Remediation of Heavy Metals Through
Genetically Engineered Microorganism
12
Neerja Srivastava
Abstract
Bioremediation of soil, groundwater, and activated sludge sites can be done by
genetically engineered microorganisms (GEMs) with increased breakdown
capacity for a number of pollutants. However, very few studies related to GEM
applications in environmental ecosystems have been done. Unfortunately, the
single approach to fully exploit the potential of GEMs in bioremediation is
through continuous field release studies. Therefore, to get accurate knowledge
for assessing the whole efficiency and dangers of GEM entrance into natural
ecosystems, field studies are necessary. These days, remediation of a large
number of heavy metals through the use of GE bacteria is in the limelight because
of its environmental friendly nature and reduced damage to human health in
contrast to various physico-chemical methods. For successfully reclaiming heavy
metal-polluted sites by in situ bioremediation utilizing engineered bacteria, a
mixture of microbiological and ecological information, biochemical procedures
and field engineering methods are necessary components. While developing and
using GE bacteria to enhance bioremediation, different important research
problems have been recognized which prepared for possible future research.
Genetic engineering of native microflora, adapted for local environmental surroundings, may remediate polluted sites more efficiently and will prove it much
easier and more eco-friendly strategy. However, various issues related to the
release of genetically designed bacteria in field settings have to be dealt with.
There are potential dangers related to the application of GE bacteria in the field
especially the modes by which molecular genetics could add to the risk mitigation. Environmental and public health issues should be dealt with by the molecular biologists.
N. Srivastava (*)
Department of Biochemistry, IBSBT, CSJM University, Kanpur, India
# Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
R. Prasad (ed.), Environmental Pollution and Remediation, Environmental and
Microbial Biotechnology, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-5499-5_12
315
Genetically Engineered Microorganism
12
Neerja Srivastava
Abstract
Bioremediation of soil, groundwater, and activated sludge sites can be done by
genetically engineered microorganisms (GEMs) with increased breakdown
capacity for a number of pollutants. However, very few studies related to GEM
applications in environmental ecosystems have been done. Unfortunately, the
single approach to fully exploit the potential of GEMs in bioremediation is
through continuous field release studies. Therefore, to get accurate knowledge
for assessing the whole efficiency and dangers of GEM entrance into natural
ecosystems, field studies are necessary. These days, remediation of a large
number of heavy metals through the use of GE bacteria is in the limelight because
of its environmental friendly nature and reduced damage to human health in
contrast to various physico-chemical methods. For successfully reclaiming heavy
metal-polluted sites by in situ bioremediation utilizing engineered bacteria, a
mixture of microbiological and ecological information, biochemical procedures
and field engineering methods are necessary components. While developing and
using GE bacteria to enhance bioremediation, different important research
problems have been recognized which prepared for possible future research.
Genetic engineering of native microflora, adapted for local environmental surroundings, may remediate polluted sites more efficiently and will prove it much
easier and more eco-friendly strategy. However, various issues related to the
release of genetically designed bacteria in field settings have to be dealt with.
There are potential dangers related to the application of GE bacteria in the field
especially the modes by which molecular genetics could add to the risk mitigation. Environmental and public health issues should be dealt with by the molecular biologists.
N. Srivastava (*)
Department of Biochemistry, IBSBT, CSJM University, Kanpur, India
# Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
R. Prasad (ed.), Environmental Pollution and Remediation, Environmental and
Microbial Biotechnology, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-5499-5_12
315