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Biosorption of Heavy Metals by Cyanobacteria: Potential of Live and Dead Cells in Bioremediation

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Microbial Bioremediation & Biodegradation

Abstract

Biosorption is a physicochemical process that allows certain microorganisms to passively bind contaminants onto their cellular structures. Mostly this process has been applied in the removal of heavy metals from contaminated water bodies. The technique is highly efficient and cost-effective and allows recovery of metal as well as the biomass. Among various organisms used for biosorption of heavy metals, such as bacteria, fungi, algae, higher plants, etc., cyanobacteria hold special position due to their unique structural properties and high metal sorption capabilities. Several cyanobacterial strains as live or dead cells have been used to remove heavy metals from contaminated sites. In view of its importance, this chapter discusses how cyanobacteria have been used in bioremediation of heavy metals. Attempts will be made to highlight the properties of cyanobacteria useful for biosorption and the process parameters responsible for enhancing the metal removal capability. In addition, mechanisms underlying sorption process are discussed.

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  1. Botany Section, MMV, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India

    Shachi Singh

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  1. Shachi Singh
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  1. Environmental Microbiology Lab, Bharuch, Gujarat, India

    Maulin P. Shah

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Singh, S. (2020). Biosorption of Heavy Metals by Cyanobacteria: Potential of Live and Dead Cells in Bioremediation. In: Shah, M. (eds) Microbial Bioremediation & Biodegradation. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-1812-6_15

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