Developments in Bioremediation of Soils and Sediments Polluted with Metals and Radionuclides - 3. Influence of Chemical Speciation and Bioavailability on Contaminants Immobilization/mobilization Bio-processes

The biotransformation of metals is an exciting, developing strategy to treat metal contamination, especially in environments that are not accessible to other remediation technologies. However, our ability to benefit from these strategies hinges on our ability to monitor these transformations in the environment. That’s why remediation of contaminated sediments and soil requires detailed in situ characterization of the speciation of the toxic substances and their transformations with respect to time and spatial distribution. The present paper gives an overview of the literature regarding research performed in the laboratory as well as in the field.