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Application of Rhodococcus in Bioremediation of Contaminated Environments

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Biology of Rhodococcus

Part of the book series: Microbiology Monographs ((MICROMONO,volume 16))

Abstract

Environmental pollution with anthropogenic organic compounds is the global problem of our planet. Bioremediation has a great potential to effectively restore polluted environments by using biodegradative activities of microorganisms. The genus Rhodococcus is a promising group of bacteria suitable for biodegradation of recalcitrant contaminants, such as petroleum hydrocarbons, chlorinated, nitrogenated, and other complex organics. Rhodococcus species are ubiquitous in pristine and contaminated environments, survive under harsh environmental conditions, compete successfully in complex bacterial populations, and therefore could be efficiently used in bioremediation applications. Some success in bioremediation of contaminated soils, waters, and air has been achieved using rhodococci either as bioaugmentation agents or members of indigenous microbial communities stimulated by nutrient and oxygen amendments. Laboratory and field-scale studies on Rhodococcus application in cleanup technologies are reviewed relating to in-situ subsurface and groundwater remediation, on site treatments of contaminated soils, sludges, wastewaters, and waste gases.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Ecology and Genetics of Microorganisms, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Perm, Russia

    Maria S. Kuyukina & Irena B. Ivshina

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  1. Maria S. Kuyukina
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  2. Irena B. Ivshina
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Correspondence to Maria S. Kuyukina .

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  1. Fac. Ciencias Naturales, Depto. Bioquimica, Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia, San Juan Bosco, Comodoro Rivadavia, 9000, Chubut, Argentina

    Héctor M. Alvarez

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Kuyukina, M.S., Ivshina, I.B. (2010). Application of Rhodococcus in Bioremediation of Contaminated Environments. In: Alvarez, H. (eds) Biology of Rhodococcus. Microbiology Monographs, vol 16. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-12937-7_9

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