Approaches in Bioremediation of Dioxins and Dioxin-Like Compounds – A Review on Current and Future Prospects

Abstract

Waste generation is becoming increasingly prominent in the environmental arena due to the increase in population and living standards of life. Dioxin and Dioxin-related compounds are a set of hazardous chemicals that are ubiquitously distributed. Polychlorinated dioxins are introduced into our surroundings by both spontaneous and induced activities like combustion, incineration of waste, recycling of e-waste, and paper and pesticide manufacturing. They are chloroaromatic compounds that are found to be lethal and possess carcinogenic properties and are one of the primary examples of persistent environmental pollutants (POP). Removal of these compounds from the environment is very challenging due to their recalcitrant nature. An alternative technique is the use of microbial technology which includes the use of bacteria and fungi to detoxify the dioxins that are considered to be a more effective, economical, and environmentally sustainable alternative. Different microbial interactions were studied for their degradation potential. Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and furans (PCDD/F) are found to be degraded by bacteria by adopting either aerobic or anaerobic pathways and the details regarding the diversity, distribution, bioremediation potential, metabolic pathway have been analyzed. This review provides an overview of the source of contamination, its potential toxicity assessment, and various bioremediation techniques that are employed are discussed in detail. It also highlights the nanoremediation technique - a promising tool in which nanoparticles are used in the treatment of toxic organic pollutants.

Keywords

• bioremediation, carcinogenicity microorganisms, nanoremediation, persistent organic pollutants, polychlorinated dioxins, toxicity assessment