Unveiling the Sustainable and Biological Remediation of Heavy Metals Contaminations in Soils and Water Ecosystems Through Potential Microbes—A Review

Kallol Das (), Md Abdullah Al Masud, Aniruddha Sarker, Ramadan A. Arafa and Margi Patel
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Kallol Das: College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407, USA
Md Abdullah Al Masud: Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA
Aniruddha Sarker: Interdisciplinary Institute for Food Security (IIFS), Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh
Ramadan A. Arafa: Plant Pathology Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza 12619, Egypt
Margi Patel: Department of Microbiology, Hemchandracharya North Gujrat University, Patan Post Box No: 21, India

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 16, 1-26

Abstract: This review provides a critical summary of the biological remediation of heavy metals by leveraging the potential of microbes in soils and water ecosystems, highlighting major research findings and practical obstacles. Heavy metals (HMs) pose a severe threat to environmental health due to their toxicity and persistence, necessitating effective remediation strategies. Biological remediation, especially through microorganisms and enzymatic actions, offers a promising alternative to conventional methods due to its eco-friendly and cost-effective nature. The review discusses various microbes, including bacteria, fungi, and algae known for their metal-binding capacities and transformation abilities. It delves into the mechanisms of bioremediation, such as biosorption, bioaccumulation, and biotransformation, facilitated by microbial enzymes like oxidoreductases and hydrolases that remove or bind the chemical structure of HMs. This paper also explores genetic engineering approaches to enhance microbial efficacy in HMs’ uptake and resistance. Furthermore, the review addresses the significant challenges in scaling bioremediation from a laboratory to the field, such as the complexity of environmental conditions, the presence of mixed contaminants, and the need for system optimization to improve efficiency and sustainability. It also evaluates the current legislative framework governing bioremediation practices, suggesting a need for clearer policies to support the integration of biological methods into mainstream remediation strategies. Conclusively, while microbial and enzymatic remediation presents considerable potential, extensive research is needed to overcome existing hurdles and develop robust, field-applicable systems. This paper calls for a multidisciplinary approach combining microbiology, engineering, and environmental sciences to advance this promising field.

Keywords: bioremediation; heavy metal detoxification; microbial enzymes; environmental microbiology; ecotoxicology challenges; environmental policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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