Biofilm extracellular polymeric substances-based bioremediation of radionuclides

Abstract There have been consistent efforts to develop bioremediation technologies for radionuclides for the treatment of mildly active radioactive wastes or radionuclides contaminated waters. Most of radionuclides of concern are heavy metals (U, Pu, Th, Sr, etc.), which cannot be degraded. These radionuclides can be precipitated, concentrated, or immobilized to reduce their hazardous nature. Microbial biofilms have been identified as an emerging potential technology for bioremediation of many hazardous and toxic pollutants, such as heavy metals, dyes, poly-aromatic hydrocarbons, etc. In this chapter, we focus on how microbial biofilms and extracellular polymeric substances of biofilms can be of use to develop technologies for the bioremediation of radionuclides. This chapter further attempts to provide an insight into major mechanisms involved in mitigation of radionuclides and the challenges pertinent to potential bioremediation using microbial biofilms.