Harnessing bacterial consortia for effective bioremediation: targeted removal of heavy metals, hydrocarbons, and persistent pollutants

Abstract Industrial activities, agricultural runoff, municipal waste, and mining generate toxic pollutants that threaten ecosystems and human health, necessitating sustainable remediation strategies to mitigate their impact. Bacterial bioremediation is an eco-friendly and cost-effective method for treating metal-contaminated industrial effluent. It uses biosorption and bioaccumulation mechanisms, redox reactions, and enzymatic transformation methods, with bacterial cell walls as potential chemisorption sites. Simultaneously, bacteria employing various ways to tolerate and detoxify metalloid pollutants play a crucial role in mitigating hazards. This review highlights the most effective bacterial consortia for removing heavy metals, hydrocarbons, and persistent pollutants, emphasizing their mechanisms and applications. In addition, it explores emerging technologies, including synthetic biology, genetic engineering, nanotechnology, and CRISPR-Cas9, to enhance biodegradation efficiency, particularly in underexplored areas like plastic decomposition. These advancements hold significant promises for improving bioremediation efficacy and expanding its industrial and environmental applications.