mechanisms which are prominent agents in the process of aggregate formation and
increase in soil fertility. This chapter deals with the ability of cyanobacteria and their
mechanisms on reclamation of wide range of problem soils such as saline, alkaline
and acid soils.
Keywords Cyanobacteria · Photoautotroph · Bioremediation · Problem soils ·
Economical
5.1 Introduction
Soil pollution is a serious issue due to extensive industrialization and agrochemical
practices. These pollutants render harmful effects to humans, crop plants and
animals, causing ecological changes leading to a collapse in natural biodiversity.
Reclamation of these contaminated soils for better life habitation is always an
intriguing factor in the minds of scientists all over the world. Many physical and
chemical conventional methods were enforced to remove and reduce the soil contaminants, but they were remarked with certain drawbacks and risks. Scientists in
search of eco-friendly and feasible approaches resulted in the evolution of bioremediation. Application of microorganism to eliminate the anthropogenic and
non-anthropogenic contaminants from soils was widely studied, especially the role
of bacteria and fungi. However, bioremediation not only limited to the use of
bacteria and fungi, but the positive impact of cyanobacteria in remediation is
currently getting more attention. Cyanobacteria are often called blue-green algae,
which is a prokaryote that belongs to bacteria. Rather than the presence of chloroplast, it is no way related to eukaryotic algae. Among the prokaryotes, cyanobacteria
were noted with degradation nature of versatile contaminants and other benefits;
hence with the help of modern scientific approach, cyanobacteria could be adapted
as a new strategic technique to overcome soil-related problems.
5.2 Why Cyanobacteria?
The soil-related problems include (1) excessive usage of agrochemicals, (2) heavy
metal contamination and (3) alkalinity and salinity. The ability of cyanobacteria to
withstand extreme conditions made it a superordinate one in a prokaryote.
Cyanobacteria can also develop in hypersaline and alkaline condition, tolerate
xerophilic conditions, desiccation and high temperature and affirm high metal
concentration. However, cyanobacteria are excluded from acidic environments at
pH below 5 (Rampelotto 2013).
142
K. G. Sabarinathan et al.
increase in soil fertility. This chapter deals with the ability of cyanobacteria and their
mechanisms on reclamation of wide range of problem soils such as saline, alkaline
and acid soils.
Keywords Cyanobacteria · Photoautotroph · Bioremediation · Problem soils ·
Economical
5.1 Introduction
Soil pollution is a serious issue due to extensive industrialization and agrochemical
practices. These pollutants render harmful effects to humans, crop plants and
animals, causing ecological changes leading to a collapse in natural biodiversity.
Reclamation of these contaminated soils for better life habitation is always an
intriguing factor in the minds of scientists all over the world. Many physical and
chemical conventional methods were enforced to remove and reduce the soil contaminants, but they were remarked with certain drawbacks and risks. Scientists in
search of eco-friendly and feasible approaches resulted in the evolution of bioremediation. Application of microorganism to eliminate the anthropogenic and
non-anthropogenic contaminants from soils was widely studied, especially the role
of bacteria and fungi. However, bioremediation not only limited to the use of
bacteria and fungi, but the positive impact of cyanobacteria in remediation is
currently getting more attention. Cyanobacteria are often called blue-green algae,
which is a prokaryote that belongs to bacteria. Rather than the presence of chloroplast, it is no way related to eukaryotic algae. Among the prokaryotes, cyanobacteria
were noted with degradation nature of versatile contaminants and other benefits;
hence with the help of modern scientific approach, cyanobacteria could be adapted
as a new strategic technique to overcome soil-related problems.
5.2 Why Cyanobacteria?
The soil-related problems include (1) excessive usage of agrochemicals, (2) heavy
metal contamination and (3) alkalinity and salinity. The ability of cyanobacteria to
withstand extreme conditions made it a superordinate one in a prokaryote.
Cyanobacteria can also develop in hypersaline and alkaline condition, tolerate
xerophilic conditions, desiccation and high temperature and affirm high metal
concentration. However, cyanobacteria are excluded from acidic environments at
pH below 5 (Rampelotto 2013).
142
K. G. Sabarinathan et al.