Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Bioremediation of Industrial Waste for Environmental Safety pp 21–52Cite as

Advances in Bioremediation of Toxic Heavy Metals and Radionuclides in Contaminated Soil and Aquatic Systems

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

Abstract

Metals are used in several products essential to humans. However, processes for extraction of the metals generate effluents containing chemical by-products many of which are toxic to living organisms and are disruptive to ecosystems. Processes used in the creation of useful products from the metals leave a legacy of pollution that may take generations to clear. Metals such as mercury, cadmium, lead, chromium, and uranium, and a range of metalloids such as arsenic and selenium, are widely known for their acute toxicity at high doses and carcinogenicity at low doses. Several technologies for treatment of land and water that have been contaminated with toxic heavy metals have been proposed. Other metallic elements, although possessing no significant chemical toxicity to organisms, occur as radioactive isotopes that impart oxidative stress on organisms leading to increased incidence of mutations and carcinomas in animal tissue. The main difficulty in the treatment of metals is that the metals cannot be degraded or mineralized as is the case with organic pollutants. Metallic elements can only be oxidized or reduced to forms that are less mobile and easier to extract from the environment. This chapter is compiled from information from projects in which metals were either oxidized or reduced to less mobile and less toxic states using pure or consortium cultures of bacteria followed by immobilization or extraction using physical or biological media. The uptake of metals for reuse was attempted using bioengineered molecular adsorbents on cell surfaces. The latter process was developed to facilitate selective uptake of different metallic species as a low energy biorefinery.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD   219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Abdel-Rahman GN, Nassar NRA, Heikal YA, Abou-Donia MAM, Naguib MM, Fadel M (2016) Effect of different treatments on heavy metal concentration in sugar cane molasses. Int J AgriBiosys Eng 10(1):43–48

    Google Scholar 

  • Acar YB, Gale RJ, Alshawabkeh AN, Marks RE, Puppala S, Bricka M, Parker R (1995) Electrokinetic remediation: basics and technology status. J Hazard Mater 40(2):117–137

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists) (2004) Threshold limit values for chemical substances and physical agents and biological exposure indices. ACGIH, Cincinnati, OH, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • Anastopoulos AG, Papoutsis AD, Papaderakis AA (2015) Differential capacitance and electrochemical impedance study of surfactant adsorption on polycrystalline Ni electrode. J Solid State Electrochem 19(8):2369–2377

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Arıca MY, Kaçar Y, Genç Ö (2001) Entrapment of white-rot fungus Trametes versicolor in Ca-alginate beads: preparation and biosorption kinetic analysis for cadmium removal from an aqueous solution. Bioresour Technol 80(2):121–129

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aziz HA, Adlan MN, Ariffin KS (2008) Heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cu and Cr(III)) removal from water in Malaysia: post treatment by high quality limestone. Bioresour Technol 99(6):1578–1583

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Babel S, Kurniawan TA (2004) Cr (VI) removal from synthetic wastewater using coconut shell charcoal and commercial activated carbon modified with oxidizing agents and/or chitosan. Chemosphere 54(7):951–967

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bansal N (2010) Determination of trace amounts of mercury (II) by catalytic kinetic method in environmental samples. World Rev Sci Technol Sustain Dev 7(4):316–327

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barak Y, Ackerley DF, Dodge CJ, Banwari L, Alex C, Francis AJ, Matin A (2006) Analysis of novel soluble chromate and uranyl reductases and generation of an improved enzyme by directed evolution. Appl Environ Microbiol 72(11):7074–7082

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Battista JR (1997) Against all odds: the survival strategies of Deinococcus radiodurans. Annu Rev Microbiol 51:203–224

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Beszedits S (1988) Chromium removal from industrial wastewaters, In: Nriagu O, Nieboer E (eds) Chromium in the natural and human environments. Wiley, New York., pp 232–263. isbn:978-0471856436

    Google Scholar 

  • Bharagava RN, Saxena G, Mulla SI, Patel DK (2017a) Characterization and identification of recalcitrant organic pollutants (ROPs) in tannery wastewater and its phytotoxicity evaluation for environmental safety. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-017-0490-x

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bharagava RN, Saxena G, Chowdhary P (2017b) Constructed wetlands: an emerging phytotechnology for degradation and detoxification of industrial wastewaters. In: Bharagava RN (ed) Environmental pollutants and their bioremediation approaches, 1st edn. CRC Press/Taylor & Francis, Boca Raton, pp 397–426. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781315173351-15

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Bharagava RN, Chowdhary P, Saxena G (2017c) Bioremediation: an ecosustainable green technology: its applications and limitations. In: Bharagava RN (ed) Environmental pollutants and their bioremediation approaches, 1st edn. CRC Press/Taylor & Francis, Boca Raton, pp 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781315173351-2

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Birungi Z, Chirwa E (2014) The kinetics of uptake and recovery of lanthanum using freshwater algae as biosorbents: comparative analysis. Bioresour Technol 160:43–51

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Birungi ZS, Chirwa EMN (2015) The adsorption potential and recovery of thallium using green micro-algae from eutrophic water sources. J Hazard Mater 299:67–77

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Borda M, Sparks D (2008) Kinetics and mechanisms of sorption–desorption in soils: a multiscale assessment. Biophys Chem Process Heavy Metals Metalloids Soil Environ 19(8):2369–2377

    Google Scholar 

  • Boukili H, Novikoff A, França J (1984) Mineralogie et géochimie des chlorites et hydroxycarbonateschromitifères de Campo Formoso, Bahia, Brésil. Cahiers ORSTOM Série Géologie 14(2):141–152

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyle EA, Lee J-M, Echegoyen Y, Noble A, Moos S, Carrasco G, Zhao N, Kayser R, Zhang J, Gamo T, Obata H, Norisuye K (2014) Anthropogenic lead emissions in the ocean: the evolving global experiment. Oceanography 27(1):69–75

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brink HG, Lategan M, Naudé K, Chirwa EMN (2017) Lead removal using industrially sourced consortia: influence of lead and glucose concentrations. ICheaP-13, Milan, 28-31 May 2017. Chem Eng Trans 57:409–414

    Google Scholar 

  • Bruno J, Ewing RC (2006) Spent nuclear fuel. Elements 2:343–349

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Buck EC, Hanson BD, McNamara BK (2004) The geochemical behaviour of Tc, Np and Pu in spent nuclear fuel in an oxidizing environment. In: Gieré R, Stille P (eds) Energy, waste, and the environment: a geochemical perspective, vol 236. The Geological Society of London Special Publication, London, pp 65–88

    Google Scholar 

  • Bush MB (2003) Ecology of a changing planet, 3rd edn. Prentice Hall, New Jersey

    Google Scholar 

  • Calas G, Manceau A, Novikoff A, Boukili H (1984) Chromium behavior in alteration minerals of the Campo Formoso chromite deposit, Bahia, Brazil. Bull Minéral 107(6):755–766

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Castillo AN, García-Delgado RA, Rivero VC (2012) Electrokinetic treatment of soils contaminated by tannery waste. Electrochim Acta 86:110–114

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cervantes C (1991) Bacterial interaction with chromate. Anton Leeuw 59(4):229–233

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cervantes C, Silver S (1992) Plasmid chromate resistance and chromate reduction. Plasmid 27(1):65–71

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cervantes C, Campos-García J, Devars S, Gutiérrez-Corona F, Loza-Tavera H, Torres-Guzmán JC, Moreno-Sánchez R (2001) Interactions of chromium with microorganisms and plants. FEMS Microbiol Rev 25(2):335–347

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chaalal O, Islam MR (2001) Integrated management of radioactive strontium contamination in aqueous stream systems. J Environ Manag 61(1):51–59

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chandra R, Saxena G, Kumar V (2015) Phytoremediation of environmental pollutants: an eco-sustainable green technology to environmental management. In: Chandra R (ed) Advances in biodegradation and bioremediation of industrial waste, 1st edn. CRC Press/Taylor & Francis, Boca Raton, pp 1–30. https://doi.org/10.1201/b18218-2

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Chen JP (1997) Batch and continuous adsorption of strontium by plant root tissues. Bioresour Technol 60(3):185–189

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chirasha J, Shoko NR (2010) Zimbabwe alloys ferro chromium production: from cradle to grave sustainably. In: Proc 12th International Ferroalloys Congress sustainable future. June 6–9, 2010, Helsinki, Finland, pp 391–400

    Google Scholar 

  • Chirwa EMN, Molokwane PE (2011) Chapter 5: Biological Cr(VI) reduction: microbial diversity, kinetics and biotechnological solutions to pollution. In: Sofo A (ed) Biodiversity. InTech Online Publishers, Cambridge, pp 75–100

    Google Scholar 

  • Chirwa EMN, Wang YT (1997) Hexavalent chromium reduction by Bacillus sp. in a packed-bed bioreactor. Environ Sci Technol 31(5):1446–1451

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chirwa EN, Wang YT (2001) Simultaneous chromium(VI) reduction and phenol degradation in a fixed-film coculture bioreactor: reactor performance. Water Res 35(8):1921–1932

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Choi SB, Yun Y (2006) Biosorption of cadmium by various types of dried sludge: an equilibrium study and investigation of mechanisms. J Hazard Mater 138(2):378–383

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chrysochoou M, Zhang X, Amador J (2013) Comparison of Cr(VI) reduction by aerobic bacteria in culture and soil conditions. Soil Sediment Contam 22(3):273–287

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Colica G, Mecarozzi PC, De Philippis R (2010) Treatment of Cr(VI)-containing wastewaters with exopolysaccharide-producing cyanobacteria in pilot flow through and batch systems. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 87(5):1953–1961

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cramer LA, Basson J, Nelson LR (2004) The impact of platinum production from UG2 ore on ferrochrome production in South Africa. J South Afr Inst Min Metall 104(9):517–527

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dakiky M, Khamis M, Manassra A, Mer’eb M (2002) Selective adsorption of Cr(VI) in industrial waste water using low-cost abundantly available adsorbents. Adv Environ Res 6(4):533–540

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dastidar A, Wang YT (2010) Kinetics of arsenite oxidation by chemoautotrophic Thiomonasarsenivorans strain b6 in a continuous stirred tank reactor. J Environ Eng 136(10):1119–1127

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Eisler R (1988) Lead hazards to fish, wildlife, and invertebrates: a synoptic review. Organization series: contaminant hazard reviews-contaminant hazard reviews-report 14. Biological Report 85(1.14). U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service

    Google Scholar 

  • EPA-Odessa (2005) Pump and treat and in situ chemical treatment of contaminated groundwater at the Odessa Chromium II South Plume Superfund Site Odessa, Ector County, Texas. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Available online at http://costperformance.org/pdf/odessa_ii_06-30-2005.pdf

  • Federal Register (1999) Executive order 13751- safeguarding the nation from the impacts of invasive species (Dec 5, 2016). https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/laws/execorder.shtml. Last accessed 14/02/18, 3:00 PM

  • Federal Register (2004) Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium. 69 Federal Register 59404. October 4, 2004

    Google Scholar 

  • Flessel CP (1979) Trace metals in health and disease. Raven Press, New York, pp 109–122

    Google Scholar 

  • Foulkes JM, Deplanche K, Sargent F, Macaskie L, Lloyd JR (2016) A novel aerobic mechanism for reductive palladium biomineralization and recovery by Escherichia coli. Geomicrobiol J 33(3–4):230–236

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Francis W, Croft H (1849) The chemical gazette, or, Journal of Practical Chemistry, in all its applications to pharmacy, arts and manufactures, vol. 7. London, R. and J. E. Taylor [etc., 1842-59]

    Google Scholar 

  • Fu F, Wang Q (2011) Removal of heavy metal ions from wastewaters: a review. J Environ Manag 92(3):407–418

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gadd GM (2009) Biosorption: critical review of scientific rationale, environmental importance and significance for pollution treatment. J Chem Technol Biotechnol 84(1):13–28

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gao Y, Truong YB, Cacioli P, Butler P, Kyratzis IL (2014) Bioremediation of pesticide contaminated water using an organophosphate degrading enzyme immobilized on nonwoven polyester textiles. Enzym Microb Technol 10(54):38–44

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Garrels RM, Christ CL (1965) In solutions, minerals and equilibria. Harper and Row, New York, pp 403–435

    Google Scholar 

  • Gaur N, Flora G, Yadav M, Tiwari A (2014) A review with recent advancements on bioremediation-based abolition of heavy metals. Environ Sci Process Impacts 16(2):180–193

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gautam S, Kaithwas G, Bharagava RN, Saxena G (2017) Pollutants in tannery wastewater, pharmacological effects and bioremediation approaches for human health protection and environmental safety. In: Bharagava RN (ed) Environmental pollutants and their bioremediation approaches, 1st edn. CRC Press/Taylor & Francis, Boca Raton, pp 369–396. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781315173351-14

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Gilmour CC, Henry EA (1991) Mercury methylation in aquatic systems affected by acid deposition. Environ Pollut 71(2–4):131–169

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gioia SMCL, Pimentel MM, Tessler M, Dantas EL, Campos JEG, Guimarães EM, Maruoka MTS, Nascimento ELC (2006) Sources of anthropogenic lead in sediments from an artificial lake in Brasília–central Brazil. Sci Total Environ 356(1-3):125–142

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Girling CA (1984) Selenium in agriculture and the environment. Agric Ecosyst Environ 11(1):37–65

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gonzalez CF, Ackerley DF, Park CH, Matin A (2003) A soluble flavoprotein contributes to chromate reduction and tolerance by Pseudomonas putida. Acta Biotechnol 23(2–3):233–239

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Goutam SP, Saxena G, Singh V, Yadav AK, Bharagava RN (2018) Green synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles using leaf extract of Jatropha curcas L. for photocatalytic degradation of tannery wastewater. Chem Eng J 336:386–396. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2017.12.029

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Green HH (1918) Description of bacterium which oxidizes arsenite to arsenate, and one which reduces arsenate to arsenite, isolated from a cattle dipping-tank. S Afr J Med Sci 14:465–467

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Greve K, Nielsen E, Ladefoged O (2007) Evaluation of health hazards by exposure to strontium in drinking water. Toxicol Lett 172(Suppl 1):S210–S210

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guyo U, Makawa T, Moyo M, Nharingo T, Nyamunda BC, Mugadza T (2015) Application of response surface methodology for Cd(II) adsorption on maize tassel-magnetite nanohybrid adsorbent. J Environ Chem Eng 3(4):2472–2483

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Haryanto R, Tambun R, Haloho H, Panjaitan F, Sitorus S (2017) Investigation on the ability of a natural adsorbent corn stalk in removing heavy metal ions from aqueous solution. ARPN J Eng Appl Sci 12(18):S263–S270

    Google Scholar 

  • Hawley EL, Deeb RA, Kavanaugh MC, Jacobs JRG (2004) Treatment technologies for chromium(VI). In: Cr(VI) Handbook/L1608_C08, vol 8. CRC Press LLC, New York, pp 273–308

    Google Scholar 

  • Hill KE, Fry JC, Weightman AJ (1994) Gene transfer in the aquatic environment: persistence and mobilization of the catabolic recombinant plasmid pDlO in the epilithon. Microbiol 140:1555–1563

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hiz MM, Aki C (2015) The nightmare: genetically modified organisms as alien species. Transylvan Rev Sys Ecolog Res 16(1). https://doi.org/10.1515/trser-2015-0008

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Horitsu H, Futo S, Miyazawa Y, Ogai S, Kawai K (1987) Enzymatic reduction of hexavalent chromium by hexavalent chromium tolerant Pseudomonas ambigua G-1. Agric Biol Chem 51(9):2417–2420

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hunter RJ, James M (1992) Charge reversal of kaolinite by hydrolyzable metal ions: an electroacoustic study. Clay Clay Miner 40(6):644–649

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Igboamalu TE, Chirwa EMN (2017) As (III) oxidation and Cr(VI) reduction insight in an indigenous mixed culture of anaerobic bacteria from a local environment. PRES’17, Tiajing, China, 23-26 August 2017. Chem Eng Trans 61:259–264

    Google Scholar 

  • Ilialetdinov AN, Abdrashitova SA (1981) Autotrophic oxidation of arsenic by a culture of Pseudomonas arsenitoxidans. Mikrobiologiya 50:197–204

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jaishankar M, Tseten T, Anbalagan N, Blessy B, Mathew BB, Beeregowda KN (2014) Toxicity, mechanism and health effects of some heavy metals. Interdiscip Toxicol 7(2):60–72

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jeyasingh J, Somasundaram V, Philip L, Bhallamudi MS (2011) Pilot scale studies on the remediation of chromium contaminated aquifer using bio-barrier and reactive zone technologies. Chem Eng J 167(1):206–214

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jin S, Fahlgren PH, Morris JM, Gossard RB (2008) Biological source treatment of acid mine drainage using microbial and substrate amendments: microcosm studies. Mine Water Environ 27:20–30

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kalckar HM (1974) Origins of the concept oxidative phosphorylation. Mol Cell Biochem 5(1–2):55–63

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Khripunov VI, Kurbatov DK, Subbotin ML (2006) C-14 production in CTR materials and blankets. In: Proc 21st Fusion Energy Conference (FEC2006), 16–21 October 2006, Chengdu, China. SE/p2-3. Available online at http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/Meetings/FEC2006/se_p2-3.pdf

  • Kossman SE, Weiss MA (2000) Acute myelogenous leukemia after exposure to strontium-89 for the treatment of adenocarcinoma of the prostate. Cancer 88(3):620–624

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kotrba P (2011) Microbial biosorption of metals-general introduction. In: Microbial biosorption of metals. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0443-5_1

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Kratochvil D, Volesky B (1998) Advances in the biosorption of heavy metals. Trends Biotechnol 16(7):291–300

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lawson S, Macy JM (1995) Bioremediation of selenite in oil refinery wastewater. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 43(4):762–765

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lemly AD (2004) Aquatic selenium pollution is a global environmental safety issue. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 59(1):44–56

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lenz M, Lens PNL (2009) The essential toxin: the changing perception of selenium in environmental sciences. Sci Total Environ 407(12):3620–3633

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lenz M, Van Hullebusch ED, Hommes G, Corvini PFX, Lens PNL (2008) Selenate removal in methanogenic and sulfate-reducing upflow anaerobic sludge bed reactors. Water Res 42(8-9):2184–2194

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li S, Li T, Li F., Liang L, Li G, Guo S (2011) Application of sequential extraction analysis to electrokinetic remediation of chromium contaminated soil. In: Bioinformatics and Biomedical Engineering, (iCBBE) 2011, 5th International conference, pp 1–4

    Google Scholar 

  • Li D, Huang T, Liu K (2015) Near-anode focusing phenomenon caused by the coupling effect of early precipitation and backward electromigration in electrokinetic remediation of MSWI fly ashes. Environ Technol 37(2):216–227

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lloyd JR, Ridley J, Khizniak T, Lyalikova NN, Macaskie LE (1999) Reduction of technetium by Desulfovibrio desulfuricans: biocatalyst characterization and use in a flow through bioreactor. Appl Environ Microbiol 65(6):2691–2696

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lloyd JR, Pearce CI, Coker VS, Pattrick RADP, van der Laan G, Cutting R, Vaughan DV, Paterson-Beedle M, Mikheenko I, Yong P, Macaskie LE (2008) Biomineralization; linking the fossil record to the production of high value functional materials. Geobiology 6(3):285–297

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lovley DR, Phillips EJP (1994) Reduction of chromate by Disulfovibrio vulgaris and its c3 cytochrome. Appl Environ Microbiol 60(2):726–728

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ma G, Garbers-Craig AM (2006) Cr(VI) containing electric furnace dusts and filter cake from a stainless steel waste treatment plant Part 1 – Characteristics and microstructure. Ironmak Steelmak 33(3):229–237

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mabbett AN, Sanyahumbi D, Yong P, Macaskie LE (2006) Biorecovered precious metals from industrial wastes: single-step conversion of a mixed metal liquid waste to a bioinorganic catalyst with environmental application. Environ Sci Technol 40(3):1015–1021

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Makgato SS, Chirwa EMN (2015) Photoassisted biodegradation of irradiated organics in simulated nuclear wastewater. Water Environ Res 87(5):392–403

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Maturi K, Reddy KR (2008) Cosolvent-enhanced desorption and transport of heavy metals and organic contaminants in soils during electrokinetic remediation. Water Air Soil Pollut 189(1–4):199–211

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mehta S, Gaur J (2005) Use of algae for removing heavy metal ions from wastewater: Progress and prospects. Crit Rev Biotechnol 25(3):113–152

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Meli KC(2009) Microbial Cr(VI) reduction in indigenous cultures of bacteria: characterisation and modelling. M.Sc. Dissertation, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa

    Google Scholar 

  • Merian E (1984) Introduction on environmental chemistry and global cycles of arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, nickel, selenium, and their derivatives. Toxicol Environ Chem 8(1):9–38

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Milkey NE (2010) Remediation of a hexavalent chromium release to groundwater using ion-specific resins. In: Proc. 25th Annual International Conference on Soils, Sediments, Water and Energy, October 19–22, 2009, Amherst, Massachusetts, vol. 15, article 7. Available at: http://scholarworks.umass.edu/soilsproceedings/vol15/iss1/7

  • Molokwane PE, Chirwa EM (2007) Development of a Carbon-14 bioseparation technique for clean-up of nuclear graphite. In: Proc 11th International conference on Environmental Remediation and Radioactive Waste Management (ICEM2007), Bruges, Belgium, September 2–6, 2007, pp 113–118

    Google Scholar 

  • Molokwane PE, Nkhalambayausi-Chirwa EM (2009) Microbial culture dynamics and chromium (VI) removal in packed-column microcosm reactors. Water Sci Technol 60(2):381–388

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Molokwane PE, Nkhalambayausi-Chirwa EM, Meli KC (2008) Chromium (VI) reduction in activated sludge bacteria exposed to high chromium loading: Brits culture (South Africa). Water Res 42(17):4538–4548

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Morrison D, Murphy BL (2010) Environmental forensics: contaminant specific guide. Academic Press, New York

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Mtimunye PJ, Chirwa EMN (2013) Chapter 8: Bioremediation of radiotoxic elements under natural environmental conditions. In: Patil YB, Rao P (eds) Applied bioremediation – active and passive approaches. InTech Open Publishers, Rijeka, pp 177–206

    Google Scholar 

  • Mtimunye PJ, Chirwa EMN (2014) Biochemical optimisation and control of uranium (VI) reduction in facultative uranium VI reducing cultures. Chemosphere 113:22–29

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nealson KH (1999) Post-Viking microbiology: new approaches, new data, new insights. Origins of life and evolution of the biosphere. Orig Life EvolBiosph 29(1):73–93

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Noshchenko AG, Moysich KB, Bondar A, Zamostyan PV, Drosdova VD, Michalek AM (2001) Patterns of acute leukaemia occurrence among children in the Chernobyl region. Int J Epidemiol JID-7802871

    Google Scholar 

  • Olaniran AO, Igbinosa EO (2011) Chlorophenols and other related derivatives of environmental concern: properties, distribution and microbial degradation processes. Chemosphere 83(10):1297–1306

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Page MM, Page CL (2002) Electroremediation of contaminated soils. J Environ Eng 128(3):208–219

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pagnanelli F (2011) Equilibrium, kinetic and dynamic modelling of biosorption processes. In: Anonymous microbial biosorption of metals. Springer, Dordrecht, pp 59–120

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Pagnanelli F, Trifoni M, Beolchini F, Esposito A, Toro L, Veglio F (2001) Equilibrium biosorption studies in single and multi-metal systems. Process Biochem 37(2):115–124

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pamukcu S, Wittle JK (1992) Electrokinetic removal of selected heavy metals from soil. Environ Prog 11(3):241–250

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Papp A, Pecze L, Szabó A, Vezér T (2006) Effects on the central and peripheral nervous activity in rats elicited by acute administration of lead, mercury and manganese, and their combinations. J Appl Toxicol 26(4):374–380

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Probstein RF, Hicks RE (1993) Removal of contaminants from soils by electric fields. Science 260(5107):498–503

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Qu X, Alvarez PJ, Li Q (2013) Applications of nanotechnology in water and wastewater treatment. Water Res 47(12):3931–3946

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ramsburg CA, Abriola LM, Pennell KD, Löffler FE, Gamache M, Amos BK, Petrovskis EA (2004) Stimulated microbial reductive dechlorination following surfactant treatment at the Bachman Road site. Environ Sci Technol 38(22):5902–5914

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Reddy KR, Chinthamreddy S (1999) Electrokinetic remediation of heavy metal-contaminated soils under reducing environments. Waste Manag 19(4):269–282

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Reddy KR, Chinthamreddy S (2003) Sequentially enhanced electrokinetic remediation oh heavy metals in low buffering clayey soils. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 129(3):263–277

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Reddy KR, Karri MR (2006) Effect of voltage gradient on integrated electrochemical remediation of contaminant mixtures. Land Contam Reclam 14(3):685–698

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reddy KR, Parupudi US (1997) Removal of chromium, nickel and cadmium from clays by in-situ electrokinetic remediation. Soil Sediment Contam 6(4):391–407

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Renner R (2010) Exposure on tap: drinking water as an overlooked source of lead. Environ Health Perspect 118(2):A68–A74

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ross DA (2015) Technical report on the Patterson Lake South property, Northern Saskatchewan, Canada, NI 43-101 Report. Available online at http://www.fissionuranium.com/_resources/reports/RPA_Fission_U_Patterson_Lake_South_Technical_Report_FINAL_Feb_2015.pdf

  • Santini JM, Sly LI, Schnagl RD, Macy JM (2000) A new chemolithoautotrophic arsenite-oxidizing bacterium isolated from a gold mine: phylogenetic, physiological and preliminary biochemical studies. Appl Environ Microbiol 66:92–97

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Satoshi MS, Hisamitsu T, Tsubasa K, Masaki M, Emi N, Ike SKIN (2012) Biotreatment of selenium refinery wastewater using pilot-scale granular sludge and swim-bed bioreactors augmented with a selenium-reducing bacterium Pseudomonas Stutzeri NT-1. Jpn J Water Treatment Biol 48(2):63–71

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saxena G, Bharagava RN (2015) Persistent organic pollutants and bacterial communities present during the treatment of tannery wastewater. In: Chandra R (ed) Environmental waste management, 1st edn. CRC Press/Taylor & Francis, Boca Raton, pp 217–247. https://doi.org/10.1201/b19243-10

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Saxena G, Bharagava RN (2017) Organic and inorganic pollutants in industrial wastes, their ecotoxicological effects, health hazards and bioremediation approaches. In: Bharagava RN (ed) Environmental pollutants and their bioremediation approaches, 1st edn. CRC Press/Taylor & Francis, Boca Raton, pp 23–56. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781315173351-3

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Saxena G, Chandra R, Bharagava RN (2016) Environmental pollution, toxicity profile and treatment approaches for tannery wastewater and its chemical pollutants. Rev Environ Contam Toxicol 240:31–69. https://doi.org/10.1007/398_2015_5009

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Selatnia A, Bakhti M, Madani A, Kertous L, Mansouri Y (2004) Biosorption of Cd2+ from aqueous solution by a NaOH-treated bacterial dead Streptomyces rimosus biomass. Hydrometallurgy 75(1–4):11–24

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Senanayake R, Rousseau D, Colegrave H, Idriss H (2005) The reaction of water on polycrystalline UO2: pathways to surface and bulk oxidation. J Nucl Mater 342:179–187

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shakoori AR, Makhdoom M, Haq RU (2000) Hexavalent chromium reduction by a dichromate-resistant gram-positive bacterium isolated from effluents of tanneries. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 53(3):348–351

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shen H, Wang YT (1993) Characteristic enzymatic reduction of hexavalent chromium by Escherichia coli ATCC 33456. Appl Environ Microbiol 59(11):3771–3777

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shen Z, Chen X, Jia J, Qu L, Wang W (2007) Comparison of electrokinetic soil remediation methods using one fixed anode and approaching anodes. Environ Pollut 150(2):193–199

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Soudek P, Valenova S, Vavrikova Z, Vanek T (2006) Study of radio-phyto-remediation on heavily polluted area in South Bohemia. J Environ Radio 88(3):236–250

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sovacool BK(2008) Valuing the greenhouse gas emissions from nuclear power: acritical survey. Energy Policy 36, Elsevier

    Google Scholar 

  • Stefaniak EA, Alsecz A, Frost R, Mathe Z, Sajo IE, Torok S, Worobiec A, Grieken R.V (2009) Combined SEM/EDX and micro-Raman spectroscopy analysis of uranium minerals from a former uranium mine. Hazard Mater, 168:416-423.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Steffan RJ, Sperry KL, Walsh MT, Vainberg S, Condee CW (1999) Field-scale evaluation of in situ bioaugmentation for remediation of chlorinated solvents in groundwater. Environ Sci Technol 33(16):2771–2781

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stumm W, Morgan JJ (1995) Aquatic Chemistry: chemical equilibria and rates in natural waters, 3rd edn. Wiley, New York/London

    Google Scholar 

  • Sun W, Sierra-Alvarez R, Hsu I, Rowlette P, Field JA (2010) Anoxic oxidation of arsenite linked to chemolithotrophic denitrification in continuous bioreactors. Biotechnol Bioeng 105(5):909–917

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Supanopas P, Sretarugsa P, Pokethitiyook P, Upatham ES (2005) Acute and subchronic toxicity of lead to the spotted Babylon, Babylonia areolata Neogastropoda, Buccinidae. J Shellfish Res 24(1):91–98

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas KT (1981) Management of wastes from uranium mines and mills. IAEA Bull 23(2):33–35

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomas PG, Quinn PJ, Williams WP (1985) The origin of photosystem-I mediated electron transport stimulation in heat-stressed chloroplasts. Planta 167(1):133–139

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tiwary RK, Dhakate R, Rao A, Singh VS (2005) Assessment and prediction of contaminant migration in ground water from chromite waste dump. Environ Geol 48(4–5):420–429

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tredoux M, De Wit MJ, Hart RJ, Armstrong RA, Lindsay NM, Sellschop JPF (1989) Platinum group elements in a 3.5 Ga nickel-iron occurrence possible evidence of a deep mantle origin. J Geophys Res 94(B1):795–813

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tudiver S (2009) Greenhouse gas emissions from nuclear power in 2030: examining emissions estimates and projected growth. Yale J Int Aff 4(2):100–111

    Google Scholar 

  • UNEP (2010) Final review of scientific information on lead. United Nations Environment Programme, Chemicals Branch, DTIE. Available at http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/news/2013/pdf-links/UN%202010%20report.pdf. Last accessed November 9, 2014

  • USGS (1995) Mercury contamination of aquatic ecosystems, USGS fact sheet 216-95. Complied by Krabbenhoft DP and Rickert DA. US Geological Survey report

    Google Scholar 

  • Veglio F, Quaresima R, Fornari P, Ubaldini S (2003) Recovery of valuable metals from electronic and galvanic industrial wastes by leaching and electrowinning. Waste Manag 23(3):245–252

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vincze E, Bowra S (2006) Transformation of Rhizobia with broad-host-range plasmids by using a Freeze-Thaw method. Appl Environ Microbiol 72(3):2290–2293

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Volesky B (2007) Biosorption and me. Water Res 41(18):4017–4029

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Volesky B, Holan Z (1995) Biosorption of heavy metals. Biotechnol Prog 11(3):235–250

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Von Gruenewaldt G, Hatton CJ (1987) Platinum-group metals-a resource in the tailings of chromium mines in South Africa. J South Afr Inst Mining Metallurgy 87(9):265–268

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wagner PA (1923) The chromite of the Bushveld complex. S Afr J Sci 20:223–235

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wall S (2010) The history of electrokinetic phenomena. Curr Opin Colloid Interface Sci 15(3):119–124

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang D, Sun W, Xu Y, Tang H, Gregory J (2004) Speciation stability of inorganic polymerflocculant-PACl. Colloids Surf Physicochem Eng Aspects 243:1–10

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang Y, Xie Y, Li W, Wang Z, Giammar DE (2010) Formation of lead(IV) oxides from lead(II) compounds. Environ Sci Technol 44(23):8950–8956

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang Z, Bush RT, Sullivan LA, Liu J (2013) Simultaneous redox conversion of chromium(VI) and arsenic(III) under acidic conditions. Environ Sci Technol 47(12):6486–6492

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Weightman AJ, Don RH, Lehrbach PR, Timmis KN (1984) The identification and cloning of genes encoding haloaromatic catabolic enzymes and the construction of hybrid pathways for substrate mineralization. In: Omenn GS, Hollaender A (eds) Genetic control of environmental pollutants. Plenum Press, New York/London, pp 47–80

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Wessels CE(2017) Bioremediation of seleniferous water is gaining more momentum, especially when it comes to bacterial reduction of the selenium oxyanion, Masters dissertation, University of Pretoria, South Africa

    Google Scholar 

  • White O, Eisen JA, Heidelberg JF, Hickey EK, Peterson JD, Dodson RJ, Haft DH, Gwinn ML, Nelson WC, Richardson DL, Moffat KS, Qin H, Jiang L, Pamphile W, Crosby M, Shen M, Vamathevan JJ, Lam P, McDonald L, Utterback T, Zalewski C, Makarova KS, Aravind L, Daly MJ, Minton KW, Fleischmann RD, Ketchum KA, Nelson KE, Salzberg S, Smith HO, Venter JC, Fraser CM (1999) Genome sequence of the radio resistant bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans R1. Science 286(5444):1571–1577

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wilke S, Johnstone J (2017) Readings in the anthropocene: the environmental humanities, German studies. Bloomsbury, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Wittbrodt PR, Palmer CD (1992) Limitations to pump-and-treat remediation of a chromium contaminated site. Aquifer restoration: pump-and-treat and the alternatives. In: Proc National Groundwater Association Convention, 30 Sept.–2 Oct. 1992, Las Vegas, NV

    Google Scholar 

  • WNA (2008) World Nuclear Association information report: http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf88.html

  • Yong P, Rowson NA, Peter J, Farr G, Harris IR, Macaskie LE (2002) Bioreduction and biocrystallization of palladium by Desulfovibrio desulfuricans NCIMB 8307. Biotechnol Bioeng 80(40):369–379

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zakaria ZA, Zakaria Z, Surif S, Ahmad WA (2007) Biological detoxification of Cr(VI) using wood-husk immobilized Acinetobacter haemolyticus. J Hazard Mater 148(1–2):164–171

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgment

The research was funded by the National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa through the Incentive Funding for Rated Researchers Grant No. IFR2010042900080 and Competitive Programme for Rated Researchers Grant No. CPR2011060300001 awarded to Prof. Evans M.N. Chirwa of the University of Pretoria. Postdoctoral fellow working on this project – Dr Zainab Birungi – was funded by the National Research Foundation and the University of Pretoria Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Water Utilization and Environmental Engineering Division, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa

    Evans M. Nkhalambayausi-Chirwa, Pulane Elsie Molokwane, Tshilidzi Bridget Lutsinge, Tony Ebuka Igboamalu & Zainab S. Birungi

  2. Oloenviron Consultancy, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Pulane Elsie Molokwane

Authors
  1. Evans M. Nkhalambayausi-Chirwa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Pulane Elsie Molokwane
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Tshilidzi Bridget Lutsinge
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Tony Ebuka Igboamalu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Zainab S. Birungi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Evans M. Nkhalambayausi-Chirwa .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory for Bioremediation and Metagenomics Research (LBMR), Department of Microbiology (DM), Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar (Central) University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India

    Ram Naresh Bharagava

  2. Laboratory for Bioremediation and Metagenomics Research (LBMR), Department of Microbiology (DM), Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar (Central) University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India

    Gaurav Saxena

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Nkhalambayausi-Chirwa, E.M., Molokwane, P.E., Lutsinge, T.B., Igboamalu, T.E., Birungi, Z.S. (2020). Advances in Bioremediation of Toxic Heavy Metals and Radionuclides in Contaminated Soil and Aquatic Systems. In: Bharagava, R., Saxena, G. (eds) Bioremediation of Industrial Waste for Environmental Safety. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-3426-9_2

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation