgae

12.5 Conclusion
Extensive studies on the treatment of using wastewater and metal removal have demonstrated the
enormous potential of various species of both BGA (cyanobacteria) and green algae (Chlorophyceae).
Batch mode studies have established that it is possible to optimize various operational parameters for
high metal removal while using the RSM approach, and applying different statistical models further
facilitates the selection of the best combinations of parameters for maximum metal bioremediation.
Both adsorption and absorption processes have been demonstrated; however, the former has
been found to be more effective and easier. Moreover, the mechanism and kinetics of biosorption
have been well understood for different systems. Besides this, methods have been developed to
regenerate the biosorbent and recover the metals to make the whole process more economical and
sustainable. Immobilization of algal biomass has been found to impart greater structural stability
and protection to the algae in the presence of toxic pollutants, and immobilized algae are preferred
more in continuous mode studies using packed bed reactors. It has been found that pretreatment
of algal biomass is useful in improving the biosorption capacity of algal. However, industrial-
scale application of the biosorption process must compete with other conventional technologies. In
order to make the process economically and environmentally more sustainable, integration of the
bioremediation process with other processes leading to the production of biofuels and biomaterials
using the biorefinery approach has been proposed. Thus, there are great opportunities for the future
linking various algal technologies to derive multiple benefits during bioremediation, making
microalgal metal bioremediation a low-cost sustainable approach.
 Microalgal Bioremediation of Heavy Metals 219

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Chapter 13
Bioremediation of Heavy
Metals from Aquatic
Environments
Fariha Latif,1,* Shahena Perveen,1 Sana Aziz,2
Rehana Iqbal,1 and Muhammad Mudassar Shahzad 3

13.1 Introduction
The severe contamination of freshwater resources, particularly in developing countries, is
causing serious health hazards and environmental issues. Though aquatic pollution is not a novel
phenomenon, but the pace of the industrial revolution and urbanization have aggravated its negative
impacts on the aquatic environment. Predominant anthropogenic sources of aquatic contamination
include mining operations, untreated industrial effluents, domestic sewage, waste dump leachates
and combustion emissions. These sources are adding a number of pollutants including metallic ions,
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls and other xenobiotics in the
natural aquatic ecosystems. Metallic ions toxicity affects the physiology and ecology of aquatic
organisms due to their specific properties of long persistence, bioaccumulation and biomagnification
in the food chain. Currently, all areas of the environment are being polluted by several chemical and
biological pollutants and the aquatic ecosystems are serving as a major repository for them. Among
these pollutants, metallic ions pollution is widespread and has become an issue of great concern
as metallic ions are indiscriminately discharged into freshwaters, deteriorating their quality and
ultimately affecting the inhabitant fish fauna.

13.1.1 Heavy Metals

Metalloids and metals having a density of more than 4000 kg m–3 are called heavy metals. Most
of them are mostly poisonous at different concentrations (Shah et al. 2018). The concentration
can be higher, lower or moderate. Examples of heavy metals are Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Nickel
(Ni), Strontium (Sr), Molybdenum (Mo), Titanium (Ti), Lead (Pb), Cobalt (Co), Chromium (Cr),
Vanadium (V,) Mercury (Hg) and Tin (Sn) (Satyanarayana et al. 2019).

1
Institute of Zoology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan.
2
Department of Zoology, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
3
Department of Zoology, Division of Science & Technology, University of Education, Lahore, Pakistan.
* Corresponding author: [email protected]
224 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

Water and soil are now becoming polluted due to the release of garbage. Untreated wastewater
is added to water, and it contains various metals that create pollution (Rudakiya and Pawar 2013).
Heavy metals have a negative effect on the food web and food chain. They can also impact numerous
activities of cells (Vardhan et al. 2019).

13.1.1.1 Metals Sources

There are two kinds of metal sources in aquatic environments:
i. Natural sources
ii. Anthropogenic sources
i. Natural Sources
Natural sources include the weathering of magmatic, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks in the
rock cycle that add heavy metals to the atmosphere and aquatic reservoirs.
ii. Anthropogenic Sources
Heavy metals are mainly introduced into groundwater as well as surface water by agricultural and
industrial activities, landfilling, mining and transportation. Various origins of pollution are caused
by metallic contaminants. Sometimes single or in mixture form, metals are discharged into the
dumping areas. Different organic pollutants consist of various metal pollutants. The pesticides
contain a number metals such as zinc, arsenic and copper. The formation of stains or dyes, alloys,
pigments and batteries also require metals in their composition (Roane et al. 2015). The high level of
metal concentrations and their use causes various negative impacts on humans, plants and animals.

13.1.1.2 Heavy Metal Toxicity

Heavy metals generally exist in the form of carbonates, hydroxides, oxides, sulfides, sulfates,
phosphates, silicates and organic compounds. They also exist in their metallic, elemental form,
but are mobilized by the action of humans (anthropogenic activity extraction, smelting) or natural
phenomenon (weathering and leaching). The World Health Organization reported that heavy metals
including cadmium, arsenic, chromium, cobalt, copper, mercury, nickel, manganese, titanium,
lead and tin are toxic (Index 2018). Various heavy metals cause cellular toxicity through different
mechanisms as depicted in Figure 13.1.

Figure 13.1. Toxicity mechanisms of some heavy metals.

 Bioremediation of Heavy Metals from Aquatic Environments 225

13.2 Bioremediation
The method in which plants, microorganisms, bacteria and fungi are used to eliminate pollutants
from the environment is called bioremediation. The purpose of “bioremediation” methods is to
decrease the level of the contaminant to a minimum and within safe limits viz. within the range
set by different environmental protection agencies (Pointing 2001). Bioremediation can also be
increased by adding different materials such as nitrogen and carbon sources (Rudakiya et al. 2019a).
The fungi and bacteria can augment the bioremediation process (Zaki et al. 2014).
The bioremediation process can reduce negative impacts on the natural environment. It is a less
costly process. The total remediation of contaminants is attainable on-site without the requirement
of excavation (Vidali 2001). It needs a small amount of energy and protects the soil. It can be made
more reliable to the community (Zhang and Qiao 2002). Aerobic soil is essential for the fungal
system to work. There are many drawbacks to the bioremediation process. This method can be used
for those compounds that are biodegradable. The by-products of the bioremediation process are
less hazardous than the original compounds. These processes are highly specified and complex. It
requires a longer duration for their work (Vidali 2001).
The bioremediation of heavy metals is done by using the following processes (Figure 13.2):
13.2.1 Biosorption
13.2.2 Bioaccumulation
13.2.3 Bioleaching
13.2.4 Biotransformation
13.2.5 Biomineralization

Biotransformation

Bioaccumulation Biomineralization

Bioremediation

Biosorption Bioleaching

Figure 13.2. Various processes in the bioremediation.

226 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

13.2.1 Biosorption
The capacity of biological materials to concentrate heavy metals from wastewater via metabolically
mediated or physico-chemical pathways is called biosorption (Fourest and Roux 1992). The
biological material can bind heavy metals from an aqueous solution. It has the characteristics of
some substances to concentrate and bind some ions from metal-containing water (Volesky 2007).
The best biosorbents that adsorb metals are bacteria, fungi, yeasts and algae. Biosorption is an
alternative rapid method for the removal of pollutants by using non-active and nonliving microbes.
The advantage of this process are as follows:
 No additional nutrient requirement
 biosorbent can be regenerated
 metal recovery
 low cost
 high efficiency
 decreasing amount of biological sludge
The process of biosorption is affected by various physico-chemical parameters such as
temperature, pH, metal ion’s initial concentration, biosorbent concentration and speed of mixing of
biosorbent and solution. The entire biomass of biosorbent can be treated physically and chemically
before use and can be made economical by recycling and reusing the biosorbent material after
removing the metals. Various bioreactors can be used in biosorption for the removal of metal ions
from large volumes of water or effluents (Kanamarlapudi et al. 2018). When the physico-chemical
interaction of metal ions occurs with cellular compounds heavy metals can be adsorbed.

13.2.2 Bioaccumulation
This is an active metabolic process that relies on the import-storage system. Using transporter
proteins, the system moves heavy metal ions through the lipid bilayer and into the cytoplasm or
intracellular regions. The heavy metals that these entities sequester might exist in particulate forms,
insoluble forms and their by-products. The metal ions are sequestered by metal-binding entities such
as proteins and peptide ligands. The process in which ions of metals accumulate in the living cell
is called bioaccumulation. It is a complex and irreversible process that depends on cell metabolism
and is mainly done by microorganism biomass cultivation. The metabolic process starts in the
organism that activates the intracellular transport system (Srichandan et al. 2014, Gu et al. 2018).
A few examples include; the yeast Pichia stipites can bio-accumulate Cr3+ and Cu2+ with the highest
absorbance ability of 9.10 mg g–1 and 15.85 mg g–1, respectively (Ojha et al. 2015). Aspergillus
niger can eliminate Pb and Cu with the greatest uptake of 34.4 mg g–1 and 15.6 mg g–1, respectively
(Srichandan et al. 2015).

13.2.3 Bioleaching
The bioleaching process is also called bio-hydrometallurgy or microbial leaching. The process in
which solubilization of metals occurs from some ores that are not soluble is called bioleaching.
Microorganisms are also used in this process as reducing agents (Mishra et al. 2005). These methods
include membrane separation, solvent extraction, adsorption, ion exchange, selective precipitation
and electrowinning.
Microbial bioleaching is used for the solubilization of various metals viz. cobalt, nickel copper,
zinc and uranium (Rohwerder et al. 2003). For example, in the bioleaching process of arsenopyrite,
the sulfides of arsenic and iron are dissolved. The endured gold is recuperated by the procedure
known as cyanidation.
 Bioremediation of Heavy Metals from Aquatic Environments 227

The natural process of bioleaching has its limitations therefore, researchers have broadened
this process to treat solid wastes artificially to remove or solubilize metals. These solid wastes are
released from different industries and mining processes causing various health hazards to animal
diversity as well as human health. Different microbes are used in the bioleaching process. Examples
of some microbes are archaea, fungi and acidophilic bacteria (Brandl et al. 2001, Natarajan and
Ting 2014). All three types of acidophilic bacteria such as mesophiles, moderate thermophiles and
thermophiles are used in this process. Fungi can also be used in this process. Some of the fungi that
are used in the bioleaching process include Penicillium chrysogenum, Penicillium simplicissimum,
Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus. The fungal bioleaching process requires a pH from 3.0 to
7.0 and a temperature ranging from 25 to 35°C.

13.2.4 Biotransformation
This is the method by which a chemical compound’s structure is changed, resulting in the production
of a molecule with comparatively higher polarity. In other words, through the process of metal-
microbe interaction, metal and organic molecules are changed from a harmful state to a form that
is substantially less toxic. This technique basically enables microbes to acclimatize to changing
environments.
Microorganisms control trace element transformation (microbial or biotransformation) through
a number of mechanisms such as oxidation, reduction, methylation, demethylation, complex
formation and biosorption. Microbial transformation is important in the behavior and fate of toxic
elements in soils and sediments, particularly Arsenic (As), Chromium (Cr), mercury (Hg), and
Selenium (Se). Biotransformation processes can change the speciation and redox state of these
elements, controlling their solubility and mobility (Kunhikrishnan et al. 2017). These processes are
critical for trace element bioavailability, mobility, ecotoxicity and environmental health. Microbial
cells have a high surface-to-volume ratio, a rapid rate of growth, as well as metabolic activity, and
is simple to maintain sterile conditions for microbes. They are thus ideal organisms for the process
of biotransformation. Condensation, hydrolysis, the creation of new carbon bonds, isomerization,
the addition of functional groups, oxidation, reduction and methylation are all methods that can be
used to carry out this process. These processes might cause metals to volatilize, thus decreasing their
ability (Tayang and Songachan 2021).

13.2.5 Biomineralization
A natural process of mineral production is the biomineralization of heavy metals. Minerals like
phosphates, oxides, sulfates, silicates and carbonates are naturally synthesized in this process, which
involves a variety of mechanisms in living things. Mineral production depends on the presence
of highly variable and reactive surfaces, such as cell walls and extra organic layers with varying
levels of hydration, content and structure. Additionally, there are organic ligands that deprotonate
and impart a net negative charge on the microbial surface as pH rises, including amine, carboxyl,
hydroxyl, phosphoryl and sulfur.
Positively charged potential hazardous metals precipitate unevenly into more stable and
compact mineral products. Phosphate precipitation, carbonate precipitation, oxalate precipitation
and complexation can all result in the immobilization or complexation of metals (Tayang and
Songachan 2021).

13.3 Types of Bioremediations

The process in which incomplete and occasionally complete detoxification of pollutants takes place
by small microorganisms is called biodegradation (Gouma et al. 2014). The more specified term is
bio-mineralization in which bacteria, fungi and plants release different acids and convert them into
228 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

the unsolvable form of metal (Rudakiya et al. 2019). The following kinds of bioremediations are
used to eliminate toxic heavy metals, metalloids and non-metals from different areas:
13.3.1 Bacterial remediation
13.3.2 Fungal remediation
13.3.3 Algal remediation
13.3.4 Phyto remediation

13.3.1 Bacterial Bioremediation

There are different mechanisms used by bacteria to remediate or eliminate metals (Rudakiya and
Pawar 2017). Bacteria use the processes of metal binding, biosorption, biotransformation and
biosorption to eradicate metals from aquatic environments (Rudakiya 2018). The process in which
metals are oxidized and reduced to change into nontoxic forms is called biotransformation. The
following processes occur during biotransformation outside the cell:
 Reduction
 Oxidation
 Methylation.
 Dealkylation
Bacteria consist of carbohydrates, protein and fatty acids. These components are very essential
for the binding of metals. Enzymes can also be used for the transformation of metals. For example,
chromate reductase. It forms a species of metals that are not usually soluble (Rudakiya et al. 2020).

13.3.2 Fungal Bioremediation

The fungi are especially important organisms to treat metalloids and metals based on different
properties like biochemical, ecological and morphological (Rudakiya and Gupte 2017). Fungi can
be used to treat metals throughout the various phases of their life cycle through different mechanisms
(Baldrian 2003). These components of the cell wall contain various functional groups viz. hydroxyl,
phosphate, carboxyl and amine. They are involved in the process of ‘metal chelation’ (Couto et al.
2004).
Many other microorganisms make different substances like Extracellular Polymeric Substances
(EPS) in the environment where they exist (Guibaud et al. 2005). These substances can be used in
binding, reduction of heavy metals and tolerance limits. EPS are anionic and acidic in nature. The
anionic characteristics of EPS transmit “electrostatic interaction” with heavy metals however, the
acidic property of Extracellular Polymeric Substances is due to different functional groups such as
amino acids, phenolic, hydroxyl, carboxyl and uronic acids. These groups interact with metal ions
that have a positive charge (Gutnick and Bach 2000). Heavy metals like Cu, Pb and Cd have been
separated by A. niger (Kapoor et al. 1999).
Interaction among metals and fungi: Fungi can be used for the bioremediation of heavy metals
due to their various properties such as rapid growth, easily culturable due to their small reproduction
cycle and can be modified both genetically and morphologically (Dhankhar and Hooda 2011).
The elimination of toxic substances by fungi is called mycoremediation. Fungi can use various
mechanisms for heavy metal bioremediation, especially the biosorption process. The dead and living
cells of fungi can be used for fungal biosorption. The dead cells of fungi have a higher capacity to
remove heavy metals (Volesky 2007).
Fungi can use two mechanisms for the removal of metals (Veglio and Beolchini 1997). The
first method is the primary method which includes the binding of heavy metals to the outer surface
 Bioremediation of Heavy Metals from Aquatic Environments 229

Table 13.1. Bioremediations of various heavy metals by fungi.

Sr. No. Metal Fungi References

1 Hg Aspergillus niger Acosta-Rodríguez et al. 2018
Aspergillus flavus Kurniati et al. 2014
P. canescens Say et al. 2004
R. arrhizus Tobin et al. 1984
2 Cr A. niger Acosta-Rodríguez et al. 2018
Rhizopus nigricans Bai and Abraham 2001
3 Pb Penicillium sp. Siegel et al. 1983
Rhizopus arrhizus Fourest and Roux 1992
4 Cd Aspergillus niger Das et al. 2013
Penicillium spinulosum Townslcy and Ross 1986
5 Zn A. niger Acosta-Rodríguez et al. 2018
6 As Aspergillus nidulans Maheshwari and Murugesan 2009
Aspergillus niger Acosta-Rodríguez et al. 2018
7 Co Trichoderma, Apecilomyces Townslcy and Ross 1986
Penicillium, Pythium, Rhizopus, Aspergillus niger Acosta-Rodríguez et al. 2018

and the second method involves the absorption of metals by the metabolism called bioaccumulation
(Kadukova and Vircikova 2005). Some of the studies that are based on the biosorption process are
detailed in Table 13.1.
These methods are surface binding, the complexion by various functional groups including
hydroxyl, phosphate, carboxyl, and amine groups and ion exchange reaction (Wang and Chen
2009). The fungus cell wall makes a connection with ions of metals (Figure 13.3). The extracellular
methods use cell wall binding, precipitation and chelation (Bellion et al. 2006). The recycling of
fungi in bioremediation is an expensive process (Tsezos 1984). Living cells of fungi are killed by
various methods like chemical drying, mechanical drying, autoclaving and vacuum drying.
Factors Affecting the Fungal Biosorption: The removal of ‘heavy metals’ by fungi depends on
various environmental factors and types of metals (Hassen et al. 1998). Different parameters such
as oxygen level and glucose affect the absorption of metals (Javaid et al. 2011). The parameters like
concentration, contact time, initial metal ion concentration, temperature, pH and biomass have been
noted to affect the fungal biosorption process (Kapoor and Viraraghavan 1995).
Fungal Bioleaching: Fungal bioleaching has been used in mining areas and for the treatment of
waste material containing metals (Bosecker 2001). Fungi can also be used for sorting of heavy
metals from low-grade ores (Chaudhary et al. 2014). Penicillium verruculosum and Aspergillus
were used to solubilize iron Penicillium and Aspergillus leached Ni, Fe and Co (Valix et al. 2001).
Fungal Bio-immobilization: The interaction between metals and fungus causes a notable decrease
in the mobility of heavy metals. This immobility has been achieved by different methods such as
bio-precipitation, bio-reduction/bio-oxidation, biosorption and bioaccumulation. The fungus,
Rhizopus arrhizus can be used for the elimination of Cu2+, Fe3+ and Cd2+ by the fungal
bio-immobilization process (Lewis and Kiff 1998).
Fungal Biomineralization: Biologically Controlled Mineralization (BCM) and Biologically
Induced Mineralization (BIM) are types of biomineralization. In BCM, the microorganisms are
used to control the growth and nucleation of the biominerals, however in BIM organisms modify
the native environment to produce optimum conditions for the mineral’s precipitation (Gadd 2010).
230 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

Biomineralization,

sulfite,

Figure 13.3. Metals and fungal interactions in bioremediation.

13.3.3 Algal Bioremediation

Microorganisms such as fungi, yeast, bacteria and microalgae can be used for the bioremediation
of metals. Microalgae have been widely used due to their various properties viz. simple structure
and high photosynthetic capacity. Microalgae can grow well in any given environment. Microalgae
can be used in the phycoremediation of poisonous heavy metals (Cameron et al. 2018). The dead
and living cells of microalgae can be used as biosorbents which is an eco-friendly process. The
microalgae can be used for the recovery of gold and silver (Birungi and Chirwa 2015, Jaafari and
Yaghmaeian 2019).
Mechanisms of Heavy Metal Removal by Microalgae
Heavy metals including manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), Boron (B), Cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iron (Fe)
and Molybdenum (Mo) can be used by microalgae. These can be consumed for cell and enzymatic
metabolism (Figure 13.4). Metals like lead, chromium, cadmium and arsenic are poisonous to
microalgae. Some cyanobacteria including Phormidium, Spirogyra, Anabaena and Oscillatoria can
grow in environments where heavy metals are present. These species have a tolerance ability to
metals stress (Balaji et al. 2016).
Microalgae have adopted different techniques for their protection from heavy metals toxicity
including gene regulation, exclusion, chelation and immobilization (Gómez-Jacinto et al. 2015).
They can form complexes of heavy metals and proteins without altering their activity (Priatni et al.
2017).
The elimination of heavy metals by using microalgae is acquired by two processes. Biosorption
(extracellular passive adsorption) is the first stage and bioaccumulation (intracellular positive
diffusion and accumulation) is the second stage. The first stage is rapid while the second stage is
slow. The microalgae cell wall contains lipids, proteins and polysaccharides. The polysaccharides
 Bioremediation of Heavy Metals from Aquatic Environments 231

Figure 13.4. Mechanism of heavy metal removal by microalgae.

are alginate and cellulose. Its cell wall also provides various functional groups including imidazole,
phosphate, sulfonate, thiol, amino, carboxyl and hydroxyl. These functional groups can bind with
heavy metals (Priatni et al. 2017). They also contain a large amount of alcohol and carboxyl groups
that attract the cations and anions of heavy metals (Pradhan et al. 2019).
The spectroscopy including NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) and FTIR (Fourier transform
infrared) can be used to find out different functional groups of microalgae. Various methods can be
used for the adsorption of heavy metals on the outer surface of microalgae. These methods include
the ionic exchange of heavy metal ions with cell wall cation. The heavy metals are moved into the
cytoplasm by the process of diffusion (Ibuot et al. 2017, Pradhan et al. 2019).
Algal Bioremediation of a few metals
Arsenic (As) is a toxic heavy metal. Its pollution is caused by human activities including medical
use, smelting and mining (Arora et al. 2017, Singh et al. 2016). Microalgae are used to reduce the
pollution of arsenic by the complex formation with glutathione (Papry et al. 2019).
Cadmium (Cd) is poisonous heavy metal. It is released into the surroundings by human activities
including color pigments, tanning industries and pesticide use (Abinandan et al. 2019). The dead
microalgae can be used for bioremediation of Cd by surface binding mechanism.
Chromium (Cr) is used in ink, paint and dyes (Gupta and Rastogi 2008). Microalgae can be
used for the removal of chromium by using the mechanism of biosorption. Navicula pelliculosa and
Phaeodactylum tricornutum have been used for this purpose (Hedayatkhah et al. 2018).

13.3.4 Phytoremediation
The use of living plants to remove heavy metals and metalloids from water, soil and the air is called
phytoremediation. The types of phytoremediation are:
• Phytoextraction
• Phytostabilization
232 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

• Phytofiltration
• Phytovolatilization
• Phytodegradation
Phytoextraction
It is also called phytoabsorption or phtyoaccumulation and phytosequestration. The process which
involves the elimination of toxic contaminants such as heavy metals and metalloids from water
and soil by using the roots of plants is known as phytoextraction (Ghosh and Singh 2005). These
pollutants can be moved and collected in shoots (Muthusaravanan et al. 2018). The process in which
contaminants can be gathered in shoots is a very important procedure as if the material is gathered
in roots, then harvesting of biomass of roots is not possible (Halim et al. 2003, McIntyre 2003).
If phytoextraction is done continuously then a very large number of pollutants can be collected in
plants (Sarwar et al. 2017).
The following steps are involved in the phytoextraction process:
• The first step involves the mobilization of contaminants in the rhizosphere.
• The roots can absorb toxic contaminants like heavy metals and metalloids (Memon and Schröder
2009).
• The pollutants are translocated toward the airy parts.
• The contaminants are separated from the tissues of plants (Ali et al. 2013).
For the phytoextractions, the hyperaccumulator plants are used that must have the following
properties: the growth rate of plants should be a high, large biomass (Khalid et al. 2017), tolerance
to a wide variety of contaminants, the branched root system, adjustment to native environmental
situation, immunity against pest and pathogen, high crop production and a higher ability to
accumulate pollutants (Mahar et al. 2016, Sarwar et al. 2017).
The efficacy of the phytoextraction process depends upon the following three facts viz. the
climatic condition (Bhargava et al. 2012), weather and the growth rate of plant roots.
This process can be improved by using various agents such as nitrilotriacetic acid, amino
polycarboxylic acid, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid and citric acid. This
process is used for the elimination of contaminants from the contaminated areas.
There are also many disadvantages to this process. As it requires specific conditions that are
necessary for the plant’s tolerance to contaminants and their growth. It also requires a longer time
to completely remediate the areas.
Phytostabilization
It is also called phytoimmobilization. The process in which plants can be used to reduce the
bioavailability or mobility of contaminants either by ceasing the leaching to the underground water
table (Sarwar et al. 2017) or its entrance into the food chain through a process such as the production
of compounds that are not soluble in the roots zone or adsorption by the roots of plants (Khan et al.
2019). The properties of this process are:
• The reduction of contaminants in the polluted region by assimilation and adsorption on the
roots and precipitation by roots.
• The deployment of the plant’s roots to avoid pollutants movements by water, wind, draining
and soil dispersal (USEPA 1999).
The goal of this process is the stabilization of contaminants rather than their elimination. It
decreases their risk to humans and nature (Bolan et al. 2011). Phytostabilization not only reduces the
concentration of contaminants, but also lessens the contaminant of the surrounding region (Khalid
et al. 2017).
 Bioremediation of Heavy Metals from Aquatic Environments 233

Phytostabilization has various advantages over other techniques of phytoremediation (Jadia

and Fulekar 2009). It can be an effective technology when immobilization is required to protect
the surface and groundwater (Gomes et al. 2016). It can be used for the bioremediation of various
metals such as chromium and lead that are stabilized in the soil region (Mahar et al. 2016). It also
decreases the interaction of pollutants with biota.
Phytofiltration
Rhizofilteration is another name for phytofiltration that requires two processes such as adsorption
and precipitation of contaminant into the roots zone. Some plants contain various ‘phytochelatins’
which enhance the “binding capacity” of contaminants like metal ions.
The plants which are suitable for phytofiltration should have some properties such as:
• Their roots should grow rapidly with the ability to eliminate pollutants (Dhanam 2017).
• ‘Terrestrial plants’ are used for this process because they have a fibrous root system. This
root system helps them to remove pollutants from the rhizospheric zone and the earth’s water
(Ali et al. 2013, Khan et al. 2019).
Phytovolatilization
The process by which plants can be used to absorb pollutants, and then convert them into compounds
that are volatile is called phytovolatilization. These compounds are released into the air in a changed
form or the same due to various forces such as transpiration and metabolism (Kumar et al. 2017).
The process in which evaporation of ‘water vapors’ occurs from the leaf through the stomata into
the air is called transpiration. Plants which have long root systems often have the capacity to absorb
and transform pollutants through the formation of various enzymes (Muthusaravanan et al. 2018).
In the process of phytovolatilization, contaminants are taken up from the water or soil. These
pollutants are then changed into vapors that are less toxic (Khalid et al. 2017). The pollutants are
released into the atmosphere or air through the transpiration process. This method can be used
for contaminants that are organic and heavy metals such as mercury and arsenic as these exist in
gaseous form. There are very few plants that convert metals into volatile forms. Therefore, plants
that are genetically modified can be used in the phytovolatilization process (Khalid et al. 2017).
There are some limitations of this process, as the phytovolatilization process does not remove
all contaminants from the environment because the pollutants are changed from one part of their
physical environment to the other (Ali et al. 2013).
Phytodegradation
The process in which nutrients and pollutants are captured from the soil, water and sediments and
chemical modification of pollutants takes place by the plant’s metabolism is called phytodegradation
(Gomes et al. 2016). It causes pollutant degradation and inactivation in the roots or shoots of plants
(Bulak et al. 2014). It is also known as phytotransformation. The plants can destroy the pollutants
into less toxic compounds. Plants’ metabolic processes or enzymes can be used in this process
(Muthusaravanan et al. 2018).

13.4 Conclusion
Bioremediation is an effective and environment-friendly technique to biologically degrade various
pollutants. In the bioremediation process, many microorganisms play a major role such as bacteria,
fungi, algae and other plants. Furthermore, fungus microorganisms can effectively degrade many
toxic environmental pollutants. Phytoremediation represents an emerging technology through which
plants can be used to remove pollution from the soil, water and other environments. Bioremediation
requires less effort, is less labor intensive, cheap, eco-friendly, sustainable and relatively easy to
implement. Various bioremediation methods are used to convert toxic heavy metals into non-toxic
or environmentally friendly products. Biosorption, bioaccumulation, bioleaching, biotransformation
234 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

and biomineralization are examples of these processes. Furthermore, because there is no acceptable
endpoint, evaluating the performance of bioremediation may be difficult. More research is needed
to develop bioremediation technologies and find more biological solutions for the bioremediation of
heavy metal contamination from various environmental systems.

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Environ. Microbial. 47: 821–824.
Townslcy, C. C., I. S. Ross and A. S. Atkins. 1986. Biorecovery of metallic residues from various industrial effluents
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Chapter 14
Phytoremediation of
Wastewater Discharged
from Paper and Pulp, Textile
and Dairy Industries using
Water Hyacinth
(Eichhornia crassipes)
A Sustainable Approach
Apurba Koley,1 Anudeb Ghosh,1 Sandipan Banerjee,2
Nitu Gupta,3 Richik Ghosh Thakur,1
Binoy Kumar Show,1 Shibani Chaudhury,1
Amit Kumar Hazra,4 Andrew B. Ross,5
Gaurav Nahar 6 and Srinivasan Balachandran1,*

14.1 Introduction
The presence of toxic heavy metals in water bodies like rivers, lakes and reservoirs affect local
inhabitants, animals and other living organisms depending on the water or source (Rai et al. 2002).
The concentration of these metals above the threshold limit or optimal concentration can cause
negative impacts on plant systems due to oxidative stress and inhibited cytoplasmic enzymes
(Assche and Clijsters 1990). Intake of toxic metals causes serious health and growth-related issues

1
Bioenergy Laboratory, Department of Environmental Studies, Siksha-Bhavana, Visva-Bharati.
2
Mycology and Plant Pathology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan-731235, India.
3
Department of Environmental Science, Tezpur University, Napaam, Tezpur, Assam - 784208, India.
4
Socio-Energy Lab, Department of Lifelong Learning and Extension, Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan.
5
School of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, United Kingdom.
6
Defiant Renewables Pvt Ltd, 1st Floor Kant Helix, Bhoir Colony, Chinchwad, Pune-411033, India.
* Corresponding author: [email protected]
ORCID ID: 0000-0003-4247-408X
 Phytoremediation of Industrial Wastewater using Water Hyacinth 239

through food-chain magnification (Rai and Tripathi 2008, Pramanik et al. 2021). Different removal
methods like electrolysis, ion exchange, precipitation, absorption and reverse osmosis are used
to remove heavy metals. These methods are quite expensive and are comparatively ineffective,
producing a large amount of waste that is difficult to dispose of. The development of cost-effective
and alternative methods for the removal of toxic substances from wastewater is a necessity (Rai and
Tripathi 2007). The use of living plants to remove toxic substances from the water and soils could
be one of the alternatives and viable processes (Rai 2009). Plants have the capability to accumulate
metals (Co, Ca, Fe, Cu, Ni, Mo, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Se, V and Zn) and non-essential metals (Al, As, Au,
Cd, Cr, Hg, Pb, Pd, Pt, Sb, Te, Tl and U) under different concentration (Djingova and Kuleff 2000).
Three different patterns have been observed during the uptake of heavy metals by plants (i). True
exclusion (metals are limited during entering), (ii). Shoot exclusion (root accumulates the metals
but restricts translocation to the shoot system), and, (iii). Accumulation (plant parts concentrate the
metals) (Zavoda et al. 2001, Kamal et al. 2004).
Textile wastewaters are a serious polluting threat as they contaminate the environment; without
proper treatment, they lead to irreversible persistent changes in the environment. Textile wastes
include dyes and have high Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD),
Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Total Nitrogen (TN), heavy metals, phosphates and greases, etc.
Dyes are well-known toxins which can directly affect the aquatic ecosystem (Ekanayake et al. 2021).
The pulp and paper industries are one of the major causes of aquatic pollution in India (Saadia
and Ashfaq 2010, Singh et al. 2022). The major pollutants in paper and pulp industries are high in
TSS, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Total Nitrogen (TN), adsorbable organic halides (AOX), heavy
metals, as well as have high COD. A large amount of this contaminated wastewater is generated and
discharged during the paper-making process, which negatively impacts wild and human life. The
impurities should be removed or minimized before being discharged into the environment (Singh
et al. 2022, Ashrafi et al. 2015).
Similar to the textile and paper industries, the Indian dairy industry generates wastewater which
is a major cause of concern. Six to seven liters of effluent is generated while processing one liter
of milk (Porwal 2015). High levels of BOD, COD, hardness, along with ions like K+, Na+ and Cu2+
ions are detected in water close to the industry due to inappropriate disposal of effluents in rivers
(Kaur et al. 2018). To reduce the release of these environmental pollutants from such industries,
many researchers are trying to develop sustainable, cost-effective treatment practises for cleaning
the industrial effluents.
Phytoremediation is one such technique being researched to clean up wastewater generated from
industrial and domestic discharge for consumption of fresh water. Eichhornia crassipes, i.e., Water
Hyacinth (WH) is one of the promising plants popularly tested for phytoremediation of various
wastewater streams (Koley et al. 2022). This aquatic macrophyte is a large-leaved, noxious, free-
floating aquatic weed that belongs to the family Pontederiaceae. WH is a free-floating angiosperm
having roots, short to long stems, broad, glossy leaves and lavender flowers, usually found in
shallow water. Due to its rapid reproduction rate, it covers the water surface by forming a thick mat.
Owing to its fast-growing and high nutrient uptake ability, WH is used in constructed wetlands to
uptake pollutants from different wastewater sources. Even though there are many sustainable uses
of WH, most research has been done on how to use it to clean up nutrients and contaminants, like
heavy metals, from industrial and urban wastewater (Koley et al. 2022, Sinha et al. 2021, Qin et al.
2020, Ansari et al. 2016, Elangovan et al. 2008).
This chapter aims to review and generalize the observations from different studies on
wastewater remediation of lignocellulosic processing (paper and pulp and textile) industries in
addition to dairy industries from the perspective of the Indian ecosphere. Additionally, the well-
established capabilities of E. crassipes can assist in the remediation of toxic pollutants, including
heavy metals and organic pollutants and other hazardous industrial pollutants, apart from its use in
various documented sustainable practises.
240 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

14.2 Bibliographic Analysis

In this study, a total of 501 articles with keywords of phytoremediation, water hyacinth, Eichhornia
crassipes, heavy metals, bioremediation, industrial wastewater, etc., were searched on the Web of
Science. By using the VOS viewer software, the keywords were evaluated (Basu et al. 2021, Show
et al. 2022). The keyword co-occurrences outcomes were defined to be 15, and a network map was
constructed by using the most used keywords, and the results are depicted in Figure 14.1. The cluster
and the prevalence of the individual keyword were indicated by color and size, and the line between
the circles represents their interlinks. From this network mapping of the keywords, it can be said that
these articles are mainly focused on the following five clusters or aspects:
i. Phytoremediation of wastewater (red cluster).
ii. Different types of heavy metal accumulation by the plant systems (green cluster).
iii. Aquatic plants and their responses to heavy metal toxicity (blue cluster).
iv. Relation between aquatic macrophytes and the heavy metal pollutants (yellow cluster);
v. Mode of pollutant removal by water hyacinth (purple cluster).

Figure 14.1. Bibliographic analysis

These keywords-oriented text mining studies explored the exploitation of aquatic plants or
macrophytes as a phytoremediation agent for heavy metal contaminated wastewater resources, i.e.,
industrial wastewater. Therefore, interlinking these industrial pollutants and the WH can unearth a
novel sustainable phenomenon, where other aquatic macrophytes can be utilized for such integrated
sustainable practises (heavy metal and other organic pollutants removal or bioremediation).

14.3 Phytoremediation: A Green Technology for the Cleanup of Pollutants

Phytoremediation is an emerging and fast growing effective eco-friendly technology based on
aquatic, semiaquatic and terrestrial plants for the removal of pollutants (Dhir 2013) such as metals,
hydrocarbons, pesticides and chlorinated solvents (Fletcher et al. 2020, Xia et al. 2003). Plants
help to degrade, assimilate, metabolize, mineralize or detoxify different pollutants (Schnoor et al.
1995) from different sources like soil, sediment, aquatic medium and atmosphere (Dhir 2013).
 Phytoremediation of Industrial Wastewater using Water Hyacinth 241

The phytoremediation consists of four major processes, i.e., phytoextraction, phytostabilization,

phytovolatilization and rhizofiltration where the pollutants are directly accumulated and metabolized
in plant tissues or transported and released as exudates by biochemical mechanisms (Schnoor et al.
1995).
In the phytoextraction process, plants and roots extract the metals and translocate them to shoots.
The shoots and roots are harvested to remove the contaminants. Phytoextraction is considered a low-
impact technique, having 10 times lower operational cost per hectare as compared to conventional
remediation techniques (Jadia and Fulekar 2009, Salt et al. 1995). In phytostabilization, plant roots
limit the bioavailability and mobility of the contaminants. As a result, it is referred to as inactivation
and is used to remediate soil, sediment and sludge contaminants (Jadia and Fulekar 2009, USEPA
2000). Plants involved in phytovolatilization uptake the contaminants and transform them into volatile
forms. The converted less toxic substances are released into the atmosphere through transpiration
(USEPA 2000, Jadia and Fulekar 2009). In the phytofiltration or rhizofiltration process, plants are
used to remediate water and wastewater with a low concentration of contaminants (Ensley 2000)
(Figure 14.2). Both terrestrial and aquatic plants absorb, concentrate and precipitate contaminants
in the roots. Heavy metals like Pb, Cd, Cu, Ni, Zn and Cr can be accumulated through this process
and are primarily retained within the roots (USEPA 2000).

Phytodegradation

Figure 14.2. Types of phytoremediation.

14.4 WH: An Aquatic Macrophyte

WH is a free-floating, invasive aquatic macrophyte abundant in the South and northern regions
of India (Kumar and Chauhan 2019). The temperature of 28°C to 30°C (Malik 2007) with pH
ranging from 6.5 to 8.5, and salt concentration less than 2%, are suitable for its optimum growth.
242 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

The maximum permissible limit of N, P and K for growth are 20, 30 and 50 ppm, respectively
(Kumar and Chauhan 2019).
WH’s ability to cope with difficult environmental conditions makes it desirable for the
remediation process. During the 1970s and 1980s, WH was generally used for wastewater treatment
as the plant roots are very useful for the absorption of nutrients. The nutrients absorbed by the plant
are stored for growth (Alves et al. 2003, Reddy et al. 1983, Reddy et al. 1987). It can absorb nitrogen
in two stages, first from the medium and another from the sediment. It can also remove P, K and
other organic pollutants, including heavy metals (Chua 1998). WH can control algal blooms and
water quality (Barry 1998). It removes a large number of pollutants, such as BOD, N, COD, P, DO,
heavy metals, etc. (Gupta et al. 2012, Rezania et al. 2015) from the water bodies.
The ability of WH to grow in heavily polluted water makes it favored among plants that use it
in the phytoremediation process (Mahalakshmi et al. 2019, Sarkar et al. 2017, Ebel et al. 2007, Roy
and Hänninen 1994). According to Malik (2007) and Smolyakov (2012) a medium sized WH plant
can proliferate/spread 2 million/hectares. WH grows in water, which is enriched with nutrients, but
fails to grow in saline coastal waters (Jafari 2010, Rezania et al. 2015). Based on dry weight, the
growth rate of WH is 0.04 – 0.08 kg dry weight/m2/d, while the rate based on the surface coverage
is, 1.012 – 1.077 m2d–1 (Gopal 1987, Rezania et al. 2015).

14.5 Industrial Lignocellulosic Wastewater

In recent times, lignocellulosic biomass or waste has gained popularity as a green and sustainable
alternative energy resource for producing second-generation biofuels and bio-based chemicals
(Menon and Rao 2012, Chandel et al. 2018). Lignocellulosic biomass comprises of cellulose,
hemicelluloses and lignin. In different industrial processes, the physical and chemical structure of
the lignocellulosic biomass is transformed to suit the requirements of the process (Zhao et al. 2012,
Kumar et al. 2017). The two major industries in India that produce a large amount of lignocellulosic
waste include paper and pulp and the textile industry. Apart from this, the dairy industry also
produces a vast amount of wastewater, which can be remediated by WH. Although there are other
lignocellulosic industries which produce large amounts of wastewater, like the sugar industries, oil
industries, rice and other food processing industries, this chapter focuses on paper and pulp, textiles
and dairy industries.

14.5.1 Paper and Pulp Industry

The paper and pulp industry (P&P) is one of the largest water-consuming industries, which requires
approximately 5–100 m3 of water to produce 1 ton of paper. The amount of water consumption
mainly depends on the type of substrate used, types of paper produced, and amount of water recycled.
In modern industries, the consumption of water is lesser for 1 ton of paper production (Nakamura
et al. 1997, Doble and Kumar 2005, Holik 2006, Nemerow 2007).
According to the World Bank Group report, P&P industries in Canada produce 20 100 m3 waste
water per 1 ton of air-dried pulp (The World Bank Group 1999). Poor water management in the
industry results in large water consumption as only a small amount of water is reused (Toczyłowska-
Mamińska 2017). Conventional treatment methods like biological treatment eliminate the organic
components from the water. On the contrary, biological decomposition is insufficient to reduce the
refractory organics like COD and other pollutants load below the safe discharge limit (Sevimli 2005).
To meet the recent environmental standards and limit water use, the conventional P&P industries
are forced to switch to sophisticated technologies such as membrane separation, electrowinning,
electrocoagulation and bioreactors (Toczyłowska-Mamińska 2017). Untreated P&P industry
wastewater contains a brown color and persistent organics, which cause serious environmental issues
if the water is discharged into the lakes or rivers directly (Hao et al. 2000). Organic and inorganic
pollutants, including tannins, chloride compounds, adsorbable organic halides (AOX), COD, TS,
 Phytoremediation of Industrial Wastewater using Water Hyacinth 243

TDS and TSS, phenols and lignins must be minimized through different treatment processes to meet
the pollution standards (Ashrafi et al. 2015).
India’s first paper mill was established at Serampore, West Bengal, in 1812, and hosts the 15th
largest paper and pulp industry in the world. The per capita, paper consumption in India is 5.5 kg y–1
which is 10 times lower than the global average consumption, i.e., 50 kg y–1. The P&P industries in
India are classified into three categories as per the production capacity (tons per annum, TPA), i.e.,
large scale (greater than 33,000 TPA), medium scale (between 10,000 and 33,000 TPA) and small
scale (less than 10,000 TPA). In India mainly, four types of broad categories of paper are produced
and consumed which include firstly, cultural type paper which comes in the form of cream woven,
maplitho, bond paper, chromo paper. Secondly, industrial paper is manufactured in the form of kraft
paper, single layer paper board, multilayer board and duplex board. Thirdly specialty paper which
is security paper, grease proof paper, electrical grades of paper), and fourthly, newsprint (glazed,
non-glazed) (MOEF 2010).
Wastewater generated from the P&P industries contains a high amount of organic matter,
COD, BOD, TSS, Lignin, AOX, Chlorides, PO43–, NO3–, phenols, etc. The study by Sharma et al.
(2021) observed the high amount (693 mg/l) of phenol in the P&P industry effluent apart from a
high amount of PO43– and AOX, whereas Tarlan et al. (2002) observed 267 mg/l and 46.3 mg/l,
respectively of these pollutants. Table 14.1 lists the different pollutants generated in P & P industry
and Table 14.2 shows the Indian standards for Wastewater Generation from P&P industry as given
by CPCB (2000).
Kraft paper, writing paper and hardboard manufacturing industries produce heavy metals like
Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Cr, Cd, Ni and Pb, along with organic wastes (Sharma et al. 2020). Different heavy
metals released from different paper-making processes are described in Table 14.3. Heavy metal
tends to bind with lignocellulosic waste and forms complexes like Persistent Organic Pollutants
(POPs), which are a severe threat to the environment and they tend to accumulate in the food chain
(Singh et al. 2015).

14.5.2 Textile Industry

The textile industry is one of the important industries which affect the economy of the world. It is
one of India’s largest industrial sectors with a large unmatched raw material base, as globally, India
is the 6th largest exporter of textile and apparels (T&A), and total exports stood at a significant
11.4% in 2020–21, with 4% of the global trade share in T&A. India exports textile products to more
than 100 countries. Approximately 47% of Indian textile products are exported to the USA, EU and
the UK. Besides the economic development, this industry contributes to many direct and indirect
employment all over the country, including a large number of women and the rural population
(Ministry of Textile 2022).
Textile industries are broadly classified into three types based on raw materials used, i.e., plant-
based or cellulose materials, protein fabrics and synthetic materials. Plant based cellulosic materials
are obtained from plants like cotton, rayon and linen. Protein fabrics are animal based, which include
wool, silk and mohair and synthetic fabrics, which are nylon, polyester and acrylic, etc., are made
artificially. Dry and wet processes are followed during fiber production in textile industries. A large
amount of freshwater is used during the wet process and produces vast quantities of contaminated
wastewater. This process consists of sizing, de-sizing, sourcing, bleaching, mercerizing, dyeing,
printing and finishing techniques (Babu et al. 2007, Liu et al. 2010). The different processes produce
different types of waste in each step. During the de-sizing process, enzymes, starch and waxes
are used. In the process of scouring sodium hydroxide, surfactants, soaps, fats, pectin, oils and
waxes are used in large amounts. The bleaching process includes different chemicals, i.e., hydrogen
peroxide, sodium silicate and organic stabilizer. During the process of dyeing and printing, metals,
salts, surfactants, colors, metals, urea, formaldehyde and other solvents are released into the
wastewater (Holkar et al. 2016, Yaseen and Scholz 2019). Wastewater generated from the textile
 Table 14.1. Characterization of paper and pulp mill waste water (mgL–1).

244
Type of pH EC (us Lignin Colour COD BOD TDS TSS TS Adsorbabale Chlorides Phosphate Nitrogen Phenol Potassium References
Water cm–1) (mgL–1) (pcu) (mgL–1) (mg (mg (mgL–1) (mgL–1) Organic (mgL–1) (mg L–1) (mg L–1) (mgL–1) (mg L–1)

Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

L–1) L–1) Halides
(AOX)
(mg L–1)
Pulp and 7.80 - 6380.56 5205.5 5280 54 Chuphal et al.
Paper mill 2005
effluent
Pulp and 7 – 8.5 700 – 600 – 600 – 1100 – 120 – 10 – 18 Dhall 2014
Paper mill 1200 1000 1000 1400 180
effluent
Pulping 8.07 4374 Prasongsuk
process et al. 2009
wastewater
Pulp effluent 4018*2 1248 46.3 Tarlan et al.
2002
Paper mill 6.86 – 0.746 – 1750 2000 – 615 – 1760*3 40*3 2100*3 48 – 62*3 Mahesh et al.
water 7.12 0.791*4 2100 670*3 2006
Pulp and 13.5 870 290 1669.7 460 1790 40 1860 0.112 – Wang et al.
paper 10,121 2007
wastewater
Pulp and 8 ± 0/1 1002.7 ± 1500 ± 563 ± 30 2138 ± Abedinzadeh
paper industry 57*2 150 50 8 et al. 2018
wastewater
Corrugated 7.1 680*2 470 Sevimli 2005
board factory
waste water
Paper 7.44 2940 1089 345 2420 76,22 Pizzichini
and pulp et al. 2005
wastewater
Pulp and 6.6 – 10 1650 – 1000 – 490 – 810 – 1310 – 40 – 260 Khansorthong
paper mill 1790 1984*2 1114 1095 1560 and Hunsom
waste water 2009
Pulp and 7.5 1,175 1,155 Brown 657 587 Azadi Aghdam
paper et al. 2016
wastewater
 Pulp and 1000 ± 500 ± 25 15 ± 1 Hooda et al.
paper mill 50*2 2015
effluent
Recycled 6.2 – 3380 – 1650 – 1900 – Gupta and
paper mill 7.8 4930 2565 3138 Gupta 2019
wastewater
Pulp and 6.5 3791 1197 1241 Gupta and
paper mill Gupta 2019
wastewater
Paper pulp 9.8 1303 ± 148 ± 5 871.6 ± Rodrigues
and paper mill 25 2.3 ug/L et al. 2008
wastewater
Paper 9.7 16*1 48700 15500 44*1 Kumar et al.
and pulp 2015

Phytoremediation of Industrial Wastewater using Water Hyacinth 245

wastewater
Paper 10.2 13.2*1 45600 13800 42*1 Kumar et al.
and pulp 2015
wastewater
Paper 8.8 14.4*1 40000 16500 38*1 Kumar et al.
and pulp 2015
wastewater
Pulp and 7.78 ± 4.13 ± 1480.96 1027.21 1612.77 164.13 ± 101.87 ± 149.04 ± Kumar et al.
paper 0.02 0.04 ± 21.65 ± 6.67 ± 32.10 8.97 1.42 3.16 2020
wastewater
Pulp and 7.80 3.87*5 981.7 ± 230.2 ± 2129.17 1179.17 3316.67 2.7 ± 0.38 4.93 ± Arivoli et al.
paper effluent 58.3 22.4 0.9 2015
Pulp and 8.5 ± 1934 ± 33685 ± 9354 ± 1789 ± 86 ± 2369 ± 5.32 ± 267 ± 6.37 209 ± 693 ± Sharma et al.
paper effluent 0.52 94.63 269.03 205 31.25 1.01 101 0.11 5.79 64.87 2021
693*4
*1
gm L–1, *2Pt-Co, *3mg dm–3, *4mmho cm–1, *5ds m–1, *6gm L–1
246 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

Table 14.2. Wastewater generation standard for Paper and Pulp industry (CPCB 2000).

Industry pH SS BOD3 COD mg Particulate Matter H2S

mg L–1 mg L–1 L–1 mg Nm–3 mg Nm–3
Large Pulp and Paper Industry 6.5 – 8.5 100 30 350 250 10
(Capacity 24000 Ton/annum)
Small Paper Inland Surface 5.5 – 9.0 100 30 - - -
and Pulp Water
Industry Land 5.5 – 9.0 100 100

industries has different standards as per different pollution control authorities worldwide. As per the
Central Pollution Control Board of India, the standards for different textile wastewater effluents are
described in Table 14.4.
Textile wastewater contains pollutants like inorganic, organic and polymeric products (Brown
and Laboureur 1983). The pollutants include dyes, coloring agents, etc. The dye and coloring agents
are not only harmful to the biological ecosystems, they also block sunlight by covering the surface
layer of soil and water bodies (Choi et al. 2004). Table 14.5 summarizes the pollutants present and
their concentrations in the textile water from different studies conducted worldwide. Wastewaters
from textile industries have shown different levels of various inorganic pollutants, i.e., NH3, PO43–
and N, along with high DO, BOD, COD, TSS, TDS, EC, etc. According to a study by Adelodun
et al. (2021) and Lin and Peng (1994) large amounts of oil and grease are also present in the textile
wastewater.
Along with organic pollutants, textile wastewater is a contributor to heavy metals like Al, Cd,
Cu, Ni, Zn, Pb, Fe, Cr and Hg, etc. A study by Türksoy et al. (2021) has observed a high amount of
Cu (643.74), Zn (398.28) and Ni (95.56). Another study by Sungur and Gülmez (2015) showed the
highest amount of Al and Fe (103.13 mgL–1 and 80.13 mg kg–1) during the wet digestion of cotton
in the textile industry. These authors also found high amounts of Cd, Pb and Cr of 19.43, 189.4 and
382.3 mg kg–1, respectively, in textile sludge. The different concentrations of heavy metals in textile
wastewater observed by different studies are described in Table 14.6.

14.5.3 Dairy Industry

The dairy industry generates wastewater during the packaging of the produced milk. The water
also includes cleaning agents like detergents necessary for cleanliness. Overflow, leakages and
improper management also contribute to more wastewater. Waste produced from the dairy industry
is broadly classified into two types, i.e., effluent or wastewater and solid waste (Adesra et al. 2021).
Approximately 1–3 liter of wastewater is produced during the processing of 1 liter of milk, which
contains high organic pollutants, i.e., carbohydrates, protein and fat (Kushawha et al. 2011), BOD,
COD, TDS, TSS (Bazrafshan et al. 2013). Characteristics and quantity of the wastewater vary
based on the design of the plant, type of product processed, type of treatment, water consumption
(Lawrence et al. 2005) and season (Verma and Singh 2017). Before the discharge of the wastewater
from the dairy industry, the standards as per government rules of different countries should be
maintained. Different organic pollutants produced by the dairy industry are described in Table 14.7.
In 2020, global dairy exports reached to 78 million tons (in milk equivalents), an upsurge of
1.5% from 2019. Between 2016 and 2019, the dairy price index increased from USD 83 to 103 per
ton worldwide, and annual worldwide milk production in 2020 reached 860 million tons, a rise of
1.4% from 2019, mainly due to increased pro-duction in Asia, Europe and North America (FAO
2020). The standards set by environment (protection) rules of India, EPA and the World Bank group
for the maximum permissible limits of different pollutants from dairy wastewater are described in
Table 14.8.
 Table 14.3. Different heavy metals released from Paper and Pulp Wastewater.

Cr Cd Mn Ni Pb Fe Cu Zn Hg
Type of Water References
mg kg–1 mg kg–1 mg kg–1 mg kg–1 mg kg–1 mg kg–1 mg kg–1 mg kg–1 mg kg–1
Paper mill sludge 187.3 8.75 _ _ 62.5 _ 144.4 _ _ Suthar et al. 2014
Pulp and paper
Sthiannopkao
industrial wastes 10.11 0.683 184.25 10.39 31.03 199.97 8.748 8.748 0.140
and Sreesai 2009
(Lime mud)
Pulp and paper
Sthiannopkao
industrial wastes 1.210 0.40 42.88 0.403 20.70 37.77 3.360 37.790 0.085
and Sreesai 2009
(Recovery boiler ash)
Pulp and paper mill
Sharma et al.
effluents sludge _ 9.11 ± 0.01 18.27 ± 0.20 5.21 ± 0.04 _ 98.30 ± 1.80 3.21 ± 0.01 51.00 ± 0.00 0.014 ± 0.80

Phytoremediation of Industrial Wastewater using Water Hyacinth 247

2020
leachate
pulp and paper Arivoli et al.
_ 0.0128 ± 0.001* 0.21 ± 0.027* 0.06 ± 0.007* _ 1.56 ± 0.091* 0.24 ± 0.022* 0.39 ± 0.03* _
industry effluent 2015
Discharged pulp Chandra et al.
2.30 ± 0.06* 0.255 ± 0.01* 11.00 ± 0.3* 3.30 ± 0.02* 1.05 ± 0.01a 67.53 ± 2.0* 2.15 ± 0.06* 13.90 ± 0.3* _
paper mill effluent 2017
Pulp Paper Industry Sharma et al.
_ 10.36 ± 0.02* 29.34 ± 0.82* 7.01 ± 0.05* 1.03 ± 0.01a 98.20 ± 1.55* 57.31 ± 0.63* 5.31 ± 0.05* 2.37 ± 0.5*
discharged effluent 2021

*—The values provided are in mgL–1

a
—stand for mg/L
248 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

Table 14.4. Wastewater generation standard for Textile industries (mg L–1).

Textile pH Suspended BOD3 Oil and Bio-assay Cr Sulfide Phenol References

industries Solids Grease
Cotton 5.5–9.0 100 150 10 90% survival of _ _ _ CPCB 2000
Textile fish after 96 hr in
Industry 100% effluent
Composite 5.5–9.0 100 100 10 90% survival of 2 2 5 CPCB 2000
Woolen Mill fish after 96 hr in
100% effluent

14.6 Application of WH in Phytoremediation of Industrial Wastewater

14.6.1 Removal of Heavy Metals from Industrial Wastewater
WH is one of the common phytoremediation plants in India, has a strong capacity for heavy metal
accumulation (Bioaccumulation factor > 10,000 times), which leads to the removal of organic and
inorganic pollutants from water and wastewater (Yan and Guo 2017). It removes pollutants using
physical or biological treatment or a combination. WH is known for absorbing suspended solids
during the physical treatment process using precipitation and absorption processes. Metals and other
pollutants bound with the suspended solids are then co-precipitated (Huang and Xu 2008). The hairy
fibrous root system of the plant supports the accumulation of suspended solids, microorganisms,
colloids and protozoa (Zhou et al. 2005, Nawirska 2005). The absorbed pollutants are transferred
to the leaves and stems after accumulation by the roots, and roots protect the plant by accumulating
large amounts in the root and transfer a small number of pollutants to the leaves and stems (Cai
et al. 2004). Heavy metals are accumulated by the WH in the apoplast (Cell Wall) and then transferred
across the plasma membrane. The root walls of WH play an important role by blocking the pollutant
uptake with the help of pectin substances such as polygalacturonic acid and cellulose molecules.
This cellulose or polygalacturonic acid molecule contains carboxyl and aldehyde groups which help
exchange sites for pollutants like heavy metals by chelation. In this chelation process, amino- and/
or oxygen-containing functional groups play a key role in removing heavy metals from wastewater
(Zhang 2011). Among tolerance mechanisms, chelation in the cytosol attracts considerable attention:
heavy metal stress could induce the formation of biomacromolecules that form chelates with heavy
metal ions, thus lowering the activity of free heavy metal ions in plant cells and relieving the toxicity
(Yan and Guo 2017). Two metal binding peptides, i.e., metallothionein and phytochelatins, are
available in the phytoremediation plant cells; among them, metallothionein has the low-molecular­
weight polypeptide containing cysteine which helps in the formation of a non-toxic or low-toxic
complex with the combination of thiol (–SH) group (Margoshes and Vallee 1957).
A case study by Mokhtar et al. (2011) reported the removal of heavy metals in the textile
industry using WH, where 97.3% of Cu accumulation was reported. Similarly, the 5-wk study on
textile wastewater resulted in 94.87% removal of cadmium from the textile industry using WH
(Ajayi and Ogunbayo 2012). Seventy to ninety percent removals of heavy metals like Fe, Pb, Cu and
Cr have been observed in the study of Kolawole (2001). Another study by Mahmood et al. (2005)
on textile wastewater observed 86, 88 and 83% removal of Cr, Zn and Cu, respectively. Apart from
that more than 10% removal of methylene blue dye from textile wastewater has been observed in
the study of Nibret et al. (2019). Water hyacinth can also remove more than 60% Mn and Pb from
paper and pulp effluent (Kumar et al. 2016) and Na, K, Ca, Mg, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe.
 Table 14.5. Characterization of Textile Industry wastewater.

pH DO BOD COD TDS TSS EC (Mohm Ammonia Phosphate Copper Zinc Oil and Chromium References
mg L–1 mg L–1 mg L–1 mg L–1 mg L–1 cm–1) N (Nh3-N)V mg L–1 mg L–1 mg L–1 Grease (mg L–1)
mg L–1 mg L–1
Textile 11.63 0.6 395 1926 4210 3.87 _ _ _ _ _ _ Mahajan et al.
Industry 2019
Wastewater 8.1 _ 48.7 178 _ 5.61 12.14 _ _ _ _ 3.741 Apritama et al.
2020
13.04 _ 1048 2300 4500 _ 3.2*1 _ _ _ _ _ _ Anjana and
Thanga 2011
9.87 3.8 347 2230 1450 370 _ 2.5 3.78 2.45 _ _ _ Ugya 2017
10.7 _ _ 956 _ _ 0.082* 2
5.04 45.7 _ _ 83.3 _ Adelodun et al.

Phytoremediation of Industrial Wastewater using Water Hyacinth 249

2021
10 _ 500 1500 _ 259 2900*1 _ _ _ _ 50 _ Lin and Peng
1994
8.259 _ 243.444 361.17 1713.17 1161.83 _ _ 4.568 4.675 _ 4.705 Mahmood et al.
2005
*1
µs/cm, *2S/m
 Table 14.6. Different heavy metals released from Textile industry Wastewater.

250
Types of Water Al Cd Cu Ni Zn Pb Fe Cr Hg References

Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

Textile Industry 32.88 ± 5.99 9.00 ± 3.91 643.74 ± 27.24 95.56 ± 13.05 398.71 ± 40.59 32.28 ± 5.75 _ _ _ Türksoy et al. 2021
Wastewater
Dyeing effluent _ 0.01 0.17 – 0.28 0.11 – 0.22 0.11 – 0.51 0.02 – 0.10 0.39 – 0.90 0.11 – 0.21 _ Uddin 2021

Handloom dyeing _ _ 1.70 _ 0.73 0.17 3.81 1.35 _ Nahar et al.

effluent 2018

Textile effluent _ 24.51 _ _ 17.45 11.12 _ _ _ Basha and Rajaganesh

2014

Textile effluent _ 0.002 0.078 _ 1.868 0.018 1.122 0.090 3.382 Panigrahi and
Santhoskumar 2020

Textile water _ 0.22 1.91 68 69 38 209 _ _ Samecka-Cymerman

and Kempers 2007

Textile industry effluent _ 0.016 _ _ 1.02 0.61 1.63 _ _ Odipe et al. 2018

Textile industry effluent _ 0.66 _ _ 1.74 1.02 2.15 _ _ Odipe et al. 2018

Wet digestion of cotton 103.13*1 11.86*1 5.84*1 2.19*1 _ 23.44*1 80.13*1 0.97*1 _ Sungur and Gülmez
2015

Textile Sludge _ 19.43*1 265*1 66.2*1 328*1 189.4*1 _ 382.3*1 0.9*1 Sungur and Gülmez
2015

*1
mg kg–1
 Table 14.7. Characterization of dairy industry wastewater.

Type of pH EC TSS TDS TS COD DO BOD SO4 or PO4 or NO3 CO32– Fat Protein Lactose References
Water (µs cm–1) (mg L–1) (mg L–1) (mg L–1) (mg L–1) (mg L–1) (mg L–1) Total S Total P (mg L–1) (mg L–1) (g L–1) (g L–1) (g L–1)
(mg L–1) (mg L–1)
Dairy 4.6 ± 0.2 265 ± 1 420 ± 1 123 ± 05 _ 118 ± 5 1.24 ± 1200 ± 11 40.80 ± 0.37 ± 0.04 0.49 ± 28 ± 0.3 _ _ _ Ondiba et al.
industry 0.4 0.4 0.02 2022)
Dairy 7.1 – _ 221 – _ 800 – 438 – _ _ 17 – 65 17 – 82 _ _ _ _ _ Tait et al. 2021
effluent 8.22 2,996 27,000 5,044
Dairy plant 8.23 ± _ _ _ 0.50 ± 21.50 ± _ 4.50 ± _ _ _ _ _ 0.01 ± 0.33 ± Alalam et al.
cleaning 0.07 0.04*1 0.71 0.71 0.00*1 0.03*1 2021
water
Dairy plant 12.45 ± _ _ _ 3.12 ± 354.50 ± _ _ _ _ _ _ 0.03 ± 0.15 ± 2.22 ± Alalam et al.

Phytoremediation of Industrial Wastewater using Water Hyacinth 251

cleaning 0.19 0.24*1 2.12 0.02*1 0.00*1 0.18*1 2021
water
Dairy _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 6.10 ± 33.04 ± 5.30 ± _ _ _ _ Roufou et al.
sludge 3.20*4 0.25*4 0.12 % 2021
Dairy _ _ 3.92 _ _ 260 _ 130 _ 531.25 _ _ _ _ _ Vinodhini and
wastewater Soundhari
2019
Milk and 8.34 _ 5802.6 _ _ 10251.2 _ 4840.6 _ 153.6 663 _ _ _ _ Onet 2010
dairy
wastewater
Dairy fatty 5.3 ± 0.1 _ _ _ _ 73 ± 8*1 _ _ _ _ _ _ 5.85 ± 10.2 ± _ Pascale et al.
waste 0.45*1 0.3*1 2019
Dairy rinse 6.72 ± 174 ± 26 _ _ _ 2230 ± _ _ _ 6.5 ± 1.2 99.7 ± _ _ 636 ± 980 ± Brião et al.
water 0.24 141 13.2 84*2 59*2 2019
Dairy 6.17 1.83*3 28.37 288 316.37 71.4 4.5 36.5 _ 15 18 _ _ _ _ Kaur et al.
industry 2018
effluent
Dairy 4.67 ± _ 10.00 ± _ _ 3133 ± 2350 ± 1 _ _ 75 ± 12 _ _ _ 2.1 ± Bortoluzzi et
wastewater 0.05 0.01 438 3133 0.5*1 al. 2017

*1 g L–1, *2 mg L–1, *3ds m–1, *4gm kg–1

 Table 14.8. Wastewater generation Standard for Dairy Industries.

252
Industries pH BOD3/BOD5 SS Oil and Grease COD Total Nitrogen Total Phosphorus Total Ammonia Waste Water References

Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

(mgL–1) (mg L–1) (mg L–1) (mg L–1) (N) (mg L–1) (P) (mg L–1) (N) (mg L–1) Generation
(m3/Kl of milk)
Dairy 6.5 – 8.5 100 150 10 3 The Environment
Industries (Protection)
Rules, 1986
Dairy 6–9 > 90% removal, 50 10 – 15 > 75% > 80% > 80% removal, 10 U.S.EPA 2008
Processing or 20 – 40 removal, or removal, or or 2 – 5
Sector 125 – 250 5 – 25
Dairy 6–9 50 50 10 250 10 2 World Bank
Industry Group 1999
Effluents
 Phytoremediation of Industrial Wastewater using Water Hyacinth 253

14.6.2 Removal of Organic Pollutants from Industrial Wastewater

WH tissues contain many enzymes that perform various biochemical processes to transfer and
degrade organic compounds in joint action with rhizosphere bacteria (Lu et al. 2017, Anipeddi et al.
2022). The developed root system of water hyacinth is crucial in removing organic pollutants from
water through two mechanisms:
1. Roots can absorb PCBs, PAHs as well as other organic pollutants from the aquatic environment
and/or transfer pollutants to other parts of the plant, where they can be degraded into harmless
molecules (Voudrias and Assaf 1996, Xia et al. 2003).
2. The root system provides a habitat for various microorganisms by releasing exudates and
enzymes to stimulate microbial activity and strengthen mineralization and other forms of
biotransformation by rhizosphere microorganisms (Voudrias and Assaf 1996, Xia et al. 2003).
Unlike heavy metals, the assimilation of organic pollutants by the roots of remediation plants
accounts only for a small portion of the total removal (Liu et al. 2003, Zhang et al. 2011, Lu et al.
2014). Most organic pollutants, especially non-ionic ones, could enter the root system of plants via
diffusion, and only some (for instance, systemic pesticides) enter plant roots via a transpiration pull
of leaves (Xia 2002, Paraíba 2007, Al-Qurainy and Abdel-Megeed 2009). There are several steps
in the uptake. Firstly, the organic pollutants in the water get absorbed in the “apparent free space”
in the external root tissues, which account for 10 ~ 20% of the volume of the plant root system
(Nye and Tinker 1977); then, the organic pollutants could be transferred through the cell walls and
intercellular spaces (apoplastically) all the way to endodermis. Endodermis which blocks apoplastic
pathway as it contains highly-suberinized Casparian band impermeable to water; to bypass the
casparian band, ions and molecules should be taken into root cells, and then continue symplastically
from the cell interior to another cell interior via plasmodesmata (Wild et al. 2005).
A case study by Gamage and Yapa (2001) observed the phytoremediation capacity of WH in
textile mill effluent of Sri Lanka. The study has shown a substantial reduction in VS 72.6, TDS 60,
TSS 46.6, 75 BOD and 81.4% COD. Another study by Roy et al. (2010) on textile industry effluent
has shown a 60% reduction in COD and the pH reduction from 11.2 to 8.6. On the other hand,
Munavalli and Saler (2009) worked on dairy industry wastewater, where WH alone contributed to
30 – 45% COD removal. It has also shown a significant reduction of organic strength and has the
tendency to neutralize the pH of dairy industry wastewater. Similarly, another study by Bhavsar
et al. (2010) on the dairy industry wastewater observed the removal of COD levels from 810 mgL–1
to 200 mgL–1. They also observed a pH reduction from 8.3 to 7.04 and alkalinity reduction from
600 mgL–1 to 480 mgL–1. Safauldeen et al. (2019) conducted a phytoremediation experiment on batik
textile effluent using water hyacinth, where treatment achieved 83 and 89% removal of COD and
TSS, respectively (Table 14.9).

14.7 Conclusion
Water hyacinth has a high potential for removing many organic pollutants and heavy metals from
wastewater under different climatic conditions. Apart from the organic pollutants, N, P, Na, Ca, N,
it helps to reduce many toxic non-essential heavy metals like Al, As, Au, Cd, Cr, Hg, Pb, Pd, Pt,
Sb, Te and Tl from different industrial effluents. Moreover, the study presents characteristics of
the wastewater produced from the different lignocellulosic wastewater-producing industries, i.e.,
paper and pulp mills, dairy and textile industries. However, the dairy industry wastewater has fewer
heavy metals and other pollutants than textile and paper and pulp industries. Different treatment
approaches are taken for removing/minimizing the pollutants. Phytoremediation using water
hyacinth would be one of the cheapest, most cost-effective and environment-friendly approaches to
remediate organic and inorganic pollutants, including heavy metals. Some additional investigation
on uptake efficiency, appropriate climatic conditions and post-harvest treatment processes are
required to develop practical large-scale approaches to phytoremediation using water hyacinth.
254 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

Table 14.9. Phytoremediation of lignocellulosic industrial wastewater using water hyacinth.

Type of Polluting Parameters Initial Final Remediation References

Industrial Concentration Concentration Time
Water (mg L–1) (mg L–1)
Textile COD 361.17 191.50 96 hrs Mahmood et al.
Wastewater pH 8.259 7.105 96 hr 2005

Chromium 4.705 0.612 96 hr.

Zinc 4.675 0.553 96 hr
Copper 4.568 0.747 96 hr
Biological Oxygen 243.44 107.33 96 hr
Demand
Total Solids 1713.17 955 96 hr
Conductivity 1884 1161.83 96 hr
Dairy Industry COD 1352 280 7d Bhavsar et al.
Wastewater pH 7.77 7.79 7d 2012

Alkalinity 580 700 7d

DO 0.94 0.265 7d
Dairy Industry pH 6.69 6.50 8d Munavalli and
Wastewater Alkalinity (mg as 258 326 8d Saler 2009
CaCO3)
EC 1.16*1 1.29*1 8d
COD 507 77 8d
Dairy Industry Total Dissolved Solids 848 352 4d Trivedy and
Wastewater Total Suspended Solids 359 245 4d Pattanshetty
2002
BOD 840 143 4d
COD 1160 137 4d
Total Nitrogen 26.60 8.9 4d
Total Phosphate 8.72 1.56 4d
Calcium 64.2 59.2 4d
Potassium 6 10 4d
Textile MB Dye 98.6% 87.6% Nibret et al.
Wastewater 2019
Batik Textile COD 7d Safauldeen et al.
Effluent Color 7d 2019

Total Suspended Solids 28 d

pH 6 7 28 d

Table 14.9 contd. ...

 Phytoremediation of Industrial Wastewater using Water Hyacinth 255

...Table 14.9 contd.

Type of Polluting Parameters Initial Final Remediation References

Industrial Concentration Concentration Time
Water (mg L–1) (mg L–1)
Paper and Pulp TDS 1840 1060 60 d Kumar et al.
Mill Effluent 2016
EC 2.64
*2
1.76*2
60 d

pH 7.82 7.29 60 d

BOD5 475.10 275.68 60 d

TKN 192.65 82.50 60 d

PO4 145.60 64.57 60 d

Na 285.44 150.33 60 d

K 175.50 96.37 60 d

Ca 435.80 305.80 60 d

Mg 148.35 66.40 60 d

Cd 2.45 1.34 60 d

Cr 1.38 0.69 60 d

Cu 5.64 2.94 60 d

Fe 8.95 4.86 60 d

Mn 3.66 1.42 60 d

Ni 1.74 0.73 60 d

Pb 1.02 0.36 60 d

Zn 6.90 3.10 60 d

*1
mmho cm–1, *2ds m–1

14.8 Futuristic Approaches

In accordance with the phytoremediation potentiality, WH can be consider as an excellent plant
for phytoremediation of different industrial wastewater. Additionally, these aquatic macrophytes
can be utilized as a lignocellulolytic substrate in renewable energy production units. Moreover, to
combat the ecological malaises from global environmental pollution from such different industrial
resources, this aquatic weed appears as nature’s green medicine for an eco-sustainable and healthy
ecosphere.

Acknowledgement
Apurba Koley is thankful to the BBSRC, United Kingdom, for granting funding from the BEFWAM
project: Bioenergy, Fertilizer and Clean water from Invasive Aquatic macrophytes [Grant Ref: BB/
S011439/1] for financial support and research fellowship. Sandipan Banerjee and Nitu Gupta thank
the Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India, for granting DBT Twinning Project and Research
Fellowship [No. BT/PR25738/NER/95/1329/2017 dated December 24, 2018]. While conducting
the study, the authors are thankful for the support from, Dr. Aishiki Banerjee, Ms. Sneha Banerjee.
256 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

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Chapter 15
Biohybrids for Environmental
Remediation and Biosensing
Concept, Synthesis and Future
Prospective
Archana Mishra,1,2,* Ayushi Rastogi 3 and
Avanish Singh Parmar 4

15.1 Introduction
There is constant release of a wide range of pollutants (heavy metals, pesticides, etc.,) into water
bodies which leads to pollution of water resources. Water pollution is a serious concern as it causes
scarcity of drinking water worldwide. Organic as well as metal pollutants present in water bodies
are harmful to all living systems and environment. Several processes such as adsorption (Douglas
et al. 2016), biodegradation (Li et al. 2016), coagulation (Zhu et al. 2016) and photocatalytic oxidation
(Chong et al. 2010) have been used for the removal of pollutants and efficient wastewater treatment,
however; these have their own limitations, like generation of waste products, poor removal capacity,
high energy demand and high cost.
Microorganisms are well known for wastewater treatment as these degrade a variety of
substrates for their consumption using their metabolic diversity. A wide range of microorganism
like Aspergillus niger (Vassilev et al. 1997), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Shukla et al. 2014) and
Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides (Liu et al. 2015) has been used for wastewater treatment. However,
limitations like slow biodegradation processes, difficulty in recovering cells, sensitivity towards the
surrounding environment and poor activities of recovered cells persist. There is an urgent need
to find economical cost-effective solutions for remediation of these pollutants. The combination
of the microorganism with suitable support could be a low-cost, environmentally benign and
efficient technique (Mishra et al. 2014, Oh et al. 2016) to achieve the desired outcomes is needed.

1
Nuclear Agriculture and Biotechnology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai-400 085, India.
2
Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai-400 094, India.
3
Department of Humanities and Applied Sciences, School of Management Science (SMS) Institute of Technology, College
of Engineering, Lucknow – 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India.
4
Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) Varanasi,Uttar Pradesh, India.
* Corresponding author: [email protected], [email protected]
 Biohybrids for Environmental Remediation and Biosensing 263

Biohybrid materials are composed of living cells–non-living materials or organic-inorganic or

biomolecules-organic/inorganic materials. Most common biomolecules are associated/conjugated
with inorganic materials to develop biohybrids which provide materials with improved features. The
presence of biomolecules in biohybrid materials contributes to biomimetic properties, outstanding
biocompatibility, improved functionality, etc. Due to the exceptional characteristics biohybrids are
applied and hold promising applications in every field of research and development.
In this chapter, biohybrids, their two (biological and support) components, synthesis processes
and their superiority over conventional materials are described. The morphology of a biohybrid
material plays a very important role and contributes significantly to achieve the best suited application
of developed biohybrid material. Therefore, various morphologies of biohybrid materials and their
applications are discussed. The applications of biohybrids with emphasis on the bioremediation and
monitoring of heavy metals and pesticides are also described. The objective of this chapter is to
strengthen the interdisciplinary research between biosciences and material sciences with reasonable
solutions for sustainable environment.

15.2 Biohybrids
In the field of material science, rapid development has been made in the past few decades wherein
biological sciences have contributed significantly. Biohybrid materials have played an important
role. A biohybrid material is composed of two components. One is the biologically active component
which includes microorganisms, living cells, enzymes, etc., and the other supports (organic/
inorganic nanomaterials) (Figure 15.1). Biomolecules provide a process such as their functions
of synthesis, sensing, secretion, etc. However, support materials enable protection and stability to
the biomolecules (Ouyang et al. 2020). As advantages of biomolecules and support materials are
combined, biohybrids exhibit improved characteristics over conventional materials and offer dual
functionality.
For the synthesis of biohybrid materials, many biomolecules (Mishra et al. 2017, Mishra
et al. 2020a, Shukla et al. 2020, Ouyang et al. 2020) and as support material various polymers,
nanoparticles, etc., have been used. A support material is present as a coating over the surface of
biomolecules and gives protection against a harsh microenvironment. In order to develop biohybrids
different techniques like sol-gel technique, moulding, electrospinning, spray drying, microfluidics,
3D printing have been widely applied. Using these methods, biohybrids with various morphologies

Figure 15.1. Biohybrid materials, its components and potential field of applications.
264 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

like microparticles, fibres, sheets and scaffolds can be synthesized. Biomolecules present in
biohybrid materials could perform required functions and enhance the applicability of biohybrids
for drug delivery, biomedical engineering, biosensing, wearable devices, etc. (Mishra et al. 2017,
Mishra et al. 2021a, Rivera-Tarazona et al. 2021, Wang et al. 2022). Several reviews are available
on biohybrid materials (Nguyen et al. 2018, Mishra et al. 2020b, Wang et al. 2022).

15.3 Biocomponent and its Importance in Biohybrid Material

Living cells are valuable assets. A microorganism acts as a large amount full of enzymes thus
the microorganism present in the biohybrid can be used for various bioprocesses as well as for
environmental monitoring. Although, living cells are very useful, however they are sensitive,
vulnerable to the external environment and can be applied in relatively mild conditions. Thus, to
improve its applicability it is proposed to develop a protective covering using well suited materials.
Support with tuneable physicochemical properties could also be best suited as a protective covering
which could improve bio-interface characteristics and cellular functions. Sphingomonas sp. bacterium
has an organophosphorus hydrolase (OPH) enzyme which hydrolyzes methyl parathion pesticide
into a coloured product. However, poor storage stability of periplasmic enzyme was a matter of
concern so, Sphingomonas sp. cells have been associated with functionalized silica nanoparticles to
develop a biohybrid and a developed biohybrid was immobilized on 96 well microplates (Mishra
et al. 2017). A developed system was explored as biosensor for detecting methyl parathion pesticide.
This study showed that the association of microorganisms with inorganic materials is beneficial for
both the components. In a biohybrid material the limitation associated with one component can be
overcome by the presence of another component. Thus, a biohybrid material offers superior features
of both the components, wherein both components have their own importance.
Many living cells and microorganisms have been applied as biocomponents to develop biohybrid
materials. In one study, S. lactis cells were combined with silica nanoparticles using an evaporation
induced self-assembly process, and a biohybrid of silica NP-S. lactis cells were synthesized which
was applied for removing uranium (Mishra et al. 2014). On a similar line of studies, S. cerevisiae
cells were connected with silica nanoparticles and a prepared biohybrid was used for the removal of
mercury (Shukla et al. 2020).
Microorganisms show distinctive features in the presence of various stimuli like temperature,
light and presence of oxygen (Rivera-Tarazona et al. 2021) therefore, these features can be
exploited to develop biohybrid-based robotics (Nguyen et al. 2018). Biohybrid-based robotics can
be efficiently used for the detection of various pollutants and to overcome the limitations associated
with conventional robotics. Microorganisms like Escherichia coli, could also be genetically modified
to perform specific functions (Gerber et al. 2012). Even, living cells (natural killer (NK) cells, stem
cells, islet cells and probiotics) which have therapeutic properties can be combined with suitable
support as this will help to improve viability and cellular activities (Wang et al. 2022).

15.4 Support Material and its Importance in Biohybrid

A support is usually a solid insoluble matrix and a wide variety of matrices have been applied as a
support. As reported earlier, a support should have following characteristics (Figure 15.2) (Mishra
2019):
i. It should offer a higher surface area and various functional groups.
ii. It should demonstrate high mechanical and chemical stability.
iii. It should be biocompatible, environmentally and user friendly.
iv. It should show high affinity and provide a favourable microenvironment to target a molecule.
v. It should be easily and widely available. It can also be obtained from a reliable commercial
source.
 Biohybrids for Environmental Remediation and Biosensing 265

and

Figure 15.2. The main characteristics of support materials applied in biohybrids.

The association of living cells with support will certainly improve the application of both
the components. Living cells offer functionality, however they lack stability. On the other hand, a
support has high mechanical and chemical stability, while it is deficient in functionality. A biohybrid
wherein both (biomolecule and support) are present, exhibit a dual and improved property. The
association of living cells with a support can be achieved using various methods such as cells can be
used as a template and support can be assembled on it or a biomolecule can be entrapped in support.
The method was selected in such a way that it would impart a positive effect on the applicability
of biomolecule (Zhu et al. 2019). A biosensor was developed using Sphingomonas sp. cells. The
microbial cells have periplasmic enzyme which hydrolyzes methyl parathion pesticide, however
the poor storage stability of enzyme was of concern. Thus, functionalized silica nanoparticles were
assembled on the surface of cells and it was observed that the storage stability improved significantly
(Mishra et al. 2017). In order to address stress resistance of living cells, inorganic components with
tuneable properties and high stability are combined , which provides protection against stresses.
A biocompatible and porous support is preferred which helps in transport of nutrients and required
gases (Gerber et al. 2012). The properties of biocomponents in a biohybrid are regulated by the
properties of both the biomolecule and the support. The interactions between both the components
govern the biochemical and kinetic properties of biomolecule. Support materials could be classified
into two major groups, i.e., organic support and inorganic support.

15.4.1 Organic Supports

Organic support materials can be further classified into two main groups: (i) synthetic polymers,
and (ii) biopolymers.

15.4.1.1 Synthetic Polymers

Synthetic polymers are preferred as a support material because the monomers that help in building
the polymer can be chosen as per the requirement (Zdarta et al. 2018) and the properties of the
synthetic polymer are deciphered by the monomers. Various functional groups (carboxyl, hydroxyl,
amine, carbonyl, epoxy and diol groups, hydrophobic alkyl groups, etc.) are present in synthetic
polymers. The presence of functional groups determines the characteristics of the support and offer
binding sites for biomolecules (Basso et al. 2007).
Earlier various enzymes have been associated with different synthetic polymers. a-amylase,
tyrosinase, lipase and glucose oxidase were immobilized on polyaniline, polyamide 66 (Nylon 66),
polystyrene microspheres, and amino- and carboxyl-plasma-activated polypropylene film,
respectively (Jimenez Hamann and Saville 1996, Vartiainen et al. 2005, Ashly et al. 2011, Wang
et al. 2015). Synthetic polymers are also commercially available and utilized for the immobilization
of enzyme. Synthetic polymers have a lot of applications however, the synthesis of a synthetic
266 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

polymer with the required characteristics and desired functional groups is a costly and time-
consuming method which also generates chemical wastes.

15.4.1.2 Biopolymers
In comparison to synthetic polymers, biopolymers are naturally available biocompatible supports.
Many biopolymers like alginate, chitosan, cellulose, and pectin, etc., are commercially available
and used as supports. Biopolymers possess characters like biocompatibility, availability of various
functional groups, biodegradability to harmless products, non-toxicity and affinity towards proteins.
These characteristics increase the applicability of biopolymers as support for biomolecules and
provide a favourable microenvironment to the attached biomolecule which helps to maintain/
improve biocatalytic aspect of biomolecule.
15.4.1.2a. Alginate: Alginate is a biopolymer which is widely applied for developing supports
of various morphologies and immobilization of biomolecules. Earlier lipase was immobilized in
calcium alginate beads and showed high immobilization yields (Betigeri and Neau 2002), however
reusability was poor due to the leaching of the enzyme from the support. The application of alginate
is limited due to its sensitivity towards divalent ions and low mechanical stability of alginate gels
and substrate diffusional limitations (Coradin et al. 2003). To address the issue, a support comprising
nanosilica-sodium alginate was prepared and chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin was entrapped
(Mishra et al. 2021a). It was observed that the presence of nanosilica improved the loading efficiency
as well as slowed down the release of entrapped drug.
15.4.1.2b. Chitosan: Chitosan is a mainly used biopolymer as a support because of the presence
of amino groups on its surface. Earlier chitosan microspheres were used for the immobilization
of nuclease (Shi et al. 2011). Glucose isomerase enzyme was also immobilized on chitosan beads
(Cahyaningrum et al. 2014). It was observed earlier that support-comprising chitosan in combination
with alginate showed a lesser leaching effect compared to alginate alone (Betigeri and Neau 2002).
15.4.1.2c. Cellulose and Pectin: Cellulose is an abundantly available natural polymer and it has
been extensively used for the immobilization of various enzymes such as, penicillin G acylase,
α-amylase and tyrosinase (Mislovicova et al. 2004, Namdeo and Bajpai 2009, Labus et al. 2011).
Pectin in combination with chitin and calcium alginate have improved the thermal, denaturant
resistance and biocatalytic properties of entrapped enzymes due to formation of highly stable
polyelectrolyte complexes (Gomez et al. 2006, Satar et al. 2008).

15.4.2 Inorganic Supports

Inorganic supports offer high thermal and mechanical stability, and are resistant towards microbial
attack. These are therefore considered a suitable support for immobilization of biomolecules. In
particular these are important characteristics as inorganic supports have superiority over organic
supports due to their rigidity and porosity. The stiffness of the inorganic supports takes care of the
invariance of pore diameter/pore volume, which further helps to maintain constant volume and
shape to the support itself. It has been observed that inorganic oxides are of more importance and
have wider applicability among other inorganic supports.

15.4.2.1 Inorganic Oxides as Support

Various enzymes (lipase, urease and α‐amylase) have been associated with different inorganic
oxides like aluminium, titanium and zirconium oxides (Yang et al. 2008, Foresti et al. 2010, Reshmi
et al. 2007). It has been reported that inorganic oxides offer high mechanical resistance, stability and
good sorption capacity. These are also inert in different conditions thus could be used as support for
synthesizing biohybrids. Among all, silica-based materials are most preferred support due to their
biocompatibility, high surface area, porous structure, wide availability, ease to functionalization,
high thermal and chemical resistance and good mechanical properties. These characteristics enhance
 Biohybrids for Environmental Remediation and Biosensing 267

their applicability for various practical applications. Availability of silanol groups on silica’s
surface helps in attachment of biomolecules to develop biohybrids and it could be also utilized for
functionalization using chemical agents (Zucca and Sanjust 2014).

15.4.2.2 Silica-based Supports

Silicates are the most common component on the surface of Earth. Silica is one form of the silicate
(general chemical formula SiO2 or SiO2.xH2O) which exists in two main forms crystalline and
amorphous (Zucca and Sanjust 2014). Silica surfaces appear from the dehydration of hydrated silica
preparations (“silicic acids”) or after grinding bulky silica. Usually, two main functional groups
silanols (Si–OH) and siloxanes (Si–O–Si) are available on the surface of silica. Silanols (Si–OH)
are acidic and impart a negative charge to the silica surface in a wide range of pH (Davydov 2000).
Due to the presence of siloxane motifs, some silica show a hydrophobic character (Rimola et al.
2013). As a result of availability of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic sites on surface and the
characteristics such as weakly acidic and high tendency to take part in hydrogen bonding, silica
shows high adsorption character. The property of adsorption plays a very important role as support.

15.4.2.3 Silica Nanoparticles

Silica has been extensively used throughout history because of its accessibility and ease of recovery.
In recent years, colloidal silica has come up as an ideal support in the field of material science as
nano- and microparticle (Bergna and Roberts 2006). The reason behind wide applicability of colloidal
silica in research is the unique properties which they possess like high colloidal stability, optical
transparency, chemical and thermal stability low toxicity, high surface area, biocompatibility and
well-known surface chemistry (Hyde et al. 2016). Colloidal silica has a wide range of applications
like catalytic supports (Chen et al. 2011, Xie et al. 2015), biosensor supports (Zhao et al. 2013, Wang
et al. 2014), drug carriers (Tang et al. 2012, Rajanna et al. 2015), antifouling coatings (Zhu et al.
2014) and additives to paints/lacquers/coatings (Puig et al. 2014). As a result of many applications,
colloidal silica production has become a large industry. Commercially available colloidal silica is
preferred over naturally available mineral silica. As, natural silica is contaminated with various
metal ions, it offers less surface area and is available in a crystalline form which is not suitable
for health applications (Rahman and Padavettan 2012). Therefore chemically synthesized colloidal
silica is a preferred choice for various applications.
Silica nanoparticles could be of following different types:
• Fumed (pyrogenic) silica
• Precipitated silica
• Silica gel
• Mesoporous silica nanoparticles
• Biogenic silica
Fumed silica has uses as an additive (Boldridge 2010) and used for the production of silicone
rubber for medical applications (Taikum et al. 2010). However, due to its high cost and a smaller
number of silanol groups, application of fumed silica is limited in research and development
(Prasertsri and Rattanasom 2012). In comparison to fumed silica, precipitated silica is widely used
for various applications (Kim et al. 2004, Sun et al. 2013, Pattanawanidchai et al. 2014). Silica gel
offers high specific surface area, used as a desiccant (drying agent), food additive (approved by the
FDA) and as a humidity indicator. Mesoporous silica is another form of silica which has gained lot
of interest in nanotechnology. A wide range of mesoporous silica is available while MCM-41 and
SBA-15 are the most used mesoporous silica (Katiyar et al. 2006). These have applications in the
field of medicine, biosensor, imaging, etc. (Valenti et al. 2016). Biogenic silica is synthesized through
the process of biosilication, wherein biomolecules are involved in the synthesis of silica. Various
specialized proteins (silaffins, silacidins and cinguliums) are also known to be responsible for the
268 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

formation of biogenic silica. Silaffins are polypeptides rich in lysine and serine residues with a high
degree of post-translation modification (Kroger 2007). Sponges are the another major biosilica­
producing organism and silicatein isoforms have been identified in siliceous sponge species which
play role in synthesis of biosilica (Mishra 2019). Colloidal silica nanoparticles are commercially
available and are often used for research and development purposes. One of the widely used
commercially available colloidal silica is LUDOX® colloidal silica which is aqueous dispersions of
silica nanoparticles in the nanometre size range. In India, various grades of silica nanoparticle in the
nm size range are commercially supplied by Visa chemical industries.

1.5.5 Ways/Methods to Synthesize Biohybrids

15.5.1 Synthesis of Hybrids/Bio-hybrids using Sol-gel Method
There are other methods also available for synthesis of hybrids/bio-hybrids however, sol-gel method
has been widely used (Mishra 2019, Tian et al. 1997). Due to its mild reaction conditions and
compatibility with a wide variety of solvents, it could efficiently combine silica (inorganic oxide)
with an organic phase/bio-component. The development of several novel polymeric-silica hybrid
materials with a good performance has been reported using sol-gel process (Yang et al. 2004).
There are also many reports wherein biological components, i.e., enzymes and microbes have
been associated with silica through sol-gel process (Avnir et al. 1994, Kim et al. 2000, Premkumar
et al. 2001).
Sol-gel method: The sol-gel process is widely used to synthesize silica, glass and ceramic materials
due to its ability to form pure and homogenous products. The role of the sol-gel method has been
studied since the mid 1800’s. The sol-gel technique is the method in which liquid (colloidal) sol
phase is transformed into a solid gel phase. This involves hydrolysis and condensation of metal
alkoxides (Si (OR)4) like tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS, Si (OC2H5)4) or inorganic salts like sodium
silicate (Na2SiO3) in presence of acid (HCl) or base (NH3) which act as catalyst (Nandiyanto et al.
2009). This step causes the formation of a colloidal phase which is comprised of relatively higher
molecular weight intermediates and it is known as the sol phase. Intermediates formed during the
reaction undergo polycondensation reactions and escort to the formation of three-dimensional (3-D)
gel. Figure 15.3 shows the flow chart for the sol-gel technique.

Figure 15.3. Flow chart of sol-gel process.

The following processes are involved during the sol-gel process:

i. Hydrolysis of alkoxisilane to silanol
ii. Alcohol condensation: reaction between silanol and alkoxisilane
iii. Water condensation: reaction between silanols
 Biohybrids for Environmental Remediation and Biosensing 269

In 1968, a pioneering work was reported by Stober et al. (1968) for controlled synthesis of
monodispersed silica and spherical particles. This method offers advantages over acid-catalyzed
systems as using this monodispersed spherical silica particles can be prepared. However, in the
sol-gel process, production of alcohol as a by-product is one of the limitations when biological
components are going to be immobilized. Thus, there is a need to find suitable methods for
associating bio-components with silica nanoparticles to develop biohybrids and to improve the
practical applicability of associated bio-components.

15.5.2 Synthesis of Biohybrids using Spray drying Technique

Spray drying is a widely used technique for the preparation of powdered formulation using aqueous
feed samples by atomization in hot drying air. It has emerged as one of the suitable techniques for
synthesizing biohybrids of various morphologies like microspheres and microcapsules and holds
application in food, remediation and drug delivery. Various aspects of spray drying have been
explored and used as immobilizing techniques for the immobilization of proteins, enzymes and
microbial whole cells (Mishra et al. 2014, Mishra et al. 2017, Mishra et al. 2021a, Mukundan et al.
2020, Shukla et al. 2020). The characteristics of the spray-dried product is regulated by various factors
such as spray dryer design, feed characteristics, drying temperature and processing parameters. By
using spray drying, it is even possible to prepare the product of desired characteristics by adjusting
the spray drying parameters.

15.6 Different Morphologies of Biohybrids

A wide range of biohybrid materials can be synthesized depending on the applications. It could be
in particles form, sheet, scaffold, fibrous, etc.

15.6.1 Biohybrid in Microparticles form

Biohybrids synthesized using spray drying techniques are mostly in the form of microparticles.
Biohybrids in a microparticle shape find applications in remediation and biosensing. There are also
reports when single cells were encapsulated to develop biohybrids as encapsulated single-cell offers
a number of advantages (Mao et al. 2017, Kamperman et al. 2017, Lienemann et al. 2017). Different
strategies are employed for encapsulation of single cells. Enzymatically crosslinked microgels were
used for encapsulation of single cells (Kamperman et al. 2017). Microfluidic droplets have been
widely explored to synthesize biohybrid microparticles. It also helps to retain the viability of cells
(Choi et al. 2016). The flow-focusing device in combination with covalent crosslinking process
was used by Headen et al. (2014) to encapsulate the cells in droplets. Water-in-oil-in-water (w/o/w)
emulsion droplets with an ultrathin oil layer were also reported for immobilization of cells in the gel
matrix which leads to the development of biohybrid microparticles.

15.6.2 Biohybrids in Fibrous form

Fibre-like structures have their own advantages over microparticles as these offer flexible structure,
large aspect ratio and could be explored for developing complex large scale biohybrids for various
applications in the biomedical engineering as these resemble nerves, blood vessels and muscle
tissues. Several fibre-shaped biohybrids have been prepared (Letnik et al. 2015, Neal et al. 2014,
Onoe et al. 2013). Using a sacrificial outer moulding approach, an elongated fascicle-inspired
biohybrid material was prepared by Neal et al. 2014 wherein polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) was
used for moulding. A fiber-like cavity tube was constructed using a cylindrical steel pin and gelatin.
Cells were seeded in the cavity tube and an increase in the temperature caused the gelatin to melt
followed by solidification of cells and led to the formation of fibre-like structures.
Microfluidic spinning was also explored by Onoe et al. 2013 to develop fibre-shaped biohybrids.
Using microfluidic spinning various types of cells have been applied to develop biohybrids.
270 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

Coaxial electrospinning was also applied to develop biohybrid fibres with a core-shell structure
(Letnik et al. 2015). This has a water-soluble polymer containing aqueous core which maintains the
survival and proliferation of yeast cells and an insoluble polymer shell to provide physical stability.

15.6.3 Biohybrids in Sheet form

Sheet shape biohybrids have potential application to be used as building blocks to fabricate living
tissue models which could be used for studying the cell-cell/cell-matrix interactions, cell culture and
cell therapy (Leng et al. 2012, Yang et al. 2015). These sheets could be constructed using hydrogel
matrix where living cells are embedded. A mesh-like frame was used to construct cell-containing
sheets by Son et al. (2016)
Microfluidics and microfabrication techniques were also used for a developing sheet-shaped
biohybrid. A multilayer microfluidic system was explored to construct mosaic biohybrid sheets (Leng
et al. 2012). It was observed that developed biohybrid hydrogel sheets have uniformly distributed
cardiomyocytes. It is also possible to fabricate biohybrid sheets using living cells labelled with
magnetic nanoparticles. This technique holds potential as it could be applied to understand the cell-
cell interactions and for tissue regeneration (Ana et al. 2020).

15.6.4 Biohybrids in Scaffolds form

Scaffolds-shaped biohybrids have wide application in regenerative medicine and organ
reconstruction (Capulli et al. 2017). These scaffolds are gaining attention for remediation as well
as detection of various water pollutants. Scaffolds-shaped biohybrids could be prepared using
various techniques (Ouyang et al. 2017, Jin et al. 2018, Compaan et al. 2020). 3D bioprinting has
been also used for constructing the 3D scaffolds shaped biohybrids as it has its own advantages in
creating complex structures. An “in-situ-crosslinking” strategy for 3D bioprinting was developed by
(Ouyang et al. 2017). Here ink was used for encapsulation of fibroblasts cells and the cells present
in lattice- and macro nose-structured constructs could maintain high viability even after printing.
A biohybrid scaffolds with a similar multi-channel lattice structure was fabricated by Wang et al.
(2021). Microorganisms have been also explored by Huang et al. ( 2019) to construct living material
based on biofilms of Bacillus subtilis and resulted in biofilms demonstrating viscoelastic behaviours
which could be engineered to fabricate complex structures.

15.7 Applications of Biohybrids

In comparison to conventional materials, biohybrid materials offer various advantages. Due
to the presence of the biomolecule, the functionality of the biohybrid is improved and it could
perform various biological processes when support provides protection against harsh conditions.
These materials hold potential of application in every field of research including gene/drug
delivery, biosensing, bioremediation, tissue engineering, etc. Many review articles are available on
applications of biohybrids in biomedical applications, tissue engineering, biosensor, etc., where the
focus is on the application of biohybrids in remediation and removal of pollutants (Xu et al. 2018,
Jamal et al. 2013, Pu et al. 2020, Sankaran et al. 2019).

15.7.1 Pesticide Monitoring and Removal

Biohybrid could be applied for sensing even ultra-trace amounts of various analytes (pesticides,
herbicides, etc.,) due to the presence of a biomolecule. These biomolecules have high specificity
and selectivity for the analytes thus using biohybrids, it is possible to develop sensitive and stable
biosensors. A nanogenerator was fabricated using Bacillus subtilis spores to monitor humidity (Chen
et al. 2014). A Chlorella-based biosensor was constructed to detect metal irons in water (Roxby et al.
2020). Genetically engineered cells and microorganisms were associated with a suitable support to
achieve efficient sensing of pollutant metals as well as pesticides. Liu et al. (2017) had shown that
 Biohybrids for Environmental Remediation and Biosensing 271

engineered living bacteria was associated with hydrogel-elastomer hybrid matrix and support has
helped in growth of cells. A biohybrid comprising Silica-Sphingomonas sp. cells were immobilized
and used as a biosensor for detection of methyl parathion pesticide (Mishra et al. 2017). This
biosensor could detect methyl parathion in the linear range of 0.1 – 1 ppm concentration.
As reported, Rhodobacter sphaeroides reaction centre is a robust and tractable membrane
protein which has potential for technological applications and lead to develop biohybrid devices for
various applications like biosensing (Swainsbury et al. 2014). This study evaluated the viability of
using a tiny working electrode attached to a reaction centre to create a photocurrent as the basis for
a biosensor for classes of herbicides that are widely used to control weeds in important agricultural
crops. The triazides atrazine and terbutryn suppressed photocurrent production in a concentration-
dependent manner, but nitrile or phenylurea herbicides did not. The kinetics of charge recombination
in photo-oxidized reaction centres in solution were measured, and the results revealed the same
selectivity of response. The limits of detection were calculated to be about 8 nM and 50 nM,
respectively, as indicated in the Table 15.1. Titrations of the reaction centre photocurrents produced
half maximum inhibitory doses of 2.1 mM and 208 nM for atrazine and terbutryn, respectively.
Without the need for model-dependent kinetic analysis of the signal used for detection or the use
of unreasonably complex instrumentation, photocurrent attenuation provided a direct measure of
herbicide concentration. It also offered the possibility of using protein-engineering to increase the
selectivity and sensitivity of herbicide against the Rbasphaeroides reaction centre.
In the urban and rural regions of Campo Verde and Lucas do Rio Verde Cities, Mato Grosso
State, Brazil, Table 15.1 offers information on the prevalence of the pesticides atrazine, chlorpyrifos,
a-endosulfan, β-endosulfan, flutriafol, malathion and metolachlor in water bodies (Nogueira et al.
2012). In these significant grain-producing regions, samples of the surface, rain and groundwater
were taken throughout the wet and dry seasons of 2007 and 2008. The results showed that rainwater
had a greater variety of chemicals and a higher frequency of detection than surface and groundwater
samples. Some surface and groundwater samples contained concentrations of atrazine, endosulfan
and malathion that were higher than those prescribed by Brazilian regulations, and some samples
contained a higher amount of degraded product of deisopropylatrazine and endosulfansulfate
in comparison to their parent compounds. The results highlight the fragility of the local water
infrastructure and the danger of pesticide contamination in significant headwater streams.

15.7.2 Heavy Metal Monitoring and Remediation

The scarcity of drinking water due to increase of pollutants in water bodies is a matter of concern
(Mishra et al. 2021b, Mishra et al. 2022). Thus, remediation of pollutants from waste water is of
great significance for environment and human health. Among various techniques, bioremediation
and adsorption have wider applicability (Shukla et al. 2022). A large range of sorbents have been
applied for the removal of heavy metals. Among all nanosize silica have been widely applied for
sorption of radionuclide like uranium (Gabriel et al. 2001, Metilda et al. 2005). Nanoparticles have
many advantages however, their application as a sorbent has certain limitations such as harmful
impact on human health, the environmental fate of nanoparticles, and technical limitations like
difficulty in separation.
Several microbial systems have been used for bioremediation of heavy metals and radionuclide
like uranium (Sar et al. 2004, Kazy et al. 2009, Wang et al. 2010, Melo et al. 2020). However, poor
mechanical strength, a small size with low density and less rigidity of microorganism biomass are
the limiting factors (Wang et al. 2010). Association of biomass with a suitable support could be an
efficient way for improving its application for bioremediation. With this motive, microorganisms
and other biomolecules have been conjugated with suitable supports to develop biohybrids and used
as sorbents.
There has been a need for suitable methods for the preparation of biohybrids in large quantities.
Thus, the spray drying technique was applied to prepare a wide range of biohybrids using nanosilica
272 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

and various microorganisms, in our laboratory. Various biohybrids in microstructures morphologies

using silica nanoparticles and biomolecules through the process of evaporation induced self-
assembly (Mishra et al. 2014, Mukundan et al. 2020). In one of the studies, microstructures of silica
NPs and Streptococcus lactis (S. lactis) cells were prepared, utilized for removal of uranium and
adsorbed uranium was recovered using ultra sonication (Mishra et al. 2014, Lahiri et al. 2021). It is
possible to get different morphologies of microstructures by tuning the physico-chemical parameters
of evaporation induced by self-assembly process. Synthesized products were characterized and it
has shown that morphology depended on removal of uranium. Among spherical and doughnut-
shaped microstructures, doughnut-shaped microstructures have shown higher uranium uptake.
The adsorbed uranium was also recovered using ultrasonic treatment however, after treatment the
binding capacity of microstructures were reduced during reusability studies. The plausible cause
for reduced sorption may be changes in morphology of microstructures and decrease in number of
adsorption sites after acid and ultrasonic treatment. On a similar line of studies, a bio-hybrid of silica
NPs and S. cerevisiae cells were developed and employed for mercury (Hg2+) removal. It has shown
98% mercury sorption with maximum sorption 185.19 mgg–1 (Shukla et al. 2020). It was observed
that these microstructures could be used as a sorbent for remediation of mercury. In summary, spray
drying has emerged as a simple, efficient and cost-effective process for synthesizing functionalized
silica-based sorbents using microbial cells. Prepared biohybrids are of higher length scale thus they
could be easily separated once the sorption process is completed. Physico-chemical characterization
has also shown that microbial cell surfaces are available for binding to metal ions in the biohybrids.
These characteristics make synthesized biohybrids a suitable and efficient sorbent. S. lactis cells
express β-galactosidase activity and hydrolyzes lactose, thus the enzyme activity was studied in the
microstructures comprising S. lactis cells and silica NPs (Mukundan et al. 2020). The result was
encouraging as the cells entrapped in microstructures have shown higher enzymatic activity than
the free cells.
The environment’s growing concentration of heavy metal ions creates a major hazard to living
beings. For the quick and highly effective removal of diverse contaminants, adsorption methods
based on a range of micro/nanomaterials and micro/nanomanipulation are being used. Magnetic
Fe3O4 nanoparticles were grown in-situ on hydrothermally treated fungus spores to create a particular
type of biohybrid adsorbent (Zhang et al. 2018). Due to their porous structure and high adsorbing
components, such organic/inorganic Porous Spore@Fe3O4 Biohybrid Adsorbents (PSFBAs) could
efficiently adsorb and remove heavy metal ions. In comparison to their non-motile counterparts,
magnetic PSFBAs in controllably collective motion exhibited improved adsorption capacity and
quicker removal times for a number of heavy metal ions. It was shown how the collective magnetic
actuation of PSFBAs crowded into a small fluidic channel worked. In comparison to untreated and
static equivalents, using these adsorbents and a magnetically propelled swarming micro robotic
method, lead ions in polluted water were swiftly removed from 5 ppm down to 0.9 ppm. Four
successive cycles show that such magnetically propelled PSFBAs may be reused following simple
separation and post-treatment (Zhang et al. 2018). A possible approach for the decontamination of
toxins in environmental restoration would be the combination of biological entities with swarming
microrobotic systems.

15.8 Conclusion and Future Prospective

In this chapter, biohybrids, their different components and the importance of the components and
methods of synthesizing biohybrids were described. The association of biomolecules with suitable
supports enhances the applicability of biohybrids. Biomolecules have enzymatic activity and other
biological processes thus biohybrids could be used as smart sensing materials against various
analytes. On the other hand, the support acts as a protective covering and protects the biomolecules
from the surrounding harsh environment.
 Table 15.1. List of various biohybrids applied for remediation and biosensing.

Biohybrid Pollutants Parameters (PPDB: The

Pesticide Properties
Database,http://
sitem.herts.ac.uk/
aeru/footprint/en/
index.htm accessed
in June 2012)
Photoelectrochemical Herbicides IC50 (nM) Ki (nM) LOD (nM)
cell employing purple 1. Stigmatellin 280 60 165 10
bacterial reaction centre 2. Terbutryn 208 10 123 8.3
3. Atrazine 2100 100 1200 49
Swarming biohybrid Heavy Metals Removal
adsorbents/magnetic 1. NI (II) efficiency
biohybrid adsorbents 2. CO (II) 27.3 to 48.3%
3. Mn (II) (static)
4. Hg (II) 29.2 to 85.2%

Biohybrids for Environmental Remediation and Biosensing 273

5. Cd (II) (swarming)
6. Pb (II)
Herbicides Linear range/ SIM ionsa LOD LOQ Pvapc/mPa KHd/(Pa m3/mol) KOCe/ t1/2f/day Swg/(mg/L)
1. Metolachlor (µg/ml) (µg/L) (µg/L) (25o C) (mL/g) (20oC)
2. Phenanthreneb 0.02 – 24.28 162.1, 238.0, 146.0 0.02 0.02 1.7 2.40 × 10-3 200 90 530
3. Atrazine ­ 188.1, 189.0, 184.0 - - - - - - -
4. DEA 0.20 – 21.24 200.0, 215.0, 202.0 0.03 0.20 0.039 1.50 × 10–4 100 75 35
5. DIA 0.82 – 28.88 172.0, 187.0, 174.0 0.06 0.82 12.4 1.55 × 10–4 72 45 3200
Insecticides 0.84 – 36.94 173.0, 158.0, 144.9 0.17 0.84 - 1.52 × 10–5 142 - 670
1. Methyl Parathion 0.22 – 24.50 262.9, 108.9, 124.9 0.12 0.22 2.0 8.57 × 10–3 240 12 55
2. Malathion 0.20 – 28.50 173.0, 124.9, 157.9 0.03 0.20 3.1 1.00 × 10–3 217 0.17 148
3. α – Endosulfan 0.22 – 17.44 240.8, 194.9, 236.8 0.06 0.22 0.83 1.48 11500 50 0.32
4. β – Endosulfan 0.10 – 14.46 194.9, 236.8, 240.8 0.03 0.10 0.83 1.48 11500 50 0.32
5. Endosulfansulfate 0.22 – 24.42 271.8, 273.8, 228.8 0.08 0.22 0.83 1.48 5194 - 0.48
6. Chlorpyrifos 0.28 – 18.48 196.9, 198.9, 313.9 0.03 0.22 1.43 4.78 × 10–1 8151 50 1.05
Fungicides 0.20 – 20.58 123.0, 164.0, 219.0 0.06 0.20 0.44 1.27 × 10–6 205 1358 95
1. Flutriafol
Biohybrid Metal ion Removal References
efficiency
S. lactis-silica NP Uranium (VI) 92% Mishra et al. 2014
S. cerevisiae-silica NP Mercury (Hg2+) 98% Shukla et al. 2020
Ions used for substance quantification (first ion) and identification (second and third ions) during the Selected Ion Monitoring (SIM); binternal standard; cPvap: vapour pressure; dKH: Henry’s
a

Law constant; eKOC: soil organic carbon sorption coefficient; ft1/2: half-live; gSw: water solubility -: metabolite; Pesticide Properties Database (PPDB). (Agriculture & Environment Research
Unit, University of Hertfordshire, PPDB: The Pesticide Properties Database, http://sitem.herts.ac.uk/aeru/footprint/en/index.htm accessed in June 2012.)
274 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

Along with sol-gel, spray drying and other advanced techniques like 3D bioprinting and
microfluidics could be applied for developing efficient biohybrids. Using these techniques,
biohybrids in various morphologies such as microparticles, sheet, fibre and scaffold could be
understood. Depending on their morphology, biohybrids could be used for various applications like
drug/gene delivery, biosensing, biomedical and environmental remediation.
Though a lot of advances have been made in the field of synthesis and application of biohybrids,
there are yet some challenges involved in synthesizing biohybrids in large quantities with accurate
precision and design, and understanding applications of biohybrids for constant monitoring and
applying them for continuous reactors. For this purpose, there is need to work in an interdisciplinary
way, where scientists from different areas like material science, biological sciences, chemical
sciences could come together. Regarding biocomponents, there is need for developing engineered
biomolecules with high biological activity, which could be associated with suitable supports. Till
today, as support organic and nanoparticle materials have been used , now there is need to develop
biogenic supports with extraordinary characteristics like intricate design of the surface structure and
chemical moieties. There is also a need to develop suitable fabricating process/techniques which
have precise control over operational parameters and in which the potential of both components
could be fully utilized.
In summary, the combination of biomolecules with supports enables biohybrid materials to act
as biomimetic material which results in a dynamic smart material. One can clearly see that advanced
characteristics (biocompatibility, flexibility, sensitivity towards analytes) associated with biohybrid
materials will enable them to achieve the desired results not only in biosensing and remediation but
also in several research areas.

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Chapter 16
Remediation for Heavy Metal
Contamination
A Nanotechnological Approach
Rubina Khanam, Amaresh Kumar Nayak* and
Dibyendu Chatterjee

16.1 Introduction
Pollution is defined as the presence of undesirable chemical objects that obstruct natural processes
or have negative consequences for living beings and the environment. Pollution is increasing
at an alarming rate as a result of industrialization and the massive rise in population that leads
to rising urbanization. Environmental pollution identification, treatment and prevention is a
critical step toward long-term environmental sustainability. Environment sustainability refers to
the responsible and justifiable relationship between humans and the environment, as well as the
intelligent use of resources, ensuring environmental safety for current and future generations.
Economic and environmental sustainability are inextricably linked (Fajardo et al. 2020). A lot of
work is being done right now to discover and create persuasive and dependable ways for degrading
or transforming environmental contaminants of concern. Nanoremediation is a groundbreaking
remediation technique that employs nanomaterials having high surface: volume ratio, low reduction
potential and quantum confinement making them efficient for the detoxification and alteration of
hazardous recalcitrant pollutants in the system (Fajardo et al. 2020). In particular, when compared
to standard remediation procedures (viz., chemical oxidation, thermal decomposition and solvent
co-flushing), the use of nanomaterials in environmental remediation has gained a lot of attention.
Nanoremediation methods have drawn a lot of interest because of their unique qualities, such as cost-
effectiveness, sensitivity, superior electrical properties, high surface area and improved catalytic
properties (Shafi et al. 2021). These techniques have the potential to give long-term solutions
to environmental pollution issues, while also reducing the cost of cleaning (Shafi et al. 2021).
Nanostructure-based technologies have the potential to reduce not only the overall costs of cleaning
up large-scale contaminated areas but also to reduce clean-up time, minimize the need for polluted
material treatment and disposal, and decrease pollutant concentrations to near zero-all in-situ
(Corsi et al. 2018). Nanoremediation involves the applications of nano-sized metal and bimetallic

ICAR-National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack 753006, Odisha, India.

* Corresponding author: [email protected]
280 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

particles, nanodots, carbon nanotubes and nanocomposites, etc., for breaking down contaminants
(Shafi et al. 2021). These nanomaterials in the form of sensors, catalysts and adsorbents ensure
rapid detection and immediate detoxification of pollutants such as heavy metals and metalloids from
contaminated land sites (Figure 16.1). This chapter summarizes the application of nanotechnology
(1) to detect and quantify trace pollutants in the environment. (2) to decontaminate the environment
using nano adsorbents, nanocatalysts, nano clay composites, etc.

16.2 Human Health and Heavy Metal Toxicity

Large quantities of metals (Cu, Cd, Pb, Zn, etc.) and metalloids (particularly As) have been released
into the environment as a result of industrial operations, causing significant ecological harm.
Refineries, mining activities, sludge disposal and manufacturing sectors such as paints, electronic
and electrical gadgets, batteries, fertilizers, pesticides and other industries all contribute to the
contamination of water bodies. Furthermore, metals and metalloids cause a risk to human health
because many of them are hazardous even at low concentrations, and some are even carcinogenic
(e.g., As). Unlike organic contaminants, which break down into nontoxic smaller molecules,
metal(loid)s are resistant to many biological processes and hazardous to humans and other living
things. Lead, Cd, Cr, Hg and As metals are well-known hazardous metals. These metals have no
beneficial biological role, but they can mimic other beneficial elements and hinder biological
activities. As a result, metal toxicity has emerged as a serious concern, with several health risks,
such as lung cancer, skin cancer, bladder cancer, etc. (Table 16.1).

Table 16.1. Effects of metal(loid)s on human health.

Metal(loid)s Effect on Human References

Arsenic (As) Inflammation, chronic respiratory illness, liver fibrosis, cardiovascular disorders, skin Mawia et al.
cancer, lung cancer may be caused by As, which is classified as a class I carcinogen. 2021
Mercury (Hg) The human neurological system is extremely susceptible to mercury, which causes Khanam
acrodynia, or pink sickness. Mercury is a highly carcinogenic element that can disrupt et al. 2020
brain functioning and cause timidity, difficulties in memory, tremors, irritability and
visual or hearing abnormalities.
Cadmium (Cd) Cadmium is Group 1 carcinogen for humans. Most common occurring toxicity Khanam
symptoms are kidney diseases, bone disorders, anemia and cancer. et al. 2020
Lead (Pb) Long-term exposure can induce birth abnormalities, mental retardation, brain damage, Khanam
psychosis, autism, weight loss, hyperactivity, paralysis, muscle weakness, kidney et al. 2020
damage and death.
Chromium (Cr) Chronic exposure can lead to the respiratory tract and stomach cancer and liver damage Khanam
et al. 2020

Nanoseners

Figure 16.1. Application nanoremediation techniques for reducing heavy metal contamination in the environment.
Figure. 16.1 Application Nnanoremediation techniques for reducing heavy metal

contamination in the environment

 Remediation for Heavy Metal Contamination 281

16.3 Application of Nanomaterials for Detection of Heavy Metal

Contamination
16.3.1 Nano-sensors for Detection of Heavy Metals
Nanotechnology is a rapidly developing area that has the potential to provide a new generation
of technically advanced environmental sensing instruments and devices. Researchers are currently
focusing their attention on creating integrated sensing devices with a low-cost technology that can
identify susceptible contaminants even at trace levels. Depending on various signal transduction
methods, nanosensors are divided into optical, nanobiosensers, electrochemical and Field-Effect
Transistor (FET) sensors. The introduction of nanostructures and nanomaterials into sensors
significantly improves the selectivity, sensitivity, multiplexed detection capabilities and mobility of
the devices. In addition, inorganic materials have been combined with proteins, DNA, microbes and
small molecules to selectively link heavy metals as a probe for recognition at the molecular level
(Maghsoudi et al. 2021).

16.3.1.1 Optical Sensors

16.3.1.1.1 Fluorescent Sensors
The principle of fluorescence sensing is related to alterations in physicochemical characteristics
of fluorophores induced by analytes, measured through changes in the intensity of fluorescence,
anisotropy and lifetime, all of which are associated with transferring of energy mechanisms (Sauer
2003). Organic dyes, toolboxes and Graphene Oxide (GO) are commonly used as fluorophores
in Foerster Resonance Energy Transfer sensors (FRET) because of their commercial availability.
They are cheap and can be manufactured in large quantities. This battery-powered sensor had high
sensitivity (2 ppt) and selectivity for mercury (Hg2+) over lead (Pb2+) and copper (Cu2+) (Darbha
et al. 2007) (Table 16.2).

Table 16.2. Fluorescent nanosensors for detecting heavy metal ions.

Nanosensor Strategy of sensing Metals References

CNPs The fluorescence was reduced by successful Pd2+ and Sharma et al. 2016
chelation of functions with metal ions Hg2+
GSH-Mn-ZnS Intensity of luminescence is reduced by nonradiative Pb2+, Cd3+, Liu et al. 2017
QDs LDH NCs recombination and Hg2+
N-CQDs Nonradiative transfer of electrons causes quenching Hg2+ Zhang and Chen 2014
of fluorescence
S-GQDs The fluorescence intensity was reduced when Fe+3 Fe3+ Li et al. 2014
and S-GQDs functioned coordinately
PPVs@MSN The chelation of CdTe QDs with Cu+2 causes a Cu2+ Sha et al. 2015
@CdTe NCs change in luminescence from red to green

16.3.1.1.2 Plasmonic Sensors

Surface plasmon resonance is caused by a group of free conduction electrons in a noble metal
resonating with incoming electromagnetic radiation (Li et al. 2012). This kind of sensor detects
analytes in a direct, visible and rapid manner by reducing expenses. Different heavy metals,
like Cu2+, As3+, Hg2+ and Pb2+, have been monitored using the colorimetric detection technique
(Chai et al. 2010).

16.3.1.1.3 Surface-enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) Sensors

Although SERS sensors are widely utilized for chemical and biological sensing as well as medical
diagnostics (Li et al. 2013a), only a few studies confirmed detection of heavy metal (Mulvihill et
al. 2008, Han et al. 2010) (Table 16.3). A glutathione-based SERS sensor was developed for As3+
282 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

Table 16.3. SERS nanosensors for detecting heavy metal ions.

Nanosensor Sensing strategy Metals References

AuNPs/rGO The Pb accelerated breakdown of AuNPs causes a reduction in
2+
Pb 2+
Zhao et al. 2016
colloid the Raman signal of graphene.
AuNRs Hg–Au production causes compositional and morphological Hg2+ Schopf et al. 2017
alterations in the NRs, resulting in blue shifts in the SPR peak.
AgNPs Aggregation of AgNPs caused by glycine coordination with Hg2+ Cu2+ and Li et al. 2013b
conjugates and Cu2+ resulted in higher Raman band intensity. Hg2+
Flu-PBADiol- Raman signals are quenched attributable to the boronate ester F– Zhang et al. 2017
Au@AgNPs being cleaved by F.
AuNPs Anti aggregation related to autocatalytic action results in OPDA Hg2+, Pb2+ Patil et al. 2017
oxidation to poly-OPDA or OPDAox by metal NPs. and Cr4+

detection that can selectively bind to As3+ ions via the As-O link (Han et al. 2010). SERS provides
information on the existence of a chemical element as well as its chemical composition, which is
significant in metal ion toxicological studies since different heavy metals complexes have different
degrees of toxicity in humans and animals.

16.3.1.2 Nano Biosensing

Due to its vast potential for developing and fabricating future multifunctional nano sensing
systems, nanobiosensing is an emerging multidisciplinary research area that goes hand in hand with
biotechnology and molecular biology. This has made it easier to equip sensors with multiplexing
capabilities so that they can detect diverse analytes simultaneously.
(i) Aptasensors: Aptamer-based DNA sensors or aptasensors are a stable and extremely sensitive
technology because of their strong affinity to a wide range of binding sites. Single-stranded
DNA (ssDNA) or RNA molecules are known as aptamers. When compared to antibodies and
other biorecognition elements, they represent the next category of potential biorecognition
elements. These are usually utilized in manufacturing low-cost Hg2+ ion detection nanosensors
with an attached battery-powered visual reader connected to a smartphone’s existing camera
module.
(ii) DNA-nano sensors: The use of particular, pre-defined DNA sequences has been proposed
as a potential synthesis method for metal nanoparticles with a regulated shape and size. The
development of fluorescent nanoclusters is aided by both single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) (Petty
et al. 2004) and double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) (Rotaru et al. 2010) sequences. Mercury (Hg2+)
and Silver (Ag+) ions are detected using DNA nanosensors. Silver ions (Ag+) have a strong
affinity for cytosine-rich DNA; for this reason DNA nanosensors have been developed for
visual detection of Ag in tap water and river samples (Kumar and Guleria 2020). The affinity
of the thiamine rich oligonucleotide for Hg, which inhibits elongation of DNA, is applied in the
detection procedure of mercury (Hg2+) (Kumar and Guleria 2020).

16.3.1.3 Chemically Synthesized Nanomaterial-based Sensors

Electrochemical sensors have received a lot attention recently because of their characteristic ability to
provide label-free detection and are widely recognized for their sensitivity and mobility (Table 16.4).
Conducting wires are used to capture the electrochemical sensor signals. While heavy metals have
different redox potentials, bare electrodes without chemical detection probes are used to select specific
heavy metal ions. Voltammetry, conductometry, potentiometry, amperometry and impedemetry are
some of the transducing methods utilized in electrochemical sensing (Kimmel et al. 2012). Mercury-
based electrodes were first to be known for electrochemical detection of heavy metals (Varun and
Daniel 2018).
 Remediation for Heavy Metal Contamination 283

Table 16.4. Chemically synthesized nanomaterials used for detecting heavy metals.

Nanomaterials Method of detection Metals References

BiNPs Electrochemical Ni , Pb and Cd
2+ 2+ 2+
Niu et al. 2015
Graphene/CeO2 Electrochemical Cd2+, Pb2+, Cu2+, and Hg2+ Xie et al. 2015
Core-shell SiO@Ag NPs Colorimetric Hg2+ Boken and Kumar 2014
Carbon xerogel BiNPs Electrochemical Pb2+ and Cd2+ Gich et al. 2013
GQDs functionalized AuNPS Electrochemical Hg2+ and Cu2+ Ting et al. 2015

16.3.1.4 Field-effect Transistor (FET) Sensors

Heavy metals have been detected using FET sensors that take advantage of the interaction between
the analyte and the semiconductor resistance (Chen et al. 2011). The conductivity variations caused
by the selective redox interaction between single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and Hg2+
have been used to create a FET sensor (Kim et al. 2009). In both drinking water and aqueous
solution, this sensor demonstrated a broad detection limit from 10 nM to 1 mM, as well as high
selectivity for Hg2+ over the other metal ions.

16.4 Application of Nanomaterials for Decontamination of Heavy Metals

Heavy metals and metalloids (viz., Pb, Cd, Fe, Se, Ni, Cu, Co, As, etc.) are hazardous and persistent.
Recent advances in nanotechnology have prepared the path for novel approaches to heavy metal
remediation, particularly in wastewater treatment, where nanomaterials are used in water purification
via mechanisms such as adsorption and degradation of toxic materials. According to research,
nanoparticles can assist in reducing the adverse effects or absorption/uptake of heavy metals.
A study was conducted to evaluate how nano-TiO2 (2–6 nm) can reduce the effect of wastewater
(containing heavy metals) on the development of maize seedlings. Analysis of wastewater revealed
that it was unfit for irrigation as it contained high levels of heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, Cr and Cd)
beyond the permissible levels for irrigation. During in vitro studies, the nano-TiO2 suspension was
administered at different concentrations, either autoclaved wastewater or deionized water. Nano­
TiO2 at a concentration of 25 mg L–1 significantly reduced the negative effects of wastewater on
maize development indices (Yaqoob et al. 2018). Further, the effects of nano-Fe3O4 in reducing
heavy metal toxicity in wheat seedlings were investigated by Konate et al. (2017). The use of nano­
Fe3O4 (@2000 mg L–1) in a 1 Mm solution dramatically reduced the negative impact of heavy metals
on the growth in wheat seedlings. The beneficial impacts of nano-Fe3O4 under heavy metal stress
might be due to increased antioxidant enzyme activity (Konate et al. 2017). Praveen et al. (2018)
reported the effectiveness of iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NP) in dropping detrimental effects
of As in Brassica juncea. They also reported that the application of Fe3O4 NP further decreased the
stress in plants induced by As contamination. Under cadmium stress, zinc oxide nanoparticles were
found to improve wheat chlorophyll content, gas exchange characteristics, antioxidant enzymes,
zinc absorption and yield while lowering Cd concentration. Siddiqui and Al-Whaibi (2014)
discovered that 8 g L–1 of 12 nm nano-silicon oxide increased seed germination in Lycopersicum
esculentum. It has also been observed that nanostructured silicon dioxide aids in the reduction of
plant transpiration rates, as well as the improvement of the plant’s green color and shoot growth.
Application of nano SiO2 reduced As uptake in rice seedling through improving pectin synthesis
and the mechanical force of the cell wall. Recently, various iron nano-materials have been employed
to minimize heavy metal uptake in plants. In the modern era, the application of nanoparticles not
only reduces the uptake of heavy metals in plants but also decontaminates the environment through
different mechanisms. Next the different applications of nanomaterials (viz., photocatalyst, nano
absorbents, nano clay polymers, etc.) to reduce the heavy metal burden in the environment are
described.
284 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

16.4.1 Nano-photocatalyst
Photocatalysis is a photochemical reaction based on electron/hole pair redox interactions when
exposed to light (Danish et al. 2021). Photocatalysis has the potential to degrade contaminants
that are difficult to decompose. The photocatalytic process is regarded as an effective remediation
method for converting harmful chemicals into environmentally friendly products. In the presence
of abundant solar radiation, photocatalysts accelerate chemical reactions. In general, photocatalysis
is a redox process in which holes are created in the Valence Band (VB) of a photocatalyst and
electrons are generated in the Conduction Band (CB), resulting in the emergence of highly
energetic and reactive species such as hydroxyl (OH–) and superoxide radicals (O2–). Due to the
production of extremely energetic radicals that function as potent oxidizing agents, photocatalysis
serves as a fruitful technique for the removal of hazardous chemical compounds (Ajmal et al.
2014). Nanomaterial photocatalysis for environmental cleanup has been the subject of significant
research for the past decade. To cleanse soil, purify the air and detoxify wastewater, a wide
range of nanostructured photocatalysts have been synthesized (viz., oxides and sulfide of metals,
composite oxides, carbon derivatives, graphene-based photocatalysts, dendrimers and polymeric
nanocomposites (Danish et al. 2021). In comparison to conventional photocatalysts, graphene-based
photocatalysts have been found to enhance the activity due to their large surface area, nanosize
and greater electronic motions. Oxide-based nanomaterials, such as Fe3O4, TiO2, ZnO and their
composites, are also excellent catalysts for the removal of heavy metals. Several researches
have reported the use of these oxides in environmental remediation, notably in photocatalytic
degradation of organic contaminants (Czech et al. 2020, Sabzehei et al. 2020, Masudy-Panah
et al. 2019). By reducing the distance between photon absorption sites and limiting electron-hole
(e– -h+) recombination, these nanoparticles with a large surface area and porosity have greater
photocatalytic activity. Transition metal oxides and their composites have strong photocatalytic
activity for organic pollutant photodegradation. TiO2 has demonstrated outstanding photocatalytic
destruction of contaminants due to its high resistance against photochemical, exceptional surface
qualities, microstructural features and large surface area; nanosized metal oxides are employed
in adsorption processes (Hitam et al. 2018, Rahman et al. 2011). The surface energy of metal
absorbents is improved by decreasing their size and generating more active sites on their surface for
the adsorption of pollutant molecules (Gusain et al. 2019). Immobilizing ZnO NPs on polymer
substrates is another agreeable technique in the production of modified-ZnO photocatalysts.
According to research, ZnO/polymer nanocomposite achieves the requisite photocatalytic activity
(Shirdel and Behnajady 2020). Hydrothermal synthesis and homogeneous precipitation are the
most appropriate procedures to create ZnO photocatalytic materials. A large number of studies have
demonstrated CuO’s remarkable performance in the photocatalytic breakdown of contaminants.
Chen et al. (2020) reported a 97% photodegradation of crystal violet dye utilizing monoclinic
crystalline CuO nanoparticles when exposed to visible light. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are also
used as innovative materials for photocatalyst due to their higher quantum efficiency and excellent
chemical stability. Gupta (2017) successfully developed ultrathin photocatalyst (SWCNTs-TiO2) for
wastewater treatment.

16.4.2 Nanoadsorbents
Heavy metal discharge from industrial, municipal, agricultural and household wastewater has
become a significant ecological concern. Over the last few decades, a new class of nano-adsorbents
has been developed to combat this rising menace. Adsorption is commonly used for heavy metal
removal due to its low cost, efficiency and simplicity. They have acquired recognition as a result
of their particular characteristics, and have demonstrated outstanding promise in the treatment
of wastewater and industrial effluents for reuse in a wide range of applications for the long-term
sustainability of the environment. Adsorption has long been known as a phenomenon in water
treatment. It is a common experience in the gaseous phase, but is used effectively in the treatment
 Remediation for Heavy Metal Contamination 285

of pollutants from soil and water. The specificity for a particular hazardous chemical, the adsorption
efficiency and the benefit-cost ratio are important factors in selecting adsorbents. In the recent past,
different nanomaterials viz. carbon analogues, carbonaceous nanostructured composites, nano­
magnetic materials, microporous glasses, adsorbent sieves ceramics, clay polymers, etc. have been
synthesized (Kumar and Guleria 2020). In comparison to the materials utilized historically and
commercially as adsorbents, they have been found to have a high adsorption capacity for heavy
metals from wastewater. Among nanoabsorbents, carbon nanomaterials are most extensively used
for the removal of heavy metals. The carbon nanomaterials can be classified as (i) Zero-dimensional
(having all the three dimensions less than 100 nm); for example, are fullerene and quantum dots.
(ii) One-dimensional (1 D) (having only one dimension larger than 100 nm and two dimensions
smaller than 100 nm), e.g., nanotubes of carbon and titanium. (iii) Two-dimensional nanomaterials
(with two dimensions greater than 100 nm), e.g., graphene. (iv) Three dimensional (3-D) (all
dimensions are greater than 100 nm), e.g., graphite and some nono-composites. Highly efficient
nano absorbents are described next.

16.4.2.1 Carbon Nano Tubes (CNTs)

Engineered materials with unique characteristics such as electrical conductivity, optical activity,
mechanical strength and surface morphologies are known as carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Due to
their high porosity, light mass density, large specific area, hollow structure and strong interactions
with pollutant molecules, they are used as effective adsorbents. Internal sites, interstitial channels,
grooves and the outer surface of CNT bundles are all adsorption sites. When compared to internal
sites, exterior sites attain equilibrium faster. The adsorption process is largely driven by chemical
interactions between the surface functional groups of CNTs and metal ions. CNTs often include
–OH, –C=O and –COOH groups, depending on the synthesis and purifying procedure. However,
some other functional groups can also be added to CNTs through oxidation using Pd, Ni or Pt or
removed from CNTs through heat treatment at 2200ºC. Cu, Zn and Pb were removed using CNTs
manufactured using the microwave irradiation technique. Kaushal and Singh (2017) reported removal
efficiency of 111 mg g–1, 71 mg g–1, and 85 mg g–1 for Cu (II), Pb(II) and Zn(II), respectively by these
types CNTs. Carbon nanotubes can be classified based on their dimensions into zero-dimensional
(0-D, e.g., fullerene and quantum dots), one dimensional (1-D, e.g., nanotubes and titanium), two
dimensional (2-D, e.g., graphene), or multi-dimensional. The one-dimensional single wall CNTs
(SWCNTs) are promising for their nano-sized porous structure, high surface area and easy surface
functionalization. Thus, SWCNTs are widely used for the removal of metal pollutants. Researchers
demonstrated SWCNT-based nanocomposite could efficiently adsorb Hg (more than 99.56% within
7 min). In an experiment conducted by Anitha et al. (2015) to evaluate the adsorption capacity of
unadorned SWCNTs and their functionalized SWCNTs (viz., SWCNTs-OH, SWCNTs-NH2 and
SWCNTs-COOH) to remove meta(loids). It has been observed that SWCNTs-COOH have the
highest adsorption capacities (150–230%) compared to unadorned SWCNTs. However, SWCNTs-
OH and SWCNTs-NH have resulted in poor adsorption capacity. SWCNTs-COOH have also shown
the adsorption capacity of 96, 77, and 56 mg g-1 for Pb2+, Cu2+, and Cd2+, respectively. There is
another type of CNTs developed by researchers called multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs).
Zhang et al. (2012) created MWCNTs-TiO2 and used them to photodegrade methylene blue. Zhang
et al. (2012) reported MWCNTs based nano-adsorbent can efficiently removal Pb (II) and Hg (II)
to the extent of 65.40 mg g–1 and 65.52 mg g–1, respectively. Moreover, sulfonated multi-walled
CNTs (s-MWCNTs) were synthesized by Ge et al. (2014) through processing p-MWCNTs with
strong sulfuric acid at high temperatures to adsorb Cu (II). However, since their discovery in the
early 1990s, CNT toxicity has been a significant issue. Another disadvantage of employing CNTs
is their low removal effectiveness and limited selectivity. Furthermore, because the walls of carbon
nanotubes are not reactive, the sorption capacities for metal ions are relatively low (Mukhopadhyay
et al. 2020).
286 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

16.4.2.2 Metal based Nano-adsorbents

Metal oxides, such as Fe, Cu, Ti, Mn, Mg, Zn, Si and Al, can be used to synthesize nanoparticles
(Table 16.5). Due to metal-ligand precipitation or the generation of ternary ligands, metal oxide
nanoparticles have a greater degree of adsorption than regular sized oxide (Stietiya and Wang 2014).
Metal oxide-based nanomaterials with very well structural, crystalline and surface properties act as
semiconductors with large band gaps. They also have advantageous properties such as non-toxicity
and excellent water stability. Metal oxides include ferric oxides, Ti, Ce, and Zn, provide low-cost
adsorbents. The adsorption capacity of metal-based nanoparticles is pH deepened. Heavy metals
adsorption from the media enhanced with pH due to an increase in electrostatic interactions and
formation of ionic or covalent bonds. In addition, improvement in pH favors the release of protons
of nanosorbent, enhancing the negatively charged sites. Nassar (2012) showed 36 mg g–1 absorption
capacity of Fe3O4 nanoadsorbents for the removal of Pb (II) ions. Moreover, ultrafine magnesium
ferrite (MgO.27Fe2.5O4) nanoadsorbent synthesized by Tang et al. (2013) functioned as a good
adsorbent for As from contaminated water. Alumina nanoadsorbent produced through the solution
combination synthesis method was reported to be highly efficient in removing Zn (II) from wastewaters.
It is notable that nanosized iron oxide particles have superparamagnetism, which distinguishes them
from other oxide nanoparticles. Super paramagnetic nanoparticles have a higher surface area, are
biocompatible, less hazardous, chemically inert, have a low diffusion resistance and their surface may
be changed with organic molecules, inorganic ions or functional groups, making them ideal surfaces
for absorbing heavy metals. Fe3O4 superparamagnetic nanoadsorbents with a diameter less than

Table 16.5. Removal efficiency of different metal based nano absorbents and carbon nanotube-based adsorbents.

Metal based nano-adsorbent Metal removal Efficiency (mg g–1) References

Fe3O4 nanoadsorbents Pb (II) 36 Nassar 2012
Anatase oxide nanoadsorbent Pb, Cu, As 31.25, 23.74, 16.98 Kocabas-Atkali and Yurum
2013
Magnesium ferrite nanoadsorbent As 127.4 (As+3) and 83.2 (As+5) Tang et al. 2013
Manganese feroxyhyte As 11.7 μg mg-1 (As+3), 6.7 μg/mg Tresintsi et al. 2013
nanoadsorbent (As+5)
Fe-La composite oxide As 58.2 Zhang et al. 2012
Alumina nanoadsorbent Zn 1047.83 Bhargavi et al. 2015
Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles Hg - Nassar 2012
Mercapto-functionalized nano­ Hg - Chalasani and Vasudevan
Fe3O4 magnetic nanoadsorbent 2012
(SH-Fe3O4-NMPs)
Fe3O4 superparamagnetic As 16.56 (As+3) and 46.06 (As+5) Nassar 2012
nanoadsorbent coated with
ascorbic acid
MnFe2O4 nanoadsorbent Pb, Cu and Cd 481.2 for Pb+2, 386.2 for Cu+2 and Ma et al. 2015
345.5 for Cd+2
SWCNTs Hg 41.66 Alijani and Shariatinia
2018
SWCNTs-Fe3O4-CoS Hg 1666 Alijani and Shariatinia
2018
MWCNTs Cr 1.26 Dehghani et al. 2015
Al2O3-MWCNTs Pb - Gupta 2017
Porous graphene As - Tabish et al. 2018
Activated carbon Pb, Cd, Cu, 238.1, 96.2, 87.7, 52.4 Li et al. 2018
Ni
 Remediation for Heavy Metal Contamination 287

10 nm and coated with ascorbic acid were highly efficient in removing As. These nanoadsorbentions
had the maximum adsorption capacity of 16.56 mg g–1 and 46.06 mg g–1 for As(III) and As(V),
respectively (Feng et al. 2012). Further, Fe2O4 MNPs coated with oxide shells of Mn-Co is an
excellent adsorber of Pb (II) (481.2 mg g–1), Cu (II) (386.2 mg g–1) and Cd (II) (345.5 mg g–1)
(Ma et al. 2013). Silica nanoparticles are also considered to be highly efficient in removing heavy
metals. Silica nanoparticles along with graphite oxide were used to remove Zn, Ni, Cr, Pb and Cd
by Sheet et al. (2014). When metal oxides are used as adsorbents without any supporting elements
(viz., clays or zeolites), they may have limited adsorption capacity, smaller surface area and release
hazardous metals into the environment.

16.4.4.3 Clay-polymer Nanocomposites

Describing the removal of metalloids from polluted media and many types of adsorbents (organic
and inorganic materials) have already been addressed. The clay polymer adsorbents include
zeolites (activated and natural), natural clay minerals, modified clay minerals, etc. (Mukhopadhyay
et al. 2020). Available clay minerals are of low cost, readily available and can be exclusively
used. However, their low surface area, less effectiveness for micro pollutants and lack of standard
protocols for regeneration are major limitations. In the recent past, researchers have begun to utilize
Clay-Polymer Nanocomposites (CPNs) obtained by clay minerals and resins conjointly as a single
adsorbent. The nanocomposites have shown immense potential for removal of major pollutants
in water such as Cu, Cr, As, Pb, Ni and Cd (Table 16.6). With the development of nanoscience,
several clay polymer nanocomposites are synthesized, such as, epoxy-clay nanocomposites,
polystyrene-clay nanocomposites, polyurethane-clay nanocomposites, magnetic clay polymer
nanocomposites, polyimide-clay hybrids, etc. Recently, magnetized-CPN was developed using
bentonite clay, iron oxide nanoparticles and monomer methyl methacrylate for the removal of Cr (VI)
(Sundaram et al. 2018). The application of these CPN had an adsorption capacity of 113 mg g–1.
Whereas chitosan-Al-pillared-montmorillonite nanocomposite can adsorb Cr (VI) 15.67 mg g–1
Table 16.6. Efficiency of clay-polymer nanocomposites in metal removal.

Clay-polymer nanocomposites Metal removed Efficiency (mg g–1) References

Alginate–montmorillonite nanocomposite Pb 238.1 Shawky 2011
Polyacrylic acid/bentonite Ni 270.27 Mukhopadhyay et al. 2020
Polyacrylic acid/bentonite Pb 1666.67 Bulut and Tez 2009
Chitosan-Al-pillared-montmorillonite Pb - Mukhopadhyay et al. 2020
nanocomposite
Chitosan immobilized on bentonite Ni 15.82 Mukhopadhyay et al. 2020
Polyacrylic acid/bentonite Cd 416.67 Mukhopadhyay et al. 2020
Modifed bentonite clay composits Zn - Mukhopadhyay et al. 2020
Polyetherimide/porous activated bentonite Cd -
Chitosan-Al-pillared-montmorillonite Cu - Pereira et al. 2013
nanocomposite
Chitosan:clay (0.45:1) Cu - Pereira et al. 2013
Montmorillonite and chitosan Se 18.4
Pillared bentonite by MnCl2 Pb 12.6 Mukhopadhyay et al. 2020
Chitosan-bentonite clay Ni, Cd - Mukhopadhyay et al. 2020
Alginate–montmorillonite nanocomposite Fe Mukhopadhyay et al. 2020
Bentonite/thiourea-formaldehyde Mn 4.81 Mukhopadhyay et al. 2020
composite
Na-montmorillonite/cellulose Cr 22.2 Mukhopadhyay et al. 2020
Chitosan–clay composites and oxides Se Bleiman and Mishael 2010
288 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

(Sakulthaew et al. 2017). Recently, chitosan-based clay composite showed high adsorption of
Cu (II) in the tune of 96.0 and 99.5%, respectively, at a pH of 6.5 (Sakulthaew et al. 2017). In
addition, intercalation polymerization generated organo-bentonite and polyacrylonitrile composite
showed the removal of Cd, Zn and Cu at the tune of 52.6, 65.4 and 77.4 mg g–1, respectively
(Mukhopadhyay et al. 2020).

16.5 Future Research Need

In this chapter, nanotechnology-based remediation techniques for removing metal(loid)s pollutants
from the environment have been described thoroughly. These nano-structured materials have
shown great potential in the decontamination of heavy metal-contaminated media. Applications
of nanotechnology have immense potential for detecting polluted sites and their remediation
sustainably. All the nanoadsorbents discussed earlier have tremendous potential for the removal of
pollutants from the environment. Incorporating clay at appropriate doses with a variety of inorganic
polymers and biopolymers (or nanoclay) for the development of nanocomposites enhanced the
effectiveness of nanoabsorbents for the removal of pollution. Furthermore, the majority of research
demonstrated the efficiency of nanomaterials at the laboratory scale, with only a few attempts to
evaluate at the actual polluted locations. To continue the economic feasibility and sustainability
of nanotechnology for the removal of metal pollutants is the need of the hour. Furthermore, to
boost the sustainability of these remediation techniques, proper safety protocols and standardized
methodology should be developed. In addition, awareness should be generated for nanotechnology-
based remediation through more field-level applications. Sustainable agriculture, food availability
and nutritional security are among the century’s core sustainable development goals. Therefore, it
is critical to use the benefits of nanotechnology in accomplishing the feat by boosting plant nutrient
availability and lowering plant losses on agricultural soils. Approaches are needed to the synthesis
of nanomaterials that are more environmentally friendly and sustainable. Further, advanced tools
for ecotoxicological evaluation and safety measures should be developed. The establishment of
regulatory agencies at national and international levels is essential to monitor the diffusion of
nanoparticles in the environment and to implement nanotechnology-based approaches for improved
results, with the goal of minimizing negative consequences.

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Chapter 17
Modification Strategies
of g-C3N4 for Potential
Applications in Photocatalysis
A Sustainable Approach towards the
Environment
Sachin Shoran,1 Sweety Dahiya,1 Anshu Sharma2
and Sudesh Chaudhary 1,*

17.1 Introduction
Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) has been used as a visible-light-active polymeric photocatalyst
(460 nm) with a bandgap of 2.7 eV. g-C3N4 has become useful in engineering and physics because
of its low-cost and eco-friendly synthesis techniques. It is also a stable catalyst with promising
physicochemical properties (Ong et al. 2016). In comparison with other semiconductors, g-C3N4 can
be successfully prepared by multiple processes and has the desired electrical structures and
morphologies, as well as good thermal stability in the air up to 600ºC (Liu et al. 2021, Taha et al.
2021). The most frequently used precursors of g-C3N4 are urea, thiourea, dicyandiamide, cyanamide,
melamine and ammonium thiocyanate (Figure 17.2). Among several forms of carbon nitrides, such
as cubic C3N4, pseudocubic C3N4, α-C3N4 and β-C3N4; g-C3N4 is the most stable phase under
ambient circumstances (Ong et al. 2016). Researchers have proposed many strategies for improving
the performance and modulating the characteristics of g-C3N4, such as heterojunction with other
materials and doping with metal sulfides, noble metals, nonmetals and metal oxides nanoparticles
are examples of these materials (Ren et al. 2019, Jiang et al. 2020, Wei et al. 2022). Metal oxides
enhance the efficiency of g-C3N4, such as boosting light absorption and lowering the electron and
hole’s recombination by encouraging charge carrier separation. This is primarily because of their
appropriate band structure (Li et al. 2016, Fu et al. 2018). The g-C3N4 structure has been extensively

1
Center of Excellence for Energy and Environmental Studies, Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and
Technology, Murthal-131039 (Haryana), India.
2
Department of Physics under School of Engineering and Technology, Central University of Haryana, Mahendergarh-123031
(Haryana), India.
* Corresponding author: [email protected]
 Modification Strategies of g-C3N4 for Potential Applications in Photocatalysis 293

employed in several applications, particularly those connected to energy. The energy needed to make
electricity and heat will double by 2050, primarily because of industrialization, urbanization and
population growth (Dai et al. 2012) ). Oil, coal and other fossil fuels should be used less often since
they negatively influence the environment (Ong et al. 2016). Solar power and photocatalysis are two
solutions (Hasanvandian et al. 2022). Both need appropriate semiconductors, such as g-C3N4, that
have high activity for various catalytic processes, including water splitting, hydrogen production,
the degradation of organic pollutants and the conversion of CO2 (Zou et al. 2018, Arumugam
et al. 2022, Yang et al. 2022). Additionally, g-C3N4 can be utilized to clean wastewater and control
microorganisms (Zhang et al. 2019).
This chapter has focused on several broad details on the characterization and structure of bare
g-C3N4. Some possible adjustments, including doping to improve the characteristics of g-C3N4 are
also discussed. The studies on altering the structure and characteristics of g-C3N4 to increase its
effectiveness for various applications by mixing it with metals, metal oxides and nonmetals have
been described. In the final section of this chapter, the authors have made several recommendations
for prospective future studies in this area which, to our knowledge, have not yet been done.

17.2 Structure and Properties of g-C3N4

Carbon Nitride (CN) has been studied since 1834 when Berzelius made the first linear CN polymer,
which he called “melon” (Liebig 1834). Since then, the CN has been studied. In 1922, Franklin
discovered a specific form of graphitic carbon nitride by letting mercuric thiocyanate break down in
heat (Franklin 1922). In 1989, it was hypothesized that a substance known as -C3N4 could be created
if carbon replaced silica in the structure of Silicon Nitride (Si3N4). Liu and Cohen (1989), Teter
and Hemley (1996) predicted that there would be five different phases of CN: α-C3N4, β-C3N4,
c-C3N4, p-C3N4 and g-C3N4. Except for g-C3N4, all CNs are rigid materials based on their crystal
structures. So, g-C3N4 is much easier to change in shape and structure. As a result, the research of
g-C3N4 gained popularity, and other varieties of g-C3N4 were created.
In g-C3N4, both the N and C atoms are sp2 hybridized. They are linked together by bonds, which
make a hexagonal shape. This six-atom ring is the triazine ring (Figure 17.1). A small unit connects
the three triazine rings to a C-N bond. The N atom at the end of each triazine ring in g-C3N4 connects
it to the following ring. This makes a planar grid structure that can grow indefinitely. The C and N
atoms in g-C3N4 are both sp2 hybridized, allowing them to form strongly conjugated bonds with lone

Figure 17.1. Triazine and heptazine structures of g-C3N4.

Figure. 17.1. Triazine and heptazine structures of g-C3N4

294 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

Figure 17.2(a). Synthesis precursors for g-C3N4 preparation; (b) synthesis procedure using urea, thiourea, cyanamide and
melamine for g-C3N4.
Figure. 17.2. (a) Synthesis precursors for g-C3N4 preparation; (b) synthesis procedure using cyanamide, urea,
electron pairs on pz orbitals. This results in the formation of a highly delocalized conjugated system
thiourea, and melamine for g-C3N4.
(Hao et al. 2020, Li et al. 2019). The electron-hole recombination rate of bulk g-C3N4 is relatively
high because of the presence of low-coordinated N atoms in both the Conduction band (CB) and the
valence band (VB) that forms low delocalization bonds.
Most researchers are interested in how to modify g-C3N4 to improve its photocatalytic
performance (Mishra et al. 2019, Zhang et al. 2019), such as converting energy, breaking down
pollutants (Ren et al. 2019) and controlling microbes, etc. (Zhang et al. 2019).
Even though some studies offer suggestions for how to alter g-C3N4, a comprehensive analysis of
the fabrication of g-C3N4 with varied dimensionalities and their implications on diverse applications
connected to the environment and energy has not yet been done. This chapter provides an up-to-date
review of how to make g-C3N4 with different dimensions and how it can be used for energy and the
environment. Additionally, an overview of the research’s state and suggestions on how g-C3N4 will
develop in the future and what it could be used for has been provided.

17.3 g-C3N4 Preparation

The production of g-C3N4 has been done using a variety of synthetic methods (Figure 17.3). Here
the numerous ways by which g-C3N4 may be made synthetically, most notably Chemical Vapor
Deposition (CVD), electrochemical deposition, thermal decomposition, solid-state reactions and
solvothermal reactions are summarized (Figure 17.4).

17.3.1 Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD)

“A vacuum deposition technique called chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is used to create high-
quality, high-performance solid materials.” Ye et al. 2016 carried out chemical vapor deposition
(CVD) to develop a layer of graphitic carbon nitride on Indium-Tin-Oxide (ITO). In this procedure,
 Modification Strategies of g-C3N4 for Potential Applications in Photocatalysis 295

Figure 17.3. Modification methods for g-C3N4 and various doping strategies.

Figure. 17.3. Modification methods for g-C3N4 and various doping strategies.
the ITO substrate was placed above the thiourea and melamine mixture in a crucible before it was
moved to the muffle furnace. There are some benefits and drawbacks of CVD. CVD does not require
a high vacuum to manufacture high-purity composites and may deposit various materials.
In contrast, a high vacuum environment is needed for Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD), which
includes sputtering. The disadvantage of CVD is that several CVD precursors, such as Ni (CO)4,
B2H6 and SiCl4, are expensive, extremely poisonous, explosive or corrosive. This process can also
produce dangerous byproducts such as CO or HF. The substrates are restricted since they need to
withstand high temperatures.

17.3.2 Solid-state Reaction

“The solid-state reaction is generated by contact, reaction, nucleation and crystal growth between
solid interfaces at high temperature” (Baughman 1974, Wang et al. 2001). Reaction parameters
such as pressures and temperature of synthesis are varied to control the crystallinity, morphology
and properties of the g-C3N4. Lu et al. 2007 used high pressure to make g-C3N4 material whose
crystallinity could be changed. Under 40 MPa and 220°C, sodium azide and 1,3,5-trichlorotriazine
were mixed for this method. It is important to note that as the pressure in the vessel went up,
g-C3N4 became more crystalline. When Zn particles were added to the reactor, the shape changed
into nanowires, which was the most crucial change.

17.3.3 Electrochemical Deposition

“Electrochemical deposition is a method in which current moves through positive and negative ions
in an electrolyte solution under the influence of an external electric field.” This causes electrons
to be oxidized and reduced on the electrodes to form coatings. This method has received attention
because it can make products better in terms of their quality and properties. Fu et al. (1999), Li et al.
(2017), Shaikh et al. (2017) were the first to use the electrodeposition method to make g-C3N4 from
296 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

a solution of dicyandiamide. With this method, the properties of g-C3N4 can be changed by using
different precursors in different solvents. Li et al. (2004) were able to show that highly crystalline
g-C3N4 thin films could be made at room temperature using cyanuric chloride and an acetonitrile
melamine solution. This was done by a simple electrochemical deposition. The shape and size of
g-C3N4 particles were controlled by a combination of the templating method and electrochemical
deposition. Bai et al. (2010) reported hollow g-C3N4 microspheres were produced using different-
sized silica nanospheres. The spheres have an average diameter of about 1 m and are made up of
nanoparticles that range in size from 5 to 30 nm.

17.3.4 The Solvothermal Process

Solvothermal is a way to make something new by reacting the original mixture with organic or
non-aqueous solvents at a certain temperature and pressure in a closed system (like an autoclave).
This method makes materials that have good crystallinity, a shape that can be controlled and
good dispersity. Chen et al. (2018) and Montigaud et al. (2000) reported that cyanuric chloride
and melamine in triethylamine under 130 MPa and 250°C could be used to make g-C3N4.
Guo et al. (2003) made g-C3N4 nanocrystallites by reacting sodium amide and cyanuric chloride with
benzene. Interestingly, g-C3N4 nanotubes were produced when sodium azide substituted sodium
amide. This is likely because sodium azide might change how crystals grow and line up. Bai et al.
(2003) made g-C3N4 by heating ammonium chloride and carbon tetrachloride at 400°C. g-C3N4 can
also be made by a solvothermal reaction using carbon tetrachloride, melamine or dicyandiamide at
4.5 MPa and 290°C (Li et al. 2007).

17.3.5 Thermal Decomposition

Thermal decomposition is a common way to make a lot of g-C3N4 because it uses many resources,
is easy to carry out and does not cost much. Overall, different ways to make g-C3N4 have
different benefits, so researchers should consider their goals when choosing an excellent way to
make g-C3N4. The thermal decomposition of nitrogen-rich precursors like urea, dicyandiamide,
cyanamide, etc., can also be used to produce g-C3N4 (Lan et al. 2016, Shan et al. 2016).
Overall, g-C3N4 can be created by solvothermal reaction, solid-state reaction, electrochemical
deposition and thermal decomposition. The solid-state reaction is not used very often because it needs
high temperatures and pressures, is expensive and harmful to the environment. Electrochemical
deposition can be used to make g-C3N4 film or spheres at room temperature. These materials could
be used to make sensors and photo electrocatalysts, even though this method might not work for
mass production. g-C3N4 with a unique shape can also be made using the solvothermal reaction,
but the process is more complicated and needs high pressure. The most common way to make
g-C3N4 is through thermal decomposition, which is easy and does not cost much. However, more
heat is needed for the process to work, and a lot of ammonia will be produced. The g-C3N4 made
by the thermal decomposition process usually has a bulky structure that restricts its use. Overall,
different ways to make g-C3N4 have multiple benefits, so researchers must consider their goals
when choosing the best way to do it.

17.4 Modifications to Improve Efficiency

To improve the photocatalytic and other applications of g-C3N4, several morphologies with enhanced
properties have been created by heterojunction building and doping with metals, metal oxides and
nonmetals. The modification strategy of g-C3N4, including the creation of composites are covered
here.
 Modification Strategies of g-C3N4 for Potential Applications in Photocatalysis 297

Figure 17.4. Synthetic approaches of g-C3N4 including (a) solid-state reaction, (b) electrochemical deposition,
Figure. 17.4. Synthetic approaches of g-C3N4 including (a) solid-state reaction, (b) electrochemical
(c) solvothermal reaction and (d) thermal decomposition.
deposition, (c) solvothermal reaction and (d) thermal decomposition.

17.4.1 g-C3N4 Modifications by Constructing Heterojunctions

By promoting the charge carrier’s separation and lowering e–-h+ hole recombination, various metal
oxides, including tin oxide, zinc oxide, iron oxide, etc., can increase the photocatalytic activity
of g-C3N4. As a result, modified g-C3N4 nanocomposites have improved electric, magnetic and
photocatalytic properties and apply to a wide range of applications such as CO2 reduction H2
generation, degradation of organic and inorganic dyes, NO oxidation and sensing, etc. (Chen et al.
2020, Rabani et al. 2021).
A few g-C3N4 heterojunction topologies based on metal oxides to g-C3N4 are compared here.
For g-C3N4-metal oxide photocatalysts, charge carrier separation can take five different forms:
i. Type I heterojunction
ii. Type II heterojunction
iii. Z-scheme heterojunction
iv. p-n heterojunction
v. Schottky junction
Most of g-C3N4 metal oxide photocatalysts exhibit type II and Z-scheme charge carrier separation
processes. Here these two types of heterojunctions will be discussed. “In type II heterojunctions,
two semiconductors are bonded together to produce stable heterojunctions.” The semiconductor
A’s valence band (VB) is positioned higher than semiconductor B’s. The photoinduced hole, in this
instance, traveled from the VB of semiconductor B to semiconductor A because of the disparity
in voltages (Figure 17.5a). On the opposite side, electrons are moved from semiconductor B’s
conduction band (CB) to semiconductor A’s. The improved separation of the electrons and holes
298 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

Figure 1 7 . 5. (a) Type II heterojunction, (b). Z-scheme heterojunction.

Figure. 1 7 . 5. (a) type II heterojunction, (b) Z-scheme heterojunction
will lengthen the lifespan of the electrons and slow down recombination. Building type II systems
for photocatalysis in various applications is highly desirable.
The direct Z-scheme heterojunction was first proposed by (Bard and Fox 1995). The produced
electrons on the CB of semiconductor B move to the VB of semiconductor A, as illustrated in
Figure 17.5b, where they mix with the photogenerated holes. By increasing the separation of
electrons and holes, these photocatalysts can reduce recombination while enhancing redox
capability. Different electron and hole migration patterns are caused by the electric field’s driving
force, which is created by the band edge positions of various semiconductors. Charge carriers begin
to move in the electrical field direction to decrease the system’s energy. As a result, various systems
are identified based on electron and hole migration in the heterojunction. The flow of electrons and
holes is primarily responsible for the differences between each type of heterojunction.

17.4.2 g-C3N4 Modifications by Doping

17.4.2.1 Metal-based Doping
The use of g-C3N4 in wastewater remediation and water filtration has just evolved to a nascent
level. The application of noble metals (i.e., Pd, Ru, Ag, Au, Pt, Ir and Os) as dopants is a costly process
that has limited their use on a broad scale due to their rarity and corrosive character. Therefore,
it is crucial to design a metal-doped g-C3N4 based photocatalyst to produce real earth-abundant
photocatalytic systems for water and wastewater treatment. By reducing the band gap, improving
visible light absorption and increasing surface area, the addition of metals as dopants boosts the
photocatalytic capabilities of g-C3N4.
The most used synthesis method is thermal condensation, which involves mixing the
appropriate soluble metal salt with the g-C3N4 precursor in distilled water while ensuring a constant
heat source to achieve the goal of a modulated band gap (Jiang et al. 2017, Zhu et al. 2015). The
modification of g-C3N4 has also been done using this method. By employing ferric chloride as
the Fe-precursor (Tonda et al. 2014), synthesized Fe-Doped g-C3N4 nanosheets. To create a more
effective and recyclable photocatalyst for wastewater disinfection, several research groups have
synthesized metal-doped g-C3N4.
For extended visible-light photocatalysis, metallic impurities like Na+ and K+ were inserted
into the N sites of the g-C3N4, taking advantage of the improved electronic structures, adjustable
 Modification Strategies of g-C3N4 for Potential Applications in Photocatalysis 299

band gaps and improved surface area for efficient charge transfer. The adsorption efficiency of Na­
doped g-C3N4 produced from cyanamide and NaCl as precursors were reported by (Fronczak et al.
2017). Textural characteristics of Na-doped g-C3N4 were studied using N2-adsorption/desorption
isotherms. The findings showed that Na concentration was increased. The photocatalytic activity
and visible light absorption of g-C3N4 were significantly enhanced by deprotonation with Na+.
Similarly (Hu et al. 2014), created potassium (K) doped g-C3N4 with a band gap optimized
for removing RhB dye under visible light irradiation using dicyandiamide (DCDA) monomer and
potassium hydrate as precursors. Due to its enhanced electronic structure and redox potentials for
adequate consumption of photogenerated electrons, it was inferred from several investigations that
Na-doped g-C3N4 demonstrated higher photocatalytic capacity. Strong interactions between metal
dopants and lone pair electrons on g-C3N4 nitrogen pots make it easy for metal cations to get into
the framework. Alkali metal addition showed stable chemical activity despite being very reactive,
which justifies the conclusion that it will increase the photodegradation of organic contaminants.

17.4.2.2 Transition Metal Ion Doping

In addition to alkali-metal doping, other metals, including Fe, W, Zr, Pd, Cu and so on, have also
been widely used to change the optical and electrical properties of g-C3N4 (Sudrajat 2018, Gonçalves
et al. 2018). For significant photocatalytic activity, metal doping can effectively minimize the
band gap, boost light absorption, speed up charge movement and extend the lifetime of charge
carriers (Shandilya et al. 2019, Zhang et al. 2015). The strong interactions between the negatively
charged nitrogen atoms and the cations are attributed to lone pairs. Using conventional precursors
and a basic pyrolysis procedure, molybdenum-doped g-C3N4 catalysts were synthesized by (Zhang
et al. 2015). They discovered that adding Mo species can significantly lower the rate at which
photogenerated charges recombine, expand the response to visible light, increase surface area,
produce mesoporous structure and provide narrow band gap energy. As a result, the CO2 reduction
activity of g-C3N4 catalysts doped with Mo was considerably higher for electrons in the nitrogen
pots of g-C3N4, causing the compound to capture the ions readily. The g-C3N4 was functionalized
with better carrier mobility, improved electron-hole separation and a reduced band gap using
noble metals like Pt and Pd (Hu et al. 2014). Noble metals like Pt and Pd doping can enhance the
g-photocatalytic C3N4’s activity, but its expensive price makes it impractical for everyday use.

17.4.2.3 Rare Earth Metal Doping

By thermally condensing urea and cerium sulfate precursors, the rare earth metal Cerium (Ce) was
integrated into pure g-C3N4, which led to 90% Rhodamine B (RhB) degradation (Jin et al. 2015).
The interstitial occupancy of Ce+3 coupled to a lone pair of N atoms was revealed by XPS spectrum
analysis. Ce+3’s ionic radius, which is substantially bigger than that of N and C, was also discovered
to be 0.103 nm. As a result, the Ce dopant is encouraged to have a higher electron density and
interstitial attachment. Xu et al. (2013) doped Europium (Eu) in g-C3N4 and thoroughly examined
the photocatalytic mechanism and influence of impurity concentration. The optimized composite
showed a high rate of degradation of MB dye (81.57%) compared to bulk g-C3N4’s efficiency of
just 53%.
To create a heterogeneous photocatalyst, Ruthenium (Ru) was used in complex formation
with g-C3N4. The Ru-doped g-C3N4 increased apparent quantum yield to 5.7% and the efficiency
of CO2 reduction to formic acid (Kuriki et al. 2015). Recently, synthetic Samarium (Sm+3) doped
g-C3N4 has been used to remove Methylene Blue (MB), Rhodamine B (RhB) and eosin yellow
dyes with remarkable success. It was discovered that Sm+3’s empty 4f orbital effectively captured
photogenerated e–, which decreased the recombination rate and enhanced photocatalytic activity
(Thomas et al. 2018).
By integrating NH4F into the g-C3N4 framework, fluorine-doped g-C3N4 was synthesized (Das
et al. 2018). Due to nitrogen’s and fluorine’s electronegativity, the doped fluorine will attach to
carbon rather than nitrogen, partially converting C-sp2 to C-sp3. Due to this, fluorine doping caused
300 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

the C–F bonding, which reduced the band gap of g–C3N4 from 2.69 eV to 2.63 eV. Additionally, DFT
studies showed that adding F to the carbon in the bay pushes the VB and CB to higher energy values.
F-doped g-C3N4 displayed around 2.7 folds more activity than untreated g-C3N4 in photocatalytic
hydrogen evolution.

17.4.2.4 Metal Oxide Doping

One of the most promising semiconductors photocatalysts under investigation is TiO2, which also
has high stability, a cost-effective synthesis method and an appropriate conduction band location. In
1972, the pioneers (Fujishima and Honda 1972) investigated the photocatalytic efficiency of TiO2.
The researchers wanted to minimize the material’s bandgap by doping it with other elements and
composing it with other substances to absorb visible light energy to increase TiO2’s photocatalytic
efficiency. The g-C3N4 -TiO2 heterojunction may be generated using various synthetic techniques,
including solvothermal treatment, hydrothermal treatment, co-calcination and microwave
assistance (Acharya and Parida 2020). The hydrothermal and calcination methods are often used
to fabricate g-C3N4 - TiO2 heterojunction (Li et al. 2015). Kočí et al. (2017) successfully used
a hydrothermal method, followed by a calcination approach, to deposit TiO2 on the surface of
g-C3N4 (Rathi et al. 2018). The CuNi@g-C3N4 - TiO2 nanocatalyst exhibited a three and five times
greater photocatalytic activity RhB degradation than bare g-C3N4 and TiO2 nanorods. The produced
heterojunction exhibits greater photocatalytic effectiveness than g-C3N4 and TiO2 alone, according
to research by (Alcudia-Ramos et al. 2020).
ZnO nanostructures have attracted researchers due to their inexpensive fabrication cost, low
toxicity, good stability, high aspect ratio and appropriate bandgap energy. The g-C3N4-ZnO structure
has been created using various techniques, including hydrothermal, solvothermal, atomic layer
deposition and more (Mohammadi et al. 2020, Tan et al. 2019). It has been demonstrated that adding
ZnO to g-C3N4 may improve photocatalytic activity, including charge transfer and separation and
reduce the recombination of the photogenerated carriers (Paul et al. 2020, Ramachandra et al. 2020).
To improve the activity of the bulk g-C3N4, other types of metal oxides, including V2O5, NiO,
MoO3, Cu2O, Co3O4, CeO2, Bi2O3, Al2O3, etc., are also utilized (Jin et al. 2020, Shi et al. 2019,
Sumathi et al. 2019). By combining with other metals or doping with different substances, the
g-C3N4-based heterojunctions can be altered (Chaudhary and Ingole 2020). Cu is a standard
metal that is used to enhance photocatalytic activity. Other metal photocatalysts for enhanced
photocatalytic activity include Bi, Pd, Pt, Ni and Cd (Karimi et al. 2020, Zhao et al. 2021). In addition
to the composites based on metal oxide g-C3N4, some semiconductors are also used. Excellent
stability, economic synthesis, improved photogenerated electron reservoirs, photocatalysis and
electrocatalysis are all possible with carbon-based nanomaterials (Fan et al. 2019).

17.4.2.5 Nonmetal Oxide-Based g-C3N4 Nanocomposite

Regarding widespread practical applications, there are considerable obstacles due to the dearth of
metal-based photocatalysts in nature and their high price. In addition, these metal-doped semiconductor
photocatalysts self-degrade due to thermal instability. As a result, research into nonmetal-modified
g-C3N4 has grown. Nonmetals can acquire electrons and establish powerful covalent bonds in
the parent lattice structure due to their inherent characteristics, such as high electronegativity and
ionization energies. To increase g-C3N4’s photodegradation activity, phosphorus, sulfur, oxygen,
carbon, boron nitrogen and halogens have been used as nonmetal dopants.
Zhou et al. (2015) synthesized P-doped g-C3N4 via an economic copolymerization process.
P-doped g-C3N4 shows a rapid 100% RhB dye degradation activity. In a different work, CeO2 was
added via calcination after being heated with melamine and diammonium hydrogen phosphate to
couple it to P-doped g-C3N4. At an optimal concentration of 13.8% CeO2, the synthesized CeO2-P
doped g-C3N4 reduced the band gap of pure g-C3N4 from 2.71 eV to 2.32 eV. This behavior is
attributed to synergistic interactions between CeO2 and P-doped g-C3N4 and was further evaluated
to be 7.4 and 4.9 fold better than CeO2 and g-C3N4, respectively (Luo et al. 2015).
 Modification Strategies of g-C3N4 for Potential Applications in Photocatalysis 301

For the fabrication of S doped g-C3N4 photocatalyst (Wang et al. 2015), used melamine and
thiourea precursors calcined at 520°C. The findings of photocatalytic reduction of CO2 showed that
the CH3OH yield with pure g-C3N4 was 0.81 mol g–1, whereas it was 1.12 mol g–1 for g-C3N4 doped
with S. Using melamine and thiourea as common precursors (Liang et al. 2016), created a series of
S doped g-C3N4 grafted with zinc phthalocyanines (ZnTNPc). S-doped g-C3N4 and ZnTNPc showed
a synergistic relationship for the photocatalytic elimination of Methylene blue dye, which was
4.5-fold more than that of zinc phthalocyanines (ZnTNPc). According to Mott-Schottky Relationship,
adding S atoms narrows the band gap and lowers the Conduction Band (CB) from 1.04V to 0.83V,
which facilitates the photocatalytic activity of MB.
By condensing oxalic acid and urea at a high temperature of 550°C (Qiu et al. 2017), created
porous O-doped g-C3N4. The band gap was reduced from 2.91 eV to 2.07 eV due to the inclusion of
the O atom into the g-C3N4 lattice. To enable the oxidation of benzene to phenol and other non-toxic
chemicals under the influence of visible light, a fluorinated g-C3N4 heterogeneous photocatalyst was
produced. The preparation was initiated by adding NH4F by thermal precursor in a consistent, easy
one-pot facile thermal polymerization technique to design and create B-doped g-C3N4 nanosheets.

17.5 Application of Metal Oxide-Based g-C3N4 Nanocomposites

17.5.1 Photocatalysts
17.5.1.1 H2 Generation via Water Splitting
More and more individuals are calling for the use of reliable, cost-effective and renewable
energy sources instead of finite fossil fuel supplies. This substitution is a successful treatment for
greenhouse gas emissions and global warming. The energy content of hydrogen is higher than that
of hydrocarbon fuels, ranging from 120 to 142 MJ kg–1. Thus, it is predicted that by 2080, hydrogen
will produce 90% of all energy. As a result, several researchers (Paul et al. 2020, Shi et al. 2021)
considered H2 creation a unique and ecologically favorable study issue. The photocatalytic water
splitting approach employing metal oxide-g-C3N4 heterojunctions and abundant light sources is
one of the most current methods for producing hydrogen (Ji et al. 2018). The photocatalysts’ band
positions should be changed to make the CB position more favorable than the H2O oxidation potential
for O2 production and more harmful than the H2O reduction potential for H2 production. Several
heterojunctions are more anodic than H2O reduction potential to demonstrate good activity under
visible light, when considering the band edges position of some metal oxide g-C3N4 composites
identified earlier. TiO2-g-C3N4 heterojunctions are a prime example of how well they work as a
photocatalytic for H2 evolution. According to (Marchal et al. 2018) analysis of Au/(TiO2-g-C3N4),
optimum component ratios and contact quality improved visible light absorption with the appropriate
band locations for photogenerated charge carriers. Table 17.1 lists other studies on applying metal
oxide composites based on g-C3N4 for water splitting.

17.5.1.2 Reduction of CO2

One of the leading environmental issues brought on by fossil fuels is CO2 emission, that raises
the surface temperature of the globe. For two reasons, photocatalytic CO2 reduction offers a green
solution to this issue. The production of energy fuels like CH4, CH3OH and other fuels helps to meet
future energy demands and reduce CO2 emissions. Different metal oxide g-C3N4-based systems
convert CO2 via photocatalysis significantly as they have advantageous band edge locations. As
g-C3N4-based composites for CO2 conversion, ZnO and TiO2 are frequently employed (Mulik et al.
2021). TiO2 and g-C3N4 were combined to create a photocatalyst by (Wang et al. 2020) utilizing ball
milling and calcination. High CH4 and CO evolution yields of 72.2 and 56.2 mol g–1 are achieved due
to the heterostructure between TiO2 and C3N4's low charge recombination rate and high separation.
As shown in Table 17.2, other scientists have also studied the CO2 reduction of photocatalysts based
on g-C3N4-metal oxide.
302 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

Table 17.1. Earlier reported works on g-C3N4-based photocatalytic water splitting.

Photocatalyst Light Source Photocatalysis Rate References

TiO2-g-C3N4 Xenon lamp (320nm) 76.25 µmol·h −1
Qu et al. 2016
TiO2 nanodots/g-C3N4 Xenon lamp (300W) H2 evolution rate=1318.3 µmol g−1 Jiang et al. 2022
O2 evolution rate=638.7 µmol g−1
N-doped ZnO-g-C3N4 PLS-SXE-300C UV lamp 152.7 µmol·h−1 Liu et al. 2019
S-Cu2O/g-C3N4 Xenon lamp (300W) 24.83 µmol·h−1 Gu et al. 2021
BiO2/g-C3N4 Xenon lamp (500nm) 8,542 µmol·g −1
Alhaddad et al. 2020
Mn3O4/g-C3N4 Xenon lamp (300W) 2700 mmol g–1 h–1 Li et al. 2021
g-C3N4/Nitrogen-Doped Xenon lamp (300W) 3.27 mmol g h–1 –1
Song et al. 2021
Carbon Dots/WO3
MoO3-x-g-C3N4 Xenon lamp (300W) 22.8 mmol h−1 Guo et al. 2020
TiO2/Ti3C2/g-C3N4 Xenon lamp (300W) 2592 mmol·g −1
Hieu et al. 2021
ZnO/Au/g-C3N4 Xenon lamp (150W) 3.69 µmol h−1 cm−2 Wen et al. 2020

Table 17.2. A list of CO2 reduction applications of the metal oxide-based g-C3N4 photocatalysts.

Photocatalyst Light Source Photocatalysis Rate References

NiO-g-C3N4 Xenon lamp (300 W) 4.17 Tang et al. 2018
g-C3N4 foam-Cu2O 350 W Lamp 8.182 Sun et al. 2019
ZnO/Au/g-C3N4 UV-Vi’s lamp (300W) 689.7 µmol/m2 (CO evolution) Li et al. 2021
TiO2/g-C3N4 UV-Vi’s lamp (8W) CH4 and CO yields of 72.2 and Wang et al. 2020
56.2 µmol g–1
ZnO/g-C3N4 Xenon lamp (300 W) The CH3OH production rate was Nie et al. 2018
1.32 µmol h–1 g–1
g-C3N4/3D ordered visible light 48.7 µmol h–1 g–1 Tang et al. 2022
microporous (3DOM)-WO3
NiTO3/g-C3N4 Xenon lamp CH3OH production is Guo et al. 2021
(300 W) 13.74 molg–1 h–1

17.5.1.3 Photodegradation of Organic Pollutants

Several environmental issues are brought on by the growth of an increasing number of dye-related
businesses, including textile, food and furniture manufacturers. Additionally, having an unfavorable
visual effect on water sources, organic dyes also cause wastewater to have a higher COD. Diverse
techniques such as adsorption, membrane separation and coagulation have been explored to remove
organic pollutants from effluents, but these only move organic dyes from the liquid phase of
wastewater to the solid phase. This creates secondary pollution in the environment. Most metal
oxides may degrade and transform organic colors into particles during photocatalysis, which uses
solar energy to start the reaction. The most stable dyes in water at room temperature are Rhodamine
B (RhB), Methylene Orange (MO) and Methylene Blue (MB) (Si et al. 2020). Since MB and RhB
are toxic dyes, the health of people and aquatic animals may be negatively impacted by their high
concentration. Wastewater treatment is a pressing issue because of the high resistivity of the RhB
and MB under various environmental conditions.
Therefore, providing a reliable and affordable technique to remove MB and RhB from sewage is
imperative. According to reports, the optimal composition for g-C3N4-ZnO nanocomposites is 30%
weight, which results in the maximum MB degradation efficiency (Liu et al. 2018). The more g-C3N4,
the more likely it is that electrons and holes will recombine, decreasing the photocatalytic activity.
Additionally, it should be noted that this composite’s RhB degrading efficiency is approximately
2.1 times greater than that of pure ZnO (Chen et al. 2018). g-C3N4-TiO2 heterojunction, in addition
 Modification Strategies of g-C3N4 for Potential Applications in Photocatalysis 303

Table 17.3. List of the studies carried out on organic pollutant degradation by g-C3N4-based heterojunctions.

Photocatalyst Light Organic Degradation Time (hr) References

Source Pollutant Efficiency %
CeO2/g-C3N4 Xe lamp Rose Bengal 79.2 1.5 Shoran et al. 2022
(400 W) Crystal violet 76.7
TiO2@g-C3N4 Xe lamp RhB 95.68 -- Hao et al. 2017
(100 W)
MoS2-g-C3N4@TiO2 Xe lamp Methylene Blue 97.55 1 Karpuraranjith et al. 2022
(350 W)
ZnO-g-C3N4 Xe lamp Methylene Blue 75 3 Ngullie et al. 2020
(500 W)
ZnO-g-C3N4 Xe lamp cephalexin 98.9 1 Li et al. 2018
(300 W) oxidation
WO3-g-C3N4 Xe lamp tetracycline 90.54 1 Pan et al. 2020
(300 W)
Ag-WO3/g-C3N4 Xe lamp oxytetracycline 97.74 1 Ouyang et al. 2022
(500 W) hydrochloride
Fe3O4/CeO2/g-C3N4 Xe lamp tetracycline 96.63 3 Wang et al. 2022
(300 W) hydrochloride
Co3O4-g-C3N4 Xe lamp Methyl Orange 100 3 Han et al. 2014
(250 W)
MoO3-g-C3N4 Xe lamp Rhodamine B 93 3 Adhikari and Kim 2020
(150 W)
g-C3N4 -NiO LED-light Methyl 96.8 2 Chen et al. 2019
(30 W) Orange (MO)
WO3/g-C3N4 Xe lamp sulfamethoxazole 91.7 4 Zhu et al. 2017
(300 W)
g-C3N4 /Bi2O3/TiO2 Xe lamp Methylene 77.5 3 Zhang et al. 2015
Blue (MB)

to g-C3N4-ZnO heterojunction, has a strong capacity in the degradation of RhB (Li et al. 2019,
Xia et al. 2019). Table 17.3 lists many ongoing research projects on the photodegradation applications
of g-C3N4-based heterojunctions.

17.5.2 Sensors
A g-C3N4 nanosheet is an excellent option for a modified electrode for sensors that can detect
analytes like dopamine, hydrogen peroxide, glucose, etc. These advantages include outstanding
fluorescence quenching abilities, quick response to external stimulations, high sensitivity to
analytes, high level of stability light and electricity conversion properties and biocompatibility
(Zou et al. 2018, Wang et al. 2019). As gas sensors, metal oxide semiconductor/g-C3N4 composites
are frequently utilized (Rahman et al. 2021). Consequently, the metal oxide-loaded g-C3N4 has also
disclosed new sensors to identify various materials. g-C3N4-TiO2-based structures are one of the
most popular composites for sensing and other applications. Due to this, the composite exhibited
exceptional stability, repeatability and excellent selectivity, another heterojunction utilized in UV-
assisted gas sensors is ZnO-g-C3N4. It is demonstrated that ZnO-g-C3N4 has significantly greater
ethanol (C2H5OH) detecting capacity than bare ZnO and g-C3N4. The best sensing performance
was demonstrated by the ZnO containing 8% g-C3N4, which is attributed to the efficient separation
of electrons and holes between g-C3N4 and ZnO and the catalytic impact of UV light at room
temperature (Zhai et al. 2018). The applications of g-C3N4-metal oxide heterojunctions as a sensor
material are listed in Table 17.4.
304 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

Table 17.4. The list of sensing-related applications for g-C3N4-metal oxide heterojunction.

Photocatalyst Application Limit of detection (LOD) References

MoO3-g-C3N4 Detection of Furazolidone 1.4 nM Balasubramanian et al. 2019
Co3O4-g-C3N4 Detection of environmental 10−9 mol L–1 Sun et al. 2018
phenolic hormones
g-C3N4-NiO Detection of quercetin 0.002 µM Selvarajan et al. 2018
NiO-Co3O4-g-C3N4 Detection of tetra ~ 0.1 mmol L–1 Liu et al. 2017
bromobisphenol-A
g-C3N4-Mn3O4 H2S sensor 0.13 µg mL–1 Huan et al. 2010
WO3/g-C3N4 Detection of phosmet 3.6 nM Bilal and Hassan 2021
CuO-g-C3N4 Aflatoxin B1 sensing 6.8 pg mL–1 Mao et al. 2021

17.5.3 Anti-Bacterial Study

Under variations in ultraviolet or visible light irradiation, the g-C3N4 can eradicate a number of sizes,
forms and architectures of bacteria, viruses, microorganisms and microalgae. Effective composites
to control microbes and water disinfection rely on fabricating g-C3N4 with various metal oxides.
Bio-hazards causing human health problems are frequently present in wastewater and polluted
water and contain different viruses, fungi, bacteria, etc. The groundbreaking research by (Matsunaga
et al. 1985) demonstrated that TiO2 could aid in the UV-light-induced inactivation of bacteria
like Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Lactobacillus acidophilus. Additionally,
g-C3N4/Cr-ZnO nanocomposites with superior antibacterial activity against Gram-positive
(Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis) and the 60% g-C3N4/5%Cr-ZnO nanocomposite exhibited
the most potent antibacterial activity in this study. Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus
showed excellent sterilizing performance for Fe-SnO2/g-C3N4 under sunlight, near-ultraviolet light
and daylight bulbs (Chen et al. 2020). Under daytime lighting, this structure’s sterilizing efficacy
is largely justified. Graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets coated with magnetic silver-iron oxide
nanoparticles showed antibacterial activity against E. coli germs (Pant et al. 2017). Additional
research on the disinfectant properties of g-C3N4 metal oxide-based nanoparticles is described in
Table 17.5.
Table 17.5. Studies on antibacterial properties of g-C3N4 metal oxide-based nanomaterials.

Photocatalyst Light Source Bacteria Inhibition Amount References

CeO2/g-C3N4 Xe lamp E. coli E. coli = 19.9 mm Shoran et al. 2022
S. aureus S. aureus = 18.9 mm
B. cerrous B. cerrous = 16.04 mm
S. abony S. abony = 18.05 mm
g-C3N4 /TiO2/Ag Xe lamp E. coli 84% Sun et al. 2018
g-C3N4-m-Bi2O4 halogen lamp E. coli E. coli = ~11 ± 0.5 mm Shanmugam et al.
(500 W) S. aureus S. aureus = 12–13 ± 0.5 mm 2020

Cu2O-g-C3N4 fluorescent lamp P. aeruginosa, P. aeruginosa = 6 ± 0.09 mm Meenakshisundaram

(36 W) B. subtilis, B. subtilis = 22 ± 1.67 mm et al. 2019
S. aureus, S. aureus = 11 ± 1.22 mm
E. coli E. coli = 22 ± 1.67 mm
TiO2/g-C3N4 -­ E. coli 16% Xu et al. 2016
α-Fe2O3/ Xe light S. aureus, S. aureus = 11 ± 0.5 mm Vignesh et al. 2019
CeO2 decorated g-C3N4 (500W) E. coli E. coli = 12 mm
Ag/AgO-g-C3N4 Tungsten lamp E. coli 99% Meenakshisundaram
(100 W) et al. 2019
 Modification Strategies of g-C3N4 for Potential Applications in Photocatalysis 305

17.5.4 Other Applications

These composites have a wide range of different uses because of the distinct characteristics of
g-C3N4 based heterojunctions (Vignesh et al. 2019). Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Batteries (LIBs)
have drawn a great deal of academic interest due to the rising energy demand for electronic gadgets
and automobiles (Li et al. 2015). Anode materials, which comprise a sizeable portion of LIBs,
should have higher stability and increased specific capacity. The hydrothermal approach was used
by (Tran et al. 2019) to develop SnO2 on the graphite oxide/g-C3N4. SnO2 is a novel lipophilic
material with a high specific capacity, low Li+ insertion potential, greater number of sources
and other characteristics. This composite demonstrated high cycling and reversible capacity for
lithium storage, possibly due to the presence of graphite oxide-g-C3N4 or g-C3N4. SnO2@g­
C3N4 based nanocomposites can replace next-generation high-power and low-cost LIBs. Another
use for g-C3N4 based materials is in producing NH3 by photocatalytic nitrogen fixation, which is
an environmentally friendly and long-lasting process. However, g-effectiveness C3N4’s for nitrogen
fixation activities has been constrained by low stability, negligible surface-active sites and a high
carrier recombination rate. The carrier separation should be improved by doping with additional
elements or composing with other metal oxides. For the reduction processes, nitrogen gas should
finally totally adsorb on the photocatalyst. According to (Kong et al. 2020), the cyano group in
g-C3N4 modified by the cyano group increases the photocatalytic activities for N2 fixation by up to
128 times. As explained earlier, sulfur and iodine can enhance the carriers’ activities in the bulk of
g-C3N4. The fact that g-C3N4 -metal oxide-based heterojunction may be widely employed to detect
various heavy metals, gases, biological materials and organic and inorganic compounds (Ahmad
et al. 2020). Supercapacitors and desulfurization are two further applications for g-C3N4-metal
oxide-based composites that could be utilized extensively (Ma et al. 2019).

17.6 Conclusion
g-C3N4 is a metal-free semiconductor with an adjustable band gap, excellent chemical and thermal
stability and appealing electrical characteristics. Graphitic carbon nitride absorbs UV light and has
a band gap of 2.7 eV. Modifying g-C3N4 via doping and blending with other materials to produce
composites can result in improved optoelectronic characteristics, and the composites can exhibit
synergistic properties. Many studies used doping elements to increase the effectiveness of bare
g-C3N4 light harvesting, while mixing g-C3N4 with other materials, such as metals, metal oxides and
nonmetals is another strategy to deal with this issue. The examination of g-C3N4 heterojunctions with
designed bandgaps and optimized surfaces to improve the absorption spectrum towards the visible-
light region, reduced charge carrier recombination, and increased surface adsorption and reaction
are among the critical areas of g-C3N4 based material research. The highlighted applications of
modified g-C3N4 included water splitting, bacterial disinfection, energy storage, photodegradation
of organic pollutants, CO2 reduction, sensing, etc. Even though most recent research has shown that
g-C3N4-based photocatalysts work very well, their full potential has not yet been fully realized. The
main problems are in finding a green way to make a photocatalyst with a high surface area and good
photostability, testing how well a g-C3N4 based photocatalyst works with real industrial wastewater
and improving reactor design to get the best photocatalytic activity.

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Index

A F

adsorption column design 46 fungal bioremediation 228

algal bioremediation 230, 231 Fungal consortium 88

B G

bacterial bioremediation 228 Genetically modified bacteria 180

Bio adsorption 40 Graphitic carbon nitride 292–294, 304, 305
bioaccumulation 56–58, 61–64
Biochar 88, 101, 102 H
Biodegradation 115, 116, 119
Heavy Metal Pollution 288
Biofilms 176, 177
Heavy metals 56–62, 64, 223–233, 238–243, 246–248,
Biofuel 207, 208, 216, 217
250, 253, 262, 263, 271, 273
Biohybrids 262–274
biomass 56, 58–64 I
biomass productivity 212
Biomaterials 217, 218 industrial effluents treatment 40
Biomineralization 194, 195, 199, 225, 227, 229, 234
Bioprecipitation 19, 23, 25–33, 35 L
Biorefinery 207, 216–218
Lead 187–195, 198, 199
Bioremediation 1–13, 109, 110, 112–115, 117, 119, 125,
Lignocellulosic wastewater 242, 253
129, 131, 137, 145, 146, 150–152, 156–159, 167, 171,
low-cost 3, 41, 52, 101, 111, 207, 210, 216, 218, 262, 281,
173, 175–180, 187, 188, 193, 194, 199, 200, 207, 209,
282, 286, 292, 305
210, 212, 214–218, 223, 225, 227–231, 233, 234
Biosensing 262, 264, 269–271, 273, 274 M
Biosorption 56–64, 173–175, 178, 209–218, 225–231, 233
Biosurfactant 88, 101, 102 metal ions removal 44
Biotransformation 173, 176 Metal pollution 208
BTX 126, 129, 130 Metal(loid)s 20, 23–26, 145, 149–151, 153, 156, 157
Microalgae 207, 209–212, 216–218
C Microbially Induced Calcium Precipitate (MICP) 28, 29,
31
circular economy 40, 53
Microorganisms 110, 112, 113, 115, 116, 146, 149,
Contamination 69, 78, 79, 145–148, 151–153, 156, 158
151–153, 156–159
Mineralization 2, 79, 87, 91, 92, 96, 98–100, 130, 188, 189
D
Mycoremediation 88, 102
Detoxification 187, 191–193, 195, 199
N
E
Nanomaterial 279–281, 283–286, 288, 300, 304
eco-friendly 29, 40, 75, 101, 111, 116, 133, 151, 152, 158, Nanotechnology 280, 281, 283, 288
159, 209, 230, 233, 240, 292 Naphthalene 126, 132, 133
effluent treatment 41, 52, 151
Environment 1–4, 6, 7, 9–13, 262–264, 270, 272, 273 O
Environmental sustainability 279
Organic pollutants 239, 240, 242, 243, 246, 248, 253
Enzymatic metabolism 102
Organophosphates 126, 129, 130
314 Bioremediation for Sustainable Environmental Cleanup

P S

PAH degradation 91, 99, 100 Silica NPs 272

PAHs 126, 132, 133 Soil 67–80
Parathion 136, 139, 131, 137 Sustainable 1
Pesticide pollution 110, 112, 113 Sustainable cleanup 1
Pesticides 125, 126, 129, 133, 137, 262, 263, 270, 271 Sustainable environment 263
Phenylurea 126, 130
Photocatalytic degradation 21, 74, 284 T
Phytoremediation 2, 10–12, 67, 70, 74–80, 188, 193,
TCP 131
195–197, 199, 231, 233
Technologies 148, 156
Pollutants 1–6, 12, 13
Toxic metals 167, 169–180
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons 67, 78
Toxicity 187–195, 198
Pseudomonas putida 125–128, 130, 133
W
R
waste reuse 41
reactor’s design 45
Wastewater 109
Remediation 70, 74, 75, 77–80, 262, 269–274, 279, 283,
Water hyacinth 238–240, 248, 253, 254
284, 288
About the Editors

Dr. Anju Malik is presently working as Associate Professor and Chairperson

at Department of Energy and Environmental Sciences, Chaudhary Devi Lal
University, Sirsa, India. She has completed her M.Phil. and Ph.D. from the
School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
She was awarded with a fellowship from the Belgian Government, under
the bilateral cultural exchange programme at University of Ghent, Belgium.
Dr. Anju has also received research scholarships from University Grant
Commission (UGC) and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR),
New Delhi, India. She has worked in the past as a scientist under the Indian Council of Forestry
Research and Education, Dehradun, India. With more than 18 years of research and teaching
experience, her research interest is focused on trace elemental contamination, speciation and
remediation. She is a life member of The Indian Science Congress Association, Kolkata, India. She
has guided several M.Sc., M.Phil. and Ph.D. students. She has published research papers in various
peer-reviewed national and international journals of repute. She has also published one book and
10 book chapters in edited books published by reputed international publishers. She is a reviewer of
several international journals.
Prof (Dr.) Vinod Kumar Garg is presently working as Professor at the
Department of Environmental Science and Technology, Central University
of Punjab, Punjab, India. He is an experienced researcher with more than 30
years of involvement in leading, supervising, and undertaking research. He
along with his research group are working on water and wastewater pollution
monitoring and abatement, solid waste management, pesticide degradation,
radioecology, green chemistry and heavy metal detoxification. He has published
more than 200 research and review articles, and six editorials in peer-reviewed
international and national journals of repute with more than 18000 citations
and h-index 73. In addition, he has published eight books and 15 book chapters and completed
10 sponsored research projects as principal investigator funded by various agencies and departments.
He was awarded “Thomson Reuters Research Excellence—India Citation Awards 2012”. He is an
active member of various scientific societies and organizations including, the Biotech Research
Society of India, the Indian Nuclear Society, etc.