Removal of Heavy Metals Using Bio-remedial Techniques

Abstract

Heavy metal pollution has become one of the most significant environ mental problems globally leading to ecological imbalance. Different techniques like physical, chemical and biological have been used for removal of heavy metal contam inants from the environment. Some of these have limitations such as cost, time consumption, logistical problems, and mechanical involvedness. Biological strate gies, unlike other methods of remediation, are unique in that biological strategies are environmentally friendly and acceptable, the diversity of organisms involved is wide and of diverse capabilities that have not yet been exhaustively exploited and also amenable to genetic modification for accelerated bioremediation. There are several techniques entails with the removal of heavy metals. Therefore, this chapter proposes to present thorough information on some techniques that might be applied for the removal of heavy metals using bioremediation. The encouraging evidence as to the usefulness of microorganisms and their constituents for the remediation of heavy metals from contaminated environment is reviewed in detailed. Recent advances in the application of removal of heavy metals through bioremediation also were highlighted