Chromium toxicity is a major environmental concern as it is the chief environmental pollutant released by paint, stainless steel, and mining industries. In nature, chromium exists in two stable valance states: Cr(VI) and Cr(III). Cr(VI) is highly toxic and soluble at neutral pH, whereas Cr(III) is insoluble at normal pH and is less toxic. Thus, it is essential to draw strategies for mitigation of Cr(VI), and microbial reduction of toxic Cr(VI) has been identified as a bioremediation technique not only to detoxify chromium but also to recover the non-toxic Cr(III) by physical means. Chromate reductase, the central enzyme involved in bioreduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) may be both intracellular as well as extracellular in nature. Most of the chromate reductase enzyme belongs to the oxidoreductase group such as nitroreductase, iron reductase, quinone reductase, hydrogenase, flavin reductase, as well as NAD(P)H-dependent reductase. Detailed analysis of the structure of the enzymes will help us in the suitable application of these enzymes in bioremediation of metal-contaminated wastes.
Extensive industrialization and urbanization have led to the generation of huge amounts of industrial wastes. These wastes, mainly generated from discarded electronic gadgets, thermal power industry, and alumina factories, contribute considerably to the pollution. All these wastes are mainly characterized by the presence of several valuable rare earth elements and heavy metals such as Ni, Co, Te, In, Mo, Ga, and W. However, most of these valuable metals are found in extremely low concentrations, and most of the traditional metal extraction processes are not considered cost-effective or environmentally friendly. Traditional methods of metal extraction also require the use of acids or bases, which consequently generate secondary waste. Biological techniques have several advantages, such as being low-cost and eco-friendly. In most cases, bioleaching is considered when other chemical methods are not cost-effective. Various chemolithotrophic, heterotrophic, and cyanogenic bacteria and fungi have been extensively used for the bioleaching of metal values. These microbes produce inorganic, organic, and cyanide to perform bioleaching, which can be effectively used to obtain metals from industrial wastes. This chapter mainly deals with the different factors that enhance bioleaching and also gives a detailed account of the microbes used in the bioleaching of metal values from industrial wastes of different types.
Bauxite residue (also called red mud) is the by-product of industrial extraction of aluminum by the Bayer process. Since the late nineteenth century, it has been produced across the world, with a current estimated deposit of about 3 giga ton that is increasing every year by 120 metric tons. In addition to its high pH and salinity, bauxite residues also contain many heavy metals and radioactive elements and are the main source of environmental pollution. Management and remediation by physicochemical methods are neither economically viable nor environment-friendly. Culture-dependent and metagenomic approaches have explored the functionally and genetically diverse indigenous microbial communities of these extreme bauxite residues. This extremophilic microbiota has not only adapted to hostile environment but also plays a critical role in the biogeochemical processes. Attempts have recently been initiated to assess the potential of these diverse microbial resources for possible application in bio-amelioration, bioremediation and bioleaching. Implementation of these technologies, however, demands success in both pilot scale and field-level experimentations. This present review will provide updated information on microbial resources of bauxite residues and their potential role in the biomanagement of this unique environment.
ABSTRACT ABSTRACT Arthrobacter sp. SUK 1201, a potent isolate reported from chromite mine overburden of Orissa, India, has been evaluated for Cr(VI) reduction with immobilized whole cells. For whole-cell immobilization, Ba-alginate was found to be most effective, and the Cr(VI) reduction potential was maximum in minimal salts (MS) medium with cells immobilized in 2% alginate. Fourier transform infrared spectra of depolymerized cells has failed to detect any sign of complexation of Cr(VI) or its reduced products with the cell mass. Reduction efficiency of the beads increased with increase in cell load, but decreased with increase in Cr(VI) concentration in the medium. Glycerol was the most potent electron donor for chromate reduction, followed by glucose and peptone. Optimum pH for Cr(VI) reduction was 7.0, and the process was inhibited by metal ions such as Ni(II), Co(II), Cd(II), Zn(II), and Mn(II) but not by Cu(II) and Fe(III). Similarly, CCCP (carbonyl cyanide-m-chlorophenylhydrazone), DCC (N,N,-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide), sodium azide, and sodium fluoride were inhibitory in nature, whereas chromate reduction was unaffected in the presence of DNP (2,4-dinitrophenol). Moreover, immobilized cells of SUK 1201 remained biologically active for four consecutive cycles, accompanied with an initial increase in cell number in the beads, although a decline in chromate reduction was recorded from the second cycle onward. Immobilized cells of Arthrobacter sp. SUK 1201, therefore, could be a potential tool for long-term uses in chromium detoxification. KEYWORDS: Arthrobacter sp.Ba-alginatechromate-reducing actinomyceteshexavalent chromiumimmobilized cellsmine overburden ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The authors duly acknowledge the financial support from the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, vide Sanction Number BT/PR/5766/NDB/51/061/2005.
Bauxite residue is the by-product produced by Bayer's process, the main industrial extraction process of aluminum. The currently estimated deposit of bauxite residue is about 3 Gigaton which is increasing every year by 120 Megaton. It is characterized by high pH, salinity along with the presence of many heavy metals and radioactive elements and is the main source of environmental pollution. Due to the absence of any prominent reuse option rehabilitation of bauxite residue disposal site is of primary concern. However, management and remediation by physico-chemical methods are neither economically viable nor environment friendly. This bauxite residue harbors functionally and genetically diverse indigenous microbial communities which have been studied by both culture-dependent and metagenomic approaches. These extremophilic microbiota has not only adapted to hostile environment but also play a critical role in the biogeochemical processes. Attempts have been initiated to assess the potential of these microbial resources for possible application in bioamelioration, bioremediation, and bioleaching of metal values from bauxite residue. Implementation of these technologies however demands success in both pilot-scale and field-level experimentations. This review will provide updated information on microbial resources of bauxite residues and their potential role in the bio-management of this unique environment.
This book covers the latest development in the biotechnological application of extremophiles. Along with this the impact of climate change and environmental pollution on loss of diversity of extremophiles is also discussed. This is crucial as the loss of this diversity is related with the loss of many bioactive compounds and bacteria of ecological importance. This volume outlines applications of extremophiles in biotechnology, nanotechnology, and bioremediation.