Harnessing microbial activities for environmental cleanup

Curr Opin Biotechnol. 2006 Jun;17(3):274-84. doi: 10.1016/j.copbio.2006.05.001. Epub 2006 May 11.

Abstract

Human activities have released large amounts of toxic organic and inorganic chemicals into the environment. Toxic waste streams threaten dwindling drinking water supplies and impact terrestrial, estuarine and marine ecosystems. Cleanup is technically challenging and the costs based on traditional technologies are exceeding the economic capabilities of even the richest countries. Recent advances in our understanding of the microbiology contributing to contaminant transformation and detoxification has led to successful field demonstrations. Hence, harnessing the activity of naturally occurring bacteria, particularly the power of anaerobic reductive processes, is a promising approach to restore contaminated subsurface environments, protect drinking water reservoirs and to safeguard ecosystem health.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Environmental Microbiology
  • Environmental Pollutants / metabolism*
  • Industrial Microbiology / methods*
  • Perchlorates / metabolism
  • Perchlorates / pharmacokinetics
  • Uranium / metabolism
  • Uranium / pharmacokinetics
  • Vinyl Chloride / metabolism
  • Vinyl Chloride / pharmacokinetics

Substances

  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Perchlorates
  • Uranium
  • perchlorate
  • Vinyl Chloride