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New Bioremediation Technologies to Remove Heavy Metals and Radionuclides

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Removal of Emerging Contaminants Through Microbial Processes

Abstract

Environment of this planet is facing hazards from various pollutants, among which heavy metal and radionuclide pollution is of great importance. This pollution is a resultant of both geological and anthropogenic activities. Various industrial and municipal solid wastes have been a major source of heavy metal contamination in soil, water and also as atmospheric aerosols in air. Similarly, radioactive wastes from nuclear plants and places where radioactive materials are used (e.g., medical centers) are contributing to radionuclide pollution of the environment. These contaminants are harmful for living beings and cause various health hazards to them. Proper management of wastes from these sources is required along with environment-friendly remedial techniques. Phytoremediation has been used in this regard for many years. However, nowadays, novel biotechnological tools are used for achieving paths in bioremediation through microorganisms. Microbes possess the ability to biotransform, biosorb, and biomineralize these metals and radionuclides. Techniques are now being availed to identify the microorganisms and study their biological functions in order to use them in remediating these hazardous pollutants from the environment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sciences and Humanities, Vignan’s Foundation for Science Technology and Research (Deemed to be University), Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India

    Shubhalakshmi Sengupta

  2. Department of Chemical Engineering, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, West Bengal, India

    Uttariya Roy, Shamik Chowdhary & Papita Das

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  1. Shubhalakshmi Sengupta
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  2. Uttariya Roy
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  3. Shamik Chowdhary
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  4. Papita Das
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  1. Division of Applied & Environmental Microbiology, Environmental Microbiology Lab, Bharuch, India

    Maulin P Shah

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Sengupta, S., Roy, U., Chowdhary, S., Das, P. (2021). New Bioremediation Technologies to Remove Heavy Metals and Radionuclides. In: Shah, M.P. (eds) Removal of Emerging Contaminants Through Microbial Processes. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-5901-3_2

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