Microorganisms in Waste Management

Microorganisms play important roles in the maintenance of many natural and man-made phenomenon in the environment. They serve positive functions that make life easier and better for man. One of such areas that microorganisms are adopted is in waste management. The proper disposal of the voluminous waste that humans generate in their daily activities is a great challenge that government and environmental agencies are continuously seeking better ways of addressing. An important way of successfully combating this menace is through the use of microorganisms. Thus, this paper examines the various applications of microorganisms in the management of municipal waste. It reviews the various roles of microorganisms in the environment, such as in sewage and soil treatment, energy generation, oil spillage and radioactive contamination. It also discusses waste generation and management methods, and some specific uses of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, algae, virus and protozoa) in waste management. It concludes by highlighting some recent advances in microbiological waste management.