Heavy Metal Contamination in Wastewater and Its Bioremediation by Microbial-based Approaches

This book covers various aspects of heavy metal contamination in wastewater and its removal by microbial-based approaches. The heavy metal contamination in water is generally caused due to natural and anthropogenic activities. There are many industrial processes responsible for such a contamination, for example, leather tanning, coal washeries, agriculture activities, chrome plating and paint industries. The industrial effluent directly or indirectly discharges into water sources, and heavy metal containing wastewater decreases the quality of surface water and groundwater. The heavy metal contamination causes various types of health issues in human and other living organisms, including kidney and liver damage, heart failure, mental retardation, cancers, and skin and gastric problems. The high level of heavy metal concentration in the cell generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) which may cause damage to cell organelles.

Due to their high toxicity, there is an urgent need to develop effective heavy metal removal method for wastewater treatment. There are several conventional methods available for the removal of heavy metal ions from contaminated sites. These methods have some disadvantages such as the generation of secondary toxic sludge and high operation cost. Hence, it is required to develop cost-effective and eco-friendly methods for decontamination. Microorganisms have tendency to accumulate heavy metal ions into their intracellular space and can grow in various high-stress environments, and microbial-based methods are considered as eco-friendly and cost-effective. Moreover, the integrated approach of wastewater treatment and utilization of microbial biomass for bioenergy production can be beneficial in terms of heavy metal bioremediation and zero waste generation. This book focuses on the heavy metal contamination, their toxicity and microbial methods for the removal of heavy metal ions from contaminated sites.

Dr. Veer Singh is currently working as DHR-Young Scientist in the Department of Biochemistry, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, India. He received his Ph.D. from the Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University), Varanasi. He has more than 30 publications. His research interests include biomass characterization, biofuel production, waste management, nanomaterial for biofuel production, waste to value-added products and microbial biofuel production and wastewater treatment.

Dr. Vishal Mishra is currently working as an assistant professor in the School of Biochemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, India. He received his Ph.D. degree from IIT Roorkee, India. He has more than 80 publications. His research interests include algal fuel and biodiesel, life cycle assessment, agro-waste biomass, carbon materials and green synthesized nanomaterials for enhanced capacitance.

Dr. Sachchida Nand Rai is a research associate (ICMR-RA) at the Centre of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, where he received his Ph.D. in 2018. Before joining the BHU, he was a post-doctoral fellow at the Centre of Biotechnology, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj, India from 2020 to 2023. Dr. Rai serves as an academic editor for the journal Mediators of Inflammation, International Journal of Inflammation, and BMC Research Notes. He is also an associate editor for 3 Biotech, Molecular Neurobiology, Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, Journal of Inflammation Research and Degenerative Neurological and Neuromuscular Disease. He has published 2 books. He investigates the neuroprotective activity of common Indian medicinal plants in toxin induced Parkinsonian mouse model. He is a member of the Indian Academy of Neurosciences.

Dr. Maulin P. Shah has emerged as a prominent researcher with his dedication to research spanning over two decades. He completed his BSc in Microbiology from Gujarat University, Godhra (Gujarat), India, in 1999. He further completed his PhD from Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidyanagar (Gujarat), India in 2005. His expertise and efforts are committed to investigating the complex relation between pollution and microbial diversity of wastewater via both cultivation-dependent and independent analyses. His contributions to science and literature have advanced the scientific realms of environmental microbiology such as biological wastewater treatment, biodegradation, bioremediation, and phytoremediation of environmental pollutants. Dr. Shah’s prolific scholarly journey is underscored by a staggering publication record, comprising more than 250 research papers across esteemed national and international journals. Beyond his research articles, he holds the distinguished role of editor for over 150 internationally renowned books, published by esteemed publishers such as Elsevier, Springer, RSC, and CRC Press, Wiley, IWA, IOP, Bentham, Apple Academic Press. His influence extends beyond publications, as he actively serves on the editorial boards of top-rated journals. Alongside his advisory role includes as the Editorial Board Member of CLEAN-Soil, Air, Water- Wiley; Current Pollution Reports- Springer Nature; Journal of Biotechnology & Biotechnological Equipment-Taylor & Francis; Applied Water Science - Springer Nature;