BIOREMEDIATION OF SOILS CONTAMINATED WITH AROMATIC COMPOUNDS: EFFECTS OF RHIZOSPHERE, BIOAVAILABILITY, GENE REGULATION AND STRESS ADAPTATION

Abstract

Environmental biotechnology, which was in its infancy in the early 80’s, has evolved thanks to the revolution brought about by molecular biology. Multiple successes in the biological cleanup of civil and industrial wastewater and, of hydrocarbon soil pollution demonstrate the vast power of clean technologies. In addition, the buildup of information on the activities of microorganisms as catalysts in all sorts of natural, industrial and animal environments has flourished. Since environmental biotechnology has matured, it is ready to tackle bigger challenges: the scaling up of many bioremediation systems still in progress, the search for novel biocatalysts for industrial applications, the continuing effort against common human life-threatening processes such as the accumulation of hormone-mimicking substances (endocrine disrupters), the deposition of air-borne pesticides in the environment and, the degradation of recalcitrant contaminants. These endeavors will help prevent the contamination of food chains, protect human life and allow for human activity and economic development that do not compromise environmental sustainability.