Role of Microorganisms in Bioremediation

Abstract

Bioremediation involves the use of natural microorganisms for the purpose of
degrading numerous types of industrial and environmental waste. Microorganisms
require carbon, nutrients, and energy to live and multiply as all living organisms do. In
order to obtain energy, such microorganisms break down organic pollutants into simpler
organic compounds like carbon, salts, water, and similar harmless products. This
approach of degrading contaminants using microorganisms has proved much beneficial
and has been proven to be cost-effective and efficient. There are a lot of naturally occurring
microorganisms that have been reported essential in the degradation of organic pollutants.
Different industries use different types of bioremediation methods. Specific
environmental conditions may be required for optimal functioning of microbes e.g., pH,
temperature, humidity, etc. Bioremediation has been proven as an environment-friendly
and cost-effective approach to deal with industrial contaminants. Descriptive information
of microbes involved in bioremediation has been explained in this review.