The advancement in nanotechnological approaches can utilize both the phases,
i.e., solid phase and solution phase, to decontaminate the soil under aerobic and
anaerobic conditions (Medina-Pérez et al. 2019). For example, iron-based
nanoparticles can effectively convert chlorinated organic compounds. The interaction of bacteria and zero-valent iron [Fe(0)] produces biological iron oxide, which
can catalyze the dehalogenation of organic pollutants, chlorinated solvents, and
pesticides (Quinn et al. 2005). Similarly, silver and gold nanopreparations can
efficiently remove chlorpyrifos and malathion pesticides, either in solution phase
or coated over alumina (Momic et al. 2016). In the solid phase, the long-term
interaction between nanoparticles and pesticides causes them to adsorb on the
surface and eventually lead to precipitation. The alumina-loaded nanoparticles are
more effective in removing pesticides. Nanoparticles are firmly attached on an inert
surface that absorbs pesticides and then are catalytically destroyed. At room temperature, the CCl bonds of hydrocarbons are broken, forming amorphous carbon as a
by-product of the reaction (Nair and Pradeep 2007). In addition to singlenanoparticle formulations, stable Fe-Pd bimetallic nanoparticles have been studied,
under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, for the degradation of chlorinated pesticides
(lindane and atrazine) (Kumar and Pannu 2018). Nanoparticles behave as strong
electron donors under anaerobic conditions, leading to the complete reduction of
lindane and atrazine in the presence of Fe and Pd as catalysts. In contrast,
nanoparticles under aerobic conditions will undergo a Fenton-like reaction. The
hydroxyl radicals and active oxygen in the iron nanoparticles promote the oxidation
of lindane, by dehalogenation or dehydrohalogenation, whereas dealkylation of
alkyl amino side chain is required for atrazine removal (Joo and Zhao 2007).
8 Conclusions and Future Prospects
Due to human activities, huge amounts of pesticides are released into the environment, causing adverse effect on living beings. The microbial assisted pesticide
degradation is found as the efficient, ideal, and most sustainable approaches. The
microbial communities play an important role in the decomposition of pesticides,
nutrient recycling, and biodegradation to repair polluted environments. Pesticides in
water and soil can change the diversity and integrity of microbial communities.
However, genetic flexibility and metabolic versatility enable microorganisms to
resist the presence of pollutants in the environment, including pesticides. These
microorganisms have developed strong strategies to degrade pesticides that pollute
their environment. This versatile characteristic stands them in the row of potential
candidate for pesticide bioremediation. The development of technologies, like
genetic engineering, metagenomics, genomics and proteomics, and nanotechnology,
has provide the crucial role in biodegradation of pesticides. The advancement in
biotechnology and nanotechnology has started a new era of innovations that has the
potential to revolutionize the bioremediation sector as biological, efficient, and clean
remedial solutions to ensure the sustainability of our planet in the coming future.
166
R. K. Ravi and R. Y. Hiranmai
i.e., solid phase and solution phase, to decontaminate the soil under aerobic and
anaerobic conditions (Medina-Pérez et al. 2019). For example, iron-based
nanoparticles can effectively convert chlorinated organic compounds. The interaction of bacteria and zero-valent iron [Fe(0)] produces biological iron oxide, which
can catalyze the dehalogenation of organic pollutants, chlorinated solvents, and
pesticides (Quinn et al. 2005). Similarly, silver and gold nanopreparations can
efficiently remove chlorpyrifos and malathion pesticides, either in solution phase
or coated over alumina (Momic et al. 2016). In the solid phase, the long-term
interaction between nanoparticles and pesticides causes them to adsorb on the
surface and eventually lead to precipitation. The alumina-loaded nanoparticles are
more effective in removing pesticides. Nanoparticles are firmly attached on an inert
surface that absorbs pesticides and then are catalytically destroyed. At room temperature, the CCl bonds of hydrocarbons are broken, forming amorphous carbon as a
by-product of the reaction (Nair and Pradeep 2007). In addition to singlenanoparticle formulations, stable Fe-Pd bimetallic nanoparticles have been studied,
under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, for the degradation of chlorinated pesticides
(lindane and atrazine) (Kumar and Pannu 2018). Nanoparticles behave as strong
electron donors under anaerobic conditions, leading to the complete reduction of
lindane and atrazine in the presence of Fe and Pd as catalysts. In contrast,
nanoparticles under aerobic conditions will undergo a Fenton-like reaction. The
hydroxyl radicals and active oxygen in the iron nanoparticles promote the oxidation
of lindane, by dehalogenation or dehydrohalogenation, whereas dealkylation of
alkyl amino side chain is required for atrazine removal (Joo and Zhao 2007).
8 Conclusions and Future Prospects
Due to human activities, huge amounts of pesticides are released into the environment, causing adverse effect on living beings. The microbial assisted pesticide
degradation is found as the efficient, ideal, and most sustainable approaches. The
microbial communities play an important role in the decomposition of pesticides,
nutrient recycling, and biodegradation to repair polluted environments. Pesticides in
water and soil can change the diversity and integrity of microbial communities.
However, genetic flexibility and metabolic versatility enable microorganisms to
resist the presence of pollutants in the environment, including pesticides. These
microorganisms have developed strong strategies to degrade pesticides that pollute
their environment. This versatile characteristic stands them in the row of potential
candidate for pesticide bioremediation. The development of technologies, like
genetic engineering, metagenomics, genomics and proteomics, and nanotechnology,
has provide the crucial role in biodegradation of pesticides. The advancement in
biotechnology and nanotechnology has started a new era of innovations that has the
potential to revolutionize the bioremediation sector as biological, efficient, and clean
remedial solutions to ensure the sustainability of our planet in the coming future.
166
R. K. Ravi and R. Y. Hiranmai