We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microbial mechanisms as tools for monitoring and treating emerging contaminants in urban pollution: an overview
Summary
This review examines the role of microorganisms in detecting, monitoring, and degrading emerging contaminants including microplastics in urban environments. The study highlights that bacteria and fungi can serve as both sensitive bioindicators of pollution and active agents for biodegradation, suggesting that microbial-based strategies hold promise for sustainable environmental remediation.
Emerging contaminants are molecules, either novel or previously recognized, that persist in the environment and may pose risks to ecosystems and human health. Their increasing occurrence, particularly in pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and industrial processes, has intensified research on their detection, monitoring, and ecological impact. Advances in analytical technologies now enable the identification of these compounds at trace concentrations, yet their long-term effects remain uncertain. This review compiles recent findings on microbial ecotoxicology, focusing on representative contaminants of high concern such as penicillin, parabens, caffeine, and microplastics. Microorganisms (bacteria or fungi) are highlighted both as sensitive bioindicators of environmental pollution and as active agents in biodegradation processes. Their ability to metabolize, transform, or neutralize contaminants underscores their potential as sustainable tools for remediation. By integrating evidence from multiple studies, we emphasize microbial-based strategies as promising tools for environmental monitoring and mitigation.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Application of green microbiology for microplastic remediation: Current progress and future perspectives
This review explores how microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, can be harnessed to break down microplastic pollution through environmentally friendly biodegradation approaches. Researchers summarized current progress in identifying plastic-degrading microbes and the enzymes they use. The study highlights the promise of green microbiology as a sustainable strategy for tackling microplastic contamination, while noting that significant technical challenges remain.
Challenges and Sustainable Solutions for the Detection and Bioremediation of Microplastic Pollution
This review surveyed the latest challenges in detecting microplastics in complex environmental matrices and assessed biological remediation strategies including bacteria, fungi, and algae capable of degrading common plastic polymers. It highlighted gaps between laboratory degradation rates and real-world effectiveness.
Bioremediation of environmental wastes: the role of microorganisms
This review discusses how bacteria, fungi, and algae can be used to clean up environmental pollution including plastic waste, heavy metals, and pesticides through a process called bioremediation. These biological cleanup methods are relevant to microplastic pollution because certain microorganisms may be able to break down plastic particles in contaminated soil and water.
Unlocking secrets of microbial ecotoxicology: recent achievements and future challenges
This review explores how microorganisms interact with environmental pollutants, including microplastics, covering how bacteria can break down pollutants but are also harmed by them. The authors highlight that microplastics create new surfaces in the environment where bacteria form communities, potentially spreading harmful species or antibiotic resistance. Understanding these microbial interactions is critical for developing nature-based solutions to reduce pollution and protect human health.
Microbial degradation of microplastics: Effectiveness, challenges, and sustainable solutions
This review summarizes current knowledge on microbial degradation of microplastics, examining the effectiveness of bacteria, fungi, and algae in breaking down various plastic polymers. Researchers found that while certain microorganisms show promising degradation capabilities, the process remains slow and faces challenges in real-world conditions. The study identifies key research gaps and potential strategies for developing more effective biological microplastic remediation approaches.