Microorganisms and Metal Pollutants

Timberley M. Roane, Ian L. Pepper, Terry J. Gentry

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

65 Scopus citations

Abstract

Metals cannot be degraded through any physical, chemical or biological means, including microorganisms. However, microorganisms can alter the bioavailability of metals and their potential toxicity by changing the valence state of specific metals through oxidation or reduction. The goal of this chapter is to demonstrate how the presence of metals influences both the degree and type of microbial metal resistance mechanisms that are expressed, and how microbial resistance, in turn, can influence the fate of metals in the environment. First, metals and their interaction with the physicochemical components of the environment are discussed. Subsequently, we focus on specific metal-microbe interactions including: mechanisms of metal resistance; positive and negative effects of metal-microbe interactions; and applications of microorganisms in metal mining and remediation of metal-contaminated sites.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationEnvironmental Microbiology
Subtitle of host publicationThird Edition
PublisherElsevier Inc.
Pages415-439
Number of pages25
ISBN (Print)9780123946263
DOIs
StatePublished - 2015

Keywords

  • Metal bioavailability
  • Metal homeostasis
  • Metal remediation
  • Metal speciation
  • Microbe-metal interaction
  • Microbial metal resistance mechanisms
  • Microbial metal transformations

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

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